Kyushu 2026: A New Crop Arrives in Makushita

hochiyama Kyushu 2026, Kyushu Basho, Makushita (幕下)

The banzuke of the lower divisions does not grab the same headlines as a Day 15 head-to-head Yokozuna match for the championship, or the interviews surrounding recently promoted sekitori. However, each tournament brings another group of hopefuls to one of sumo’s most important milestones: a debut in makushita. The Kyushu 2026 banzuke features a new class of wrestlers making their first appearance in the division, hoping to follow the path upwards towards the salaried ranks. Recent history suggests there is good reason to pay attention.

The Aki 2026 debut class featured three particularly noteworthy prospects in Tenshōyama, Imamura, and Kazemitsuki. While it remains far too early to draw firm conclusions, as is tradition in this space, I will put their performance under the microscope.

Tenshōyama entered professional sumo with perhaps the highest ceiling of the group. Blessed with exceptional size and power, he has shown flashes of the forceful, forward-moving brand of sumo that made him such a compelling prospect before entering ozumo. While some had hoped at the start of the tournament for another rematch between him and Asahifuji for the Makushita championship, it was not to be. Asahifuji suffered an early loss. Tenshōyama was undefeated (5-0) and went up against eventual Division 3 champ, Inami, suffering his one loss of the tournament. He finished 6-1 with wins over former Makushita Tsukidashi Fudōhō and Ryūshō. He also defeated former Sekitori Ōtsuji. The raw material is unmistakable and we will see some rematches with him and Asahifuji as they both wear silk in the salaried ranks.

Imamura’s first taste of makushita competition has provided an opportunity to see if the 6-1 record in Nagoya ranked him too high for his current skillset. He performed well against the lower Makushita-upper Sandanme journeymen and got his first winning record in division 3. He had wins against some wrestlers with decent Makushita experience, like Sadanohikari and Denuma. He lost to both of the Yamahibiki-beya Ieshima brothers. He at least held his own for his first tournament in Makushita. The next tournament will be another evaluation of his skills.

Kazemitsuki was the only one of the Aki rookies to end up with a losing record, falling to Ieshima on Day 14. It was his first career losing record and he will be able to regroup in Sandanme next time. He lost to Yumenofuji (who went up against Inami for the championship), and to Okada. However, he defeated former collegiate wrestler Shimizuumi and Nishonoseki’s Rinko. He will have another chance to climb back into Makushita soon.

Meanwhile, Two Familiar Names Reach Jūryō

While a new generation enters makushita, two wrestlers recently featured in Tachiai profiles have taken another step forward.

Both Asahifuji and Ryūhō, subjects of recent Makushita rookie spotlights, will appear on the Kyushu 2026 banzuke in the second division. For Asahifuji, the promotion completes a rise that has been marked by steady progression and a growing ability to compete effectively against increasingly experienced opposition. His advancement serves as another reminder that patient development often pays dividends in professional sumo. Ryūhō’s promotion is equally noteworthy. Regarded as a wrestler with considerable potential and still only 19 years old, he now receives the opportunity to test himself in the salaried ranks, where expectations, scrutiny, and rewards all increase dramatically.

Somewhere among this latest group of debutants may be the next future sekitori. Kyushu will provide the first clues as to who that might be.

Hakugetsurō (白月狼)

Stable: Asahiyama
Age: 24
Height (cm/feet-inches): 178 / 5’10”
Weight (kg/lbs): 136 / 300
Home country: Ulaanbaatar Mongolia
High School: Tottori Jōhoku High
University: Senshu University
Career Record and notes: 19-2-0 (.905)
Debut: Hatsu 2026
Notes: Jonokuchi Yusho (Natsu 20226) and Jonidan Yusho (Aki 2026)
Possibility of reaching sekitori: Better than 50-50.

Among the newest foreign recruits to enter ozumo in recent years, few arrive with a story quite like Hakugetsurō. The Mongolian newcomer to Asahiyama-beya followed an unusual path. He is the son of a prominent public official, a former judoka, an academically successful university student, and a wrestler who earned Sandanme Tsukedashi privileges three separate times, only to see all three slip away before he ever was able to step foot in the ring.

Born in Mongolia, Hakugetsurō grew up in a family where athletics and public service went hand in hand. His father, now serving as governor of Bulgan Province, was himself an accomplished judoka who once competed at the World Judo Championships. Following his father’s example, the young Hakugetsurō practiced judo through junior high school. Through his father’s friendship with former Yokozuna Hakuhō, Hakugetsurō was introduced to Japan and enrolled at Tottori Jōhoku High School, one of the premier incubators of elite sumo talent.

He quickly adjusted from judo to sumo, reaching the top eight in his weight class at the Chūgoku regional tournament as a freshman, repeated a top eight finish in a in a heavier weight class division as a sophomore, and by his senior year advanced deep into the highly competitive New Year Sumo Tournament. While he was not yet collecting national titles, his high school career showed steady improvement.

Unlike many collegiate sumo stars, Hakugetsurō ‘s route to university reflected more than athletic ability. He entered Senshu University not through a sumo recommendation but through academic merit, a detail that speaks to a side of his character often highlighted by those around him: intelligence and seriousness. In his junior year at university, he captured the East Japan Student Weight-Class Championship in the under-135 kg division, finished runner-up nationally, and advanced to the last sixteen of both the All-Japan Student Championships and the All-Japan Sumo Championships. Those performances earned him the first two of what would eventually become three separate qualifications for sandanme tsukedashi entry. His senior year brought even more consistency. Another national runner-up finish and another appearance in the round of sixteen at the All-Japan Student Championships secured yet another sandanme tsukedashi qualification. By the end of his university career, he had accumulated credentials that many aspiring professionals would envy.

After graduating in 2025, Hakugetsurō joined Asahiyama-beya as a trainee. However, timing, administrative requirements, and visa-related circumstances created an unfortunate outcome. The one-year validity periods attached to his sandanme tsukedashi qualifications expired one by one, including the final qualification he earned during his senior year. Thus, Hakugetsurō found himself entering professional sumo from jonokuchi.

Rather than dwelling on what had been lost, he focused on what had been gained. A full year in a professional stable before stepping foot on the dohyo transformed his physique and refined his technique. By his own account, his sumo changed dramatically during that period, while his strength and muscle mass increased significantly. When he finally became eligible and cleared the necessary procedures, he stepped onto the professional stage at the March 2026 tournament. Of course, he rapidly overwhelmed the competition in the lower divisions, taking successive Jonokuchi and Jonidan championships. He hit his first difficult competition in upper Sandanme in Aki – finishing with a 5-2 record. He had opening losses to Shōsei (see below) and journeyman Marushō before rallying with 5 straight wins.

Upon joining, two things immediately attracted attention.  First, he joined small Asahiyama stable (under former Sekiwake Kotonishiki). The small, and quirky stable has not had much success raising wrestlers even up to Makushita. They once had a different Mongolian recruit rapidly climbing the ranks, but he quit suddenly.  The second thing is his shikona: 白月狼 (Hakugetsurō). This is among the most evocative ring names to appear in recent years. According to those around the stable, the name was devised by the stablemaster’s wife and references the Mongolian lunar new year, while incorporating imagery associated with the wolf. I think the symbolism may run even deeper. The first character, 白 (“haku” or “white”), naturally recalls the influence of Hakuhō, the Yokozuna who helped bring him to Japan. Combined with the middle character, 月 (“moon”), it does reference the “White Moon” festival that marks the Mongolian New Year and occupies a special place in Mongolian cultural and spiritual life. The final character, 狼 (“wolf”), resonates even more strongly with Mongolian tradition. Throughout Mongolian folklore and national mythology, the wolf is not merely an admired animal but a sacred ancestor figure.

At twenty-four years old, Hakugetsurō enters division 3 older than many high-school competitors. Yet he enters with advantages that many younger prospects lack: years of high-level competitive experience, a university education, physical maturity, and extensive stable training already behind him. His Oyakata has praised his intelligence, diligence, and ability to absorb technical instruction. Those qualities often matter as much as physical gifts in determining who can successfully navigate the brutal climb through the lower divisions. For now, Hakugetsurō’s ambitions remain straightforward. He wants to repay the faith shown by his stablemaster, the stablemaster’s wife, and the teachers who guided him throughout his development. He also hopes to follow in the footsteps of wrestlers he admires, including Wakatakakage, Rōga, Wakanofuji, Asahifuji, and Tenshōzan.

Shōryū (象竜)

Stable: Otowayama
Age: 21
Height (cm/feet-inches): 192 / 6’3”
Weight (kg/lbs): 140 / 308
Home prefecture: Nagano
High School: Unknown (see below)
University: —
Career Record and notes: 60-38-7 (.612)
Debut: 2024 Haru
Notes: None
Possibility of reaching sekitori: Unlikely

In a sport that increasingly attracts talent from around the world, few young wrestlers embody sumo’s international future quite like Shōryū. I am referring, particularly to the upcoming Bangkok tour.

A member of Otowayama-beya, the stable founded by former Yokozuna Kakuryū, Shōryū’s story spans two countries, two cultures, and two very different childhoods. Born in Japan but raised largely in Thailand, he arrived in professional sumo with little Japanese language ability, no amateur sumo background, and a body that weighed less than 100 kilograms. Barely two years later, he has climbed into sandanme and become one of the most intriguing prospects in Kakuryū‘s young stable.

Shōryū was born in Nagano City to a Japanese father and a Thai mother who worked as a Thai-language interpreter. Shortly afterward, the family moved to his mother’s hometown in Kalasin Province, in northeastern Thailand, where he spent most of his childhood. Sumo was not part of his early life. Instead, he grew up enjoying a wide range of sports, particularly basketball. As a tall lad, who ended up standing well over six feet tall, basketball was a natural outlet.

In February 2024, Shōryū returned to Japan to join the newly established Otowayama-beya. He was one of the first recruits personally overseen by Otowayama-oyakata. He did not have an easy go at it. According to the stable, he initially understood very little Japanese. Yet his naturally outgoing personality, combined with years of exposure to Japanese through anime and popular culture, accelerated his adjustment. Remarkably, within three months he was reportedly able to communicate comfortably with his fellow wrestlers. His physical transformation was equally dramatic. When he entered the stable, he weighed less than 100 kilograms. Within six months, through stable life, intensive training, and the famously generous sumo diet, he added roughly forty kilograms to his frame.

Few shikona are as immediately memorable. The explanation is unusually straightforward and unusually personal. The first character, 象 (shō), means elephant. According to multiple profiles, it was chosen as a reference to Thailand and his Thai heritage. Few animals are more closely associated with modern Thai identity than the elephant, which occupies a central place in Thailand’s history, culture, and national symbolism. The second character, 竜 (ryū), comes directly from the ring name of his. It is a character that appears frequently among Otowayama wrestlers and serves as a visible bond to the stable’s founder. Thus, Shōryū’s ring name literally means: “Elephant Dragon”

One of the most remarkable aspects of Shōryū’s rise is that, unlike many of those I have written up recently, he did not arrive with an extensive amateur sumo résumé. At the same time, his development appears to have followed a pattern familiar to many successful foreign wrestlers: rapid physical growth, continuous technical improvement, and a steady climb through the lower divisions.

It is quite evident that he uses his lanky frame and long arms to support his aggressive thrusting and pushing sumo. In fact, it is what first caught my eye. He has some great pushing/thrusting skills, and if he can continue to gain weight and hone those skills – he should be able to go pretty high into the third division. His style reminded me of another half-Thai, Nabatame, when he first started his sumo career. Thus, I have been following his progress through the ranks. His last tournament in Sandanme was 6-1 record from Sandanme 18, with his only loss to former Makushita Āron. His wins were all against former Makushita wrestlers, and even former sekitori Kiryūkō. I am wondering if this was actually a large step forward, or if he will find himself overmatched at his new career high.

I still feel he has to continue to learn sumo and develop his skills, as well as “build” his sumo body. Nevertheless, I feel he is an intriguing prospect and one I cheer for in the lower divisions. I look forward to seeing his results in Makushita.

Izumifuji (泉富士)

Stable: Isegahama
Age: 20
Height (cm/feet-inches): 188 / 6’2”
Weight (kg/lbs): 146 / 322
Home prefecture: Ōsaka
High School: —
University: —
Career Record and notes: 91-80-18 (.532)
Debut: 2022 Haru
Notes: None

Possibility of reaching sekitori: None

Among the many young wrestlers affected by the upheaval surrounding Miyagino-beya, few have undergone as many identity changes in such a short time as Izumifuji. Izumifuji entered professional sumo in March 2022 under his family name of Detachi and joined the famed Miyagino stable headed by former Yokozuna Hakuhō. He joined as a 15 year old, fresh out of middle school. His March 2022 debut was unusual administratively because the ordinary pre-tournament new-recruit examination and maezumo were affected by COVID-era arrangements.

His early career was unremarkable but steady, as he worked his way through jonokuchi and jonidan while developing a style built around tsuppari and straightforward pushing attacks.

The first major change came in May 2024 when he adopted the shikona Senshōhō (泉翔鵬). The name was notable because it incorporated the character 鵬 (hō), the same character made famous by Hakuhō and frequently associated with wrestlers from the Miyagino lineage. However, by spring 2024, the fallout from the Hokuseihō scandal had led to the effective closure of Miyagino-beya, and its wrestlers were transferred into the care of Isegahama-beya. Senshōhō moved together with the rest of the Miyagino group, suddenly becoming part of one of the largest and strongest stables in professional sumo.

For nearly two years he competed as Senshōhō, climbing into sandanme and showing a few flashes of promise. Then another organizational shift arrived. As the former Miyagino wrestlers became increasingly integrated into Isegahama-beya, many adopted new shikona reflecting their new home. Beginning with the January 2026 tournament, Senshōhō became Izumifuji (泉富士).

The second half of the new name is easy to explain. The 富士 (Fuji) suffix has become one of the hallmarks of the modern Isegahama lineage. The kanji izumi (泉) was already present as the first character in his previous shikona. Izumifuji is from Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture, and Kaizuka lies in the Sennan area of the historic Izumi Province. The broader southern Osaka region is commonly called Senshū (泉州), while Izumi (和泉) is the historic regional name. Thus, I think we have discovered some of the possible explanations for his current shikona.

Izumifuji gradually climbed up through sandanme. His record has stabilized after the disruption of changing stables, and he has recently strung together multiple kachi-koshi performances while pushing toward the upper reaches of the division. Still only 20 years old, he remains one of the younger members of the former Miyagino contingent now trying to build a career under the Isegahama banner. His last sandanme tournament had wins against former Makushita Oginohama, Sōma, Kotodaishin, and Kawamura. He had losses to similar caliber wrestlers, indicating he may be ranked around his current skill level in lower Makushita in the next tournament.

Shōsei (翔盛)

Stable: Nakamura
Age: 18
Height (cm/feet-inches): 175 / 5’8”
Weight (kg/lbs): 158 / 347
Home prefecture: Ōita
High School: Nakatsu Higashi High
University: —
Career Record and notes: 24-4-0 (.857)
Debut: 2026 Hatsu
Notes: Jonidan Yusho – Natsu 2026

Possibility of reaching sekitori: Likely

From Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture, Shōsei began practicing sumo in the second year of elementary school at the local Nakatsu Sumo Club. From an early age, he was immersed in the highly competitive amateur environment that has produced a surprisingly large number of top wrestlers from Kyushu.

His progression through the amateur ranks was remarkably steady. After attending Ohata Elementary School and Midorigaoka Junior High School, he enrolled at Oita Prefectural Nakatsu Higashi High School, one of Kyushu’s stronger sumo programs. It is there that he established himself as a consistent national-level competitor. He qualified for national tournaments at every age level and regularly posted strong results against elite amateur opposition. Among his most notable achievements was capturing the individual open-weight title at the Kyushu High School Championships.

During his third year of high school, he reportedly sought admission to Nakamura-beya on his own initiative. That stable choice was hardly accidental. Nakamura-beya is led by former Sekiwake Yoshikaze, Like Shōsei, Yoshikaze is an Oita native, and a former student of Nakatsu Technical High, the school that eventually morphed into Nakatsu Highashi High. For an ambitious young wrestler from Oita, there may have been no more natural role model and Shōsei has openly identified Yoshikaze as the wrestler he most wants to emulate.

While still a high-school student, Shōsei made his professional debut at the January 2026 tournament. In March, then competing in jonokuchi, he produced a 6-1 record and advanced all the way to the championship playoff. There he faced a familiar opponent, his own stablemate Āron, ultimately finishing as runner-up. Importantly, he appeared comfortable making the adjustment to professional sumo. He followed it with the Division 5 championship and only two tournaments in Sandanme to advance to Makushita before the end of the year. He sent Hakugetsurō to his first professional defeat on Day 1 of the Aki tournament, only losing to Kasshō (unexpectedly in my opinion). His 6-1 record from Sandanme 2 will advance him deep into mid-Makushita. This is where we will see his real skill level.

His shikona is currently just his first name  – 翔盛 Shōsei. The full shikona “Shōsei Tanaka” is just a reversal of his family and first name. It’s the first time I have seen “Tanaka” used as a first name.

Kyushu Banzuke Talk

lksumo Nagoya 2025

Hey all, I’m back. Let’s talk about how the Aki results are likely to reshuffle the rankings for the November basho.

The named ranks

This is largely straightforward. At Yokozuna, title-winning Onosato will remain on the East side, ahead of absent Hoshoryu. The Ozeki order will rearrange according to their results: Aonishiki at O1e, followed by Kotozakura at O1w and Kirishima at O2e. The two Sekiwake successfully defended their ranks, but there’s a question about their order. Will 11-4 Fujinokawa leapfrog 8-7 Atamifuji? Unlike Yokozuna and Ozeki, there’s no clear rule about this, and the decisions in recent years have been inconsistent. Then we should have Churanoumi making his san’yaku debut at K1e, and Yoshinofuji returning to the Komusubi rank after a one-basho absence. Based on the odd decisions about the order of san’yaku rikishi on the September banzuke, I wouldn’t completely rule out the possibility of Yoshinofuji on the East side instead.

Upper maegashira

There should be no argument about Asanoyama taking the top maegashira spot, which would place him in a great position for a san’yaku return in January. After that, there is a gap, with no results that would earn a rank higher than M3. Takayasu would be first in the queue for M1w, but he had a losing record at M2e, so he is not eligible. It seems like the only real choice is to over-promote M4w Fujiryoga (8-7), who’s never dropped in rank since his March 2025 debut as Makushita tsukedashi. And then it gets tricky. We have a combination of dropping and rising rikishi whose records place all of them around M4/M5, and so they could be arranged in a lot of different orders. In addition to the aforementioned 7-8 Takayasu, the make-koshi group consists of the the two dropping Komusubi—Hakunofuji and Daieisho, both 5-10—the M1 Koto brothers, who also only managed 5 wins apiece, and M3e Gonoyama (6-9). The risers are M7e Fujiseiun (9-6), M8e Takerufuji (9-6), M8w Hiradoumi (9-6), and M9e Ura (10-5). The only definite here is the relative order of the Komusibi, the M1s, and the 9-6 trio; everything else is up for grabs.

Exchanges between Makuuchi and Juryo

The order of the rikishi in danger of dropping from the top division is as follows M16e Wakanosho (absent), M12e Wakatakakage (absent), M17e Shonannoumi (3-12), M14e Tobizaru (4-11), M11w Shodai (3-12), M14w Chiyoshoma (5-10). Conversely, the promotion queue in Juryo is J1e Dewanoryu (10-5), J3e Tamawashi (10-5), yusho winner J6e Kitanowaka (11-4), J5w Arashifuji (10-5), J1w Kyokukaiyu (8-7), J2e Daiseizan (8-7). The first 5 exchanges are pretty much set in stone. The only real uncertainty is whether Chiyoshoma has a very lucky escape, denying Daiseizan (or, less likely. Arashifuji). Tobizaru hasn’t been in Juryo since he made his Makuuchi debut 6 years ago at Aki 2020. But that’s nothing compared to Shodai, whose top-division run dates all the way back to his debut over a decade ago, in January 2016! The promotions would mark top-division debuts for Dewanoryu, Kyokukaiyu, and Arashifuji, as well as welcome returns for Iron Man Tamawashi (after a two-basho absence) and Kitanowaka, for the first time since a January 2025 injury sent him tumbling down the banzuke.

Exchanges between Juryo and Makushita

As I noted in a comment on Andy’s post, mega-prospect Asahifuji should be exchanged with Tochitaikai, and Ryuho with Nishikigi. The first is 100%, the second is more like 90%. The next exchange would be Ikarigata with Hatsuyama, but there’s almost no chance of it happening. Even less likely is Tamashoho getting exchanged with another mega-prospect, Tenshoyama, who was ranked outside the promotion zone and needed a 7-0 record. Asahifuji’s promotion after only five basho will tie the record for the fastest rise from Jonokuchi to sekitori, most recently accomplished by Enho. We’ll find out what actually happens here in a day or two, unlike the rest of the banzuke, where we’ll have to wait until October 26.

Aki 2026: Senshuraku

Andy Aki 2026 , , ,

Kitanowaka of Hakkaku-beya won the Juryo yusho. He defeated Kagayaki in regulation to force a play-off. Kayo joined the play-off as he beat Tamawashi. Kitanowaka then defeated Kagayaki and Kayo to claim the title.

What works once must work twice. Rinse and repeat, no?

The Makushita to Juryo promotion queue will be interesting. There’s precedent for elevating Makushita 4 with 4-3 records: Nabatame & Hoshoryu. There’s precedent for elevating Makushita 9 with a 6-1: Hakuho. There’s also precedent for keeping a 6-9 at the same rank. It will be interesting but I think Tochitaikai, Nishikigi, Tamashoho, Hatsuyama go down. Asahifuji, Ryuho, Ikarigata and Tenshoyama come up. What do y’all think? Frankly, the Sumo Association will do what the Sumo Association wants to do.

Special Prize Nominations:

Takayasu will get a Fighting Spirit prize if he wins and Onosato claims the yusho. Fujinokawa will receive an unconditional Fighting Spirit Prize. Churanoumi, Asanoyama, and Toshinofuji are eligible for Fighting Spirit Prizes if they win today. No one will receive a Technique prize. “No soup for you!”

NHK videos are here. Of all of the Juryo action available, the NHK posted the Tanji-Arashifuji bout. Enjoy.

Makuuchi Action

Kazuma defeated Shonannoumi. Kazuma shoved Shonannoumi out quickly. Oshidashi.

Chiyoshoma (5-10) defeated Shodai (3-12). Chiyoshoma charged forward and Shodai tried to change direction while shoving Chiyoshoma to the side but Chiyoshoma ran right through Shodai. Oshidashi.

Oho (7-8) defeated Tokihayate (8-7). Oho got his left arm inside and held Tokihayate up, under the shoulder. Oho used gaburi hip thrusts to drive Tokihayate back and out.  Yorikiri.

Asasuiryu (8-7) defeated Shishi (7-8). Asasuiryu charged forward and Shishi gave up on the edge. Yorikiri.

Ura (10-5) defeated Tobizaru (4-11). It looked like a pair of clones out there, fighting with the same push-pull strategy. Eventually, Ura charged forward and DIDN’T pull. When he pressed forward at the edge, he forced Tobizaru out. Yorikiri.

Hiradoumi (9-6) defeated Toshinofuji (9-6). Hiradoumi hooked both arms inside Toshinofuji and pressed forward. Toshinofuji tried a throw at the edge but Hiradoumi bulldozed ahead and forced him out. No Special Prize for Toshinofuji. Yorikiri.

Takerufuji (9-6) defeated Asahakuryu (8-7). Takerufuji got low, hooked both arms inside, rotated and plowed through Asahakuryu. Yorikiri.

Abi (8-7) defeated Nishikifuji (7-8). Abi used strong tsuppari to force Nishikifuji back. Nishikifuji grabbed Abi’s left arm and tried an armbar. It nearly paid dividends and Abi stumbled forward but stopped before the tawara. Abi then pulled, shuffled along the tawara and slapped Nishikifuji down. Hatakikomi.

Fujiseiun (9-6) defeated Asakoryu (9-6). Asakoryu pulled and rotated but couldn’t throw Fujiseiun. Fujiseiun grabbed Asakoryu’s thong and got behind Asakoryu. [Cue Sisqo, “Thong song.”] Asakoryu kind of gave up and let Fujiseiun force him out from behind. I don’t think it was the wedgie that ended Asakoryu’s day. He flexed his right knee after the bout. Okuridashi.

Ichiyamamoto (4-11) defeated Kinbozan (9-6). Ichiyamamoto shifted slightly to the side after the tachiai and Kinbozan stumbled forward. Ichiyamamoto tracked in from behind like a velociraptor and shoved Kinbozan out from behind. Okuridashi.

Halftime

Gonoyama (6-9) defeated Wakamotoharu (10-5). Gonoyama charged forward and was careful about Wakamotoharu’s rotation, shoving him out. Oshidashi.

Yoshinofuji (9-6) defeated Asanoyama (10-5). Yoshinofuji rotated and crushed Asanoyama out. No special prize for Asanoyama. Yoritaoshi.

Fujiryoga (8-7) defeated Takayasu (7-8). Takayasu pivoted and pulled but Fujiryoga’s excellent footwork avoided defeat. Fujiryoga drove forward into Takayasu and looped his arm inside Takayasu’s shoulder. When Takayasu dug his heels into the tawara, Fujiryoga twisted and dragged him down. No Outstanding Performance prize for Takayasu. Sukuinage.

Kotoeiho (5-10) defeated Oshoma (6-9). Oshoma pulled while shoving Kotoeiho’s head down. Kotoeiho’s legs kept churning forward and he forced Oshoma out. Yorikiri.

Sanyaku

Churanoumi (10-5) defeated Daieisho (5-10). Daieisho hit Churanoumi with his thrust-pull combo. Churanoumi had read the brief. He blocked what tsuppari he could and then rushed Daieisho out.

Hakunofuji (5-10) defeated Roga (6-9). Roga briefly got the back of Hakunofuji’s belt but Hakunofuji charged ahead and forced him out. I do not wake up this early in the morning to watch Roga or Oshoma fight, that’s for sure. Yorikiri.

Kore-Yori-Sanyaku

Well, looky there. The kore-yori-sanyaku are all Sekiwake and above. That’s a good tournament. Terunofuji standing up in the hanamichi like, “bring home those arrows!”

Fujinokawa (11-4) defeated Atamifuji (8-7). Atamifuji wrapped up Fujinokawa with a kimedashi hold and drove forward. But he released Fujinokawa’s right arm so he could shove Fujinokawa with the left hand. Bad mistake. Freed from that kimedashi, Fujinokawa shifted left and used his left arm to heave Atamifuji over. That’s Fighting Spirit. Unconditional. Atamifuji walked back down the hanamichi only to see Ikioi and Terunofuji hunched over the replay screen. “Oh crap.” Sukuinage.

Kirishima (8-7) defeated Kotozakura (9-6). Nail-biter here as Kotozakura tried to catch Kirishima at the edge. Then he actually tried to overpower him with a yorikiri. Kirishima wanted the win more, needed the win more, and hauled Kotozakura over the edge. No kadoban Ozeki for Kyushu. Ain’t that something? Uwatenage.

Onosato (12-3) defeated Aonishiki (11-4). Onosato hit Aonishiki with tsuppari to the face, repeatedly. Aonishiki had that left-hand grip for a moment before the beating started. Onosato’s shoves broke Aonishiki’s hold and his resolve. That final left hand to the jaw looked uncomfortable. Shonosuke called a great bout, the last of his career. お疲れ様でした。 Tsukidashi.

Wrap-up

Onosato Yusho. The win appeared to hit him during the playing of the national anthem as he broke up and started to cry. He had to cover his face. It looks like this one really meant a lot.

We’ll see you back here in a couple of days for the Juryo promotion announcements