Natsu 2026: Senshuraku

Andy Natsu 2026, Natsu Basho ,

Fujinokawa’s brother, Ikarigata, came out on top of the seven-man play-off and won the Makushita yusho with a henka in the ultimate bout. Asahifuji defeated Kiryuko for the second time and claimed the Sandanme yusho with a nice sukuinage.

No one will receive the Outstanding Performance prize. We have five nominees for the Fighting Spirit prize for the rank-and-filers in the yusho race, all conditional on winning today: Yoshinofuji, Hakunofuji, Ura, Kotoeiho, and Fujiryoga. Finally, Wakatakakage claims the Technique prize for a seventh time. (For those wondering, no, it’s not a record. A couple of guys have 9.)

NHK videos are here.

Makuuchi Action

Dewanoryu defeated Oshoumi. Dewanoryu got his left hand inside belt grip. As Oshoumi pressed forward to the bales, Dewanoryu pivoted and dragged Oshoumi to the ground. Shitatenage.

Shishi (6-9) defeated Ryuden (5-10). When Shishi got his right hand inside belt grip to accompany his left hand uwate, he drove forward and forced Ryuden out. Yorikiri.

Kinbozan (6-9) defeated Tobizaru (9-6). Kinbozan chased Tobizaru and shoved him off the dohyo. Oshitaoshi.

Nishikifuji (5-10) defeated Tokihayate (4-11). Nishikifuji began by shoving Tokihayate back to the edge of the ring and he finished with a pull and slapdown. Hatakikomi.

Wakanosho (9-6) defeated Asahakuryu (5-10). Wakanosho would not allow Asahakuryu to establish a grip on his belt. He ripped Asahakuryu’s hand away and continued his tsuppari attack. Asahakuryu pressed forward but Wakanosho slipped to the side and shoved Asahakuryu out. Tsukiotoshi.

Hakunofuji (11-4) defeated Fujiseiun (7-8). Henka! Hakunofuji shifted to the left and slapped Fujiseiun down. Hakunofuji picked up his special prize and claimed his slot in a possible yusho play-off. Hatakikomi.

Roga (9-6) defeated Gonoyama (8-7). Roga overpowered Gonoyama and crushed him out over the bales as Gonoyama tried to resist at the edge. Yoritaoshi.

Daieisho defeated Mitakeumi. Daieisho thrust Mitakeumi repeatedly to the edge, then shifted to his left and thrust Mitakeumi to the floor. Tsukiotoshi.

Oho (9-6) defeated Abi (5-10). Oho’s thrusts > Abi’s thrusts. It’s just math. Tsukidashi.

Halftime

Hiradoumi (7-8) defeated Tamawashi (2-12). Hiradoumi easily forced Tamawashi out. A nice applause came from the crowd, not to congratulate Hiradoumi but in appreciation for Tamawashi. Yorikiri.

Ichiyamamoto (6-9) defeated Shodai (6-9). Ichiyamamoto used his thrusts to shove Shodai back and over the edge. Shodai’s last second side-step was an insufficient and uninspired counter-attack. Oshidashi.

Yoshinofuji (11-4) defeated Kotoeiho (10-5). Yoshinofuji used his left hand uwate to wrangle Kotoeiho, drive him to the edge and force him over. Yoshinofuji claimed the special prize that was up for grabs and the spot in a potential yusho play-off. Yorikiri.

Takanosho (7-8) defeated Chiyoshoma (5-10). We got a flurry of tsuppari from these two which Takanosho put an end to by slapping Chiyoshoma down. Hatakikomi.

Fujinokawa (7-8) defeated Wakamotoharu (5-10). Henka! Like his brother, Fujinokawa leapt to the side and slapped his opponent to the ground. Hatakikomi.

Sanyaku

Wakatakakage (12-3) defeated Fujiryoga (10-5). Fujiryoga might have been a bit overeager to counter Wakatakakage’s strength. Fujiryoga committed to driving forward but Wakatakakage shifted back and to his right and pulled Fujiryoga forward. Wakatakakage put an end to hopes of a larger play-off at 11-4. As Fujiryoga walked back down the hanamichi, Chris Tucker’s voice came in from the background. “He’s going to cry in the car.” Katasukashi.

Kotoshoho (9-6) defeated Churanoumi (9-6). Churanoumi seemed extra motivated today, perhaps by the potential to win the arrows. He slapped away with wild abandon at Kotoshoho. Kotoshoho, however, was a rock and would not budge…until he suddenly shifted left and thrust Churanoumi to the ground. Tsukiotoshi.

Atamifuji (9-6) defeated Oshoma (8-7). Oshoma’s strategy was too obvious and too easy for Atamifuji to avoid. Oshoma tried to grab Atamifuji’s arm and pull him forward, then he tried to slap him down. Atamifuji just kept plugging away with his tsuppari and eventually Oshoma walked himself back and out. Oshidashi.

Kirishima (12-3) defeated Ura (10-5). Kirishima had a plan and executed. Kirishima hit Ura firmly at the tachiai and pulled Ura to his left. Kirishima immediately followed up by kicking and tripping Ura as he thrust back to the right. Oshitaoshi.

We have a Play-Off!

Wakatakakage defeated Kirishima. Wakatakakage avenged his Day 11 defeat by over-powering Kirishima and thrusting him backward from the ring as Kirishima seemed set on a pulldown which never materialized. Oshidashi.

Wrap-Up

Congratulations to Wakatakakage! He claimed his second yusho, more than four years after his first title as Sekiwake in Osaka 2022. Before you start thinking about Ozeki runs, WTK is Komusubi and last tournament he barely scraped by with a 8-6-1 record. He will undoubtedly join a crowded Sekiwake rank, with Atamifuji and Kotoshoho preserving their rank and Aonishiki’s forthcoming demotion.

So, I know it’s tempting to start throwing out yet another Ozeki run to chase…but not so fast. People were already out there wanting Kirishima to fly into Yokozuna-dom. I’m not going to even entertain an Ozeki line of thinking until September. Let’s stay focused on June. The Paris tournament is coming up and we’ve got two retirement ceremonies. Then we will look at July. There will be a lot of change in the upcoming banzuke and many stories as our kyujo wrestlers return. See you soon!

Natsu 2026: Senshuraku Preview

Andy Natsu 2026, Natsu Basho ,

This morning the Sumo Association posted the final bouts for the Final Day’s action.

Picture in your minds all of the names of wrestlers who are out of the tournament. Then, ponder this line-up for the final three bouts: Kotoshoho vs Churanoumi, Atamifuji vs Oshoma, Kirishima vs Ura. Before the kore-yori-sanyaku Wakatakakage will fight the makujiri, Fujiryoga, in a match-up of yusho significance. I never would have thought it would come down to this. It was not on my bingo card, as they say.

Certainly, there’s some (okay — a lot of) disappointment in how the basho has transpired but it is what it is. There has actually been some great sumo from a lot of new names. There’s an opening for another huge, exciting playoff to match the massive seven-man shindig in Makushita but that would require both Kirishima and Wakatakakage to fall on their faces at the finish line. I can’t say I’m looking forward to that eventuality.

Takayasu will plummet from sanyaku and one wonders whether he will be able to return. Deeper in the division, Iron Man Tamawashi appears headed for Juryo, coming up shy in his pursuit of the all-time record in makuuchi tournaments and likely ending his advancement up the list of all-time wins. (Let’s face it, Hakuho’s out of reach.) Ryuden and Oshoumi are set to join him on the way down. Nishikifuji is in peril. In Juryo, Nishikigi might drop into Makushita.

The annoying thing about sumo is that it seems every tournament brings the end of the career of some of our favorites, and it’s happening more and more in recent tournaments. Already there’s been a stream of retirement announcements from the lower divisions, including Yuma who cracked into Juryo a few years ago.

The Blooming Fujis

But the great thing about the sport is that there are always new faces making a name for themselves. From Asahifuji, who’s tearing things up in the lower divisions, to Omori…this tournament has really seen growth from the budding Fujis.

Fujinokawa has reached his career high rank here. He will stumble a bit with this make-koshi but he’s fighting well against the best. He will be around for quite a while and I am sure he’ll reach sanyaku in the near future. The same seems to be true of Fujiryoga and Fujiseiun, who are just starting to make their marks in the division and have been looking great this tournament.

(藤) If you are wondering about the kanji for this “fuji” it’s different from what you’re familiar with from Isegahama-beya: (富士). It’s not Fuji-san, the mountain. Their kanji is for fuji-no-hana, the wisteria. Kameido (where my wife is from) is famous for its fuji-no-hana and it’s in bloom in April/May.

The pic on the right comes from the Kameido Tenshinsha temple there. There’s a famous little red pedestrian bridge there but I loved this photo with Sky Tree in the background. The Hokusai museum isn’t far away, either. Right now they’re making ume-shu. I love ume-shu (plum wine).

Then, the Kototebakari brothers: Kotoshoho and Kotoeiho are real bright spots at Sadogatake just when stablemate and heyagashira Kotozakura seems to really be struggling.

The biggest story of all this tournament, though, is the return of Enho to Juryo. The significance of this tournament in his career cannot be lost. He is now eligible to retire as oyakata with the Sumo Association when it’s finally time to pack it in. I look forward to seeing him working with Ishiura to foster the new generation of wrestlers. But the way he’s fighting, he doesn’t look done.

If only there were enough kabu to go around, however. I think there’s one available at the moment…with many of the names that I mentioned eager to get it on loan or buy it outright. Tamawashi has signaled his intent to keep fighting, for example. Maybe there’s a reason.

Natsu 2026: Day Fourteen

Andy Natsu 2026, Natsu Basho ,

Day 14 in Tokyo.

Kazekeno (10-4) dropped his third bout in a row to a motivated Takerufuji and fell out of the yusho lead. Takerufuji is pushing for Makuuchi promotion and likely has it with this frontal crush out win. Kazuma (11-1) leads heading into senshuraku, as he defeated Asasuiryu. Enho (8-6) lost to Shirokuma (7-7).

Your NHK videos are here.

Makuuchi Action

Daiseizan (8-6) defeated Tokihayate (4-10). Daiseizan took his time to get a solid belt grip. With his left hand inside and right hand over arm grips, he pivoted and dragged Tokihayate to the edge and forced him over the bales. Yorikiri.

Wakanosho (8-6) defeated Kinbozan (5-9). Lots of thrusting and side-stepping here. Wakanosho adopted Kinbozan’s attack and eventually beat him with it. Wakanosho got in behind Kinbozan and shoved him out. Okuridashi.

Shishi (5-9) defeated Abi (5-9). Shishi put his head down and charged forward into Abi, shoving him over the bales. Oshidashi.

Nishikifuji (4-10) defeated Tamawashi (2-12). Tamawashi charged ahead and Nishikifuji shifted left and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.

Oshoma (8-6) defeated Roga (8-6). Oshoma grabbed Roga’s belt with his right hand inside, pivoted, and rolled Roga to the floor. Shitatenage.

Asahakuryu (5-9) defeated Ryuden (5-9). It was as if Ryuden got lost somewhere between the shikirisen. Ryuden went left and touched the ground with his hand as Asahakuryu also shift left and Ryuden lost his balance. Tsukiotoshi.

Mitakeumi (8-6) defeated Chiyoshoma (5-9). Migi-yotsu. The longest bout I’ve seen from Mitakeumi in a minute. He finally reared up and hauled Chiyoshoma to the edge and forced him over. Yorikiri.

Wakamotoharu (5-9) defeated Oshoumi (4-10). Hidari-yotsu. Wakamotoharu drove forward and forced Oshoumi to the edge. Oshoumi resisted so Wakamotoharu crushed him back over the tawara. Yoritaoshi.

Churanoumi (9-5) defeated Gonoyama (8-6). A long, ranging brawl before Churanoumi cornered Gonoyama along the edge and pressed forward, forcing both men to tumble out. Yoritaoshi.

Halftime

Fujiseiun (7-7) defeated Hiradoumi (6-8). Fujiseiun got his right hand inside hold and drove Hiradoumi through the dohyo and out. Yorikiri.

Oho (8-6) defeated Tobizaru (9-5). Oho charged forward and deposited a spent monkey over the edge of the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Fujiryoga (10-4) defeated Yoshinofuji (10-4). Yoshinofuji tried to charge forward and drive Fujiryoga back. Fujiryoga slipped from Yoshinofuji’s grasp while pivoting and rotating with his left shoulder underneath Yoshinofuji’s right arm. Sukuinage.

Daieisho (6-8) defeated Ichiyamamoto (5-9). Both men alternated slapdown attempts. Daieisho’s was the first to succeed. Hikiotoshi.

Ura (10-4) defeated Fujinokawa (6-8). Fujinokawa charged into Ura behind a nodowa. Ura slipped from Fujinokawa’s grasp and ducked to the side, allowing Fujinokawa to keep rushing on by and off the dohyo. Tsukitaoshi.

Takanosho (6-8) defeated Shodai (6-8). Takanosho held Shodai up for a second with a nodowa, then Takanosho shifted right and let go. Shodai fell forward on his belly. Hikiotoshi.

Sanyaku

Wakatakakage (11-3) defeated Kotoeiho (10-4). Kotoeiho tried to shift left and pull Wakatakakage down but Wakatakakage just stayed low, shifted with Kotoeiho, and shoved him out. Oshidashi.

Atamifuji (8-6) defeated Kotoshoho (8-6) There’s only so long you can try the same throw before your opponent just pushes you out. Kotoshoho discovered that limit as Atamifuji finally forced Kotoshoho over the bales. It took one lap around the bales and Kotoshoho was deposited from whence he came. Yorikiri.

Hakunofuji (10-4) defeated Kirishima (11-3). Kirishima nearly shoved Hakunofuji out but Hakunofuji mounted his defense from the tawara. With his left hand up on the front of Kirishima’s belt he briefly got his right hand inside as well and he pressed forward into Kirishima, driving him back and toppling him over the edge. Yoritaoshi.

Wrap-Up

Kirishima’s loss turns the race back into a hot mess. With a win, it would have been down to himself and Wakatakakage tomorrow. With the loss, our 10-4 folks become eligible for a possible playoff tomorrow if both Kirishima and Wakatakakage lose.

Yusho Arasoi:

  • 3-Losses: Kirishima, Wakatakakage
  • 4-Losses: Yoshinofuji, Hakunofuji, Ura, Kotoeiho, Fujiryoga

For Kirishima’s bouts tomorrow, NHK brought the prospects of Atamifuji, Ura and Fujiryoga as possible opponents. For Wakatakakage they’re also looking at Ura and Fujiryoga, as well as Hakunofuji. I can’t believe Fujiryoga is up in this, to be honest. He’s good but he didn’t look so hot last basho. Who am I kidding? The four guys remaining from sanyaku could barely muster three bouts. It will be crazy to see the depleated field represented in the kore-yori-sanyaku tomorrow.

Makushita Playoff!

lksumo Nagoya 2025

As Andy alluded to, the Makushita race didn’t end today. Asahifuji knocked off Omori on day 11, leaving Akua as the only 6-0 wrestler in the third division. Akua had his chance to claim the yusho today against 5-1 Mudoho but lost, bringing all the 6-1 rikishi back into contention. So we’ll have a big 7-way playoff on senshuraku. The participants are below. I believe the format is that they draw lots to pair them up for round one, with one lucky rikishi getting a bye. That leaves four, and they fight it out in a standard elimination format, with two semifinals followed by a final. It’s an interesting mix of prospects and veterans, and should be a fun watch. It’s the first such playoff since Aki 2023.