Haru 2026: Day Nine

Andy Haru 2026, Haru Basho , , , ,

Day Nine in Osaka. As usual, let’s swing by the infirmary for any updates and we’ve got a couple of injury items. Abi is back in the action today and will fight Churanoumi. Secondly, Onokatsu is kyujo, again. Shodai will pick up the default victory. Onokatsu’s participation over the past few days has been painful to watch. Unfortunately, his foot injury will likely mean he will drop into Juryo but better to heal and come back than continue to do more damage while losing.

Thank you, Leonid, for posting in my absence. The comments sections were busy, even without me and that was great to see. The Makushita yusho race is heating up and I bring great follow-on news about Enho! He picked up his fourth win today, cementing his kachi-koshi.

NHK has videos of today’s action here.

Makuuchi Action

Asahakuryu (6-3) defeated Kinbozan (4-5). Asahakuryu put an end to Kinbozan’s tsuppari by working his way inside and getting a right-hand inside, left-hand outside hold of Kinbozan’s mawashi. He stood Kinbozan up high and steadily worked him to the side of the ring and over the bales. Yorikiri.

Fujiseiun (6-3) defeated Chiyoshoma (5-4). Chiyoshoma shoved Fujiseiun to the edge but Fujiseiun used his excellent footwork to rotate and force Chiyoshoma’s back to the tawara. Fujiseiun then used his hazuoshi to shove Chiyoshoma up and out. Oshidashi.

Asakoryu (6-3) defeated Fujiryoga (5-4). From a perilous position at the edge, Asakoryu got a left-hand inside grip, pivoted to his left and pulled Fujiryoga forward to the floor. Shitatenage.

Mitakeumi (4-5) defeated Oshoumi (2-7). Oshoumi forced Mitakeumi to the edge where Mitakeumi shuffled right and forced Oshoumi out with a shove in the back. Oshoumi had the look of a kid who was just about to enjoy a nice, big, cold ice cream only to have a seagull come down swoop down from nowhere and poop on it. Tsukiotoshi.

Shishi (5-4) defeated Nishikifuji (4-5). Shishi got his right arm inside Nishikifuji’s shoulder and shoved him hard to the left. This staggered Nishikifuji and Shishi kept shoving until Nishikifuji was off the dohyo. Yorikiri.

Tobizaru (3-6) defeated Roga (3-6). Tobizaru slipped Roga’s grasp to the left and pulled him down. Hikiotoshi.

Gonoyama (8-1) defeated Kotoeiho (6-3). Gonoyama blitzed Kotoeiho and immediately put him on his heels by leading with his head. Kotoeiho tried to turn and pull but Gonoyama had him well within his grasp. Gonoyama quickly shoved him out. With his eighth win, Gonoyama is the first rikishi in the top division to earn his kachi-koshi this tournament. I did NOT have that on my bingo card. Oshidashi.

Asanoyama (5-4) defeated Tamawashi (2-7). Tamawashi gave it the old college try and forced Asanoyama to the edge but Asanoyama got his left hand inside Tamawashi’s right shoulder and heaved him over to the ground. Sukuinage.

Oshoma (4-5) defeated Tokihayate (4-5). Oshoma pulled Tokihayate’s hands forward, then seized the back of his belt to pull him down to the ground. Uwatenage.

Shodai (6-3) claimed the default win over Onokatsu (1-6-2).

Halftime

Hakunofuji (2-3-4) defeated Ichiyamamoto (4-5). After a long lean, Hakunofuji forced the issue with a trip attempt. Ichiyamamoto kept his balance and used the leverage to force Hakunofuji to the edge with his strong yotsu sumo. At the bales, Hakunofuji shoved Ichi with his left hand, giving him space to slide left and pull Ichiyamamoto down with his right. What an escape! Uwatehineri.

Kotoshoho (8-1) defeated Ura (4-5). Kotoshoho assaulted Ura from the word, “jump,” and did not relent until Ura was sent flying from the dohyo. Another rank-and-file kachi-koshi, and a lucrative one, to boot. Might be able to buy a new pair of sandals or a nice handbag. Oshidashi.

Abi (1-3-5) defeated Churanoumi (3-6). Abi-zumo was back in force today. A steady stream of tsuppari to Churanoumi’s face followed by a slap-down. Hatakikomi.

Wakatakakage defeated Yoshinofuji. Wakatakakage hit Yoshinofuji at the tachiai and shifted slightly left. However slight, it was enough for Yoshinofuji to slip forward to the clay. No one else saw Wakamotoharu slip the banana peel up there to help his brother out but I saw. I’ve got my eye on you, Onami-kun. I’ve got my eye on you. Hikiotoshi.

Sanyaku

Fujinokawa (4-5) defeated Atamifuji (5-4). Atamifuji had just shoved Fujinokawa to the edge when he decided to execute the slowest slapdown attempt in history. He did pivot, I’ll give him that, but then he just went backwards again and Fujinokawa shoved him out with a flurry of tsuppari. Oshidashi.

Wakamotoharu (2-7) defeated Hiradoumi (5-4). Hiradoumi drove Wakamotoharu to the edge but Wakamotoharu used his right arm in Hiradoumi’s left shoulder to pull him over the bales. Gunbai Wakamotoharu. No mono-ii. What a spectacular throw! This was the “counter-move” that Konishiki mentioned in his kimarite video. Sorry, I have watched these so many times that I have, “a counter mooove,” cued up in my head when I see utchari.

Kirishima (8-1) defeated Daieisho (4-5). Kirishima got separation from Daieisho. Then Daieisho charged forward like the bull in “Bully for Bugs.” Like that slippery rabbit, Kirishima shifted to the side and Daieisho went on by and Kiri shoved him down. Tsukiotoshi.

Kotozakura (5-4) defeated Oho (3-6). Oho chose a poor time to pull and Kotozakura shoved Oho over the bales. Oshidashi.

Aonishiki (4-5) defeated Takayasu (6-3). Aonishiki is back to his fundamentals. He’s shaken off the nightmare of the last few days and used steady tsuppari to drive Takayasu back and over the edge. Oshidashi.

Hoshoryu (7-2) defeated Takanosho (7-2). Takanosho shoved the Yokozuna’s head back as hard as he could but Hoshoryu took it in stride. When Takanosho relented, Hoshoryu drove forward and forced him out. Oshidashi.

Wrap-up

We’ve got a five-man yusho race at the moment. Sadly, Takayasu falls from the race, along with Kotoeiho.

一敗: Kirishima, Kotoshoho, Gonoyama

二敗: Hoshoryu, Takanosho

Kirishima is making a solid go of it. While Aonishiki’s Yokozuna run came to an end in a dreadful three-bout losing streak, Kirishima’s hopes of returning to Ozeki are looking brighter. Kirishima picked up his seventh win in a row and eighth overall by shoving Takayasu out of contention. He’ll need to dig deep because Takanosho owns him in their rivalry, 17-6.

Let’s turn to tomorrow’s pairings. Atamifuji will fight Churanoumi, Kirishima will fight Takanosho and Takayasu will fight Oho. Aonishiki will fight Hiradoumi and Kotozakura will step up to face Daieisho. Hoshoryu will close out Day Ten against Wakamotoharu.

It’s great to be back and I’ll see you here tomorrow.

Haru 2026, Day 8

lksumo Nagoya 2025

We’ve reached nakabi, the middle Sunday. Eight days of action are in the books; seven days remain. Let’s start the day 8 coverage with our first look at Makushita. We’re down to the quarterfinals. Here’s the bracket:

Nabatame is a popular former sekitori from Futagoyama beya on the comeback trail from a knee injury. He’ll fight recent newcomer Ryuho, whose career record to date stands at 23-2. Former maegashira, big salt thrower, and bow twirler Akua takes on former mega-prospect Oshoryu. Last basho’s Ms60TD debutant Wakanofuji fights Sazanami, who is at his career-high rank and whose main claim to fame is tossing around Hiro Morita in Sumo Prime Time technique videos. MatsuiArashifuji debuted at Ms60TD two years ago and is also at his career-high rank, as is his opponent, Okaryu, who started at Sd90TD one basho later.

The promotion zone is quite crowded, though tomorrow’s matchups will go some way to sorting out the contenders and the pretenders. Go Enho!

Moving on to Juryo, Kayo managed to put dirt on Wakanosho, who did not look nearly as dominant as he did in winning his first seven bouts. He is joined at 7-1 by J11 Kazuma and J14 Kazekeno.

Finally, in the top division, S1e Kirishima, M4w Takanosho, M5w Kotoshoho, M10e Gonoyama all won to share the lead at 7-1. Kirishima won the Sekiwake duel against Takayasu, who fell to 6-2, where he was joined by Yokozuna Hoshoryu, who suffered a surprise upset loss to Daieisho. These six are your likely yusho contenders (bottom-ranked M17w Kotoeiho is also 6-2, but much as I like him, I don’t rate his chances). The headline bouts tomorrow are Hoshoryu vs. Takanosho (10-3 H2H), slumping Aonishiki (3-5) vs. Takayasu (3-1 H2H), and Kirishima vs. Daieisho (15-11 H2H).

Thanks for following along; I expect regular service to resume tomorrow.

Haru 2026 Day 7

lksumo Nagoya 2025

More of a placeholder post while Andy is kyujo. Your leaderboard heading into the middle Sunday is:
○○○●○○○ Y1e Hoshoryu
○●○○○○○ S1e Kirishima
○○○○○●○ S1w Takayasu
○○○○○●○ M4w Takanosho
○□○○●○○ M5w Kotoshoho
○○○●○○○ M10e Gonoyama

In Juryo, Wakanosho (7-0) continues to dominate, with Kazuma and Kazekeno one win back. And in Makushita, Enho (3-1) won a crucial bout, keeping his hopes of a sekitori return alive.

Haru 2026: Day Six

Andy Haru 2026, Haru Basho , ,

Day Six in Osaka. A bit of news from the infirmary to start things off. Hakunofuji will return to action on Day Seven. We also had a rather rare event to report down in the lowest Jonokuchi division, called a ryosha fusenpai 両者不戦敗. Both competitors in the Katsunonishiki/Higonoryu bout were kyujo so both received a loss.

If you’ve ever been curious about what happens in that case, the Sumo Association website shows both men losing. OneLoveLulit on Twitter has the video of what you see and hear on the dohyo.

In Makushita, Elder Onami brother, Wakatakamoto, appears to have suffered a significant knee injury. He was taken by wheelchair from the dohyo and then to the hospital. He fought Kurohimeyama. Kurohimeyama drove him back, Wakatakamoto resisted at the bales but was crushed out with a yoritaoshi.

Concern is for the right knee/leg. I’ll let you all know any news. Not only is he the elder brother to Wakamotoharu and Wakatakakage, he serves as Wakamotoharu’s tsukebito and therefore will not be there at the hanamichi for WMH’s bout today against Fujinokawa.

In today’s Juryo action, Wakanosho (6-0) is the lone undefeated competitor in the division with his tsukidashi win over Sadanoumi (2-4). Kazekeno defeated Kazuma, so both men are 5-1 alongside Kitanowaka. Enho had the day off today but is scheduled to fight Ms1E Himukamaru tomorrow. It’s really a pivotal bout because Himukamaru is the top guy in the division. Enho will really want this guy to finish the tournament with a make-koshi to improve his own odds of promotion.

NHK videos of today’s top division action are here.

Makuuchi Action

Chiyoshoma (3-3) defeated Asahakuryu (4-2). Asahakuryu forced Chiyoshoma to the edge. Chiyoshoma slipped his grasp by shuffling along the bales and turned the tables by grabbing and pulling on his arm. Asahakuryu tried to right himself but Chiyoshoma followed up quickly by wrapping Asahakuryu up and driving him over the bales. Yorikiri.

Nishikifuji (4-2) defeated Fujiryoga (3-3). Nishikifuji grabbed Fujiryoga’s belt with a righthand overarm (uwate) grip and drove him to the tawara. Fujiryoga latched on with his own left-arm underarm (shitate) hold and both men tried to pitch the other over the side. Nishikifuji broke the stalemate by using his left hand to shove Fujiryoga backwards. Oshitaoshi.

Kinbozan (4-2) defeated Tobizaru (1-5). Kinbozan battered Tobizaru with tsuppari and then finished him off with a slapdown. Hatakikomi.

Fujiseiun (4-2) defeated Mitakeumi (2-4). Fujiseiun twisted and pulled Mitakeumi over to the tawara and finished him off with strong gaburi yotsu hip thrusts. He also got a deep grip on Mitakeumi’s mawashi knot, like yesterday’s Wakatakakage/Kotozakura bout. This time, though, they let Fujiseiun finish Mitakeumi off without pausing to fix the knot. Yorikiri.

Kotoeiho (4-2) defeated Asakoryu (4-2). Asakoryu tried to shove Kotoeiho, but Kotoeiho slipped his grasp to the right and slapped Asakoryu down while jumping out. Mono-ii. The shimpan decided both men died and called for a rematch. In the rematch, Asakoryu pulled and Kotoeiho chased him out with steady footwork and tsuppari. Oshidashi.

Asanoyama (4-2) defeated Shishi (3-3). While Shishi tried to twist and throw Asanoyama down, Asanoyama maintained his balance and drove Shishi back with his right hand under Shishi’s armpit. Asanoyama forced Shishi to the bales and over the edge. Yorikiri.

Oshoumi (1-5) defeated Tokihayate (2-4). Oshoumi wrapped up Tokihayate with his left hand uwate grip and forced him back and out. Yorikiri.

Gonoyama (5-1) defeated Tamawashi (1-5). Gonoyama pulled and used his right arm under Tamawashi’s shoulder to heave him back to the bales. Gonoyama finished him off with strong thrusts. Oshidashi.

Shodai (5-1) defeated Roga (2-4). Shodai grabbed Roga with a left-hand overarm grip and used it to force Roga over the bales. Uwatenage.

Ichiyamamoto (4-2) defeated Ura (3-3). This bout attracts a heap of kensho for a mid-maegashira bout because of Ura’s local hero status, which earned him the top. Ichiyamamoto spoiled the day, though, by pulling and slapping Ura down, claiming A Fistful of Yen. Hatakikomi.

Halftime

Onokatsu (1-3-2) defeated Oshoma (2-4). Oshoma slipped left as Onokatsu charged forward and slapped Onokatsu down. Gunbai Oshoma. Mono-ii? Oshoma got A Fistful of Topknot, and thus lost by Hanzoku.

Kotoshoho (5-1) defeated Takanosho (5-1). Kotoshoho pulled and Takanosho’s momentum carried him forward and off the dohyo. Tsukiotoshi.

Daieisho (3-3) defeated Churanoumi (2-4). Daieisho hit Churanoumi with tsuppari but Churanoumi cycled around the edge to get better position. As he charged forward, Daieisho slipped to the side and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.

Sanyaku

Fujinokawa (3-3) defeated Wakamotoharu (0-6). Fujinokawa blitzed Wakamotoharu and drove the Komusubi back and out, quickly. His mind may be on his elder brother and tsukebito, Wakatakamoto. Oshidashi.

Kirishima (5-1) defeated Yoshinofuji (2-4). Yoshinofuji charged forward, it looked a bit early. Kirishima stopped briefly to look at the gyoji, “you going to call a matta? No? Okay.” Kirishima then shifted left, grabbed Yoshinofuji’s belt and threw him down. Uwatenage.

Wakatakakage (3-3) defeated Takayasu (5-1). Takayasu’s left-hand inside grip was not giving him enough leverage to force Wakatakakage back. Eventually Wakatakakage used his right uwate to drive Takayasu back and throw him to the clay. Wakatakakage was cradling that right arm after the bout. He already wears a compression sleeve on and tape on that right elbow. Uwatedashinage.

Oho (2-4) defeated Aonishiki (3-3). Welp, there goes the rope. Aonishiki got a morozashi early, double inside grip, and used that to hoist Oho around the ring. He could not finish him off or get leverage for a throw. Instead, Oho managed to keep his footing and as Aonishiki tired, turned the tables. With Aonishiki’s arms wrapped up, Oho drove Aonishiki back to the edge and drove him back off the dohyo. Kimedashi.

Atamifuji (3-3) defeated Kotozakura (3-3). Kotozakura telegraphed his pathetic pull attempt at the outset. Well, at least he pivoted at the start of his pull? Kotozakura pivoted right and put his hand up to pull Atamifuji down but Atamifuji just charged forward and forced the faux-zeki over the edge. Oshidashi.

Hoshoryu (5-1) defeated Hiradoumi (4-2). Hoshoryu was not playing around today. He met Hiradoumi head-on and shoved him back and out. Oshidashi.

Wrap-up

Some idiot from the crowd reached over the railing and patted Hoshoryu on the back as he walked down the hanamichi, and was immediately admonished by the guard and an oyakata (I couldn’t tell which, from behind).

Osaka’s venue is a bit of a security nightmare with how close the crowd interacts with the wrestlers. Some twits heckled Hoshoryu’s dohyo-iri the other day… News reports have been unflattering regarding fan behavior over the past few months.

Anyway, Hoshoryu is representing his office well, and has been rather dominant, despite the blemish against Fujinokawa. No one remains undefeated so we’ve got a whole slew of guys with five wins. Let’s see how that field looks at the end of the weekend.

Let’s pivot to the schedule for tomorrow. Wakamotoharu will fight Yoshinofuji, Takayasu will take on Daieisho, Kirishima will face Hiradoumi, Kotozakura will fight Fujinokawa, Aonishiki will battle Atamifuji and Hoshoryu will end the day’s action against his nemesis, Oho.

As for the rank-and-filers at 5-1, Takanosho will fight Ichiyamamoto, Kotoshoho will battle Oshoma, Gonoyama will take on Ura and Shodai will square up to Shishi.

Once again, I will not be reporting on Day Seven or Day Eight. I will see you back here on Day Nine, hopefully with better sumo and an interesting yusho race. If it’s a Shodai runaway, I’ll be here with bells on.