Nagoya 2026: Shin-Makushita (新幕下)

hochiyama Makushita (幕下), Nagoya 2026, Natsu 2026, Natsu Basho

A Look Back at Natsu 2026

Here is how our last tournament debutants did:

Kōseiryū handled his makushita debut quite well, securing a winning record and showing that he can compete credibly at this level. He opened strongly with a 4‑1 start, highlighted by notable victories over former top-division rikishi Kitaharima and makushita tsukedashi Gyōtoku. He even managed a sotogake win, highlighting his jūdō skills. At his best, he showed good composure – which is a reasonable expectation given his age. However, he dropped his final two bouts, which may highlight some lingering limitations in consistency and adaptability. Even so, he will approach mid-makushita ranks in Nagoya.

Kasshō’s first appearance in makushita was a respectable one given his relatively high debut rank. He finished 3‑4, only slipping to a losing record in his final bout, and generally held his own against a deeper field of opponents. There were encouraging victories along the way, including wins over former Jūryō man Mienofuji and Mongolian prospect Tenrōsei. With some added polish and consistency, he could remain competitive in makushita going forward. He will likely rank in the bottom of the division in Nagoya, and I actually suspect we will see him back in Sandanme before the year is out.

Honoikazuchi showed that he likely belongs in makushita, even if his tournament began on uneven footing. He dropped his first two bouts, the first one via a defensive utchari reversal that got away from him possibly due to nerves, but quickly settled and found his rhythm. From there, he reeled off five consecutive wins, including a solid victory over former Nihon University’s Haruyama. The shift was notable not just in results but in style, as he increasingly leaned into belt work, taking four of those five wins by yorikiri. What began as a shaky debut ultimately turned into one of the more convincing finishes among this group, and he should be around mid-Makushita in Nagoya.

Ōmori delivered one of the standout debuts among the shin‑makushita, pushing all the way into the playoff after compiling a strong record in regulation. His only loss came in a highly anticipated bout against Asahifuji (see below), in a match that felt like an early glimpse of two potential future sanyaku contenders, and he otherwise demonstrated a well-rounded and adaptable skill set. In the playoff, he ultimately fell to the eventual winner Ikarigata, but the overall performance was highly encouraging. He showed a clear proficiency for throws, using a variety of techniques to decisively end bouts, while also proving capable against his direct peers with wins over fellow debutants Tatsubayama and Gōnoshō. Taken together, this was a debut that not only confirmed his readiness for makushita, but also hinted at considerable upside. One thing is clear, he will be a popular rikishi among the fans.

Gōnoshō put together a successful makushita debut, ultimately finishing with a winning record. He came out quickly with three straight victories, including a win over Haruyama, before hitting a mid‑basho slump with three consecutive losses as the competition stiffened. Needing a win in his final bout, he responded well and defeated former top-division veteran rikishi Fujiazuma to secure kachi‑koshi. His sumo leaned heavily on belt work, with three yorikiri wins, complemented by a kimedashi, highlighting his preference for grappling. With this performance, he should find himself in the Makushita 40–45 range.

Tatsubayama also turned in a strong makushita debut, finishing 5‑2 after a 4-0 start and positioning himself firmly in the top half of the division heading into Nagoya. He picked up a notable win over Koseiryū, though he came up short against Ōmori and ultimately missed out on the playoff, falling in his final bout to former Jūryō wrestler Tsushimanada. The results were encouraging, but his sumo still appears to be in the process of refinement. Several of his wins came via reactive techniques (two tsukiotoshi, a hatakikomi, and a hikiotoshi).  This left me with some question as to how his style will translate against stronger, more stable opponents higher up the banzuke.

Takahara put together a respectable 4‑3 performance in his makushita debut, including a win over former makushita tsukedashi Fudōhō. He should be ranked in the upper 30s of the division heading into Nagoya. To me, his tournament felt somewhat uneven, with wins and losses coming against what appeared to be similarly matched competition. At his best, he showed the tools to compete effectively, but he was not always able to assert a clear advantage or sustain momentum across bouts. Going forward, the hope is that he can take a step forward in consistency to begin to separate himself from this middle tier as he gains more experience in makushita.

Looking Ahead

Onto the Nagoya 2026 Makushita rookies:

Asahifuji (旭富士)

Stable: Isegahama

Age: 24

Height (cm/feet-inches): 187 / 6’1”

Weight (kg/lbs): 148 / 326

Home country: Ulaanbaatar Mongolia

High School: Asahigaoka High School

University: —

Career Record and notes: 21-0 (1.000)!!

Debut: Aki 2025

Notes: Jonokuchi Yūshō (January), Jonidan Yūshō (March 2026), and Sandanme Yūshō (May 2026). Possibility of reaching sekitori: will say 100%.

Asahifuji arrives in makushita with a level of anticipation rarely attached to a wrestler this early in his career. A native of Mongolia, he followed a now familiar path by attending a Japanese high school (Niigata Asahigaoka, which has some Mongolian success, see below) before joining Isegahama stable in 2021(!). However, his trajectory diverges sharply from the typical prospect. Rather than debuting immediately upon joining the stable, he spent four years in a sort of “enforced limbo” due to the one‑foreigner‑per‑stable rule. This appears to be a delay that, in his case, may have been transformative rather than limiting.

During his high school years, competitive opportunities were somewhat constrained. With Mongolian upperclassmen such as Ōnokatsu and Kyokukaiyū ahead of him, he was not always a central figure in the team’s lineups. The pandemic further reduced his ability to perform in school tournaments at a national level. This left him with only a handful of national appearances. as the leadoff man for Kanagawa. His results at the National High School Championships were more modest, but he did contribute to the team’s top eight finish at the National Sports Festival as a sophomore and finished in the top 32 of the National High School Sumo Championships (losing to current makushita, Nobehara).

What sets Asahifuji apart is what came next. While waiting for his chance to compete professionally, he effectively underwent a prolonged incubation period inside Isegahama stable, training daily alongside high‑level sekitori without the wear and tear of official bouts. Reports from this period include training victories over sekitori (including Kiribayama/Kirishima) added to the growing sense that he was something special. This kind of extended preparation is rare in modern sumo. However, it has clearly produced a rikishi who debuted not as a raw prospect, but as an already polished competitor.

That sense of expectation was formalized when he was granted the shikona Asahifuji, inheriting the name of the 63rd Yokozuna and former Oyakata (currently Miyagino). It is not a name bestowed lightly, and it immediately marked him as a flagship prospect. External hype followed swiftly, with some outlets going so far as to label him the strongest new recruit in recent memory.

Once he finally stepped into the ring, the early results did little to temper that excitement. Back‑to‑back 7‑0 yūshō in Jonokuchi and Jonidan confirmed both his dominance over lower‑division opposition and his readiness for more serious tests. He was able to defeat fellow Mongolian prospect Tenshōyama in each of those first two tournaments and defeated former sekitori Kiryūkō (only low on the banzuke because he is rehabbing from injury) in back-to-back playoffs in for his jonidan and sandanme championships. In his last tournament, he also came up with victories against Fudōhō, Ōmori, and former sekitori Mita. This indicates his skill level is already sekitori caliber. His sumo is built around a fundamentally sound yotsu approach, relying heavily on yorikiri and nage finishes rather than trickery or evasion. He combines size and strength with a composure that is unusual for someone with so little official experience, and he rarely looks rushed or out of position.

Now entering upper makushita (he will be ranked in the promotion zone, where another 7-0 will result in promotion to jūryō), the picture can become more nuanced. In many ways, he is both ahead of and behind a typical prospect as he is technically advanced and physically prepared, yet still relatively untested in terms of adapting across a full range of opponents and match situations. The key question is not whether he has the tools, but how quickly he can translate them against deeper, more tactically varied competition. His high‑profile meeting with fellow standout Ōmori suggests that he is capable of competing immediately, but also that there will be adjustments required as the margin for error narrows. There is little doubt about the upside. Asahifuji looks like a fast‑track sekitori candidate, and perhaps more. The next phase will determine whether he is simply very good or truly something special.

Sachinofuji (幸乃富士)

Stable: Isegahama

Age: 20

Height (cm/feet-inches): 172 / 5’7”

Weight (kg/lbs): 98 / 215

Home prefecture: Saitama

High School: NHK Gakuen High

University: —

Career Record and notes: 82-60-19 (.577)

Debut: 2022 Nagoya

Notes:  Mongolian national

Possibility of reaching sekitori: Unlikely

While he is also from Isegahama stable, Sachinofuji represents a very different kind of prospect from Asahifuji, one whose development runs counter to the typical narratives attached to both foreign imports and elite amateur standouts. Born in Mongolia as Ganzorig Origil, he moved to Japan at the age of five and grew up in Saitama. This meant that, from the perspective of the NSK, he qualified not as a foreigner but as a domestic recruit. Unlike many other Mongolian wrestlers, he was not recruited with a wrestling pedigree or prior exposure to sumo. In fact, he entered the sport with no competitive background at all, beginning his career from a true blank slate.

This helped me, a 30-plus year sumo fan learn the concept of “tatakiage / 叩き上げ”.  A tatakiage is actually my favorite type of recruit, one who comes straight from middle school without any prior experience and is “built from scratch” in the stable. You will note above that Sachinofuji attended NHK Gakuen High School, but this is a correspondence-based institution that allowed him to train while forgoing the typical amateur circuit.

The beginning of his sumo career reflected both the challenges and opportunities of that path. Injuries disrupted his initial progress, forcing withdrawals in his first year and slowing what might otherwise have been a smoother ascent. Yet once he found his footing, his advancement has been steady rather than spectacular, marked by incremental improvement rather than sudden breakthroughs. His promotion to Sandanme in 2024 was less a moment of arrival than a confirmation that the underlying development process was working.

Physically, Sachinofuji faces immediate constraints. At around 172 cm and 98kg, he is undersized by modern standards, particularly as he moves into the upper reaches of the lower divisions. Heck, he even weighs less than I did in my famous “Sumo and Sushi” bout (well, at least it is famous in my mind…). His sumo has begun to reflect an adaptation to those limitations. He tends to work from a lower position, relying on balance, leverage, and patience rather than attempting to overpower opponents.

His stylistic influences are also telling. As a tsukebito to Midorifuji, someone who has openly identified as his role model, Sachinofuji has front row seats to see what characteristics are needed for a smaller rikishi to succeed. That is, he needs to work on his precision, persistence, and the ability to exploit positioning rather than to sheer force.

Off the dohyo, his profile reinforces the impression of a grounded, well-integrated heya product. His preferences, karaage, mobile gaming, and a generally understated demeanor, are beginning to give him a small fandom, with some media attention even focusing on his composed and “handsome” presence after bouts. As he makes his makushita debut, the challenge will be significant: opponents will be larger, faster, and less forgiving of technical imprecision.

His ceiling may ultimately be determined by how far his technique can compensate for his size. If he can continue to refine his belt work and sharpen his finishing ability, he has a viable path forward as a technical grinder capable of carving out a role in the division and earning many fans along the way as a “giant killer”. While he did not inherit a shikona, like Asahifuji, his shikona is a combination of the Isegahama ~fuji suffix and the kanji for good fortune/happiness, which we can infer that is something that is hoped for in his professional career.

Kaida (甲斐田)

Stable: Kasugano

Age: 18

Height (cm/feet-inches): 191 / 6’3”

Weight (kg/lbs): 150 / 330

Home prefecture: Tōkyō

High School: Adachi Shinden High School

University:  —

Career Record and notes: 11-3 (.786)

Debut: 2026 Haru, Sandanme Tsukedashi

Notes: None

Possibility of reaching sekitori: Likely

Kaida follows the more traditional path into professional sumo, one rooted in early exposure, structured development, and steady accumulation of amateur results. Born in Ōita Prefecture in 2007, he is a second‑generation rikishi, with his father having competed briefly out of Kasugano stable and serving as a tsukebito to current Kasugano Oyakata . While his father’s career topped out in jonidan, it provided Kaida with something arguably more valuable than rank – that is an early familiarity with stable life, its training routines, and the expectations of professional rikishi. That foundation is often difficult to quantify, but it tends to show in the small details. Aside from the family ties to Kasugano, he was scouted by Kiyomigata Oyakata (former Sekiwake Tochiōzan).

Unlike late converts or crossover athletes, Kaida began sumo early in elementary school and progressed in a textbook fashion. By the time he reached Adachi Shinden High School, he was already smoothly operating within a competitive environment. His high school development was steady rather than meteoric, but his final year results marked a clear breakthrough. He finished in third-place at the Inter‑High School Championships and secured a runner‑up performance at the National Sports Festival. This earned him a sandanme tsukedashi status (only the third as I count for high schoolers, following Anhibiki (who rejected it) and Ikarigata). This allowed Kaida to bypass the lowest professional divisions and enter sumo with immediate expectations.

That starting point is significant. Tsukedashi entrants are not just fast-tracked, they are implicitly expected to justify their ranking from the outset. In Kaida’s case, early results suggest that his amateur success was no fluke. He secured winning records right away, indicating that his fundamentals translate effectively against professional opposition. His sumo reflects that background: straightforward and balanced. He is comfortable both pushing and grappling.

Looking ahead, Kaida projects as a steady riser. The combination amateur success and technically complete sumo suggests a wrestler with a higher ceiling, even if it remains to be defined. Makushita will present a more demanding test, but the early indications are that he will not be easily taken out of the ring. Still, he may not overwhelm the division in the way some elite prospects do, and could settle into this division for a few years before breaking out.

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.