Haru 2026: Shonichi

Andy Haru 2026, Haru Basho , , ,

Lower division updates first. Asahifuji obliterated his Jonidan opponent and looks hungry for a second straight lower division title. In Makushita, Enho is off to a good start with his defeat of Hidenoumi. 1-0.

As usual, your NHK videos are here. Click “I understand,” and then find the “続きを読む,” in the middle of the page, click, and that will expand and show all of the videos.

Makuuchi Action

Kotoeiho defeated Ryuden. Kotoeiho drove forward with his left hand inside and dumped Ryuden over the edge. Overpowering Ryuden like that is not a good sign for Ryuden. He did not seem able to put weight on that right foot. Yoritaoshi.

Kinbozan defeated Fujiryoga. Fujiryoga’s rise has been so fast he sports the zambara hair-style. His hair is getting longer but it’s not quite long enough for a chonmage (top-knot). Fujiryoga put his head down and charged in through Kinbozan’s tsuppari, forcing Kinbozan back to the bales. Kinbozan used excellent footwork to cycle backwards along the tawara and back into center. Kinbozan then laid into Fujiryoga with more tsuppari, drove him back and shoved him over the bales. “Welcome to Makuuchi.” Oshidashi.

Mitakeumi defeated Asahakuryu. Mitakeumi pressed forward and drove Asahakuryu over the edge. Asahakuryu seemed to try a last second twist to escape but he might as well have been scratching an itch. It was completely ineffective as Mitakeumi shoved him out. Oshidashi.

Nishikifuji defeated Chiyoshoma. Nishikifuji got his left hand inside and charged forward. Chiyoshoma tried to shift direction but Nishikifuji stuck with him, drove him back and forced him over the tawara. Solid fundamentals. Yorikiri.

Fujiseiun defeated Asanoyama. Asanoyama started with good tachiai but he pulled backward and tried to slap Fujiseiun down. Fujiseiun used excellent footwork to keep his balance and charge forward into Asanoyama, shoving the former Ozeki over the edge. Oshidashi.

Asakoryu defeated Tobizaru. Asakoryu blasted his way forward behind effective tsuppari. Tobizaru tried to wrap up Asakoryu’s head for a kubinage but Asakoryu slipped from Tobizaru’s grasp and thrust him down to the clay. Tsukiotoshi.

Shishi defeated Oshoumi. Shishi shifted direction at the tachiai but Oshoumi reacted well and wrapped up the Ukrainian. Oshoumi chugged forward but Shishi dug deep and stopped at the bales. Shishi got his left hand inside, twisted Oshoumi back to the bales and pressed forward until Oshoumi fell backward. Yoritaoshi.

Gonoyama defeated Roga. Roga got his left hand quickly on Gonoyama’s mawashi and pulled. Gonoyama did well to stay upright and chase Roga back to the bales, eventually driving him over the edge. Oshidashi.

Tokihayate defeated Tamawashi. Tokihayate quickly got a morozashi, double-inside grip on Tamawashi’s belt, then drove forward and forced Tamawashi back and out. Yorikiri.

Ura defeated Shodai. You could hear a pin drop at this tachiai. Such a huge crowd, completely silent as they waited for Shodai to attack. Instead, Ura plowed forward and forced the former Ozeki out. Oshidashi.

Oshoma defeated Hakunofuji. Hakunofuji got a morozashi but Oshoma quickly pulled back to free himself, then slapped Hakunofuji down as he jumped back over the edge. Gunbai Oshoma. Mono-ii. Hakunofuji limped off the dohyo to await the shimpan’s decision. I don’t think his shisho was kidding about that leg injury. The committee decided the gyoji’s call was correct, Hakunofuji had come down first before Oshoma went out. Hakunofuji walked back down the hanamichi, likely happy there wasn’t a torinaoshi. Hatakikomi.

Halftime

Ichiyamamoto defeated Onokatsu. Ichiyamamoto spring forward and launched into Onokatsu. Onokatsu’s left leg buckled as he couldn’t take the pressure of Ichiyamamoto’s forward movement. It seemed like the left knee just gave way. Onokatsu laid down for a bit but eventually got up, bowed, and hobbled back down the hanamichi. Oshitaoshi.

Kotoshoho defeated Abi. Abi’s thrusts lacked power as Kotoshoho shoved Abi back and out. I’ve got a joke. Hakunofuji, Onokatsu and Abi walked into a bar…and hopefully stayed there for the duration of this tournament. Go kyujo, boys. Y’all are banged up. Who am I kidding? They’ll all be back tomorrow. Oshidashi.

Takanosho defeated Daieisho. Solid tachiai. Daieisho’s thrusts forced Takanosho back to the edge but he quickly lost steam. Takanosho countered with his own thrusts and forced Daieisho back over the edge. Oshidashi.

Hiradoumi defeated Oho. Hiradoumi quickly got both hands inside. With a great bear hug, Hiradoumi pressed forward behind powerful gaburi hip thrusts and forced Oho out. Yorikiri.

Sanyaku

Takayasu defeated Churanoumi. Takayasu quickly grabbed Churanoumi’s belt with his right hand over-arm grip. Just as quickly, Takayasu discovered Churanoumi’s belt was loose as all get out. He tried to throw Churanoumi but lacked enough leverage. So we settled into a lean…and eventually Takayasu found the leverage to dump Churanoumi. Uwatedashinage.

Kirishima defeated Fujinokawa. Kirishima contained Fujinokawa by seizing his belt with both hands — left hand inside, right hand outside. Kirishima drove forward and threw Fujinokawa over the edge. Uwatenage.

Kotozakura defeated Yoshinofuji. Yoshinofuji quickly grabbed Kotozakura’s belt with a left hand overarm grip. Kotozakura had a solid right inside, but Yoshinofuji pulled and dragged Kotozakura to the bales and tried to topple him. Kotozakura kept his footing and recovered. He then grabbed Yoshinofuji’s belt with his own overarm grip and pulled Yoshinofuji down. Way to hang in there by the Ozeki. Uwatenage.

Aonishiki defeated Wakamotoharu. Wakamotoharu slow-rolled his tachiai so Aonishiki stood up for a matta, and the two reset. On the second attempt, Henka! Wakamotoharu leapt to the left at the tachiai and tried to slap the Ozeki down as he charged forward. But Aonishiki was ready. Aonishiki got his left hand on Wakamotoharu’s belt and shoved forward. Yorikiri.

Wakatakakage defeated Onosato. Onosato pulled and tried to slap Wakatakakage down. Wakatakakage had his right hand inside Onosato’s armpit, maintained his footing and charged forward with Onosato’s retreat. He basically just rode Onosato back and out. Wakatakakage’s first kinboshi (hatsukinboshi). Oshidashi.

Hoshoryu defeated Atamifuji. Hoshoryu got his right hand inside quickly and drove Atamifuji back. Atamifuji kept his balance and tried to get his left-hand overarm grip. Hoshoryu tried to pull with that right hand but when he rotated right for the throw, that allowed Atamifuji to get his left-hand over arm grip. Atamifuji tried an uwatenage and brought his right hand up to the Yokozuna’s head to try to finish him off. Hoshoryu somehow kept his balance and charged into Atamifuji, forcing him back and off-balance. Hoshoryu then ran Atamifuji out the other side of the ring. Great try by the big guy. But that’s why Hoshoryu is Yokozuna. Yorikiri.

Wrap-up

Aonishiki passed his first test with flying colors. Of the top four guys, he appeared the most in control and solid, despite Wakamotoharu’s gamesmanship. Hoshoryu dodged a bullet but Onosato took it square to the scalp. Kotozakura will be happy with his white star to open the tournament.

On Day Two, they’ll trade opponents. Onosato will face Atamifuji, Hoshoryu will take on Wakatakakage, Kotozakura will get Wakamotoharu and Aonishiki will take on Yoshinofuji. Takayasu will fight Fujinokawa and Kirishima will take on Churanoumi.

Well, hopefully we’ll get some better polished sumo tomorrow but today’s action definitely brought a lot of excitement.

Narō Masters: The Final Five

Andy Haru 2026, Haru Basho ,

I posted the final five episodes of the Narō series. Again, rather than duplicating stuff and putting all five videos here, go to the main Konishiki Tapes Page. Videos 13-17 are the new ones.

  • Episode 13: Days of the Sekitori
  • Episode 14: Konishiki’s Match Breakdowns
  • Episode 15: Ozeki Life
  • Episode 16: Yokozuna Dreams
  • Episode 17: Legacy

In these videos you will find out more about Konishiki’s career, including his rapid assent in the top division, his life as an Ozeki, and his dreams of being Yokozuna and the toll injuries took on him. While we may think it’s all party time, there are a lot of obligations and responsibilities. We start to see why the top wrestlers might need a personal assistant for some stuff. One day you’re fighting in a tournament, then suddenly, you’re the MC at the wedding of a supporter’s daughter. And the next day you’re hung over and waving to folks at the opening of a car dealership while signing autographs and making hundreds of tegata.

At least these supporters are likely not named “Corleone,” and Marlon Brando isn’t going to slap you for whining about a mean director and a role in a picture. Sorry, when I think about a celebrity going to the wedding of an influential supporter’s daugther, obviously The Godfather is all I can think of. And now I’m going to have to watch it. Bottom line, Konishiki’s lived experience and perspective is fascinating. We also have to deal with some of the ugly truths of the sport, truths which have recently reared their head — yet again. Thankfully, much has changed but there is a bit further to go.

Haru 2026: Preview

Andy Haru 2026, Haru Basho ,

The yobidashi finished building the dohyo and it has been consecrated. The Osaka tournament is set to begin! There are a few items to note as we head into the opening day of the sumo tournament in Osaka.

First up, Shiden has retired. The timing seemed rather abrupt. At the end of last year, he had fallen into Makushita after his kyujo-shortened Kyushu tournament. He only managed one win in January so he fell deeper into the division when this most recent banzuke came out. The end of this past week was the time when they’re putting together the torikumi for the start of Osaka, so I imagine he was staring at either lengthy kyujo or push ahead with another poor performance and decided to hang up his mawashi. Tweets from fans expressed surprise at the timing but also thanks and wished him well in his second career.

I mentioned the bout list, or torikumi (取り組み), with the news above about Shiden. The list was released by the Sumo Association and we have a number of exciting matchups to look forward to on Sunday.

We take a brief stop by the infirmary. Midorifuji will be kyujo. Midorifuji’s kyujo is due to a heart condition which I hope will be treated and will allow him to come back. Fujiryoga will be welcomed to the top division with the open arms of Kinbozan’s fierce tsuppari. Fujiseiun doesn’t get any lighter treatment. He will take on former Ozeki, Asanoyama. “Here, Fujiseiun, lemme give you a hug.” Oof. Kotoeiho will open things up against Ryuden.

As we hop up the list, we see Ura paired against Shodai. That should be entertaining. Up in sanyaku, Papa Bear will face Churanoumi, Kirishima will fight Fujinokawa and Kotozakura will fight Yoshinofuji. Aonishiki’s rope run starts against Wakamotoharu. Must win. Onosato will fight Wakatakakage and Hoshoryu will close Day One action against Atamifuji.

We also note that Hakunofuji is scheduled to face Oshoma. This brings us to our third bit of “big news” — the news which I have been holding back on due to lack of detail in public. As Josh mentioned in his post, there was reportedly a violent encounter between Isegahama-oyakata (ex-Terunofuji) and Hakunofuji at a fan event. Because the incident is still under investigation and there are few details and many questions about those few details which have surfaced, I have decided to wait to report until we have those details. Well, we now have some items to report.

Hakunofuji will participate in Haru Basho. Isegahama-oyakata will be kyujo. The Sumo Association held a board meeting and determined that Isegahama will not work this tournament but will still act as coach. With the investigation still pending, he is effectively on leave. So we won’t see him in a blue jacket ushering fans out of the stadium or taking tickets or any sort of the activities oyakata perform at tournaments.

I’m sure your minds have questions and sadly, I have no answers, only my own questions and speculation. There are still several questions which I was hoping to be able to answer…but I can’t. If Hakunofuji is participating, is he practicing? Where is he practicing if Terunofuji is still coaching at the heya? If they’re together, that’s going to be awkward and not bode well for performance.

This drama won’t merely impact Hakunofuji, either. Nishikifuji witnessed the event and was summoned with Terunofuji and Hakunofuji to provide statements. Surely Nishikifuji’s going to want to get his head in the game, but who knows how effective that will be. Meanwhile, guys from Atamifuji on down to newly promoted Toshinofuji will try to soldier on.

Anyway, I won’t report on what I don’t know so don’t expect much coming out of me on this topic for the next fortnight. After the tournament, the board will get together and decide any outcomes and hand down any punishment. Till then, the show must go on!

Haru Basho Storylines of Intrigue

Josh K Haru 2026

Once upon a time, I used to do a feature on this site called “Ones to Watch” about all of the… well, ones to watch in an upcoming basho from lower down the divisions. While Osaka’s Haru basho has long been my favourite basho, this Japan-based correspondent will not be in attendance this time out. But I will pick out a few storylines of intrigue here from across the levels as we inch closer to the upcoming tournament:

Isegahama-beya scandal hangover: It has been reported (hat tip to Sumo Forum’s Yubinhaad) that Isegahama-oyakata is being investigated for violence towards a stable member (Hakunofuji-former-Hakuoho-former-Ochiai), having turned himself in. Some kind of verdict is due imminently. This isn’t a post about that, but I am curious to see if the fallout from that situation has any impact on the performance of the stable’s inflated sekitori ranks, and if the rumours of another potential impending move for the Hakuho-recruits from the “in custody” Miyagino-beya has an impact on the performance of those rikishi as well.

Aonishiki rope run: Having won the last tournament, Ozeki Aonishiki bids to go back-to-back and give us three Yokozuna atop the banzuke for the first time since Kisenosato’s retirement six years ago. He will turn 22 this month. The last 22 year old to be promoted to Yokozuna was Hakuho in 2007 (Aonishiki would be younger if it happens). There will doubtless be plenty of those kinds of stories if it happens.

Asahifuji II: No pressure then, with that shikona! Isegahama-beya’s talented Mongolian youngster made his long awaited debut last time out, absolutely demolishing the bottom tier en route to a yusho. He will be the overwhelming favourite to do so again from the fifth level.

Fujishima-beya makuuchi debutants: The heya has both of the new entrants to the top division this basho, arriving in slightly different circumstances. Fujiryoga has blasted his way to the top division in only seven tournaments, after a two basho stint in Juryo. Fujiseiun meanwhile had been a fast moving prospect whose upward ascent was blunted by a kyujo stint and a tough time coming to grips with Juryo. But after nearly two years at the penultimate level, he has now arrived.

Ura at home: The EDION Arena comes to life when hometown hero Ura mounts the dohyo, but he’s been surprisingly poor on the whole since his top division return, notching just one kachi-koshi in Osaka in the last several years. After a tough tournament in January that sees him fall lower on the banzuke than his ability would suggest, he could be primed for a strong record this time out.

Kirishima’s potential Ozeki return: I haven’t seen any hot goss about whether or not Kirishima’s on an Ozeki run because there have been frankly bigger stories. The only doubt is whether his 11 win Maegashira 2 performance from November would be allowed to count. I think it should: he’s done Ozeki sumo with Ozeki results against Ozeki opponents since his demotion from Ozeki, never with a back-to-back make-koshi in that time. His two 11 win results on the spin see him at the 22 win total, and needing 11 wins for the traditional number required for promotion. It would seem difficult to deny him promotion with a yusho-challenge and 11-plus wins this time out. But there will be stern competition, with Aonishiki pushing for the yusho that would seal his own promotion, and a pair of Yokozuna who may be determined to make amends for underwhelming showings in January.

The new joi-jin and Atamifuji: The top of the rank-and-file and the bottom of sanyaku has somewhat of an unfamiliar look. Atamifuji makes his sanyaku debut, but having never fought successfully above Maegashira 3 and with turmoil in the heya, a kachi-koshi here seems a tough ask. Meanwhile, Maegashira 2 pair Fujinokawa and Churanoumi, of differing styles, both find themselves in their career high rank amongst the joi. I’ve been impressed with Churanoumi’s steady rise ever since his makushita days, and his arrival to this level is the result of what feels to me like controlled sumo – he rarely seems to sell out in pursuit of a win and possesses solid fundamentals. Meanwhile, Fujinokawa is undoubtedly the more riveting watch, having developed a more high-octane style. He can yet go higher, but it will be curious to see if unlike other high-intensity rikishi like for example Hiradoumi and Meisei, he can also add consistency at this level.

Other lingering questions: Will Mitakeumi be able to stave off the drop for another tournament? Can evergreen Takayasu manage to stay fit enough to put together yet another kachi-koshi and extend his run, already the sixth highest man in the division at the age of 36? Will Enho rebound from the devastating final loss that put paid to his long-awaited Juryo re-promotion last time out and mount a strong enough campaign this time? Was Shishi‘s development for real in the last tournament, or was his late-basho collapse indicative of his real current level? Will Takasago’s green dragon Asasuiryu get promoted and join Asahakuryu and Asakoryu in assembling their heya’s Power Rangers in the top division – and will someone make their shimekomi please match their shikona?

Let’s bring on the basho!