2026 Haru Basho: Day 5 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2026 Haru Basho (spoilers).
Good morning everyone. I hope you’re digging this current tournament. I’m really enjoying it. And a big part of that is because, so far, a lot of the storylines playing out are not ones I saw coming. In addition to this, some of the storylines I thought would be major talking points are just not panning out.
So it’s been a rather unexpected basho, thus far. And, for me, that makes it pretty exciting.
Scroll down to see what happened on last night. I’ve got results, videos and my analysis for you to enjoy.
Our bonus gif is Fujiseun and Asanoyama facing off.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Kotoeiho (3-2) def. Mitakeumi (2-3) by yorikiri (frontal force out)
Fujiryoga (3-2) def. Chiyoshoma (2-3) by oshitaoshi (frontal push down)
Kinbozan (3-2) def. Fujiseun (3-2) by oshidashi (frontal push out)
Asahakuryu (4-1) def. Tobizaru (1-4) by yorikiri
Asanoyama (3-2) def. Nishikifuji (3-2) by hatakikomi (slap down)
Asakoryu (4-1) def. Roga (2-3) by oshidashi
Gonoyama (4-1) def. Oshoumi (0-4) by abisetoashi (backward force down)*
Shishi (3-2) def. Tokihayate (2-3) by yorikiri
Tamawashi (1-4) def. Ura (3-2) by tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)*
Shodai (4-1) def. Oshoma (2-3) by hikiotoshi (hand pull down)
Takanosho (5-0) def. Onokatsu (0-3-2) by tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
Daieisho (2-3) def. Kotoshoho (4-1) by hatakikomi
Ichiyamamoto (3-2) def. Oho (1-4) by oshidashi
Hiradoumi (4-1) def. Atamifuji (2-3) by okuridashi (rear push out)
Takayasu (5-0) def. Yoshinofuji (2-3) by yorikiri*
Kirishima (4-1) def. Wakamotoharu (1-4) by hatakikomi (slap down)
Wakatakakage (2-3) def. Kotozakura (3-2) by yorikiri*
Aonishiki (3-2) def. Fujinokawa (2-3) by oshidashi*
Hoshoryu (4-1) def. Churanoumi (2-3) by sukuinage (beltless arm throw)*
*Must see bouts!
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Leaderboard
S1w Takayasu, M4w Takanosho: 5-0
Y1e Hoshoryu, S1e Kirishima, M3e Hiradoumi, five others: 4-1
Analysis
With Onosato out the picture the focus is firmly on Hoshoryu and Aonishiki. Hoshoryu hasn’t won a title since January, 2025 and Aonishiki needs at least a runner-up finish to get the big promotion.
Both men advanced their causes, in a positive direction, last night.
Hoshoryu got a win over Churanoumi (who scored a big win over Aonishiki on the previous night).
Churanoumi went for his mae-mitsu (shallow grip) early, but Hoshoryu was able to block those attempts with his uwate (over arm position) on Churanoumi’s grasping arm. Hoshoryu then went inside with his right arm and was able to steer Churanoumi around the ring until he was able to score the throw.
That inside position was key for Hoshoryu. It allowed him to stay connected to Churanoumi as Churanoumi circled and tried to escape. Churanoumi has great lateral movement and we saw him use that to beat Aonishiki (who didn’t get an inside position on him) on day four.
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Aonishiki beat Fujinokawa last night. Fujinokawa is coming off a double kinboshi (though there are caveats that could be mentioned regarding his wins over Onosato and Hoshoryu).
In this bout Fujinokawa tried to do too much. I’m not criticizing his effort level, that is always at one hundred percent and that’s a great aspect of his sumo. What I’m criticizing is that he put that maximum effort into some strange choices of moves. He did a stutter step off the tachiai to try and get under Aonishiki and onto his belt. I think he was hoping to get two hands there and try and do tsuridashi (frontal lift out), which we’ve seen him do before.
Aonishiki blocked his attempt though and was able to get a migi-yotsu (right arm inside position). Fujinokawa then wound up and unleashed a big inner foot sweep attempt. He didn’t have his other foot set when he did this, though, so the sweep attempt wasn’t hard or accurate enough to make much of an impact. After that Aonishiki was able to bundle him out.
Aonishiki is now at 3-2, one behind Hoshoryu’s 4-1.
Takayasu is sharing the lead in this tournament. He’s 5-0 after beating Yoshinofuji (someone he now has a 4-0 record against).
Takayasu has used tsuppari (rapid palm striking) to beat Yoshinofuji in all their previous match-ups. He surprised the youngster here, though, going chest-to-chest with him at the tachiai and then executing a quick force out.
He just seems to have Yoshinofuji’s number.
Takanosho also has 5-0. He beat Onokatsu last night, rather easily. Onokatsu returned after rolling his ankle a few days ago. He looked a little wobbly last night.
Kirishima is lurking behind the leaders. He beat Wakamotoharu last night.
Kirishima, who looks like he’s added some girth to that belly, survived a half henka attempt in this bout (which is not enough to go on the henka counter). After regaining his footing he was able to swat down Wakamotoharu. The elder Waka Bros. has been quite disappointing so far this tournament.
Hiradoumi is doing well in this first week. He’s 4-1 after he out-foxed last tournament’s runner-up Atamifuji.
Kotoshoho is also at 4-1. His chances of getting 5-0 were ended by a half henka from Daieisho.
The Takasago stable are off to a good start in this tournament. Asakoryu and Asahakuryu are both on 4-1. Asakoryu has looked especially good this week. And Asanoyama is at 3-2, too.
Tonight Hoshoryu will meet Hiradoumi. He owns Hiradoumi, who sometimes acts as his sword bearer. He’s 10-1 against him.
Aonishiki will face Oho. Aonishiki is 3-2 against him, but Oho has won two of their last three bouts. Oho is also in desperate need of some wins after starting 1-4 this tournament.
Takayasu gets Wakatakakage. These two usually have great bouts. Wakatakakage has the edge in the head-to-head stats. He’s 12-6 against the current sekiwake and he’s won the last three.
Keeping count!
Henka counter: 4*
*Asakoryu missed the henka, but still got the win over Roga.
Tobi trample counter (rows): 1**
**Tobizaru had a back and forth bout with Asahakuryu which drained them both and ended in a low intensity force out.
Ura flips: 1
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Here we are! Mr Insufferable is still not wavering on Aonishiki I am not so sure!
Top at moment Takayasu and Takanosho [ at last showing up ]
However, do we remember last July ? When out of nowhere Kotoshoho appeared then took the title
It occurs to me at 4-1 he’s suddenly back in the mix, so we can’t dismiss him !
Kirishima is doing ok, disappointed that Wakatakakage is not yet full filling his Ozeki run, he was doing great on Monday.
So Aonishiki is behind right now, but Mr Insufferable is adamant, I can’t see it right now because he now needs to win every single bout that will give him total 13 !
Now then, I said I wouldn’t mention the H so I won’t.
Now you know where this is heading ? So let’s talk Atamifuji, he’s not doing great right now, but please can we all pray that he gets to eight, even though I think he might slip back into Meagashire !
You all know I am devoted to the great cuddle man
I remember they had a Sumo scene in a James Bond movie