2026 Haru Basho: Day 6 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2026 Haru Basho (spoilers).
Oh lordy, this tournament has been quite the ride and we’re only on day six! I think we’ve got a lot of twists and turns in store for us over the next nine days. I’m loving what I’m seeing, though — minus all the injuries. Our leading pack has some great characters in it and there’s still a lot of potential history on the line this month.
Scroll down to see what happened in Osaka last night.
The bonus gift today includes fans of the most popular guy in Osaka.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Chiyoshoma (3-3) def. Asahakuryu (4-2) by yorikiri (frontal force out)
Nishikifuji (4-2) def. Fujiryoga (3-3) by oshitaoshi (frontal push down)*
Kinbozan (4-2) def. Tobizaru (1-5) by hatakikomi (slap down)
Fujiseiun (4-2) def. Mitakeumi (2-4) by yorikiri
Kotoeiho (4-2) def. Asakoryu (4-2) by oshidashi after torinaoshi (rematch)*
Asanoyama (4-2) def. Shishi (3-3) by oshidashi
Oshoumi (1-5) def. Tokihayate (2-4) by yorikiri
Shodai (5-1) def. Roga (2-4) by uwatenage (over arm throw)
Ichiyamamoto (4-2) def. Ura (3-3) by hatakikomi
Onokatsu (1-3-2) def. Oshoma (2-4) by hansoku (disqualification for hair pull) after mono-ii (judges’ review) overturns gyoji (referee) decision
Kotoshoho (5-1) def. Takanosho (5-1) by tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
Daieisho (3-3) def. Churanoumi (2-4) by hatakikomi
Fujinokawa (3-3) def. Wakamotoharu (0-6) by oshidashi*
Kirishima (5-1) def. Yoshinofuji (2-4) by uwatenage*
Wakatakakage (3-3) def. Takayasu (5-1) by uwatedashinage (pulling over arm throw)*
Oho (2-4) def. Aonishiki (3-3) by kimedashi (arm-barring force out)*
Atamifuji (3-3) def. Kotozakura (3-3) by oshidashi
Hoshoryu (5-1) def. Hiradoumi (4-2) by oshidashi
*Must see bouts!
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Leaderboard
Y1e Hoshoryu, S1e Kirishima, S1w Takayasu, M4w Takanosho, M5w Kotoshoho, M8w Shodai, M10e Gonoyama: 5-1
M3e Hiradoumi, M6e Ichiyamamoto, M12e Asakoryu, M12w Asanoyama, five others: 4-2
Analysis
Hoshoryu took a share of the lead last night, thanks to his no nonsense win over Hiradoumi (and the results that played out earlier in the night).
Hoshoryu is now 11-1 against Hiradoumi, someone he cross trains with a lot within the Dewanoumi stable network. Hiradoumi also often serves as tachimochi (sword bearer) for Hoshoryu when he performs his dohyo-iri (ceremonial dance).
I think Hiradoumi’s reverence for Hoshoryu affects his bouts against him. He’s just not his usual hyper aggressive self when they face off. Their affection for each other doesn’t affect Hoshoryu’s performances, though. Last night he went for the belt, but switched to the nodowa (throat thrust) when the opportunity presented itself. That led to a quick push out.
This is another example of Hoshoryu going with the flow this month. He’s done a great job of not forcing things and, instead, reacting to situations with the appropriate move (as we saw in his throw of Yoshinofuji a few nights ago).
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Aonishiki stumbled again last night, in a loss to Oho. Aonishiki has looked human in this tournament. And that’s coming at worst possible time for him. With Onosato out, Aonishiki has been presented with an excellent chance of getting promoted to yokozuna this month. He “just” needs to win the title or finish runner-up. The window for doing that, sadly, is starting to close.
The loss to Oho puts Aonishiki at 3-3. That’s two wins behind Hoshoryu. Aonishiki will fancy himself to beat Hoshoryu when they meet (since that’s what he usual does), so still needs Hoshoryu falters along the way before they get there. Hoshoryu is looking very locked in at the moment, though. Aonishiki also needs to worry about his own results. Another loss could be too much for him to come back from.
Last night’s loss represents another instance of the field starting to catch up to Aonishiki. The 21 year-old stunned them with his freestyle influenced style last year. But now, guys are starting to realize that when you break Aonishiki out of that leaned over freestyle stance, he becomes a lot less scary.
Oho has managed that three times now. In earlier bouts he’s stood Aonishiki up with big thrusts to the chest or by using gaburi-yori (torso thrusting) to his face. This time around he did something different; the kimedashi. And it was perfect.
Based on how Oho approached the tachiai, I think he had this moved planned out ahead of time. He quickly conceded the moro-zashi (double inside position) to Aonishiki. That’s a very risky thing to do, since moro-zashi is an excellent position for forcing someone out… so long as you don’t mind standing up straight and fighting chest-to-chest. Oho gave him that because he was so confident in being able to use the double arm bar to move a straight-up Aonishiki around. And that’s exactly what he did.
Once he had Aonishiki trapped, Oho leaned back to put pressure on Aonishiki’s elbows. This put Aonishiki in a lot of pain and that forced him into a panic. Aonishiki thrashed to try and get free and then, after failing in that, shaped his body to try and trip Oho into a throw. But Oho had him locked down too tight and was able to ride those throw attempts and keep Aonishiki in front of him (and in pain) until the final force out.
That’s an incredible showing from Oho. However, it’s also a head scratching one, too. Oho seems capable of stunning single match performances, but for some reason he just can’t seem to string enough of those together to be a reliable upper-ranker or yusho threat.
Takayasu’s candidacy as a yusho threat took a ding last night. He and Wakatakakage always put on great bouts and this was no exception. These two had themselves a belt grappling duel. Takayasu tried to use his size to turn and toss Wakatakakage. But Wakatakakage used his size to get under Takayasu and plant his head on his chest. That kept Wakatakakage safe from Takayasu’s attacks and then opened up the space for a beautiful pulling throw, aided by Wakatakakage using his right knee to buckle the bigger man.
Kirishima joined Takayasu, Hoshoryu and few others on 5-1 with a quick win over Yoshinofuji. Yoshinofuji went early in this bout and I think Kirishima was expecting the gyoji to call him back. That didn’t happen, though. It’s impressive that, despite being ambushed like that, Kirishima was still able to put on the brakes before shaping for a very graceful throw.
This win keeps Kirishima on pace for the win total he needs to be promoted to ozeki. In this form, though, you have to wonder whether Kirishima might end up with a bigger prize this month.
Takanosho and Kotoshosho are both on 5-1. That’s after Kotoshoho managed to escort an out of control Takanosho off the ring.
Shodai and Gonoyama are both on 5-1 records, too. However, they’re yet to score wins over anyone of note.
Wakamotoharu is having a dreadful time in Osaka. He’s 0-6 after losing to Fujinokawa last night. And this bout wasn’t even close.
Tonight Oho will get a chance to show up against Hoshoryu. If he wins that one he’ll be doing Aonishiki a massive favour. He’s fought well against Hoshoryu in the past, winning six of twelve.
Aonishiki will have Atamifuji. He beat Atamifuji twice in January, including in their play-off for the cup.
Kirishima will take on Hiradoumi, who he is 5-3 against. Takayasu meets a familiar foe in the form of Daieisho. They have fought each other twenty-five times, with Takayasu being the victor in thirteen of them.
I can’t wait to see how all those shake out.
Keeping count!
Henka counter: 4
Tobi trample counter (rows): 1*
Ura flips: 2**
*Tobizaru got slapped down in the middle of the ring by Kinbozan last night.
**Ura was sent rolling over by Ichiyamamoto in the battle of the good guys.
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My heart weeps for Takayasu. This was THE moment to grab a lead, but he just wasn't enough.