2026 Haru Basho: Day 9 results and analysis

Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2026 Haru Basho (spoilers).

Hi all,

We are now into the final week of Grand Sumo’s 2026 spring tournament. Despite this basho being hit with injuries, I’ve really enjoyed the action we’ve had on the dohyo. With six days left we have an interesting group leading the way. That includes some expected and unexpected names — and even a hometown boy, too!

Here is your daily update for the haru basho, complete with top division results, full match videos and my analysis.

Enjoy!

Our bonus gif today is the Iron Man.

SPOILERS BELOW

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Results

• Asahakuryu (6-3) def. Kinbozan (4-5) by yorikiri (frontal force out)

• Fujiseun (6-3) def. Chiyoshoma (5-4) by oshidashi (frontal push out)

• Asakoryu (6-3) def. Fujiryoga (5-4) by shitatenage (underarm throw)*

• Mitakeumi (4-5) def. Oshoumi (2-7) by tsukiotoshi (thrust down)

• Shishi (5-4) def. Nishikifuji (4-5) by yorikiri

• Tobizaru (3-6) def. Roga (3-6) by hikiotoshi (hand pull down)*

• Gonoyama (8-1) def. Kotoeiho (6-3) by oshidashi*

• Asanoyama (5-4) def. Tamawashi (2-7) by uwatenage (over arm throw)*

• Oshoma (4-5) def. Tokihayate (4-5) by uwatenage

• Shodai (6-3) def. Onokatsu (1-6-2) by fusen (default)

• Hakunofuji (2-3-4) def. Ichiyamamoto (4-5) by uwatehineri (over arm twist down)*

• Kotoshoho (8-1) def. Ura (4-5) by oshidashi

• Abi (1-3-5) def. Churanoumi (3-5) by hatakikomi (slap down)

• Wakatakakage (4-5) def. Yoshinofuji (4-5) by hikiotoshi

• Fujinokawa (4-5) def. Atamifuji (5-4) by oshidashi*

• Wakamotoharu (2-7) def. Hiradoumi (5-4) by utchari (backwards pivot throw)*

• Kirishima (8-1) def. Daieisho (4-5) by tsukiotoshi*

• Kotozakura (5-4) def. Oho (3-6) by oshidashi

• Aonishiki (5-4) def. Takayasu (4-5) by oshidashi

• Hoshoryu (7-2) def. Takanosho (7-2) by yorikiri*

*Must see bouts!

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Leaderboard

• S1e Kirishima, M5w Kotoshoho, M10w Gonoyama: 8-1

• Y1e Hoshoryu, M4w Takanosho: 7-2

Analysis

Hoshoryu got back to winning ways last night, with a powerful display over Takanosho. Takanosho has been on a good run this month, but Hoshoryu was determined not to get moved back by the big pusher/thruster.

Takanosho did well to avoid Hoshoryu’s deep outside grip on his left side and then stick Hoshoryu with his nodowa (throat thrust). Hoshoryu showed a lot of grit, and strength, to not get pushed back, though. He got his right arm on the inside and got both hands towards the belt as he drove forwards, to score the push out.

This result tied Hoshoryu and Takanosho on 7-2 records.

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Those two are currently behind Kirishima, Kotoshoho and Gonoyama.

Kirishima is still looking like his old self (Kiribayama). Last night he dispatched of Daieisho in a fashion very similar to how he beat him in 2023 to earn his first ever yusho. It feels like Kirishima is seeing things in slow motion right now. He saw Daieisho’s lunge coming from a mile away and was able to dodge and slap him down so smoothly that the whole sequence looked choreographed.

Kirishima is now just three wins away from becoming an ozeki again. With six bouts left, that feels very attainable. If this form continues, Kirishima might land a yusho along with that promotion.

Kotoshoho beat up Ura, much to the dislike of the partisan Osaka crowd.

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Gonoyama got to 8-1 after steamrolling Kotoeiho. He’s the best chance Osaka has of a homegrown champion this month.

We’ve seen Kotoshoho do this before, with his improbable Nagoya run last year and with his runner-up finish in 2023. We’ve never seen a run like this from Gonoyama, though. His sumo has looked effortless, thus far, but he’s had the easiest schedule of all the front runners.

Aonishiki’s goal of a yokozuna promotion this month has shifted to a goal of just trying to get a winning record. He helped that effort last night with a confident push out over Takayasu.

Fujinokawa is continuing to survive in the joi. He’s doing much better than I expected. Last night he was his full Jack Russell self and that was enough to back down the big golden retriever that is Atamifuji. Side note: I said goodbye to my Jack Russell Cleo a few years ago. She made it to 20 years old. God, she was terrible. Fujinokawa’s sumo makes me miss her.

Wakamotoharu continued to fend off attempts to hand him a make-koshi (losing record). Hiradoumi pushed him to the brink, but Wakamotoharu was able to land the loathsome utchari for the win.

Wakamotoharu has Hoshoryu tonight. Hoshoryu should be on maximum henka alert for that bout. Hoshoryu has a 18-5 head-to-head record against Wakamotoharu, but they are 2-2 in the last four meetings (with one of those Wakamotoharu wins being a henka).

All our other front runners have tough tests tonight (according to their head-to-head records).

Kirishima has Takanosho. He’s 6-17 against him. Takanosho has the physical profile that seems to really bother Kirishima (just look at his record against Terunofuji and Onosato).

Kotoshoho has Shodai. He’s 1-7 against the former ozeki. Gonoyama has Asakoryu (who is also from Osaka). Asakoryu won their only meeting.

Keeping count!

Henka counter: 4

Tobi trample counter (rows): 1

Ura flips: 2

Gyoji bumps: 2*

*since we got nothing else going on with these counters!

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