2026 Haru Basho: Final Day results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2026 Haru Basho (spoilers).
Grand Sumo’s 2026 spring tournament came to a close last night. And it ended on a whimper. The less than dramatic ending shouldn’t spoil what was a fun, and very surprising tournament, though.
It’s no spoiler to say that Kirishima won this thing. That was all wrapped up on the penultimate night. Still, please scroll down to see and read what happened at senshuraku (last day of performance).
But first… a sales pitch.
These daily tournament updates are totally free for everyone. I don’t think I would ever pay-wall these posts. I view them as useful companion pieces to your sumo watching and I hope that they continue to attract, welcome and inform new fans of the sport.
If you’re reading this without a paid subscription, that’s cool. I’m glad you’re here. However, if you’re able to kick in a few dollars that would be great. Sumo Stomp! is a labour of love, but any revenue it generates does go a long way and helps me continue to justify the efforts I put in here (even when my plate is already extremely full).
The very best way to support this newsletter/blog (and me!) is with a paid subscription. I keep these as low as Substack lets me and, at this point, it feels too weird to increase it. Additionally, paid subscribers this month will be entered into a draw to win a very cool Cheeky Sumo hat (more details of that below). Paid subscribers also get to read all the premium pieces that come out between tournaments. That includes report cards, predictions and… in this case… maybe a spotlight post on Kirishima.
Whether you subscribe or not, thanks for being here and following along with this tournament. For those of you who do contribute to this space, I can’t thank you enough.
The bonus gif today is a resplendent Kirishima, who might be auditioning for Baywatch.
SPOILERS BELOW
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Results
Oshoumi (5-10) def. Toibzaru (6-9) by tsuridashi (frontal lift out)*
Fujiseun (10-5) def. Shishi (6-9) by okuridashi (rear push out)*
Kinbozan (9-6) def. Roga (5-10) by tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)
Tamawashi (5-10) def. Kotoeiho (9-6) by oshidahi (frontal push out)*
Fujiryoga (7-8) def. Tokihayate (5-10) by okuridashi
Chiyoshoma (10-5) def. Ura (5-10) by hatakikomi (slap down)*
Hakunofuji (5-6-4) def. Asahakuryu (10-5) by yorikiri (frontal force out)
Ichiyamamoto (9-6) def. Mitakeumi (8-7) by oshidashi
Kotoshoho (11-4) def. Asakoryu (9-6) by tsukiotoshi (thrust down)*
Nishikifuji (9-6) def. Abi (4-6-5) by yorikiri
Gonoyama (10-5) def. Takanosho (9-6) by oshidashi
Shodai (8-7) def. Daieisho (7-8) by tsukiotoshi*
Hiradoumi (7-8) def. Churanoumi (4-11) by oshidashi
Fujinokawa (8-7) def. Oho (7-8) by sukuinage (beltless arm throw)*
Yoshinofuji (7-8) def. Asanoyama (8-7) by yorikiri
Oshoma (6-9) def. Wakamotoharu (3-12) by uwatenage (over arm throw)
Takayasu (7-8) def. Atamifuji (9-6) by uwatehineri (over arm twist down)*
Kotozakura (10-5) def. Kirishima (12-3) by oshidashi*
Hoshoryu (11-4) def. Aonishiki (7-8) by kakenage (hooking inner thigh throw)*
*Must see bouts!
If you’re unable to pick up a paid subscription to Sumo Stomp! but would still like to tip me for these posts, please consider buying me a coffee below (via PayPal).
Champions & Award Winners
Makuuchi yusho (champion): S1e Kirishima
Makuuchi jun-yusho (runner-up): Y1e Hoshoryu, M5w Kotoshoho
Shukun-sho (outstanding performance): S1e Kirishima
Kanto-sho (fighting spirit prize): M5w Kotoshoho, M13w Fujiseun
Gino-sho (techniquqe prize): M2e Fujinokawa
Juryo yusho (second division): J10e Dewanoryu
Makushita yusho (third division): Ms28e Wakanofuji
Sandanme yusho (fourth division): Sd3w Nabatame
Jonidan yusho (fifth division): Jd8w Asahifuji
Jonokuchi yusho (sixth division): Jk12w Aron
Analysis
This year’s spring tournament wrapped up with our winner, Kirishima, dropping his last bout to Kotozakura (the man who won him the title yesterday by beating Hoshoryu). That result dropped Kirishima to a still very impressive 12-3 record, ahead of Hoshoryu and Kotoshoho (who finished 11-4).
Here’s the bout with Kotozakura, which Kirishima coasted through. And why not? There’s no point in getting hurt when your name is already on the trophy.
Here are some of Kirishima’s celebrations with family and friends along with the bout that pretty much won him the tournament; his highly intelligent victory over his frenemy Hoshoryu.
This is Kirishima’s third yusho and his first since 2023. The 12 wins also takes his three tournament running win total to 34. That, plus the yusho, should be enough to get him promoted to ozeki (even with the first of those three tournaments coming when he was ranked only maegashira 2).
Kotozaura, incidentally, finishes with his best record since he won his maiden yusho back in November, 2024.
Sumo Stomp! is entirely human made. I don’t use any AI tools or services to create these newsletters (or anything else). Please continue to support human made writing and art over AI generated content.
This icon was made by a human who goes by HINOKODO. You can find their work here (link).
The most meaningful match last night was Hoshoryu vs. Aonishiki. Aonishiki, who lost out on a yokozuna promotion this month, came into last night on 7-7 needing a win to avoid a losing record. He couldn’t manage that, though. He was thrown down by Hoshoryu and received the first make-koshi (losing record) of his young career. Aonishiki will now be kadoban (in a corner) for the May tournament, where another losing record will cost him his ozeki rank.
That’s an aweful birthday present for the man who turns just 22 on Monday.
This is Hoshoryu’s first ever win over Aonishiki. And he really wanted it, too.
Hoshoryu’s loss to Kotozakura, on the previous night, was called “pathetic” by JSA chairman Hakkaku. Hoshoryu has had to deal with plenty of snipes from the JSA since he reached yokozuna status, but this is one of the most overt and harsh criticisms the chairman has given out since the days of Hakuho.
Hoshoryu would have wanted this win as a response to that, but he’s also probably very sick of consistently losing to the young Ukrainian. In this bout Hoshoryu showed us another technique that can be used to keep Aonishiki upright — hazuoshi (armpit thrusting). He used that to prevent Aonishiki leaning over and getting on his belt.
Aonishiki responded by hooking Hoshoryu’s leg for a trip attempt. Hoshoryu, smartly, raised his leg and used that entanglement for extra leverage in executing his throw.
Hoshoryu then strutted back to his mark. It looked like he was glaring at someone in the crowd while he did that, too.
There were two Darwin matches last night.
Fujinokawa banked his kachi-koshi after resisting Oho’s force out attempt before turning the tables with an arm throw.
The other Darwin match saw Shodai thrust down Daieisho.
Atamifuji had something to fight for last night. He stood to win an outstanding performance prize if he could beat Takayasu. However, he was rather easily tipped over by the soon to be demoted sekiwake.
Kotoshoho did win last night, versus Asakoryu, to earn his outstanding performance prize.
Down in juryo the title went to a play-off bout. The play-off was triggered after both Wakanosho and Dewanoryu lost their final day bouts. Wakanosho was thrust down by Hatsuyama and Dewanoryu got thrown over by Takerufuji (below). That earned Takerufuji his kachi-koshi. That won’t be enough to get him back to the top division in May, though.
In the ensuing play-off (once it finally got underway) Dewanoryu got through Wakanosho’s thrusts before collecting him and dumping him — hard — off the dohyo.
This probably isn’t enough for bring Dewanoryu up to makuuchi for May. Wakanosho, along with Ryuden (9-6), are certain to come up, though.
This was actually a banner tournament for Mongolian sumo. Along with Kirishima and Dewanoryu, we had Mongolians win the makushita and jonidan tournaments.
Wakanofuji won the makushita. This was only the second ever tournament for the 24 year-old who fights out of Kasugano heya (stable). Asahifuji took the jonidan title. This was Asahifuji’s second ever tournament. He’s 23 and at Isegehama heya. Asahifuji is named after the 63rd yokozuna Asahifuji, who was the stablemaster at Isegahama before Terunofuji took over. He’s projected to have a heck of a career, hence why he was given such an esteemed shikona (ring hame).
The popular Nabatame won the sandanme title. He was close to breaking into the makuuchi before a run of injuries forced him off course. Nabatame’s popularity is due to his ferocious fighting style and his appearances on the Futagoyama stable YouTube channel.
The lowest division, jonokuchi, was won by Aron. The 23 year-old fights out of the Nakamura stable alongside Tomokaze.
Keeping count!
Henka counter: 10
Tobi trample counter (rows): 6*
Ura flips: 3**
Gyoji bumps: 3
*Tobizaru was hoisted out by Oshoumi last night. After he left the ring he rolled into the lap of one of the judges. That gives us a final tally of six on the trample counter.
**I was asked what constitutes an Ura flip yesterday. Well, we saw one last night. Chiyoshoma turned Ura inside out on route to handing the Osaka man his tenth loss.
That’s a wrap on my daily 2026 haru basho coverage. Thank you all for reading, sharing and commenting over the past fifteen days. I’ve had a blast covering this, even if it’s been hard to fit it in with school, work and everything else going on right now.
Next up from me is a post summing up my pre-tournament predictions. Then I’ll hit you with a banzuke prediction for May. Ah May… By then I’ll be done school and a registered social service worker. I can’t wait.
In the mean time, though…
Take care, be kind and FIGHT WITH SPIRIT!
Tim
Want a free way to support Sumo Stomp! Help me get to 1,000 subscribers on YouTube (so then I can monetize the thing).
Thank you as always for the recaps Tim, and happy belated birthday! Hope you get some well earned R&R now.
Thanks for the great recaps, Tim! I really appreciate your thoughtful analysis of each day. Good luck in the final stretch of school work!