2026 Hatsu Basho: Day 12 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2026 January Tournament (spoilers).
I’m feeling better today, but still not at one hundred percent. Just like our yokozuna. And, also like them, I will soldier on!
We are in the business end of this basho where every win at the front of the pack is vital. The days are running out and our large field of potential champs is starting to get narrowed down.
Scroll down to see who is still in the running, watch some videos and read my analysis.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Tobizaru (5-7) def. Mitakeumi (5-7) by yorikiri (frontal force out)
Chiyoshoma (5-7) def. Tomokaze (4-8) by oshidashi (frontal push out)
Asakoryu (7-5) def. Tokihayate (6-6) by oshidashi
Kotoshoho (7-5) def. Asahakuryu (5-7) shitatenage (underarm throw)
Roga (5-7) def. Hatsuyama (1-11) by yorikiri
Shodai (6-6) def. Midorifuji (5-7) by kotenage (armlock throw)
Ryuden (5-7) def. Kinbozan (4-8) by yorikiri
Asanoyama (9-3) def. Fujinokawa (7-5) by oshidashi*
Onokatsu (6-6) def. Nishikifuji (6-6) by fusen (default)
Gonoyama (5-7) def. Tamawashi (4-8) by oshidashi
Oshoumi (9-3) def. Churanoimi (7-5) by yorikiri*
Daieisho (5-7) def. Oshoma (6-6) by tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
Ura (2-10) def. Hakunofuji (5-7) by katasukashi (under shoulder swing down)*
Takanosho (3-9) def. Ichiyamamoto (2-10) by oshidashi
Wakatakakage (6-6) def. Yoshinofuji (6-6) by yorikiri*
Shishi (9-3) def. Oho (4-8) by hatakikomi (slap down)*
Hiradoumi (8-5) def. Wakamotoharu (5-7) by yorikiri after mono-ii (judges’ review) upholds gyoji (referee) decision*
Kotozakura (8-4) def. Abi (9-3) by tsuridashi (frontal lift out)*
Aonishiki (10-2) def. Atamifuji (9-3) by yorikiri*
Kirishima (9-3) def. Hoshoryu (8-4) by yorikiri*
Onosato (8-4) def. Takayasu (7-5) by yorikiri*
*Must see bouts!
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Leaderboard
O1w Aonishiki: 10-2
S1e Kirishima, M4w Atamifuji, M12w Abi, M14e Shishi, M16e Asanoyama, M16w Oshoumi: 9-3
Analysis
Danny Sumo is now out in front, all by himself, at the 2026 New Year tournament. He got there with a relentless victory over Atamifuji last night. Atamifuji came into the bout on a roll and seeming very confident. He tried to lock up with Aonishiki and work a right arm inside position. But Aonishiki, clad in a new black belt, kept denying him the position with either counter thrusts or forearm blocking. All the while, Aonishiki was going forwards and forcing the less mobile Atamifuji to circle away and look for space. That space eventually ran out and, with Aonishiki’s head in his chest and arms around his waist, he had nowhere left to go.
Aonishiki is now on course for his second title in a row. If he were to secure that, the JSA would have a big decision to make about whether two back-to-back yusho (one as sekiwake and one as ozeki) is enough to elevate the Blue Whirlwind to the rank of 76th yokozuna.
Let’s not count our chickens, though. There is a very good pack of wrestlers sitting one win behind Aonishiki. Kirishima is the highest ranked among them. He forced out Hoshoryu last night. This bout looked like it took a lot out of the yokozuna. He seemed to be wincing in pain after taking his position at the side of the ring.
In the bout itself Kirishima performed a fantastic move off the tachiai. He shaped for a moroto-tsuki (two handed thrust), but then fanned his arms out to catch Hoshoryu in a moro-zashi (double inside position). That position, one we see Hoshoryu go with from time to time, effectively ruled out Hoshoryu’s chances of throwing Kirishima. Hoshoryu did not like the feeling of being stuck chest-to-chest with both his arms raised too high to touch Kirishima’s mawashi.
This forced Hoshoryu into a makki-kae (switch from outside to inside position) with his left arm. Hoshoryu gambled with that, hoping he could get on the belt and then quickly trigger a throw. But he had to know that, in doing so, he would grant Kirishima a window of time where he was not leaning into him. Kirishima was ready for this makki-kae and when he felt Hoshoryu move his arm, and let up the pressure, he surged forwards and took his opportunity to seal the win.
Kirishima seemed to try and stop his old judo mate from hopping down to the floor, but he couldn’t manage it. Hoshoryu looked as though he might have jarred that injured knee on the landing.
Kirishima has already beaten Aonishiki in this tournament and has already faced both the yokozuna and Kotozakura. He is in a fantastic position to sneak past Aonishiki should the Ukrainian fall to either of the injured yokozuna.
Onosato keeps suiting up despite looking far from his best. Last night he fought his mentor Takayasu. I had concerns about how legitimate this bout was going to be, due to their friendly association and how Takayasu likely doesn’t want to see Onosato’s injury woes worsen.
I’m not suggesting that Takayasu would ever give Onosato a win. But, we’ve seen Takayasu fight like an angry grizzly bear more than once in this tournament. That Takayasu wasn’t there last night. Takayasu gave Onosato a single palm strike in this bout and it was pretty soft compared to some of the shots he’s landed this month. He seemed more interested in grappling and attempting to get Onosato out or down without much violence.
He almost got the win, but Onosato was able to summon up enough upper body strength to send him back and save himself from crossing over the straw. Takayasu then grabbed the belt and stepped out of bounds during a very half-hearted attempt at an uwatenage.
I don’t want this to sound like I’m feeding into the ‘everyone wants Onosato to win’ conspiracy theories. I just think Onosato’s injury, paired with all the achievements that could be waiting for him, conspired to make Takayasu not want to fight to his most brutal capabilities.
Abi could have joined Aonishiki in the lead, but he couldn’t get past Kotozakura. Kotozakura, who has been mostly excellent in this tournament, was able to gather up and lift Machine Gun Arm for the somewhat embarrassing tsuridashi.
Kirishima, Atamifuji and Abi were joined on 8-3 records by Shishi, Asanoyama and Oshoumi last night. Did I say, Shishi? Yes, Shishi! He is 8-3 and fighting the best he’s ever fought!
He had a mirror match with Oho last night. These two threw down with big thrusts, but Shishi was able to trick Oho with a wicked head fake.
At this rate, Shishi and Aonishiki are very likely to meet between now and Sunday. Who would have thought that the tall Ukrainian would have a chance to ruin the squat Ukrainian’s yusho chances.
Asanoyama continued to prove just how good he is last night. He marshaled out Fujinokawa without too much trouble. It really makes you wonder what Asanoyama could have been had suspensions and injuries not devastated his career.
Tonight we have Hoshoryu vs. Aonishiki. That could really blow up this tournament. Aonishiki is 3-0 against the yokozuna. Hoshoryu is likely desperate to get his first win on the youngster. Will his knee be up to the task, though?
Onosato will have Kotozakura tonight. Onosato has a 7-5 record against the ozeki. However, much of those wins came last year while Kotozakura was struggling with knee injuries. In 2024, Kotozakura was pretty dominant against the future yokozuna.
Kirishima will meet Shishi for the first time in their careers. Asanoyama has Takayasu and Oshoumi will have Wakamotoharu. Oshoumi has looked very strong this month. He already has wins over Shishi and Asanoyama. This is his first meeting with Wakamotoharu.
Juryo jolt!
Sadanoumi fell off the lead in juryo last night, after his loss to the very banged up Tsurugisho. The lead is now shared by Fujiseun and Wakanosho, both of whom have 9-3 records.
Fujiseun got his ninth win last night, over Meisei. That handed the former sekiwake his sixth loss and pretty much condemned Meisei to another tournament in the second division.
Wakanosho shoved out Kagayaki.
Fujiseun and Wakanosho meet tonight. Fujiseun, who is ranked J1w, is already almost gauranteed a promotion to makuuchi for March. Wakanosho is down at J11, so even a yusho is still probably not enough to send him up a division.
Other wrestlers who have the makuuchi in their sights include Kotoeiho and Fujiryoga.
Makushita Minute!
In makushita Himukamaru, Toshinofuji and Fukuzaki currently have the best shots at a promotion to juryo. Below you can see the last five makushita bouts from last night, which doesn’t feature any of them (or anyone else with a realistic shot at promotion).
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Good evening all my intrepid observers!
This morning I sat in Costa @ 07.45 glued to the phone, watching all the Sumo Wrestlers coming and going!
Asanoyama , Oshoumi and Shishi whom we have barely mentioned have all won today’s bouts bringing them level with at that moment Aonishiki ☹️ I couldn’t believe it and Abi but
If all that wasn’t enough Kotozakura then went on to thrash Abi, a relief really
But that on Friday gives us a whacking great headache of the 9-3 and I don’t honestly know how we are going to shave those figures down !
I do not and I say this reluctantly think Aonishiki will fall to either Yokozuna
But we do still have 2 days plus Sunday to go and my feeling is Kirishima and Shishi are going to throw everything they’ve got at winning followed by Abi, Oshoumi and definitely Asanoyama chucking what ever he can at the ring
Hoshoryu won’t beat Aonishiki this time , his knee is buggered, both Yokozuna right or wrong are hanging on to the bitter end!
Who does Atamifuji get? He’s looked very strong this January, but today’s lose to Aonishiki was flawed, this is when you realise more experienced players were a foot and once Atamifuji has that he’ll be away ! Please everyone pray hard let’s get Atamifuji to 10
Mr insufferable is being quietly smug, I am gonna loose a tenner
Wow, just wow.