2026 Hatsu Basho: Day 2 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2025 January Tournament (spoilers).
We are now two days into our first Grand Sumo tournament of the year. And it’s already feeling very compelling.
I’m writing this early this morning, since I have class at 9:30 a.m. ET. On other days I’ll be writing these late in the evening after doing days at my field placement (I’m currently working with newcomers to Canada, helping them study for citizenship tests, learn English, work on their resumes, etc.).
Some readers may rememeber that after Bloody Elbow went kaput I went back to school. Well, now I’m in my last semester! In April I will be a registered social service worker (and sumo writer). I can’t wait. This does mean that this and the March tournament’s coverage might suffer from some interruptions and delays. Thanks for sticking with me through all this, folks!
That’s enough about me, though. Let’s get onto those big boys in their silk loincloths.
Bonus gif today is Ura pulling the move I did when I get caught snoozing through Wake Up Dead Man.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Asanoyama (1-1) def. Hatsuyama (0-2) by yoritaoshi (frontal crush out)
Asahakuryu (2-0) def. Oshoumi (1-1) by yorikiri (frontal force out)
Shishi (2-0) def. Asakoryu (0-2) by kotenage (armlock throw)*
Mitakeumi (1-1) def. Ryuden (1-1) by uwatenage (over arm throw)
Tomokaze (1-1) def. Midorifuji (0-2) by hatakikomi (slap down) after mono-ii (judges’ review) upholds gyoji (referee) decision
Abi (2-0) def. Tobizaru (1-1) by hatakikomi
Nishikifuji (2-0) def. Tokihayate (1-1) by yorikiri
Chiyoshoma (1-1) def. Kotoshoho (0-2) by tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
Shodai (2-0) def. Roga (1-1) by hikiotoshi (hand pull down)
Kinbozan (1-1) def. Gonoyama (0-2) by uwatenage
Fujinokawa (1-1) def. Hiradoumi (1-1) by oshitaoshi (frontal push down)*
Oshoma (2-0) def. Onokatsu (0-2) by tsukiotoshi
Churanoumi (2-0) def. Daieisho (1-1) by yorikiri
Tamawashi (1-1) def. Atamifuji (0-2) by oshidashi (frontal push out)
Hakunofuji (2-0) def. Wakamotoharu (0-2) by tsukiotoshi*
Kirishima (2-0) def. Takanosho (0-2) by oshidashi
Wakatakakage (1-1) def. Takayasu (1-1) by katasukashi (under shoudler swing down)*
Kotozakura (2-0) def. Ura (0-2) by oshitaoshi*
Aonishiki (2-0) def. Yoshinofuji (0-2) by kubinage (headlock throw) after mono-ii upholds gyoji decision*
Hoshoryu (2-0) def. Ichiyamamoto (0-2) by yorikiri*
Onosato (2-0) def. Oho (0-2) by yorikiri
*Must see bouts!
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Leaderboard
Too early!
Analysis
We are still deadlocked at the top of the division with both yokozuna and ozeki getting their second wins.
Hoshoryu got to 2-0 by avoiding the banana peel that is Ichiyamamoto (someone he had a 1-3 record against). Ichiyamamoto got set very early in this bout and gave Hoshoryu his cute little head nods saying he was ready. Ichiyamamoto was very ready, it turns out. As soon as Hoshoryu’s knuckles touched the clay, Ichiyamamoto shot out of the blocks like a rocket. He got his hand onto Hoshoryu’s throat, but the yokozuna was able to keep his balance and clinch Ichiyamamoto to slow things down and give himself the advantage. He was then able to move the pusher/thruster around until putting him over the line.
Just like the previous day, Hoshoryu showed good mobility in this bout. That’s a good sign, given his reported meniscus tear.
Onosato kept pace with Hoshoryu with a win over Oho. He was slow off the tachiai for the second straight night. This time it allowed Oho to get a hand on his throat. Like Hoshoryu with Ichiyamamoto, though, Onosato was able to stand his ground before regrouping and forcing his opponent out.
Onosato’s wins have been solid so far, but I think he’s looking a little anguished in some of his movements. I have less faith in him making it through the whole fifteen days than I do Hoshoryu, at this point.
Aonishiki had to battle through some adversity last night. Just like the yokozuna, his opponent, Yoshinofuji, got a good start against him. Yoshinofuji, who was 3-0 against the new ozeki, blasted Aonishiki in the chest — forcing him to remain upright (a possible kryptonite for the Ukrainian phenom). That forced Aonishiki to do something we rarely see from him, win while moving backwards. With Yoshinofuji bearing down on him and the straw quickly approaching, Aonsihiki did his best Hoshoryu impression with a high-leg kick headlock throw. And it worked! There was a mono-ii, but this was a pretty clear example for the dead body rule to sort out. Yes, Aonishiki touched down first (with his hand to brace his fall), but Yoshinofuji had been sent airborne and was twirling to the ground like a body thrown out of a window.
Aonishiki has looked great in these past two days. Both Yoshinofuji and Ura have really fought hard against him and he’s managed to find ways to win, without his usual methodical freestyle clinch approach.
Kotozakura is also looking great so far, though it is still very early days. Even so, he’s also beaten Yoshinofuji and now Ura, but done so with an effortless grace that used to be a trademark of his sumo. Last night he crashed into and quickly swept out the floundering Pink Magic.
The bout of the day, for me, was this back and forth battle between Wakatakakage and Takayasu. Wakatakakage, and his cardio, won the battle with a very slick katasukashi.
Hakunofuji followed up his defensive master class over Oho with an aggressive showing opposite Wakamotoharu. The young man with a new name threw Wakamotoharu to the side with some venom. There were some smarts involved with this, too. Hakunofuji tried to establish a right arm inside position from the jump. This would force Wakamotoharu to play with right arm inside, too (which is the opposite to his favourite position). Hakunofuji couldn’t get it, though. When Wakamotoharu got his left arm inside, Hakunofuji recognized the danger and pushed forwards to disguise him then turning away from Wakamotoharu’s weak right side (where he had no grip) to send the komusubi spinning to the ground.
Again, it’s very early, but Hakunofuji is looking like a problem.
Fujinokawa scored a big win last night. He put Hiradoumi down with a killer thrust to the pec. That was his first ever meeting with Hiradoumi.
Tomorrow’s makuuchi program includes Hoshoryu vs. Yoshinofuji. Hoshoryu won their only meeting, back in November, with a violent backwards throw down.
Onosato meets Ura, whom he has a commanding 6-0 record against.
Kotozakura has Wakamotoharu. This will be a migi-yotsu vs. hidari-yotsu match-up. Kotozakura usually wins those.
Aonishiki has Ichiyamamoto, who he is 1-0 against.
Hakunofuji’s good start will be tested by Kirishima (who is also 2-0 after some comfortable wins over Takanosho and Wakatakakage). They are 2-2 against each other.
Daieisho vs. Takayasu will be an interesting one. Those two are currently deadlocked on a 12-12 head-to-head record. There’s also a meeting of former ozeki lower down on the docket with Asanoyama vs. Mitakeumi, they are 6-6 against each other. The last time they met was in 2023.
Juryo jolt!
I got some time, so let’s look at juryo, too.
Takerufuji scored an easy win last night with a push out on Kotokuzan. He’s ranked J5 for this tournament so he really needs to dominate this basho to stand any chance of getting promoted to makuuchi in March.
Fujiryoga won last night, too. He was able to put his huge amount of weight behind into his pushes against the slow moving Shonannoumi.
Meisei also won. He locked up the speedy Asasuiryu and forced him out. The Easter Egg Kayo won last night, too. He looked bouncy in befuddling Kazekeno.
Also, Nishikigi won the battle of the olds, taking out Tsurugisho in a belt battle played out at a snail’s pace.
Makushita Minute!
Makushita as well? Ok, sure.
Here are the top five third division bouts of the day.
In the first clip the oh so popular Enho (the only old Miyagino guy who has not been Fuji-fied). He got a quick katasukashi win over Toseiryu.
Next in that video is former highly touted High School star Otsuji beating Kazuto. Then we see long-time makuuchi and juryo wrestler Shimanoumi, and his impressive side burns, push out Okaryu.
Next up is Inami who uses a rare harimanage (backwards belt throw) to send down Yoshii. The last clip features Toshinofuji (formerly Seihakuho — another Miyagino recruit) force out Shiden.
See ya tomorrow everyone. And really this time, don’t expect more juryo and makushita content then.
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Congrats 🙌 on closing in on your SW degree! And immigration makes a country stronger, so thanks for helping newbies get used to all things Canadian.
That was a monster match between Wakatakakage and Takayasu. Those are two of my favorites and it was hard to watch either one get beat, but Taka's been doing well of late and Waka needed the win more.
Glad to hear about Enho and Kayo. I was a big fan of both when they were in the makuuchi. Let's hope Takerufuji manages to climb back up, too!