2026 Hatsu Basho: Day 7 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2026 January Tournament (spoilers).
It’s been a wonderful week on the dohyo in Tokyo. This year’s January tournament has been very fun to watch with lots of standout matches and performances. If things keep up, we’re due for a fascinating second week and, hopefully, a very compelling climax next weekend.
Scroll down to see the state of play after seven days. There you’ll find full results for the top division, lots of videos and my analysis.
Bonus gif today is just some guys standing around.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Ryuden (3-4) def. Hatsuyama (0-7) by oshidashi (frontal push out)
Oshoumi (6-1) def. Tomokaze (3-4) by oshitaoshi (frontal push down)
Asakoryu (3-4) def. Tobizaru (1-6) by oshitaoshi*
Asanoyama (5-2) def. Abi (6-1) by hikiotoshi (hand pull down)
Asahakuryu (5-2) def. Midorifuji (2-5) by yorikiri (frontal force out)
Shishi (5-2) def. Chiyoshoma (5-2) by yorikiri*
Tokihayate (4-3) def. Mitakeumi (3-4) by yorikiri
Nishikifuji (4-3) def. Roga (3-4) by yorikiri
Kotoshoho (5-2) def. Kinbozan (2-5) by shitatenage (underarm throw)
Gonoyama (2-5) def. Oshoma (5-2) by oshidashi
Hiradoumi (4-3) def. Shodai (3-4) by yorikiri
Churanoumi (4-3) def. Fujinokawa (5-2) def. okuridashi (rear push out)*
Atamifuji (5-2) def. Onokatsu (3-4) by oshidashi
Takanosho (1-6) def. Tamawashu (2-5) by hatakikomi (slap down)
Ura (1-6) def. Ichiyamamoto (1-6) by oshitaoshi
Takayasu (5-2) def. Oho (2-5) by tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)
Kirishima (6-1) def. Yoshinofuji (4-3) uwatenage (over arm throw)*
Aonishiki (6-1) def. Wakamotoharu (1-6) by yoritaoshi (frontal crush out)*
Kotozakura (5-2) def. Wakatakakage (3-4) by hatakikomi
Onosato (6-1) def. Daieisho (1-6) by hatakikomi*
Hoshoryu (6-1) def. Hakunofuji (4-3) by yoritaoshi after torinaoshi (rematch)
*Must see bouts!
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Leaderboard
Y1e Hoshoryu, Y1w Onosato, O1w Aonishiki, S1e Kirishima, M12w Abi, M16w Oshoumi: 6-1
Analysis
That was an intense night of sumo. Hoshoryu, Onosato and Aonishiki all won, but neither of them had an easy time with it. All three were tested and, in Hoshoryu and Aonishiki’s cases, had to endure some pain to get their victory.
Hoshoryu vs. Hakunofuji is maturing into a rivalry to keep an eye on. These two first met during the 2023 Nagoya basho when Hakunofuji, then Hakuoho, was debuting in the top division. The then 19 year-old, who was the hottest prospect in the sport at the time, took the division by storm and was one win away from earning a play-off for a possible yusho in his debut tournament (something that seemed truly improbable until Takerufuji managed it the following year). He and Hoshoryu met on the final day, with Hoshoryu landing an uwatenage for the win. Hakunofuji came into that bout with a shoulder injury that was either suffered or aggravated earlier in the basho.
Hoshoryu then won the play-off against Hokutofuji and claimed his first yusho, which also earned him a promotion to ozeki. Hakunofuji had shoulder surgery after this tournament, which caused him to be demoted to juryo. The Miyagino witch hunt happened shortly after. Those two things conspired to dull Hakunofuji’s shine and force him to struggle his way back to makuuchi. Much of the excitement around Hakunofuji, and this debut tournament, was forgotten along the way.
Their second bout happened two years later, with Hoshoryu already ascended to the rank of the 74th yokozuna. Hoshoryu won that, and the next one, but lost to Hakunofuji on the first day of the 2025 November tournament.
Given their history, Hakunofuji likely has a lot of motivation to beat Hoshoryu every time he sees him. Last night, he gave it a good shot.
He hit Hoshoryu hard off the tachiai and immediately secured his favourite hidari-yotsu (left arm inside, right arm outside position). He muscled Hoshoryu to the straw and forced the Mongolian to switch on his judo brain for a high octane reactive throw. Both men cartwheeled over the straw, landing head first in the clay. The gyoji (referee) pointed the gunabi (fan) to the east signaling a win for the yokozuna.
This would need a review, though. With both men touching down about the same time, and with both having their feet in the air, that was enough for the shimpan (judges) to call for the torinaoshi. I would have liked to see Hoshoryu given credit for the throw, but the shimpan have made it clear now that it’s hard to win anything if you don’t have at least one foot on the ground.
Hoshoryu came up bloody from the first bout, having scraped his scalp along the dirt (and possibly the sharp straw). In the rematch, Hoshoryu anticipated Hakunofuji going for the left arm inside position and decided to give it to him. He’d make him pay for it, though. He reached around Hakunofuji’s left arm and got a full outside grip on the belt, perfect for throwing. Hoshoryu shaped for a shitatenage, but Hakunofuji showed great technique to circle away and make sure his leg couldn’t get hooked. He survived the throws, but the rotation prevented him from getting back on offense. Once his back was to the straw, Hoshoryu complimented his outside grip with an inside position and was able to crush out his rival.
Hoshoryu enjoyed that. On his way up he couldn’t resist giving Hakunofuji a little stare. That was him saying, “Don’t forget, I’m the best.” But also, “You’re really tough.”
For me, this is a moment where we can see the difference between Hoshoryu and Onosato. Onosato is the greatest wrestler of his generation. But Hoshoryu, when he’s on, is the baddest man on the dohyo.
Onosato had to struggle through some adversity last night. He beat Daieisho, but he’s still looking far from his best. His power and strength appears to be compromised, due to his reported shoulder injury. However, his amazing athleticism encompasses more than just raw pushing power. He’s fast, too. He used his quickness and agility to make sure Daieisho wasn’t able to score a knockout blow and, when he created some space, he was able to slap down his hard charging opponent.
Onosato and Hoshoryu may be tied, but the matches that have given them their 6-1 records have looked very different. Hoshoryu had a tough task today, but he’s breezed through other matches. Everything has looked like hard work for Onosato and if these two fought tomorrow, you’d have to consider Hoshoryu the heavy favourite.
Aonishiki won last night, too. But he had to endure a lot of pain along the way. That’s thanks to Wakamotoharu and yet another one of these damned utchari (backwards pivot throw). Wakamotoharu did his best to keep Aonishiki upright, but he quickly ran out of space. In a last gasp attempt, he triggered the highly dangerous utchari (his second of the tournament). Both men slammed into the ground and Aonishiki was credited with the crush out victory. I hate the move and don’t want to see anyone win with it, but there’s lots you can debate about the dead body rule here and whether Aonishiki’s arm around Wakamotoharu’s torso outweighed the effort and control of Wakamotoharu hoisting, rotating and dumping him onto the ground.
Aonishiki remains among the leaders with a 6-1 record. He’s looked great this month, but his body has taken a beating to get here.
Kirishima is getting dangerously close to me saying he’s a contender this month (and then jinxing him). My favourite rikishi looked fantastic last night, showing great defense, through technical grappling and pure strength and then a wicked switch to offense which sent Yoshinofuji flat onto his belly.
Kirishima has looked smooth and very confident in this basho. That could mean… wait, no… let’s just see what happens.
Kotozakura scored a quick win last night, slamming Wakatakakage down onto his front. Kotozakura is 5-2. He’s not setting the world on fire or anything, but he’s certainly looking like an ozeki should.
Ura got his first win of the tournament last night. He beat Ichiyamamoto in a battle of the sweet boys (as Mrs. Sumo Stomp! refers to them). Ura used a great head fake to get under Ichiyamamoto’s thrusts and then force him down.
Abi’s win streak was snapped last night by Asanoyama. The former ozeki went strike for strike with the Fire God before catching an arm and pulling him over. Asanoyama is 5-2 now and is looking better than his rank, though he’s clearly lost a step since his latest injury.
Tomorrow has some mouth-watering match-ups on deck.
Onosato has Hakunofuji. Those two are tied on a 2-2 record. Onosato won the last bout between them, having lost the previous two.
And the in-form Kirishima meets Aonishiki. Aonishiki has a 3-0 record against the former ozeki, but this is the best Kirishima has looked since Aonishiki has been in the top division.
Hoshoryu has Daieisho, which should be an easy assignment. The Battle Pug is 1-6 this basho and has a 4-14 record against Hoshoryu.
Surprise joint leader Oshoumi will get tested by Tobizaru, who is just 1-6 this month.
Juryo jolt!
Takerufuji is almost certainly condemned to at least another tournament in juryo. He couldn’t push out Fujiryoga last night and was slapped down for his efforts. Fujiyroga is now 5-2 and has a shot at going back-to-back with juryo titles.
Kayo will likely have a say in that, though. He was spry and bouncy against Hakuyozan, who he put down with a katasukashi (under shoulder swing down).
Kayo is joined on a leading 6-1 record by Fujiseun, who beat Tamashoho last night.
Meisei took another loss last night, getting thrust out by a very aggressive Wakanosho. He’s 4-3 now and at risk at getting stuck down here unless he goes on a tear.
Makushita Minute!
The video above shows the last five makushita bouts of the evening.
In the first clip Hikamaru uses a henka to beat Arashifuji and claim an unethical 4-0 record. Arashifuji drops to 3-1. Then longtime juryo wrestler Shiden gets forced out by Mienofuji after a decent tilt. Next Toshinofuji, who looks like a good bet to win makushita, rotates and crushes out Mineyaiba to move to 4-0. Next, Fukuzaki slaps down Himukamaru with style. And finally Inami manages to slap down the slower Tochimusashi after some stalling.
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Thanks as ever, Tim!
Fascinating take on Hoshoryu vs Onosato as "baddest" vs "greatest wrestler." That nuance gets overlooked alot when people just compare records straight up. Watched Hoshoryu give that little stare after the rematch and you could feel the intensity behind it - thats the kind of thing that seperates champions from record-holders. I remember seeing similar attitude from old school fighters who thrived on those personal battles.