2026 Hatsu Basho: Day 9 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2026 January Tournament (spoilers).
Hey all,
Nine days down and six to go at the 2026 hatsu basho. And it’s still too early to call who the contenders will be for this yusho at the business end of this tournament. It’s been a wide open basho with a very competitive field. I’ve really enjoyed it so far and I’m eager to see which rikishi start to separate themselves from the pack in the next days (it might be someone surprising).
Scroll down to see last night’s results, watch some videos and read my takeaways. Hope you enjoy it!
Today’s bonus gif features a debut for Asahakuryu.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Oshoumi (7-2) def. Asakoryu (4-5) by yorikiri (frontal force out)
Shishi (7-2) def. Ryuden (4-5) by oshidashi (frontal push out)*
Hatsuyama (1-8) def. Tomokaze (3-5) by oshidashi after mono-ii (judges’ review) upholds gyoji (referee) decision
Asanoyama (6-3) def. Tobizaru (2-7) by yorikiri
Nishikifuj (6-3) def. Asahakuryu (5-4) by yorikiri
Mitakeumi (6-3) def. Chiyoshoma (5-4) by hatakikomi (slap down)
Kotoshoho (6-3) def. Abi (7-2) by oshidashi
Tokihayate (5-4) def. Midorifuji (3-6) by uwatedashinage (pulling over arm throw)*
Fujinokawa (7-2) def. Roga (3-6) by hatakikomi
Gonoyama (3-6) def. Onokatsu (3-6) by oshidashi
Hiradoumi (6-3) def. Kinbozan (3-6) by yorikiri
Churanoumi (6-3) def. Shodai (4-5) by oshidashi
Tamawashi (3-6) def. Oshoma (5-4) by yorikiri*
Daieisho (3-6) def. Hakunofuji (5-4) by tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)*
Yoshinofuji (5-4) def. Takanosho (1-8) by tsukiotoshi (thrust down)*
Oho (4-5) def. Ichiyamamoto (1-8) by hatakikomi
Kirishima (8-1) def. Ura (1-8) by sakatottari (arm bar counter)*
Aonishiki (7-2) def. Wakatakakage (4-5) by kirikaeshi (twisting backwards knee trip)*
Kotozakura (6-3) def. Takayasu (6-3) by tsukiotoshi*
Wakamotoharu (3-6) def. Onosato (6-3) by yorikiri*
Atamifuji (7-2) def. Hoshoryu (6-3) by oshidashi*
*Must see bouts!
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Leaderboard
S1e Kirishima: 8-1
O1w Aonishiki, M4w Atamifuji, M7w Fujinokawa, M12w Abi, M14w Shishi, M16w Oshoumi: 7-2
Y1e Hoshoryu, Y1w Onosato, O1e Kotozakura, six others: 6-3
Analysis
Injuries have fully caught up to our two yokozuna now. Last night both Onosato and Hoshoryu lost, with a whimper, in bouts where they looked clearly compromised.
Onosato was easily forced out by Wakamotoharu and it was pretty obvious he couldn’t engage using his injured shoulder. This is the second bout in a row where he has noticeably grimmaced from pain and discomfort.
And Hoshoryu seemed to be out of pushing power in his bandaged knee. He was unable to prevent Atamifuji shoving him over the line for his first career kinboshi. He didn’t show any pain on his face, but he looked a little hobbled when walking away from the bout.
Both yokozuna had been taking calculated risks in this tournament. I think, now that the race for the yusho is running away from them it’s extremely likely that we’ll see one or both of them bow out in the coming days. Onosato looks especially hurt right now. The Hakuonufji loss yesterday looked like it caused him a lot of pain. But last night it looked like he just didn’t have it in him, physically or mentally, to fight through it.
Hopefully wiser heads will prevail here and both yokozuna will sit out the rest of the way and give us the best shot of seeing them compete to their fullest in March.
With neither yokozuna a threat to win this tournament, things have opened up for everyone else. Kirishima is the man who is benefiting from that the most, right now. He leads the way with his 8-1 record, which he earned with an awkward win over Ura.
In this bout Ura went for something spectacular, but Kirishima saw it coming all the way. As Ura tried to duck under and bend back, Kirishima calmly ushered him over the straw.
I hate to jinx my favourite rikishi, but Kirishima is oozing confidence in this tournament. He’s already beaten Aonishiki and if the yokozuna are off the table (including Onosato whom he is 0-9 against) he’s got a great chance of scooping his third yusho.
Aonishiki is still in the hunt, though. He came through a hard fought and bruising affair with Wakatakakage. The 21 year-old hasn’t had a single easy night on the dohyo this month.
Wakatakakage succeeded in forcing Aonishiki into a running battle and showed great defense to save himself along the straw early on. However, Aonishiki was able to keep pushing forwards and get a hand on Wakatakakage’s belt. Aonishiki’s grip strength is immense. Wakatakakage tried a kotenage (arm lock) on that inside arm, but while doing so Aonishiki attacked his legs and landed the outside trip for the win.
Don’t forget about Kotozakura. The other ozeki is 6-3 and could work his way into title contention. He also looks healthier than both Onosato and Hoshoryu right now. Last night he schooled Takayasu (who has looked excellent in this basho). He used great footwork to get around him, then great strength to push him back on his heels and then great intelligence to sense the right time to step back and drag him down.
Kotozakura, who has historically been very good against our current yokozuna, is another wrestler who will benefit from having to avoid them. He will have to face Aonishiki down the stretch, though.
Abi stumbled last night. He missed his half henka on Kotoshoho and then ran out of room as he tried to dance out of range. He’s now 7-2, with very hard bouts awaiting him this week.
Tonight Onosato is scheduled to face Atamifuji. He’s 6-0 against him. Hoshoryu is slated to fight Oho. He’s 6-7 against him. I really don’t think Onosato will be there tonight, though. I have a feeling Hoshoryu might be waiting for Onosato to pull out before he does so himself.
Aonishiki has Takanosho. He’s beaten him in their only two meetings.
Kirishima vs. Kotozakura is the biggest bout of the night. Kirishima is 16-7 against Kotozakura. These two were 3-3 last year.
Juryo jolt!
Fujisuen and Sadanoumi are leading juryo on 7-2 records.
Fujisuen won last night, beating Kotokuzan without much fuss.
Sadanoumi beat Kitanowaka, turning the tables with a sukuinage (beltless arm throw) after being forced back to the boundary.
Takerufuji won, too. He smashed Kotoeiho off the tachiai. That didn’t get the job done, but he did really well to then reset and come back with another hard attack for the win. He also struck a nice end pose, showing that he might be starting to get into the flow of things. It’s a little late for him to work his way back into the title/promotion hunt, though. He’s just 5-4.
Makushita Minute!
Here are your top five bouts from the third division.
First we see Fukuzaki forcing out Yoshii after a fun back and forth battle. Then we see Shiden get his first win with a yorikiri on the still winless Hananoumi. Next up Toshinofuji is handed his first loss of the tournament, after getting a little careless with Tochimaru. Tochimaru moved to 5-0 after that. Next Himukamaru pushes Kurohimeyama into the first row. And finally Takakento is shown digging deep, once again, to get another win while essentially fighting on one leg. This time it was against Tochimusashi.
Enho won last night, too. He scored an underarm throw on Gonoumi to go 5-0!
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You know the most exciting news from this basho so far? Hatsuyama won a match! ;)
Aonishiki's foot trip to beat Wakatakakage was a thing of beauty.