2026 Nagoya Basho: Day 10 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2026 Nagoya Basho (spoilers).
We are past the ten day mark and into, what I like to call, the ‘business end of the basho’. Now we are going to see title contenders sorted out from the pretenders with marque match-ups featuring everyone who is performing at the top of their game. What makes this particular business end so exciting is that we still have a deep pool of wrestlers in contention. Also, within that pool, we have a pretty interesting mix of guys — some expected, some surprising.
Scroll down to see where everyone stands after day ten. There’s results, analysis and videos all just for you!
The bonus gif today is a fine view of a Fujinokawa rampant.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Makuuchi Results and Analysis
Results
Daiseizan (4-6) def. Kinbozan (6-4) by yorikiri (frontal force out)
Nishikifuji (7-3) def. Onokatsu (2-8) by yorikiri
Asahakuryu (3-7) def. Shishi (8-2) by yorikiri*
Asakoryu (5-5) def. Mitakeumi (1-9) by oshidashi (frontal push out)
Takerufuji (8-2) def. Chiyoshoma (3-7) by yorikiri
Wakamotoharu (4-6) def. Kazuma (3-7) by tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
Kotoeiho (9-1) def. Abi (5-5) by kirikaeshi (twisting backward knee trip)
Takayasu (8-2) def. Tobizaru (3-7) by tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)
Roga (4-6) def. Shodai (4-6) by okuridashi (rear push out)
Asanoyama (8-2) def. Fujiseun (5-5) by yorikiri
Fujiryoga (6-4) def. Oshoma (4-6) by oshidashi
Ura (4-6) def. Hiradoumi (1-9) by tsukiotoshi*
Gonoyama (5-5) def. Yoshinofuji (5-5) by oshidashi
Ichiyamamoto (5-5) def. Kotoshoho (4-6) by yorikiri
Atamifuji (7-3) def. Churanoumi (3-7) by yorikiri*
Kirishima (8-2) def. Hakunofuji (7-3) by yorikiri*
Kotozakura (5-5) def. Oho (1-9) by uwatehineri (twisting over arm throw)*
Aonishiki (9-1) def. Hoshoryu (6-4) by uwatenage (over arm throw)*
Onosato (6-4) def. Daieisho (6-4) by abisetaoshi (backward force down)*
*Must see bouts!
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Leaderboard
S2w Aonishiki, M7e Kotoeiho: 9-1
O1e Kirishima, M7w Takayasu, M10e Asanoyama, M12w Takerufuji, M14w Shishi: 8-2
Analysis
Aonishiki is taking control of this tournament. The Ukrainian beat Hoshoryu last night to improve to a 9-1 record. He’s now just one win away from reclaiming his ozeki rank. He might get way more than that, this month, though. Despite sharing the lead with Kotoeiho, and having a pack of good wrestlers just behind him, he has to be our favorite to take the yusho on Sunday.
His win over Hoshoryu was… well… it was just too easy, wasn’t it?
Hoshoryu went with the kachiage (forearm strike) at the tachiai. But he didn’t land it with much impact. Aonishiki was fast off his line and didn’t give the yokozuna space to really extend his arm.
The kachiage also presented Aonishiki with a lot of space to go for a left outside position, which he gladly took.
Aonishiki’s grip strength is incredible, so allowing him this position at the outset of the bout immediately put Hoshoryu behind the 8-ball. Hoshoryu tried to turn into Aonishiki’s body to get a moro-zashi (double inside position), but Aonishiki circled away and went for a slap/swing down.
Hoshoryu managed to pop his head out, though. He then overhooked Aonishiki’s right arm, rather casually. This allowed Aonishiki to get a second vice-like grip on his belt.
At this point in the match, Aonishiki had a fully locked migi-yotsu (right arm inside position) with two hands on the belt. It’s hard to beat anyone who has that hold on you, but it might as well be impossible when it’s Aonishiki who has the hold. Aonishiki was also able to stay in his preferred leaned over stance for this migi-yotsu. This stance prevented Hoshoryu from being able to reach out and grab Aonishiki’s belt.
Hoshoryu was stuck at this point. So he decided to go for a sukuinage (beltless arm throw). It’s not easy to throw someone when you aren’t holding onto the belt. Hoshoryu is one of the best around at doing that, but even so, it’s just too difficult to do with Aonishiki being able to brace against any throw attempt with that grip.
Hoshoryu went for the throw anyway and Aonishiki saw it coming. He made sure his left leg was inside of Hoshoryu’s right leg, to further deprive Hoshoryu of any kind of lever for his throw.
As Hoshoryu turned for the throw, Aonishiki turned with him and essentially stole the throw from him. He twisted his back, showing off incredible flexibility) and…
… turned Hoshoryu into the ground, only releasing his right hand grip when he knew the bout was done.
This all happened very quickly. A lot of credit needs to go for Aonishiki, for showing perfect technique. Though, he only had the opportunity to show that technique because of how dreadful Hoshoryu’s approach to the bout was.
The kachiage didn’t work. Even if he was successful, Aonishiki would likely still be close enough to grab the belt with his long arms. And Hoshoryu gave up that second belt grab without any defense. A nodowa (throat thrust) would have been a better move to start with, since it pushes the opponent further back. And ottsuke (forearm blocking) is what everyone else does to stop someone grabbing their belt so easily.
If Hoshoryu’s casual approach here was a sign of hubris, then he was certainly humbled at the end of it. Aonishiki is now 6-1 against Hoshoryu, but this is — by far — the easiest win I’ve ever seen him get over him.
The loss drops Hoshoryu to 7-3. He’s going to need to be very lucky to stand any chance of taking the yusho this month.
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Icon by HINOKODO (link).
Kotoeiho beat Abi last night to stick with Aonishiki at the top of the leader board. This was his first time going against Machine Gun Arm. Abi treated him to one of his classic moves: the henka.
Fortunately, for Kotoeiho Abi got hung up during his attempt. It appeared as though Abi was trying to grab and drive down Kotoeiho, around the neck and belt, as he flew through the air, instead of merely just trying to avoid the tachiai. Kotoeiho did a good job of quickly turning to face Abi, thus taking his belt out of range. Abi was then stuck in close quarters; somewhere he hates being. He tried to push Kotoeiho away from him, but Kotoeiho was already moving to secure a firm hold around his waist. Once he had him, it was easy to dump the bigger man down.
This is the second straight tournament where Kotoeiho has been among the leaders during the first week. In May he fell apart late, with losses to Kirishima, Wakatakakage and Yoshinofuji. I have a feeling he might do better against the big names this time around, though.
Kirishima won last night to keep himself in the title hunt. Hakunofuji blew up Kirishima’s tournament in May, after winning a thrilling bout with him on day fourteen. Kirishima avoided any drama in this bout, though, securing a quick force out.
I like how Kirishima called an audible in this bout. He was about to place his hand down and then saw Hakunofuji put both fists down, with a lot of intensity. You could see how that unsettled Kirishima. Kirishima then stood up, endured the embarrassment of apologizing all around, and then got back into fight mode. I like that Kirishima didn’t force the bout if he wasn’t feeling totally in rhythm.
Takayasu is tied with Kirishima on an 8-2 record. Last night he thrusted out Tobizaru without too much effort.
Takayasu has had some very dramatic bouts in Nagoya, so he deserves a mundane win here and there. He’s due to face some much tougher opponents in the coming days. One thing is for sure, though, Takayasu isn’t going to be intimidated by anyone.
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Asanoyama is another former ozeki sitting at the 8-2 mark. He got there with a rather simple win over Fujiseun.
The experienced Asanoyama isn’t going to be intimidated by the bigger names waiting for him this week, either. But can his body hold up to the pressure they will put him under?
How are my predictions looking, folks? Check out my guesses over everyone’s win-loss totals here (link).
Takerufuji is also in that chasing pack. He took some big slaps from Chiyoshoma last night, but was still able to power him out and into the seats.
Takerufuji is a wild card in this title hunt. He’s been here before, but I’m still not sure if that miraculous debut yusho was a flash in the pan or a sign that Takerufuji (without injuries) is an elite rikishi. We won’t find out the answer to that in this tournament. But I think he might have a big say in where this yusho goes (likely due to who he beats as we go down the stretch).
Shishi is the last man in that 8-2 group. He was bundled out by Asahakuryu last night. Shishi scored his kachi-koshi on day nine to save his skin from a juryo demotion. I don’t think he seriously thinks he can win the title here, so I expect his compete-level to drop off considerably over this final five days.
Onosato won last night, by the way. It was quite a bruising victory, though. He took some big shots from Daieisho and avoided an utchari (backwards pivot throw) on the straw.
Onosato’s a non-factor when it comes to this yusho, but I’m still interested to see if he can make it through fifteen days with a respectable record.
Aonishiki has Gonoyama tonight. Gonoyama has been so-so in this tournament and his one dimensional game is unlikely to cause the Blue Whirlwind many issues. They’ve never faced each other before.
Kotoeiho is paired off with Shishi. Shishi is 2-3 in this match-up, but Kotoeiho has won the last two bouts (their only meetings in makuuchi).
Asanoyama and Takerufuji meet tonight. Asanoyama is 2-0 against Takerufuji. He was one of only two men to beat Takerufuji during his amazing March 2024 yusho.
Takayasu has Hakunofuji. That’s a tough match-up for the veteran. Hakunofuji is just behind the leaders right now and he has a 3-2 record against Takayasu. Takayasu has won the last two bouts between them, but they haven’t seen each other since January.
Kirishima has Ichiyamamoto. He’s 3-3 against him. Ichiyamamoto is 5-5 at this tournament, which is better than I expected him to be doing. Still, I think he might be one of the easier opponents the current leaders are due to face.
Our sadly irrelevant yokozuna have some tough match-ups. They are facing the sekiwake tonight. Hoshoryu has Kotoshoho and Onosato has Atamifuji.
Keeping count!
Henka counter: 12
Tobi trample counter (rows): 4
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