2026 Nagoya Basho: Day 13 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2026 Nagoya Basho (spoilers).
We just had another epic night of bouts on the dohyo to set up a very interesting penultimate day. Our big pool of leaders has shrunk down quite a bit over this week, but there are still a good handful of wrestlers in with a shot at lifting the cup on Sunday.
Scroll down to see who is best positioned to do that after day thirteen’s matches.
Our bonus gif today is someone who will not win a yusho this weekend.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Makuuchi Results and Analysis
Results
Onokatsu (3-1) def. Asahakuryu (5-8) by yorikiri (frontal force out)
Mitakeumi (2-11) def. Kazuma (3-10) by yorikiri
Kinbozan (8-5) def. Chiyoshoma (4-9) by shitatehineri (twisting underarm throw)*
Tobizaru (5-8) def. Daiseizan (6-7) by oshidashi (frontal push out)
Asakoryu (8-5) def. Wakamotoharu (6-7) by tsukiotushi (thrust down)
Nishikifuji (9-4) def. Fujiseun (6-7) by uwatenage (over arm throw)
Abi (6-7) def. Shodai (4-8) by tsukitaoshi (frontal thrust down)
Asanoyama (9-4) def. Oshoma (5-8) by uwatenage*
Fujiryoga (9-4) def. Ura (4-9) by oshitaoshi (frontal push down)*
Roga (7-6) def. Ichiyamamoto (5-8) by shitatenage (underarm throw)
Gonoyama (6-7) def. Hakunofuji (7-6) by oshidashi
Daieisho (8-5) def. Takanosho (6-7) by oshidashi*
Churanoumi (6-7) def. Fujinokawa (6-7) by oshitaoshi*
Hiradoumi (3-10) def. Oho (1-12) by yorikiri
Yoshinofuji (6-7) def. Kotoeiho (9-4) by oshidashi*
Kotoshoho (6-7) def. Takayasu (9-4) by okuridashi (rear push out)*
Kotozakura (8-5) def. Shishi (10-3) by shitatedashinage (pulling underarm throw)*
Aonishiki (11-2) def. Kirishima (10-3) by sukuinage (beltless arm throw)*
Onosato (7-6) def. Takerufuji (10-3) by yorikiri*
Atamifuji (10-3) def. Hoshoryu (7-6) by yoritoashi (frontal crush out)*
*Must see bouts!
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Leaderboard
S2w Aonishiki: 11-2
O1e Kirishima, S1e Atamifuji, M13w Takerufuji, M14w Shishi: 10-3
Analysis
Aonishiki is back in the lead of this basho!
That’s thanks to his win over Kirishima and the results of those around him. The Kirishima bout was over in a flash, with Aonishiki quickly shifting his hips and sending Kirishima down onto the straw.
Kirishima led with his kachiage (forearm strike) in the tachiai, but I think Aonishiki was ready for it. He angled his left arm to get under that forearm, so he could grab the belt (in exchange for taking a forearm to the jaw). Aonishiki wasn’t able to keep a hold of that belt for long. Kirishima yanked his arm up to break that. But Aonishiki triggered a beltless throw in response, which sent the ozeki down.
Aonishiki’s speed on transitioning to that throw, as well as his quick thinking, are all reasons why he’s one of the best in the world. And he’s now poised for his third career yusho.
This win put Aonishiki back in the driver’s seat for the tournament. It also didn’t appear to add any stress to his ankle (which was tested in his prior bout with Kotoshoho).
Kirishima is now down to 10-3. He’s not eliminated from a potential yusho, but he will need Aonishiki to lose one of his last two bouts. If he does win it all, it’s probably going through a play-off. That likely ends the chances that he gets a yokozuna nod after this tournament.
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Takerufuji missed a chance to tie Aonishiki’s record. He was steam-rolled by Onosato last night.
I wondered if Onosato would go for a henka here, as payback for the henka Takerufuji gave Takayasu on the previous night. Instead, Onosato might have channelled any sore feelings into a very powerful tachiai.
Shishi also fell at one of his final hurdles last night. He got dragged down by Kotozakura.
Shishi has been fantastic in this tournament, but he came up against a very motivated Kotozakura. Kotozakura needed this win for his kachi-koshi (winning record) and to secure his ozeki rank. And he really wanted it last night because he knew he would have Onosato and possibly Kirishima on the final two days.
Kotozakura’s eagerness for the win, along with his highly nuanced grappling game, were just too much for the gutsy, exuberant, but still quite raw Shishi.
Atamifuji won last night to give himself a mathematical shot at winning this thing. He beat Hoshoryu in another bout where Hoshoryu just seemed to be going through the motions.
This tenth win for Atamifuji kick-starts an ozeki run for the 23 year-old.
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Takayasu lost to Kotoshoho last night. That pretty much eliminates Takayasu from the title hunt. Kotoshoho started this tournament poorly and is now trying to claw out a kachi-koshi. He has to win his last two bouts to do that and thus keep his sekiwake rank.
How are my predictions looking, folks? Check out my guesses over everyone’s win-loss totals here (link).
Tonight’s big match is Aonishiki vs. Takerufuji. They’ve only fought once before. That was in March, 2025, when Aonishiki made his debut in the top division. The Ukrainian won that bout.
Kirishima meets his old buddy Hoshoryu. They have an almost even record after 25 bouts with each other. Kirishima has won the last two.
Shishi meets Atamifuji. Atamifuji has won all three of the past meetings, but they haven’t fought this year.
If Aonishiki wins tonight, he will be 12-2 and Takerufuji will be 10-4 with one day left. That will eliminate Takerufuji and everyone else with four losses from the title race. That will include the loser of Shishi vs. Atamifuji and Kirishima, if he loses to Hoshoryu. Aonishiki will then fight the winner of Shishi vs. Atamifuji on the final day to win the cup (and face a play-off if he loses).
If Aonishiki loses he will be 11-3, tied with Takerufuji and the winner of Atamifuji vs. Shishi and Kirishima, if he beats Hoshoryu. In that scenario Aonishiki likely meets the winner of Atamifuji vs. Shishi and Kirishima meets Takerufuji. The winners of those bouts will then face-off for the cup.
Keeping count!
Henka counter: 16*
Tobi trample counter (rows): 4
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