2026 Nagoya Basho: Day 5 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2026 Nagoya Basho (spoilers).
We are now a third of the way through Grand Sumo’s 2026 Nagoya tournament. And, at this stage, it’s hard to pick a winner. We are blessed with a highly competitive field in this tournament and, so far, there’s about ten wrestlers I can imagine taking the cup.
Scroll down to see where we stand after five days and who the leaders currently are. It’s a good mix, I promise you.
I’ve also got analysis and videos for you to enjoy. And, if you are a paid subscriber, I have jūryō and makushita coverage for you, too.
Bonus gif today is the highest man on the banzuke.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Makuuchi Results and Analysis
Results
Daiseizan (2-3) def. Ōnokatsu (0-5) by yoritoashi (frontal crush out)*
Shishi (5-0) def. Ryūden (1-4) by sukuinage (beltless arm throw)*
Kinbōzan (3-2) def. Asakōryū (2-3) by yorikiri (frontal force out)
Takerufuji (4-1) def. Kazuma (2-3) by sukuinage
Abi (3-2) def. Asahakūryū (2-3) by shitatedashinage (pulling underarm throw)*
Nishikifuji (4-1) def. Mitakeumi (0-5) by uwatedashinage (pulling over arm throw)
Asanoyama (3-2) def. Chiyoshōma (1-4) by yorikiri
Wakanoshō (5-0) def. Tobizaru (1-4) by tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)*
Rōga (2-3) def. Wakamotoharu (2-3) by yoritoashi
Takayasu (4-1) def. Roga (3-2) by hatakikomi (slap down)*
Shōdai (2-3) def. Fujiseun (2-3) by hikiotoshi (hand pull down)*
Kotoeihō (4-1) def. Ōshōma (1-4) by yorikiri
Daieishō (4-1) def. Ichiyamamoto (3-2) by oshidashi (frontal push out)
Hakunofuji (4-1) def. Ura (1-4) by sukuinage
Yoshinofuji (3-2) def. Ōhō (1-4) by yorikiri
Takanoshō (1-4) def. Atamifuji (3-2) by oshidashi
Fujinokawa (3-2) def. Kotoshōhō (3-2) by hikiotoshi
Aonishiki (4-1) def. Kotozakura (3-2) by yorikiri
Hiradoumi (1-4) def. Kirishima (4-1) by oshidashi*
Ōnosato (2-3) def. Churanoumi (1-4) by yorikiri*
Hōshōryū (4-1) def. Gōnoyama (1-4) by tottari (armbar throw)*
*Must see bouts!
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Leaderboard
M11e Wakanoshō, M14w Shishi: 5-0
Y1e Hōshōryū, O1e Kirishima, S2w Aonishiki, M3w Hakunofuji, five others: 4-1
Analysis
Both our yokozuna won last night. That’s the first time that’s happened in this tournament. They both looked pretty good, too. Hopefully that’s a sign that we’re going to see both these guys involved in the title hunt when we get into the business end of this basho.
Ōnosato’s win came over Churanoumi. Ōnosato opened with a moroto-tsuki (double handed thrust). That backed Churanoumi off. They pair exchanged some thrusts for a little, but Churanoumi was always looking to get inside and latch on his mae-mitsu (front shallow grip). Ōnosato did a good job of batting that reaching hand away and opening up space for him to get his right arm to the inside position. Once he got that, he powered Churanoumi out of the ring (and looked a lot like his old self while doing so).
Ōnosato also hit one of his power poses as he brushed Churanoumi over the line. I think that might be a sign that a little bit of confidence is returning for our 75th yokozuna.
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Hōshōryū dispatched of Gōnoyama without much incident last night. He shaped to catch Gōnoyama at the tachiai and then rode him to the straw before slipping out to perform the arm bar throw. That, to me, looked like something Hōshōryū might hit on Gōnoyama a lot during cross training. These two see each other a lot in practise, due to them being in the same ichimon (stable group).
Other than his hiccup against Fujinokawa, Hōshōryū is looking in good form. He won his maiden yushō in Nagoya (in 2023) and would love to get his third here this month.
Wakanoshō and Shishi (!) remain in the lead after day five. Though, it is still very early in the tournament.
Wakanoshō put a beating on Tobizaru and sent him sailing into the seats. Glad to see someone takes the trample counter seriously. Shishi beat Ryūden, which you’d expect anyone in the top division to do right now. Ryūden showed some fight, though, before gassing out and getting forced out by the big Ukrainian.
It would be a great story if both these guys could keep winning and be a factor down the stretch. We’ve seen a few maegashira wrestlers hang on to the final days this year. It was Kotoeihō and Fujiroga in May. But we’ve not seen any of them manage to grab the cup since Kotoshōhō did that in Nagoya last year.
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Kirishima missed his chance to join those surprise leaders on a 5-0 record. He lost to Hiradoumi last night.
Hiradoumi fought ferociously to break out of his slump and get his first win of the tournament. He blew through Kirishima’s kachiage (forearm strike) at the tachiai and poured on a ton of pressure. Kirishima tried to work his defensive swipes, but Hiradoumi didn’t give him any space to breath and was able to get him quickly over the line.
Takanoshō joined Hiradoumi in avoiding an 0-5 record. He beat Atamifuji. Takanoshō landed a great nodowa (throat thrust) off the tachiai. That disrupted Atamifuji’s attempt to clinch him up. Atamifuji did get his preferred right arm on the inside, but it was loose and Takanoshō pulled off a beautiful makki-kae (switch from outside to inside position) with his left arm while moving backwards. That allowed him to escape out the side and then come back at Atamifuji with thrusts. Atamifuji then responded with pushes and thrusts of his own, as well as a slap down attempt. That’s not his game, though. And in a running battle with Takanoshō, he was second best and was eventually forced out over the straw
I’ve given Atamifuji lots of props for diversifying his game and not shying away from oshi-zumō (pushing/thrusting) lately. But now I think he needs to work on picking the right time to use those skills, as well as the right opponent to use them against.
How are my predictions looking, folks? Check out my guesses over everyone’s win-loss totals here (link).
Aonishiki had a no nonsense win over Kotozakura last night. He got his leaned in stance and defended a slap/swing down attempt before charging Kotozakura out the ring.
Aonishiki is now six wins away from a return to the ōzeki rank. Kotozakura is five wins away from keeping his ōzeki rank.
Takayasu was part of yet another fight of the night last night. He and Fujiryoga brought the house down with a high paced slap fest. The crowd roared as local boy Fujiryoga came close to winning, but he would end up getting flipped over by the veteran.
Tonight we’ve got Ōnosato vs. Hiradoumi. Hiradoumi would love to help out Hōshōryū with a win here.
Hōshōryū had his hands full with Hakunofuji. Hakunofuji has been quietly very good so far this week. He’s 4-1 after powering out Ura last night.
Keeping count!
Henka counter: 8
Tobi trample counter (rows): 2
*Abi missed his henka on Asahakūryū and was then tossed over. Fujinokawa was successful with his leap away from Kotoshōhō, though.
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