2026 Natsu Basho: Day 2 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2026 Natsu Basho (spoilers).
Hello everyone,
Day two of the May tournament is now in the books. This is another night time edition of Sumo Stomp! That’s because on Mondays I’m continuing to volunteer at the non-profit where I did my field placement. That will make them hire me! (right?)
Last night we got confirmation that Hōshōryū was out of the tournament. We all knew that was coming, though, with how he hobbled away from that Takayasu bout.
That leaves Kotozakura and Kirishima as our highest ranked wrestlers at the basho. Scroll down to see how they did last night and whether they look like they can snatch this yushō.
Take advantage of my May sale to get 15% off a Sumo Stomp! subscription (for life!)
Today’s bonus gif today is Tobizaru raring to go!
SPOILERS BELOW
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Results
Fujiyroga (2-0) def. Wakanoshō (1-1) by tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
Ōshōumi (1-1) def. Ryūden (0-2) by yorikiri (frontal force out)
Tobizaru (2-0) def. Mitakeumi (1-1) by okuridashi (rear push out)
Rōga (1-1) def. Tamawashi (0-2) by yorikiri
Kotoeihō (2-0) def. Shishi (0-2) by shitatenage (underarm throw)*
Kinbōzan (2-0) def. Tokihayate (0-2) by uwatenage (over arm throw)
Hakunofuji (1-1) def. Asanoyama (1-1) by oshidashi (frontal push out) after mono-ii (judges’ review) reversed gyoji (referee) decision*
Nishikifuji (1-1) def. Ura (1-1) by oshidashi
Asahakūryū (1-1) def. Ōshōma (0-2) by oshidashi*
Asakōryū (2-0) def. Abi (1-1) by shitatenage*
Churanoumi (2-0) def. Chiyoshōma (0-2) by oshidashi
Shōdai (1-1) def. Fujiseun (1-1) by katasukashi (under shoulder swing down)*
Daieishō (2-0) def. Wakamotoharu (0-2) by hatakikomi (slap down)*
Ōhō (1-1) def. Gōnoyama (1-1) by hatakikomi
Takayasu (2-0) def. Ichiyamamoto (1-1) by hikiotoshi (hand pull down)
Hiradoumi (1-1) def. Atamifuji (0-2) by yorikiri
Takanoshō (1-1) def. Kotoshōhō (0-2) by oshidashi
Wakatakakage (2-0) def. Kotozakura (0-2) by yorikiri*
Kirishima (2-0) def. Yoshinofuji (0-1) by hatakikomi
Fujinokawa (2-0) def. Hōshōryū (0-2) by fusen (default)
*Must see bouts!
If you’re unable to pick up a paid subscription to Sumo Stomp! but would still like to tip me for these posts, please consider buying me a coffee below (via PayPal).
Leaderboard
Too early!
Analysis
All eyes on Kirishima now, I guess. And not just because he’s so studly. Due to Hōshōryū joining both Ōnosato and Aonishiki on the sidelines this month, the biggest threat to win the yushō is now the returning ōzeki. Last night he beat Yoshinofuji (who now sports the traditional top knot) in a dog fight to go 2-0.
Kirishima led with a kachiage (elbow strike) off the tachiai, but that didn’t move Yoshinofuji back an inch. Kirishima then switched focus to trying to rotate Yoshinofuji with a kote (armlock). He had to do that twice, since Yoshinofuji was so athletic and good at turning back to face him. Eventually, though, Kirishima experience shone through and he reacted perfectly when Yoshinofuji dipped his head. When he saw that, Kirishima glided back and let Yoshinofuji fly into the dirt.
Sumo Stomp! is entirely human made. Please continue to support human made writing and art over AI generated content.
Icon by HINOKODO (link).
Kotozakura is 0-2 after losing to Wakatakakage. He’s now got an uphill battle if he wants to take advantage of the high profile absences at this tournament. He and Wakatakakage had a heck of a tilt, though.
Kotozakura succeeded in getting his right arm inside off the tachiai. That’s his go-to move. But Wakatakakage used ottsuke (forearm blocking) to make sure Kotozakura didn’t get his arm fully inside. He was then able to actually push Kotozakura’s bicep and get that right arm out of the inside position, all while forcing Kotozakura to step backwards.
Kotozakura re-established the inside position and then summoned up lots of strength to rear up and force Wakatakakage backwards. Wakatakakage resisted, though, using every inch of his strength to put on the brakes and prevent himself being marched all the way out.
I think that moment sapped a lot of stamina out of Kotozakura. After that, Wakatakakage was able to hoist him up and get him moving towards the boundary. Kotozakura attempted a halfhearted throw along the straw, but he was too drained and Wakatakakage still had plenty of gas in the tank.
Wakatakakage is now 2-0.
Takayasu is also 2-0. I’m a little mad at him right now, to be honest. I thought it was a little cheap how he went so early against Hōshōryū and I think the extra push he gave him was unnecessary. I think Hōshōryū might have suffered the injury before that, but the second push really hyper-extended Hōshōryū’s leg and might have worsened the extent of the injury.
There would be no cosmic justice last night, though. Ichiyamamoto started well in their bout, with his tsuppari (rapid palm striking), and he had Takayasu on the ropes. But Takayasu executed a perfect inashi (side-step) to help Ichiyamamoto down to the ground. That was an uncharacteristic win for Takayasu, but an impressive one. He seldom has that much spring in his side-steps nowadays.
Wakamotoharu’s terrible form from March seems to have leaked over into May. He’s now 3-14 if you put those two basho together. He lost, quickly, to Daieishō last night.
That gave Daieishō a 2-0 start to the tournament.
Want a free way to support Sumo Stomp! Help me get to 1,000 subscribers on YouTube (so then I can monetize the thing).
Tonight’s action is headlined by Kotozakura vs. Takanoshō. Kotozakura has the commanding 10-5 record in their head-to-head matches.
Kirishima meets Fujinokawa. He won their only meeting, which was in the March tournament.
Wakatakakage will try to go to 3-0 when he faces Yoshinofuji. He’s 3-0 in their head-to-head record.
Keeping count!
Henka counter: 1*
Tobi trample counter (rows): 0**
*Asakōryū used a half henka in his bout with Abi. That, combined with Wakatakakage’s half henka from day one, has us up to a full henka.
**Tobizaru is, again, not playing ball with my trample counter. He got around Mitakeumi last night and pushed him out without incident.
And now something extra…
If you are a paid subscriber, below you will find results, videos and analysis for jūryō.
