2026 Natsu Basho: Day 3 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2026 Natsu Basho (spoilers).
Hi all,
We’re three days in and this is the first post I’ve been able to put out during daylight.
The gloss has certainly come off this tournament with Ōnosato, Aonishiki and then Hōshōryū pulling out. But we’re left with a wide open race for the cup and we could see some surprise contenders featured in the race.
The action on the dohyō has been decent enough. It’s hard not to get a little down, though, due to the mini injury crisis we have going on. Hopefully no one else goes down.
Scroll down for last night’s results for makuuchi and juryo (if you’re a paid subscriber). There’s also lots of videos and my analysis.
Our bonus gif today is the scene stealing Kimura Konosuke.
Take advantage of my May sale to get 15% off a Sumo Stomp! subscription (for life!)
SPOILERS BELOW
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Results
Ōnokatsu (2-1) def. Fujiryoga (2-1) by hatakikomi (slap down)
Wakanoshō (2-1) def. Ryūden (0-3) by tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)*
Tobizaru (3-0) def. Ōshōumi (1-2) by tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
Rōga (2-1) def. Mitakeumi (2-1) by yorikiri (frontal force out)
Kotoeihō (3-0) def. Tamawashi (0-3) by oshidashi (frontal push out)
Shishi (1-2) def. Tokihayate (0-3) by abisetaoshi (backward force down)
Hakunofuji (2-1) def. Kinbōzan (2-1) by oshidashi
Asanoyama (2-1) def. Ura (1-2) by oshidashi*
Asahakūryū (2-1) def. Nishikifuji (2-1) by yorikiri
Ōshōma (1-2) def. Abi (1-2) by tsukiotoshi
Chiyoshōma (1-2) def. Asakōryū (2-1) by hatakikomi
Fujiseun (2-1) def. Churanoumi (2-1) by yorikiri*
Wakamotoharu (1-2) def. Shōdai (1-2) by yorikiri*
Gōnoyama (2-1) def. Daieishō (2-1) by oshidashi
Hiradoumi (2-1) def. Takayasu (2-1) by oshidashi*
Wakatakakage (3-0) def. Yoshinofuji (0-3) by yorikiri*
Kotoshōhō (1-2) def. Ichiyamamoto (1-2) by sukuinage (beltless arm throw)*
Atamifuji (1-2) def. Ōhō (1-2) by oshidashi
Kirishima (3-0) def. Fujinokawa (2-1) by uwatenage (over arm throw)*
Kotozakura (1-2) def. Takanoshō (1-2) by oshidashi
*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
Kirishima is now 3-0 to start this tournament. I guess you could say 4-0, considering he beat Fujinokawa twice!
Kirishima approached this bout very intelligently. He knew what he was going to get from Fujinokawa; pure fury. And he knew that Fujinokawa is incredibly dangerous when he has space to bash you, lean back, and then bash you again — all at a higher pace than anyone else can muster.
To counter this, Kirishima knew he had to trap Fujinokawa and prevent him from getting up a full head of steam. Kirishima managed this by landing a few choice thrusts before sweeping his left arm inside for the belt. That position forced Fujinokawa to slow down and assess what was going on.
After a quick calculation, Fujinokawa decided he didn’t want to be there and he thrashed to get free. But Kirishima started to put pressure on Fujinokawa’s left arm, with an arm bar. That resulted in Fujinokawa putting his left foot out of bounds… but no one saw that.
The bout continued and Fujinokawa was actually able to turn Kirishima! Kirishima kept himself in bounds by pushing his toes into the straw, though. After that Kirishima had a very strong hidari-yotsu (left arm inside position) locked in with two hands on the belt. That allowed him to move Fujinokawa over to the edge.
Fujinokawa shaped for a shitatenage on the way there, but Kirishima used his judo prowess to recognize the move and untangle his leg to get him out of trouble. He used that same leg as the fulcrum for completing his own uwatenage.
That was a very spirited attempt from Fujinokawa, who is now 2-1. It’s very early, but Kirishima is looking so smooth and full of confidence. He has to be the favourite to win, at this early juncture.
Sumo Stomp! is entirely human made. Please continue to support human made writing and art over AI generated content.
Icon by HINOKODO (link).
Wakatakakage has looked very impressive through three bouts, as well. Last night he ran Yoshinofuji off the dohyō.
Wakatakakage took a stiff kachiage (elbow strike) to the throat off Yoshinofuji in the tachiai. Wakatakakage’s toughness is unrivalled, though. He ate that shot and then slapped on a migi-yotsu (right arm inside position). Once he had that, he pumped his legs and quickly had Yoshinofuji over the line. He then added a little extra shove to put Yoshinofuji in the seats. That might have been a receipt for that opening elbow.
This is the first time Wakatakakage has gotten off to a 3-0 start since 2024.
Takayasu’s hopes of going 3-0 were dashed by Hiradoumi. Hiradoumi speared Takayasu off the ring with a moroto-tsuki (two handed thrust) and sent him deep into the crowd. Takayasu was very slow to get up from that.
The viciousness of Hiradoumi’s shove has me wondering if this is payback for what Takayasu did to Hōshōryū. Hiradoumi is in Hōshōryū’s ichimon (stable group) and serves as his tachimochi (sword bearer) during yokozuna ceremonies. They are also frequent cross-training partners and it’s pretty obvious, to onlookers, that Hiradoumi holds a lot of reverence for Hōshōryū.
Kotozakura got his first win of the tournament last night. And he was forced to work for it. Takanoshō was able to escape Kotozakura’s clinch and turn this into a running battle. But Kotozakura was up to the task. He looked good on the move and was able to land a big thrust for the win.
Want a free way to support Sumo Stomp! Help me get to 1,000 subscribers on YouTube (so then I can monetize the thing).
Wakamotoharu also got his first win of the tournament. He and Shōdai met with a crash. That bumped Wakamotoharu back. Wakamotoharu lowered his head and crashed in for a second tachiai, though. After doing that he was able to get his prized hidari-yotsu (left arm inside position) and squeeze Shōdai out along the north side of the ring.
Kotoshōhō also notched his first win last night. Ichiyamamoto tried to slow the All Violence Team member down with a yotsu (belt grappling) battle. However, Kotoshōhō’s strength advantage ended up outweighing Ichiyamamoto’s neophyte-level grappling. On the boundary Kotoshōhō was able to turn and send Ichiyamamoto, head first, into the clay.
Atamifuji also got his first win. The shin-sekiwake (first time sekiwake) beat Ōhō without much fuss.
Kirishima gets Ichiyamamoto tonight. He’s 4-3 in that match-up and hasn’t lost to Ichiyamamoto since his jūryō days in 2019.
Kotozakura has Yoshinofuji. Kotozakura is 3-0 in that match-up. Fujinokawa takes on Kotoshōhō in an All Violence match. Fujinokawa is 3-0 against Kotoshōhō.
Wakatakakage has a tough test in the form of Daieishō tomorrow. Those two are near even in wins after almost 20 bouts together. Wakatakakage has won the last two, though.
Keeping count!
Henka counter: 1
Tobi trample counter (rows): 0*
*Tobizaru quietly went to 3-0 last night with a confident thrust down on Ōshōumi. He, again, came nowhere near the seats.
And now something extra…
If you are a paid subscriber, below you will find results, videos and analysis for jūryō.
