2026 Natsu Basho: Day 5 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2026 Natsu Basho (spoilers).
Hey all,
Day five of the 2026 natsu basho came and went last night. It’s been a bit of struggle to get up for this one, at times. It’s a real bummer to have three of our best and most exciting wrestlers sitting on the sidelines.
Despite that, though, there’s still a lot of great action going on at the Kokugikan. And, because of those absences, the race for the cup is pretty wide open. We might see another surprise winner this month. Though, two of the leaders right now are guys plenty of us expected to do well.
Scroll down to see where we stand after day five. There’s full results, lots of videos and my analysis for you to enjoy. And, if you’re a paid subscriber, there’s jūryō content, too!
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SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Fujiryoga (4-1) def. Ōshōumi (1-4) by oshidashi (frontal push out)
Tobizaru (4-1) def. Ryūden (0-5) by oshidashi
Wakanoshō (4-1) def. Tamawashi (0-5) by oshidashi
Kotoeihō (5-0) def. Rōga (3-2) by yorikiri (frontal force out)*
Mitakeumi (2-3) def. Tokihayate (1-4) by tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)
Shishi (2-3) def. Hakunofuji (3-2) by yoritoashi (frontal crush out)*
Asanoyama (3-2) def. Kinbōzan (2-3) by yorikiri
Abi (3-2) def. Nishikifuji (2-3) by hatakikomi (slap down)
Ura (3-2) def. Asahakūryū (2-3) by okuridashi (rear push out)*
Ōshōma (3-2) def. Chiyoshōma (2-3) by uwatenage (over arm throw)
Asakōryū (3-2) def. Churanoumi (3-2) by oshidashi
Fujiseun (4-1) def. Wakamotoharu (1-4) by sukuinage (beltless arm throw)
Gōnoyama (4-1) def. Shōdai (1-4) by oshidashi
Yoshinofuji (1-4) def. Daieishō (2-3) by okuridashi*
Takanoshō (3-2) def. Wakatakakage (4-1) by hatakikomi*
Kotoshōhō (2-3) def. Ōhō (2-3) by okuridashi*
Atamifuji (2-3) def. Fujinokawa (3-2) by yoritoashi*
Kirishima (5-0) def. Hiradoumi (2-3) by sukuinahge*
Ichiyamamoto (2-3) def. Kotozakura (2-3) by oshidashi*
*Must see bouts!
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Leaderboard
O2e Kirishima, M13e Kotoeihō: 5-0
K1e Wakatakakage, M4w Gōnoyama, M6w Fujiseun, M15e Tobizaru, M16e Wakanoshō, M17e Fujiryoga: 4-1
Analysis
Kirishima remained in the lead last night after he took care of Hiradoumi. Their match was a fast and furious affair which, to me, resembled trying to get a cat into a carrier. In that metaphor Kirishima was the cat owner and Hiradoumi was the feline who really didn’t want get their nails trimmed.
The chaotic look to the fight was mostly due to Hiradoumi’s frantic attempts to keep himself in bounds. Despite all that movement, Kirishima had a pretty firm grip on the bout. He ended up taking Hiradoumi down with a thump, with Hiradoumi painfully stretched across the edge of the ring.
This is the first 5-0 start of Kirishima’s career and he’s looking as cool and in control as he did when he won the cup in March.
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Wakatakakage dropped off the pace, slightly, last night. That’s because Takanoshō handed him his first loss of the tournament. Wakatakakage went in strong and low against the taller Takanoshō. Takanoshō smartly put his hands on Wakatakakage’s shoulders, stepped back, and helped the komusubi onto the ground.
Wakatakakage is now 4-1 and stuck in a big pack of guys just behind Kirishima. It’s still early days, but Wakatakakage feels like he’ll be a factor at the business end of the basho.
Kotoeihō joined Kirishima on 5-0 last night after a fun battle with Rōga. This was another great example of Kotoeihō’s yotsu-zumō (belt grappling) looking much improved. He scored a migi-yotsu (right arm inside) position and was able to out-muscle Rōga for the win.
Kotoeihō might end up being one of the stories of the tournament. Though, the 22 year-old has had a relatively easy schedule up to now (compared to Kirishima and Wakatakakage).
Kotozakura took another loss last night. He was overwhelmed by Ichiyamamoto.
Ichiyamamoto fought with a lot of fury in this bout and kept his thrusts pumping to prevent Kotozakura wrapping him up and forcing him into a belt battle. Ichiyamamoto also won when it came to fashion. His resplendent jade mawashii sparkled on the dohyo opposite the faded teal of Kotozakura’s belt (which has been compared to a sun bleached pool liner on reddit).
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Fujinokawa has been treading water in this tournament, managing wins over Kotozakura and Kotoshōhō, while ranked at his highest ever mark. He was gobbled up by Atamifuji last night, though. That win got Atamifuji to 2-3.
Kotoshōhō and Ōhō had the bout of the day yesterday. Kotoshōhō made up for his lacklustre showing against Fujinokawa with a brawl worthy of the All Violence Team here. He and Ōhō slapped the heck out of each other in this bout. Kotoshōhō blinked first, attempting a side-step and slap down, but Ōhō didn’t bite. Kotoshōhō was then on the run. He was over trading blows with Ōhō, though, and decided to duck under and get on the belt for the force out.
Ōhō, who was sporting a goose egg on his hairline, looked like a rabid dog in that bout. I think he needs to tone it back a little or he’s going to keep running himself into losses.
Ura got a nifty win last night. He got turned around by Asahakūryū in the tachiai and was in danger of being run out the ring. But, instead, the fan favourite pulled off a ‘now you see me, now you don’t moment’ and managed to roll around Asahakūryū and push him out.
Asahakūryū was left standing on the ring wondering what had happened after that. The win got Ura to 3-2.
Tonight Kirishima meets Ōhō. If Ōhō fights like a raging bull here, he’s going to bring out the matador in Kirishima and end up with a mouth full of dirt.
Wakatakakage will try and rebound from his loss by beating Fujinokawa. That will be a fun one.
Kotoeiho’s perfect record will be tested by Ura.
Keeping count!
Henka counter: 1
Tobi trample counter (rows): 0*
*Tobizaru is an impressive 4-1 after five bouts and he’s not put a toe into the seats. He beat Ōshōumi last night and, again, stopped short of the crowd when he sprung from the ring.
And now something extra…
If you are a paid subscriber, below you will find results, videos and analysis for jūryō.
