2026 Natsu Basho: Day 6 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2026 Natsu Basho (spoilers).
We are six days into the May tournament and, despite losing four very big names, we’ve got some interesting guys forming up to take a run at this cup.
You can see who won and loss below, along with watch videos and read my analysis. The top division is for everyone. The second division coverage is just for paid subscribers. If you want to support me with a paid subscription, you can get 15% off this month!
I also want to turn your attention to something I wrote on MMA Mania. I got to interview the former Ōsunaarashi (aka Sandstorm) about the World Elite Sumo - Pro Sumo - New Era event that is happening tomorrow in Newark, NJ. Check that out here (link)
That interview is just about the upcoming event. I did talk to Sandstorm about his time in Grand Sumo, including what it was like to face Hakuho. I’ll compile those into a piece just for Sumo Stomp!
Our bonus gif today is the pudding man!
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SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Tobizaru (5-1) def. Wakanoshō (4-2) by tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
Mitakeumi (3-3) def. Ōshōumi (1-5) by sukuinage (beltless arm throw)
Ryūden (1-5) def. Rōga (3-3) by yorikiri (frontal force out)*
Fujiryoga (5-1) def. Tamawashi (0-6) by hatakikomi (slap down)
Ura (4-2) def. Kotoeihō (5-1) by uwatenage (over arm throw)*
Asanoyama (4-2) def. Shishi (2-4) by oshidashi (frontal push out)
Hakunofuji (4-2) def. Tokihayate (1-5) by yorikiri
Kinbōzan (3-3) def. Nishikifuji (2-4) by uwatenage
Chiyoshōma (3-3) def. Abi (3-3) by hatakikomi
Churanoumi (4-2) def. Asahakūryū (2-4) by yorikiri
Ōshōma (4-2) def. Fujiseun (4-2) by okuridashi (rear push out)*
Shōdai (2-4) def. Asakōryū (3-3) by tsukiotoshi
Wakamotoharu (2-4) def. Ichiyamamoto (2-4) by oshidashi
Yoshinofuji (3-3) def. Takanoshō (3-3) by kubinage (headlock throw) after torinaoshi (rematch)*
Wakatakakage (5-1) def. Fujinokawa (3-3) by yorikiri*
Gōnoyama (5-1) def. Atamifuji (2-4) by oshidashi*
Kotoshōhō (3-3) def. Daieishō (3-3) by oshidashi
Hiradoumi (3-3) def. Kotozakura (2-4) by yorikiri*
Kirishima (6-0) def. Ōhō (2-4) by yorikiri*
*Must see bouts!
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Leaderboard
O2e Kirishima: 6-0
K1e Wakatakakage, M4w Gōnoyama, M13e Kotoeihō, M15e Tobizaru, M17e Fujiryoga: 5-1
Analysis
Kirishima is still in cruise control at this tournament. He moved to 6-0, and took the sole lead of this event, after beating Ōhō last night.
In the previous post I warned that Ōhō would be getting a clay sandwich if he fought as wild as he has so far this tournament, with Kirishima likely to side-step and slap him down, as he’s done so excellently in this tournament and the last (where he won his third yushō). In this bout, though, Kirishima didn’t leave anything to chance.
He locked up Ōhō, quickly, with his favourite hidari-yotsu (left arm inside position). That immediately gave him the advantage over the pusher-thruster. Kirishima shaped for an early throw, but Ōhō defended nicely. The bigger Ōhō then managed to send Kirishima towards the straw. However, the ōzeki found the straw with his foot (tough to do while being charged backwards) and was able to push off to get the action back to the centre of the ring.
From there he focused on his mae-mitsu (narrow front grip) and tried to turn Ōhō’s loin cloth into a boob-tube. Ōhō was a little lost in this position. As he wondered what to do next, Kirishima snapped down on his belt and got him moving towards the edge and then out.
Kirishima is yet to put a foot wrong in this tournament. He’s looking exactly like he did in March, where he wrapped things up on Day 13.
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For the first time in this tournament, Kotoeihō couldn’t match Kirishima with a win. The youngster, in just his third makuuchi basho, is still doing great, though.
Last night he was stifled by Ura. Ura used ottsuke (forearm blocking) to stop Kotoeihō getting his left arm inside. With Kotoeihō reaching for that position, he didn’t notice Ura reaching for the back of his belt. Once Ura got a fistful of silk he turned Kotoeihō and rolled him off the cage. He then splatted Hakunofuji (can that kid catch a break?!).
That was a close finish, but there was no mono-ii called. Replays showed the gyoji got it right, though, as Ura expertly kept his foot down while Kotoeihō hit the deck.
Ura is now at 4-2 and looking pretty spry out there.
Wakatakakage got back in the win column last night, to keep himself one win behind Kirishima. He got a strong grip on the outside of Fujinokawa’s belt from the tachiai and was able to dictate the bout from there. He yanked Fujinokawa up and down and was eventually able to wrench him up and force him out of the south east corner of the ring.
Despite his slip up on the previous night, Wakatakakage is looking great this month and he should be a good challenge for Kirishima if they are matched up in crunch time.
There’s a fun and surprising mix of guys at 5-1 right now. That includes Tobizaru! He used the dark arts to get to that record, though. Check out his henka on Wakanoshō below.
I mean, if you’re gonna henka, you might as well do it well, right? This is Tobi’s best start to a tournament since 2022.
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Gōnoyama is in the mix, too. He had one of his best ever tournaments in March, in his hometown of Osaka, but he’s rarely been able to put together two solid tournaments back-to-back. Last night he lit up Atamifuji with a moroto-tsuki (double handed thrust) and then had lots of space to get inside and drive forwards for the win.
Fujiryoga is the other man on a 5-1 record. He beat up on a badly injured Tamawashi last night. It’s getting hard to watch Tamawashi in this tournament.
Kotozakura has completely blown his chance at taking advantage of the absences of Hōshōryū, Ōnosato and Aonishiki. He took his fourth loss last night. And it was against Hiradoumi, someone he usually schools.
Hiradoumi did a great job of using his belly offensively, to nudge Kotozakura back, and then scoot his hips far back to prevent Kotozakura grabbing his belt and doing the same. He did this to put Kotozakura right on the straw. Kotozakura did well to survive that, but he was gassed afterwards and Hiradoumi got him out with a renewed attack.
Oshoma and Fujiseun had one of the bouts of the night. They traded lots of blows as both hunted for a slap down opportunity. Oshoma eventually latched onto Fujiseun’s wrist and used that to turn him around and then score the okuridashi.
Kirishima is going to face Daieishō tonight. He beat Daieishō in a play-off to win his first ever yushō back in 2024. He’s 16-11 against Daieishō and has won four of the last six, usually by side-stepping Daieishō’s lunges.
Wakatakakage has his biggest fan, Ichiyamamoto, tonight. He’s 2-3 in that match-up, but won their last encounter.
Gōnoyama has Yoshinofuji. They’ve never fought before. Kotoeihō has Wakanoshō. He’s 2-1 against him, from their jūryō days together. Fujiryoga meets Rōga for the second time in his career. He lost the first meeting.
Keeping count!
Henka counter: 2.5*
Tobi trample counter (rows): 0**
*Tobizaru’s henka moved us to 2. Wakamotoharu’s half henka on Ichiyamamoto gets us to 2.5.
**Going into the crowd off a successful henka would be quite the feat.
And now something extra…
If you are a paid subscriber, below you will find results, videos and analysis for jūryō.
