Haru 2026 Day Ten
As the March sumo tournament hits its two-thirds mark, the yusho race keeps tightening.
If you’re wondering where to watch all the action, check out NHK World’s Grand Sumo highlights or with the Grand Sumo App (App Store and Google Play).
Public League Leaderboard
Scores from Fantasizr
Yusho Arasoi
9 Wins
05 Sekiwake East Kirishima
27 Maegashira #10 East Gonoyama
8 Wins
01 Yokozuna East Hoshoryu
18 Maegashira #5 West Kotoshoho
Notable Maneuvers
Aonishiki was officially credited with just an uwatenage over Hiradoumi, but he did much more than an overarm throw. Aonishiki took Hiradoumi over with his left arm, but also stuck his left leg into Hiradoumi’s way to trip him as well.
Match of the Day
14 Maegashira #3 West Oho versus 06 Sekiwake West Takayasu
They started with Oho knocking Takayasu back, but Takayasu getting the inside grip. Oho never let up, but Takayasu also kept holding onto him. The weird part was he had to keep shifting his grip, especially as Oho’s mawashi was a little loose. Oho finally got to a double outside at the tawara which should have finished off Takayasu, but the former Ozeki powered back out and moved the match back to the center of the dohyo. They spun around, awkwardly had each other’s belts, and finally Takayasu tossed Oho over but in a way they fell together. The gyoji pointed to Takayasu since Oho’s elbow went down. The shimpan asked for a mono-ii, and came to the conclusion Takayasu’s foot stepped out at the same time Oho hit the clay.
The torinaoshi was, like a lot of re-matches from exciting bouts, a bit of a dud. Oh just overwhelmed Takayasu for the win.
Recap
Kirishima, Gonoyama, and Hoshoryu kept up with winning ways on Day Ten. Kirishima and Gonoyama remain atop the leaderboard with 9 Wins. Hoshoryu sits one loss behind alongside Kotoshoho, who lost against Shodai. None of their matches were the most compelling sumo on the day, but their matches will matter the most for the next few days.
The fighting was notable on Day Ten. Kotoeiho began proceedings with a looping shitatenage against Chiyoshoma. Fujiseiun tripped Roga with a nice kirikaeshi. Hakunofuji tossed down Ura after Ura got himself into a headlock in what appeared to be a setup for something remarkable. Aonishiki unleashed one of his multi-step winning maneuvers to beat Hiradoumi. This is the kind of sumo that happens more often in the closing days of a basho.
Kirishima, Gonoyama, Hoshoryu, and Kotoshoho are in the yusho hunt. Their matches will be the ones to watch beforehand, and they’ll begin to face each other. Kirishima and Gonoyama square off on Day Eleven to guarantee a sole leader at the end of proceedings. After that match, Takanosho has to face Kotozakura and then Kotoshoho gets Aonishiki. The Ozeki are not contenders, but they have their rank for a reason and are both needing to work for 8 wins to avoid kadoban. Aonishiki is on 5 wins, Kotozakura is on 6, and they have just four matches to do what they need.
Hoshoryu’s remaining schedule might be the biggest determinant of how this basho plays out. In theory, Hoshoryu should finish a basho as the lone competing Yokozuna with seeing both Sekiwake and both Ozeki. Indeed, he will see Takayasu on Day Eleven. That would mean Kirishima follows, and Kotozakura and Aonishiki are behind him. This leaves one open match for the Yokozuna. If Gonoyama beats Kirishima, he needs to see the Yokozuna.
But a Kotoshoho defeat of Aonishiki might mean Hoshoryu doesn’t need to see an Ozeki who’s underwater. Kotoshoho would need to test himself. Kirishima also hasn’t faced Kotoshoho yet. A Gonoyama-Kotoshoho bout is also remaining as an option, especially if they keep winning. So just like on Day Ten, someone amongst the leaders will lose on each Day, but that also provides plenty of routes to the yusho for a few rikishi.