Hatsu 2026 Day Eleven
The changes to the leaderboard keep coming in the January sumo tournament.
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
04 Ozeki West Aonishiki
16 Maegashira #4 West Atamifuji
32 Maegashira #12 West Abi
8 Wins
01 Yokozuna East Hoshoryu
05 Sekiwake East Kirishima
35 Maegashira #14 East Shishi
39 Maegashira #16 East Asanoyama
40 Maegashira #16 West Oshoumi
Notable Maneuvers
Henka. Abi decided to go flying against fellow contender Shishi, which was actually kind of impressive. He did the flying henka where he goes over the top and grabs the back of the mawashi against the huge Ukrainian. It worked, but maybe he was lucky. (There were two other rikishi who performed henkas—Chiyoshoma’s failed and Onokatsu had the classic sidestep for an easy win.)
Match of the Day
01 Yokozuna East Hoshoryu versus 06 Sekiwake West Takayasu
Hoshoryu is battling a knee problem, and Takayasu is a big, experienced, and ruthless veteran hanging around the yusho race. And this match started like you’d expect. Takayasu got his arms under Hoshoryu’s from the tachiai, and he got the Yokozuna on skates. Hoshoryu’s arms were flailing above his head and he was at the tawara. Then, the Yokozuna grabbed hold of Takayasu’s arms, pirouetted, and pulled him over for the win.
Recap
Ah. Or, more appropriately, あ. Your three co-leaders now are Aonishiki, Atamifuji, and Abi. Once again, the Hatsu leader curse struck on Day Eleven as Kirishima and Shishi fell off the pace. Kirishima just got absolutely handled by Onosato. That’s nothing to be ashamed of in general, but surprising considering how much obvious pain the Yokozuna has been in. Shishi fell victim to the most Abi of tactics, and he never had a chance once Abi got to his back.
Aonishiki is a brand-new Ozeki, coming off of five Makuuchi basho where he always won at least 11 matches. If he wins one more, he guarantees having never won fewer than 10 matches as a Sekitori. In November, he won the yusho. The Blue Badge of Ukraine won’t turn 22 until March, and he is obviously one of sumo’s stars for the next few years. Right now, with ailing Yokozuna and contenders faltering, he’s in position to begin the conversation about his rope run.
Aonishiki does not have smooth sailing. In particular, his final four days should be a challenge. Day Twelve is Atamifuji, and he also still hasn’t seen fellow Ozeki Kotozakura or either Yokozuna. There is a great chance Aonishiki doesn’t battle Kotozakura, because Abi will see the Scion of Sadogatake on Day Twelve. Matches between yusho contenders are more important in the final days than inter-Ozeki clashes. If both rikishi win, assume you’ll see an Aonishiki-Abi match before this is done.
If Atamifuji wins over Aonishiki, things perhaps get even more interesting. Atamifuji has seen—and defeated—both Yokozuna already. He hasn’t seen Kotozakura or either Sekiwake. Abi also hasn’t been on Atamifuji’s menu, and they will probably get thrown together on the final weekend no matter how they do over the next two days. It should be a fun one possibly have serious yusho implications. Both Atamifuji and Abi are surprise yusho contenders, since Atamifuji has been struggling in upper Maegashira and Abi has been clearly injured in recent basho. They’ve been on their best form at Hatsu.
There are other bits of drama around Makuuchi. Hatsuyama has been terrible this basho from the foot of the Banzuke, but the other Juryo demotees are unclear. Both Komusubi are underwater right now, and there is no clear candidate to take the last Sanyaku slots. With the kind of results we’ve seen so far and the injury worries around the Yokozuna, the real intrigue is in the yusho race. Aonishiki has the inside track, but Atamifuji and Abi have a shot with Hoshoryu and Kirishima looming one loss behind.