Hatsu 2026 Day Thirteen
The final stretch of the January sumo tournament is here and brought more movement to the Yusho race.
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
11 Wins
04 Ozeki West Aonishiki
10 Wins
05 Sekiwake East Kirishima
16 Maegashira #4 West Atamifuji
Notable Maneuvers
Uwatenage. Not just did Takayasu beat Asanoyama with an over-arm throw, he grabbed the mawashi with his right arm in a way that also pinned Asanoyama’s left arm.
Match of the Day
01 Yokozuna East Hoshoryu versus 04 Ozeki West Aonishiki
The on paper match of the day lived up to its billing! Aonishiki got inside a little quicker from the jump, and then he went for the nodowa against Hoshoryu. The Yokozuna was bothered but not disrupted by it. He went for a grip, but the Ukrainian kept his hands inside. This led to Hoshoryu awkwardly pushing back Aonishiki while Aonishiki tried to get something going. Showing his quick hand-speed, Aonishiki put his arm around Hoshoryu and unleashed a throw for the win.
Recap
Aonishiki maintained control of the lead on Day Thirteen, with Atamifuji and Kirishima keeping the pace. Barring truly strange results over the last two days, these are your only possible yusho contenders. The six rikishi on 9 wins can hold on to the hope Aonishiki loses both remaining matches. They also need 1-1 records from both Atamifuji and Kirishima. Anything is possible, but that means Kirishima needs to beat Atamifuji on Day Fourteen while Aonishiki falls to Aonishiki. Then Atamifuji has to win while Aonishiki loses on Day Fifteen. Don’t count on it.
Aonishiki can make things simple for himself by winning his final two matches. That requires beating Onosato for the first time in his career on the final Saturday. The Yokozuna is still not 100% but looks better and like he somehow knows how to fight with one arm. Aonishiki is not guaranteed to see Kotozakura on the final day, but he doesn’t really have another obvious opponent. Kotozakura is also looking good enough and on 8 wins. So the Blue Badge of Ukraine both “just” needs to win out and has to beat a Yokozuna and Ozeki on his final two days.
Kirishima is probably the biggest threat in case Aonishiki falls. He will most likely see Atamifuji followed by Takayasu. That also isn’t an easy last two matches based on this basho’s result. Kirishima might have already claimed an Ozeki shot if he does well in March, although returning is always tougher and a yusho makes the decision easier. A Kirishima-Aonishiki playoff would be an interesting rematch.
Atamifuji’s chances are based on him winning the bout with Kirishima on Day Fourteen and who knows on Day Fifteen. Even if he can’t pull off the miracle yusho win, he’s already had a fantastic bounce-back basho. He won 9 straight between Day Three and Day Eleven. His fundamentals have been better, and his bulk means he is tough to move if he keeps his feet wide. Atamifuji probably won’t win this, but he’s announced himself as a soon-to-be Sanyaku man.
The other consequential matters are putting pressure on many matches. People were slipping left-and-right on Day Thirteen, because rikishi are getting desperate. Hatsuyama’s long been destined for a Juryo return, while Asahakuryu is still fighting to stay in Makuuchi. Wakamotoharu can still hold onto his Komusubi rank if he wins his last two. Yoshinofuji could make his Sanyaku debut with two more wins. And, above all, the yusho is still up in the air.