Natsu 2026 Day Four
The May sumo tournament proves its still a grind early on as rikishi keep withdrawing.
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
Notable Maneuvers
Shitatenage. Kotoeiho is 4-0, and if you need a sign that he is for real, then tossing over the Big Kazakh Kinbozan with an underarm throw after careful work on the mawashi is probably it.
Match of the Day
05 Ozeki #2 East Kirishima versus 13 Maegashira #2 West Ichiyamamoto
Ichiyamamoto looked like he had him for a little bit, but Kirishima was unfazed. One of the key developments for Kirishima in his second Ozeki run has been a patience that allows him to not get overwhelmed. Kirishima was never really in this one, which is a credit to Ichiyamamoto. He moved Kirishima around the ring, and he was even seemingly backing the Ozeki out. But Kirishima felt Ichiyamamoto lurch too far forward and gave him a hard slap down.
Recap
Kirishima keeps rolling, even if he seems to be consistently losing the tachiai and then handling the best anyone can handle. An Ozeki is always a target, and the returning Ozeki certainly is someone who anyone would like to beat. After four days, that pressure has been enhanced by the absence of another Ozeki and both Yokozuna. He isn’t dominating, but he’s handling what he needs to. This is still Kirishima’s basho while also still very much being early in the tournament.
Takayasu’s withdrawal on Day Four was not a surprise considering how he fell off the dohyo on Day Three. He hasn’t been able to maintain his form into the second week in recent years. That’s still another Sanyaku man who will not be competing. Four rikishi are out, and they are all in the named ranks. This sets up Kirishima for an even better chance at consecutive yusho.
That’s not to say anything is guaranteed. For one, both Wakatakakage and Kotoeiho are both at 4-0 as well. Wakatakakage beat Daieisho at his own game on Day Four with a push out. Kotoeiho keeps demonstrating his impressive skills for a youngster, and he is definitely better than the lower Maegashira he has faced so far. Kirishima could easily slip in any match, while Wakatakakage and Daieisho keep winning during this first week.
There are also 9 rikishi at 3-1, with a few interesting names. A clutch of younger rikishi could definitely be evolving into the next level version of themselves. Fujinokawa and Gonoyama may be showing how they leap into Sanyaku. Fujiseiun and Hakunofuji (who is probably still injured) are asserting they are better than mid-Maegashira. Wakanosho and Fujiryoga are proving they will be Makuuchi mainstays. Or they each pick up another loss or two, which just shows your pre-basho priors shouldn’t be entirely washed away because of early performance.
An interesting added wrinkle to the thinned out Sanyaku is that Kirishima will absolutely face any contenders that are still standing during the final week. He has one inter-Ozeki matchup and both Sekiwake, but no Yokozuna and just one Komusubi. Whatever Maegashira is sitting at 9-1 or 8-2 will challenge Kirishima on Day Eleven or Day Twelve, especially if he is still rolling. That means it’s worth watching which lower-ranked men keep asserting themselves.