Natsu 2026 Day Ten

Two-thirds of the May sumo tournament is now in the books, and the leaderboard keeps getting shaken up.

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

8 Wins

05 Ozeki #2 East Kirishima

08 Komusubi East Wakatakakage

17 Maegashira #4 West Gonoyama

34 Maegashira #13 East Kotoeiho

38 Maegashira #15 East Tobizaru

42 Maegashira #17 East Fujiryoga

7 Wins

12 Maegashira #2 East Yoshinofuji

28 Maegashira #10 East Asanoyama

29 Maegashira #10 West Hakunofuji

30 Maegashira #11 East Ura

Notable Maneuvers

Hikiotoshi. Gonoyama got the pushing match he would have wanted against Kotoshoho. However, he was getting knocked around and needed a pull, throw, slap-down combo with his foot on the tawara to win.

Match of the Day

06 Sekiwake East Atamifuji versus 08 Komusubi East Wakatakakage

Wakatakakage went inside on the big man from the tachiai, grabbing the front of Atamifuji’s mawashi with his left hand. Atamifuji went to move his grip by getting his right arm around Wakatakakage’s left. That also moved Wakatakakage around the dohyo. Wakatakakage then put his right hand under Atamifuji’s left arm, managing a deep mawashi grip. That moved the whole match around as Wakatakakage controlled Atamifuji. Atamifuji had the wherewithal to stand up at the edge, but Wakatakakage was too much.

Recap

Kirishima fell both literally and metaphorically on Day Ten. Against former Ozeki Shodai, who is now a Maegashira with a losing record, Kirishima lost his balance after the tachiai. He also had the bandage on his forehead fall off, which was there after his hard fall on Day Nine. Kirishima didn’t just lose his second match. He looks like he could be in serious trouble for the rest of the basho.

There are also six rikishi now tied at the top at 8-2. Wakatakakage, Gonoyama, Kotoeiho, Tobizaru, and Fujiryoga all won on Day Ten. Importantly, they also all got their kachi-koshi. These rikishi will all be looking for much more, and being tied for the lead with five days left is as good a shot as anyone could want. There is plenty of work to do for anyone tied for the lead, but at least anyone with two losses controls their own destiny.

Weirdly, Wakatakakage jumps up to face Kirishima on Day Eleven. This possible title decider could have easily been saved until the final day. Instead, Kirishima needs to rebound from his shocker of a loss immediately. Also, this means he’ll knock out matches with his nearest competitors on the Banzuke by the second Wednesday. Kirishima already lost to Gonoyama. Gonoyama and Wakatakakage still need to square off, in what is a now huge match.

The lower Maegashira trio of leaders have all done their round-robin, too. Fujiryoga has beaten both Kotoeiho and Tobizaru, while Kotoeiho toppled Tobizaru. Expect them to see Sanyaku opponents and/or contenders on the final four days. They are much less likely to end up lifting the Emperor’s Cup, but the basic setup is the same for them as for Kirishima, Wakatakakage, and Gonoyama. Win out and you get the yusho.

That is much, much, much easier said than done. In addition to facing other current leaders, there are plenty of potential matches with the four rikishi at 7-3 available. There is a world of possibilities still in this Natsu basho, opened up by Kirishima’s fall.

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