Grand Sumo 2026 January Tournament Day 7

 KirishimaーYoshinofuji

The bout between these two rikishi—both of whom have been showing excellent form this tournament—lived up fully to expectations. At the tachi-ai (initial charge), Yoshinofuji clearly had the better hit, but Kirishima succeeded in getting moro-zashi (double inside grips).

From there, Kirishima’s right kaina-no-kaeshi (inside arm turn-back) was effective, and his movement to cut off Yoshinofuji’s right uwate (outside grip) was particularly impressive (0:39-40 in the video).  Kirishima is a rikishi with undeniable ability, yet when he is carrying even a minor injury, it tends to show very clearly in his results. Judging by his performances in the previous tournament and this one, however, he appears to be in good condition.

Although the bout could easily have turned into a one-sided affair, Yoshinofuji showed admirable resilience and fought on stubbornly.

HoshoryuーHakunofuji

In the first bout, Hoshoryu’s tachi-ai (initial charge) was not good. His body came upright, he failed to secure a right uwate (outside grip), and he managed to force a rematch only by attempting a throw at the edge of the dohyo (ring). The gyoji-gunbai (referee’s decision) initially went to Hoshoryu.

In the rematch, Hoshoryu secured a right uwate, then broke his opponent’s balance with a throw and drove his head in. 　Hakunofuji reportedly went onto the dohyo after practicing counters to throwing techniques with his tsukebito (attendant), but Hoshoryu’s throws must simply be that powerful.

DaieishoーOnosato

Onosato managed to insert a migi- zashi (right inside grip) at the tachi-ai (initial charge), but Daieisho immediately countered with a makikae (grip switch). Disliking this, Onosato hesitated for a moment and almost pulled back, but he stopped himself. Had he retreated at that point, I think he would have gone straight out of the dohyo (ring).

Daieisho’s inashi (deflecting movement) was effective, and it briefly felt as though this might be the end for Onosato. But he held on superbly. This was not the kind of sumo that makes you think, “Now that’s a yokozuna,” yet the fact that he not only survived that situation but turned it into a victory is precisely what shows he is a yokozuna.

AsanoyamaーAbi

Asanoyama defeated Abi, leaving the tournament with no undefeated rikishi. I had expected Abi to win, assuming Asanoyama would be unable to settle into yotsu-zumo (belt-grappling sumo), but Asanoyama skillfully met Abi’s tsuki (thrusts) from underneath, blunting their power.

IchiyamamotoーUra

Ichiyamamoto tried to keep Ura out of his futokoro (inner space) by thrusting him away, but Ura’s extremely low stance made it difficult to land effective tsuki (thrusts). At the edge of the dohyo (ring), Ura suddenly sank down as if he were “disappearing,” causing Ichiyamamoto’s thrusts to cut through empty air and leading directly to Ura’s victory.

This is sumo that only Ura can produce.

FujiryogaーTakerufuji

This was one of the bouts I was most looking forward to in the Juryo division. I watched it with great interest as a way to gauge just how strong Fujiryoga really is. How well would he measure up against Takerufuji, a rikishi with championship experience in makuuchi?

Fujiryoga was driven back by Takerufuji’s sharp tachi-ai (initial charge), but he managed to withstand the pressure and ultimately won with a hatakikomi (slap-down). Even so, he was not able to push Takerufuji back and take control of the bout.

As for Takerufuji, I think he brings out his best sumo not by pushing, but by inserting his hidari-zashi (left inside grip), staying tight against his opponent, and driving forward from close range.