July Basho 2026 — Bouts

DAY 8 REVIEW

The middle Sunday thinned the seven-man lead pack down to four. Aonishiki pushed out Takanosho and Kirishima drove out the in-form Atamifuji to stay in front, while the two outsiders refused to fade: Kotoeiho, in just his third top-division tournament, pushed out Ichiyamamoto, and Shishi — beaten for the first time only a day earlier — steadied himself against Kinbozan. Takayasu fell to Ura's quick attack, Takerufuji was pushed out by Mitakeumi, and Nishikifuji lost to Kazuma, all dropping off the pace. Four men at 7-1 — Aonishiki, Kirishima, Kotoeiho and Shishi — lead Hoshoryu, Asanoyama and the 6-2 group into the second week. Both yokozuna won: Hoshoryu handled Daieisho, and Onosato forced out Oho. Kotozakura stopped his slide against Hiratoumi, and Yoshinofuji beat Fujinokawa with a rare outside leg trip. A sekiwake chasing his ozeki rank back, an ozeki chasing the rope, and two men from the bottom half of the banzuke — Nagoya's title race enters the second half in a shape nobody predicted.