July Basho 2026 — Bouts

DAY 1 REVIEW

Day 1 opened with a jolt. Yokozuna Onosato, back after two tournaments out, was overpowered and pushed out by new komusubi Yoshinofuji, who took the fight straight to him for a statement win. The other yokozuna, Hoshoryu, calmly saw off Oho, while ozeki Kirishima — chasing promotion to yokozuna — beat Fujinokawa and ozeki Kotozakura downed Takanosho. Sekiwake Aonishiki, eyeing an ozeki return, threw Hiratoumi; fellow sekiwake Kotoshoho and Atamifuji also won, giving the sanyaku a solid start. Among the rank and file, former ozeki Takayasu beat Wakamotoharu and Asanoyama downed Tobizaru. Makuuchi debutant Daiseizan won his first, while the other newcomer, Kazuma, fell. Onosato was the only man at the top to lose — and the title race is already taking shape around Hoshoryu and the sanyaku.