July Basho 2026 — Bouts

DAY 13 REVIEW

Day 13 belonged to Aonishiki. In the showdown of co-leaders, as rope-chasing Kirishima drove hard off the charge, Aonishiki read it coolly and slapped him down by the shoulder — the kind of win his dominant career record over the ozeki had foreshadowed. Back alone in front at 11-2, he took a long stride toward the title, while Kirishima's third loss dims his yokozuna bid. The chase pack tore into each other too: Onosato forced out the in-form Takerufuji in a show of yokozuna pride, Kotozakura beat Shishi with a pulling underarm throw for a second straight win over a leader, and Atamifuji toppled Hoshoryu to join the group at 10-3. Four men — Kirishima, Atamifuji, Takerufuji and Shishi — now sit one behind. Day 14 brings Takerufuji against Aonishiki, and an elimination bout between Atamifuji and Shishi. Two days from the end, Nagoya is taut with tension.