Kotoeiho and Takayasu both get highly deserved special prizes and their 11-4s from M7 also puts them in the Sanyaku debate (although there probably isn’t room for them). Still we are going to see both right up near the top fighting Yokozuna and Ozeki next basho. Can’t wait.

Fujinokawa and Hakuoho also look supremely likely to make their Sanyaku debuts in September. This has been a long time coming for these two youngsters. If they can improve a few more percentage points, highly likely given their age, we should expect they could go even higher.

An underrated performer this basho was Daieisho. Seemed to be relying on a new, more mobile style, now that his forward power is waning but he put up 10 wins and will most likely return to Sanyaku.

Mitakeumi will go back to Juryo for the second time in 2 years after being in Makuuchi since 2015 and even rising to Ozeki in 2022. This time could be the end for him. He won the first basho I ever saw back in July 2018

What a basho. Twists and turns to the end. This is why we love sumo. All set up for an even better one next time.

Kirishima has to contend with the fact that he’s 0-3 in playoff matches over the last 2 basho and that’s the reason he’s Ozeki and not Yokozuna right now

July Sumo Final Awards Best match: Shishi vs Kotoeiho Best move: Yoshinofuji vs Aonishiki Biggest upset overall: Atamifuji Biggest comeback overall: Kotozakura Most dominant overall: Kirishima Most great matches: Shishi Most great moves: Aonishiki Most improved: Kotoeiho

July 2026 Day 15 Sumo Awards Match of the Day: Takayasu vs Asanoyama Move of the Day: Aonishiki vs Kirishima Comeback of the Day: Kotoeiho Dominant Performance of the Day: Kirishima Upset of the Day: Atamifuji

Aonishiki Yusho!!!!!!! What a match to finish it! He‘s back at Ozeki and he’s back among the fish In the best way.

Tables turned! Aonishiki takes the second and Kirishima is back up. I’ve never seen a 3 way playoff go beyond the first two matches. So pumped!

Atamifuji takes the first! Can Aonishik turn it around or do we have a new yusho winner

Saw a post on Facebook criticising Murray as a commentator and I’m happy to report its being brutally ratio’d

Ok I’m all caught up. Congrats Shonannoumi on the Juryo Yusho. Great match. 3 way playoff time.

There’s a ceremony that happens at the end of each basho 3 bouts before the end where the last 3 rikishi on each side do some stomps. Usually theres one or two random Maegashira there who don’t seem to belong. Tomorrow will feature 3 Sekiwake, 2 ozeki and 1 Yokozuna and I’m low key pumped about that

July 2026 Day 14 Sumo Awards Match of the Day: Aonishiki vs Takerufuji Move of the Day: Fujiseiun Comeback of the Day: Takayasu Dominant Performance of the Day: Atamifuji Upset of the Day: Daieisho

July 2026 Day 13 Sumo Awards Match of the Day: Asanoyama vs Oshoma Move of the Day: Kotozakura Comeback of the Day: Asanoyama Dominant Performance of the Day: Onosato Upset of the Day: Atamifuji

Kirishima goes to 3 losses. Best he can do now is level Takakeisho’s 12-3 playoff loss, 12-3 yusho now which famously did not lead to Yokozuna promotion. So going by that any hope of Yokozuna Kirishima after this basho are over.

No longer Kadaban. Congratulations Ozeki Kotozakura!

Onosato and Hoshoryu could both end on a score of 8-7 which has never happened in the 21st century. The last 3 Yokozuna to finish a basho on this score were Takanohana in 1999, Asahifuji in 1991 and Onokuni in 1990.

One thing i love about sumo is that while makushita and sandanme is filled with a bunch of “normal” looking rikishi, shortish round guys, a few actually do get into higher ranks, even into Makuuchi. Right now the highest ranked “normal makushita guy” is Churanoumi.

July 2026 Day 12 Sumo Awards Match of the Day: Atamifuji vs Kotoeiho Move of the Day: Fujinokawa Comeback of the Day: Kirishima Dominant Performance of the Day: Takanosho Upset of the Day: Kotozakura

Anyone heard anything about sumodb lately? It’s been down for nearly a week now.

Best day of sumo for the basho. Bravo to involved. The Koto brothers put in two of the greatest losing performances you’ll see. Aonishiki returns to Ozeki! 2 more for Kotozakura, come on big man.

July 2026 Day 11 Sumo Awards Match of the Day: Shishi vs Kotoeiho and Hoshoryu vs Kotoshoho Move of the Day: Hoshoryu Comeback of the Day: Shishi Dominant Performance of the Day: Atamifuji Upset of the Day: Churanoumi

Onosato is now even with Hoshoryu. There were calls for him to drop out after 2 days, I was firmly in the stay in it camp and I feel vindicated. He’s found himself a bit over these last 8 days. It’s not perfection yet but his best seems not far away anymore. Yusho contender in September I’m tipping.

July 2026 Day 10 Sumo Awards Match of the Day: Nishikifuji vs Onokatsu Move of the Day: Kotoeiho Comeback of the Day: Kotoeiho Dominant Performance of the Day: Gonoyama Upset of the Day: Asahakuryu

Makushita Watch: Gone: Hakuyozan In danger: Tamashoho, Nishikigi, Tochitaikai Coming up: Nabatame Promotion chance: Tanji, Tokifudo, Tochikodai Congrats to Nabatame for his successful return! He dropped from Juryo to Sandanme due to injury.

Juryo Watch: In danger: Onokatsu, Daiseizan, Kazuma, Mitakeumi, Asakoryu, Asahakuryu Likely Coming up: Asasuiryu Good chance: Tokihayate, Toshinofuji, Dewanoryu Could be some generous promotions handed out if things continue like this. Lots of bad scores at the bottom of makuuchi this time.

Sanyaku watch Gone: Wakatakakage, Oho In danger: Kotozakura, Kotoshoho Likely Ozeki: Aonishiki Promotion chance: Hakuoho, Daieisho A non zero chance we have the entirety of Komusubi and Sekiwake being made up from just two stables in September.

July 2026 Day 9 Sumo Awards Match of the Day: Fujinokawa vs Oho Move of the Day: Fujinokawa Comeback of the Day: Aonishiki Dominant Performance of the Day: Shishi Upset of the Day: Churanoumi