GRAND SUMO: Day 9 of the May 2026 Tournament - GRAND SUMO Highlights

Key Concepts

• Makunuchi: The top division in professional sumo.
• Juryo: The second-highest division in professional sumo.
• Tachi-ai: The initial charge at the start of a sumo bout.
• Kachi-koshi: A winning record in a tournament (8 wins out of 15 matches).
• Make-koshi: A losing record in a tournament.
• Mono-ii: A conference held by the judges (shimpan) to review a disputed decision.
• Kimarite (Winning Techniques):
  • Oshidashi: Frontal push-out.
  • Tsukidashi: Frontal thrust-out.
  • Tsukiotoshi: Thrust-down.
  • Hataki-komi: Slap-down.
  • Okuridashi: Rear push-out.
  • Yorikiri: Force-out.
  • Kotenage: Armlock throw.

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Tournament Standings and Leaderboard

After Day 9 of the tournament, the leaderboard has shifted significantly:

• Sole Leader: Kirishima (8-1).
• Chasing Pack (7-2): Waka Taka Kag, Gonoyama, Toby Zaru, Fujiroga, and Kotojo.

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Key Bouts and Technical Analysis

1. The Fall of the Co-Leaders

• Toby Zaru vs. Kotojo: Toby Zaru entered the day tied for the lead but suffered an Oshidashi loss to Kotojo. Kotojo demonstrated superior deashi (forward movement) and successfully lifted Toby Zaru’s upper body to maintain pressure.
• Waka Taka Kag vs. Cotto Sho: Despite a strong start to the tournament, Waka Taka Kag lost to Cotto Sho. Cotto Sho has historically dominated this matchup, consistently keeping Waka Taka Kag away from his mawashi (belt) and forcing him out.

2. Kirishima’s Path to Sole Leadership

• Kirishima vs. Wakamoto Hadu: Kirishima secured his Kachi-koshi (8th win) to become the sole leader. The match ended in a dramatic fashion where both wrestlers fell; Kirishima sustained a forehead injury after scraping the edge of the dohyo (ring). Despite the injury, he was awarded the win via a squeag (inside arm) position that forced Wakamoto Hadu to land first.

3. Notable Performances and Upsets

• Gonoyama vs. Koto Zakura: In a major upset, Gonoyama defeated the Ozeki Koto Zakura for the second consecutive day of beating a top-ranked opponent. The match required a mono-ii after both wrestlers fell; judges confirmed Koto Zakura’s foot touched the outside first.
• Shishi vs. Tamawashi: The 41-year-old veteran Tamawashi fell to 0-9. Shishi avoided a direct tachi-ai engagement, stepping to the side to secure a Tsukiotoshi victory.
• Uda vs. Toki Hayate: Uda showcased technical proficiency by grabbing Toki Hayate’s left arm for leverage, maneuvering behind him to win via Okuridashi.

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Methodologies and Tactical Observations

• Upper Body vs. Lower Body Power: Several matches highlighted the importance of lower body stability. For instance, Abi lost to Hakun Fuji because his tsuppari (thrusting) attack relied solely on upper body strength without the necessary lower body drive. Conversely, Yoshino Fuji successfully defeated Oho by using immense upper body strength to overcome an awkward position where his elbows were clamped.
• Defensive Maneuvering: Kim Boszan utilized lateral movement, running in circles around Ryuden to secure a Hataki-komi when he could not extend his arms for a standard thrusting attack.

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Synthesis and Conclusion

Day 9 marked a pivotal shift in the tournament. The pressure of the top rank proved difficult for previous co-leaders Toby Zaru and Waka Taka Kag, both of whom suffered losses. Kirishima has emerged as the clear frontrunner, though his physical condition remains a concern following his injury. Meanwhile, the rise of younger wrestlers like Gonoyama and Fujiroga—who is currently 7-2—indicates a highly competitive field. The tournament remains fluid, with five wrestlers currently sitting just one win behind the leader, setting the stage for a high-stakes second half.