Day 13 matchups feature Asahifuji–Mita and Tenshoyama–Kiryuko; 4 undefeated wrestlers battle for the Sandanme Yusho

＜Summer Grand Sumo Tournament＞◇Day 12◇May 21st◇Tokyo, Ryogoku Kokugikan

On Day 13 of the Summer Basho, the championships (yusho) for the lower divisions will begin to take shape.

▽ Makushita West Makushita 23 Akua (35, Tatsunami stable) is the sole leader with a flawless 6-0 record. If he defeats Mudoho, he clinches the divisional championship. If he loses, the title race will bleed into a playoff on the final day (Senshuraku).

▽ Sandanme Four wrestlers remain completely undefeated: East Sandanme 6 Asahifuji (24, Isegahama stable), West Sandanme 21 Mita (24, Futagoyama stable), East Sandanme 55 Tenshoyama (22, Tamanoi stable), and East Sandanme 77 Kiryuko (23, Tatsunami stable). The Day 13 slate features Asahifuji vs. Mita, and Tenshoyama vs. Kiryuko. The winners will advance to a playoff on the final day.

▽ Jonidan The undefeated leaders are West Jonidan 37 Shosei (18, Nakamura stable) and West Jonidan 88 Maniyama (22, Takadagawa stable). The two will clash directly, and the winner will claim the Jonidan championship.

▽ Jonokuchi East Jonokuchi 15 Hakugetsuro (24, Asahiyama stable) is the lone undefeated wrestler. A win over Hienriki will seal his championship. If he drops the bout, it will trigger a playoff match on the final day.

Fonte: Nikkan Sports

Asanoyama Withdraws from Tournament; Injured Big Toe on Day 11; Coach Takasago: “It's Swollen and He Can't Even Perform Shiko”—Possibility of Return Remains

May 21, 2026, 10:55 A.M.

Former Ōzeki Asanoyama (Takasago), ranked East Maegashira #10, notified the Japan Sumo Association on the 21st, the 12th day of the Summer Tournament, that he would be withdrawing from the tournament. He had been on the verge of a winning record with 7 wins and 4 losses. His opponent for the 12th day, Kotoeihō (Sadogatake), will receive a default victory. Kotoeihō has two losses so far and is tied for first place with Ōzeki Kirishima and East Maegashira #15 Tobizaru.

According to his stablemaster, Takasago (former Sekiwake Asasekiryū), he injured his big toe during his match against Tobizaru (Oitekaze) on the 11th day. “When I woke up this morning and checked, it was swollen and I couldn’t even perform my shiko. I think I was in good form, and I’d been in good condition since before the tournament started, but I have no choice but to let the injury heal properly. I went to the hospital today,” he explained. There is a possibility he may return to the tournament.

Source: Sports Hochi

This was probably one of my most-anticipated lower division matches this basho, and it did not dissappoint!

Asahifuji and Omori are two of the most promising young stars in Sumo right now. Asahifuji is currently ranked Sandanme 6, while Omori is a Makushita Tsukedashi. Both were tied at 5-0 going into the match.

Omori stands at 6'1 (185 cm) tall and weighs 264 pounds (120 kg). He joined Oitekaze stable as a Makushita Tsukedashi following a very successful amateur career at Kanazawa Gakuin University, where he served as captain of the sumo team. He finished in 2nd place at the 2025 All Japan Championships. Before making his debut, he set his dream goal as defeating Yokozuna Ōnosato.

Asahifuji is a highly-touted Mongolian prospect from Isegahama stable. He stands 6'1 (187 cm) and weighs 326 pounds (148 kg). He had a rather unspectacular high school career but started training at Isegahama Stable in Spring 2021. His debut was delayed by the presence of Terunofuji, who was the stable's one foreigner. he eventually made his debut in Maezumo in November 2025 and went on to win the Jonokuchi and Jonidan Yusho. He is 20-0 so far in his career.

Asahifuji wins the match by yorikiri.

After his 8/2 win against Atamifuji on Day 10 in the NHK's featured Bout of the Day

Interviewer: "First sanyaku kachi-koshi since last July, how do you feel about your achievement?"

Waka: "Well... This basho isn't over yet; I'm more concerned about the rest of the tournament."

Interviewer: "You had to withdraw from last tournament. How's your condition this basho?"

Waka: "Oh very good, I believe I'm showing my style of sumo and I'll do that from tomorrow again."

[supprimé]

# "They don't consider the wrestlers' health by even a millimeter": Just 1 day off in 28 days... Outpour of criticism hits Summer Jungyo schedule! Workstyle management questioned

As the May Tournament (*Natsu Basho*)—marked by the absence of two Yokozuna—reaches its climax with the returning Ozeki Kirishima leading solo with a 1-loss record, the Japan Sumo Association officially announced on its X account on the 18th the schedule for the upcoming Summer Tour (*Natsu Jungyo*) to be held after the July Nagoya Tournament.

### Wrestlers given virtually just a single day of rest

Looking at the published schedule, the tour kicks off on August 2nd at the Gifu Memorial Center, traveling across the country with a focus on the Tohoku and Kanto regions, and continues until August 30th in Tachikawa City, Tokyo. It will run for 28 days across 27 venues, an increase of two days compared to last year.

The issue is that throughout this grueling month-long marathon, the "complete rest days" granted to the wrestlers amount to virtually just one day. Sumo fans immediately voiced widespread concerns, with comments such as: *"They don't consider the wrestlers' health by even a millimeter,"* *"This kind of overcrowded schedule is exactly why we get so many injuries,"* *"Does the JSA feel nothing seeing this many active kyujo cases?"* and *"Is there no labor reform for them?"*

The backdrop to this intense backlash is the "disastrous state" of the Spring Tour (*Haru Jungyo*) that concluded just a month ago.

"During the Spring Tour, which packed 27 performances between March 29th (Ise Shrine dedication) and April 26th (Iruma City, Saitama), more than 14 wrestlers were forced to withdraw mid-tour, including Yokozuna Onosato, Ozeki Aonishiki, as well as Wakatakakage, Hakunofuji, Midorifuji, Tamawashi, and Fujinokawa," explains a sumo writer.

While the overcrowded tour schedules have long been viewed as a problem, it appears no fundamental countermeasures have been implemented despite the current reality of consecutive dropouts.

### Three consecutive years of surplus: A thriving Association and exhausted wrestlers

On March 23rd of this year, the Japan Sumo Association announced a surplus of approximately 1.329 billion yen for the 2025 fiscal year. This marks the third consecutive year in the black, an increase of about 172 million yen from the previous year. For two years straight, sold-out crowds across all six tournaments and merchandise sales have boosted revenue. According to official financial reports, regional tours are a formal business segment and undoubtedly serve as a major pillar of profit.

On the other hand, the wrestlers on the ground are thoroughly exhausted. Annually, the main tournaments (*Honbasho*) account for 90 days (6 tournaments × 15 days), while the spring, summer, autumn, and winter tours combine for over 70 days, leaving almost no room for wrestlers to get proper, uninterrupted rest. Furthermore, wrestlers in the *Makushita* division and below still receive zero yen in official salary. It is said that many continue to push through the packed schedule while harboring injuries.

"In the past, active wrestlers themselves have voiced their grievances. This issue has been pointed out for years, but it doesn't look like things are improving. With the upcoming Paris performances scheduled for next month on June 13th and 14th, there are also growing worries about travel fatigue compounding with the regular tours. While schedules must be kept once made, they really need to establish a proper care and recovery period for the wrestlers, whose bodies are their livelihood."

Fans do not want to hear any more news about their favorite wrestlers being sidelined due to injuries.

Source: Weekly Women's PRIME

# In highly anticipated showdown, Sandanme Asahifuji defeats Omori to extend streak to 20 wins; moves closer to 3rd consecutive divisional Yusho

**◇Summer Grand Sumo Tournament Day 11 (May 20, 2026 · Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo)**

East Sandanme 6 Asahifuji (24, Isegahama stable)—who has been on a dominant rampage since his debut in last year's Kyushu tournament—won the battle of the undefeated against the popular *Makushita Tsukedashi* prospect Omori (22, Oitekaze stable), securing his 20th consecutive flawless win since entering professional sumo.

During the bout, Omori managed to insert his right hand (*migi-zashi*) to establish his position, but Asahifuji maintained a low center of gravity, leading to a temporary stalemate. Seizing the moment when Omori attempted to shift to the left, Asahifuji relentlessly drove forward with immense pressure, ultimately closing the distance to win via *yorikiri* (force out).

Asahifuji, who debuted under high praise as the "strongest new recruit in history," swept through both *Jonokuchi* and *Jonidan* with perfect 7-0 records. In this tournament, now competing in *Sandanme*, he continues to cleanly stack up wins, stretching his undefeated streak to "20".

Omori, who suffered his first ever professional loss, conceded defeat gracefully: "My sumo came to a halt. I could really feel how immense his core strength is." Nevertheless, he looked forward to a rematch, adding: "It was fun facing him. We'll have more chances to meet in the future, so I want to win next time. I want to utilize this loss going forward."

Source: Sponichi Annex

Makushita wrestler Yumenofuji hits back of his head hard; unable to get up, carried out on a stretcher after falling from the dohyo

◆Grand Sumo Tournament ▽ Summer Basho Day 10 (May 19, 2026 · Ryogoku Kokugikan)

West Makushita 35 Yumenofuji (Isegahama stable) was defeated via yoritaoshi (force out and down) by East Makushita 33 Kiyota (Dewanoumi stable), dropping to a 1-4 record.

Upon being thrown down, Yumenofuji fell off the dohyo. It appeared that he struck the back of his head hard against the floor; he was unable to get up, leaving the stadium in a state of shock and commotion. He was subsequently carried out on a stretcher to the arena's medical clinic.

According to Stablemaster Tateyama (former Maegashira Homarefuji), who rushed to the scene, Yumenofuji was conscious and able to respond when called by his head mentor, Stablemaster Isegahama (former Yokozuna Terunofuji).

Source: Hochi Shimbun