FUKUOKA - Japan's Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament reached its halfway point on November 15 with five wrestlers sharing the lead after eight days of competition, as yokozuna Onosato and ozeki Kirishima maintained their strong championship challenges while fellow yokozuna Hoshoryu suffered another damaging defeat, leaving him with four losses in a tournament marked by repeated upsets among the highest-ranked competitors.
The eighth day of the 15-day tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center saw Onosato, Kirishima, sekiwake Atamifuji, Wakamotoharu and Kinbozan improve to seven wins and one loss, setting up a closely contested second week with no undefeated wrestlers remaining in the top division.
Four other wrestlers, Takanosho, Asahakuryu, Dewanoryu and Arashifuji, remained close behind with six wins and two losses, leaving nine competitors within one victory of the championship lead.
Onosato continued his pursuit of the Emperor's Cup with a convincing victory over veteran Takayasu, securing his seventh win by yorikiri, or force-out, after an 11.4-second contest. The yokozuna maintained his position among the tournament favorites and strengthened his prospects of adding another championship to his record.
Takayasu, a former ozeki who has struggled to establish momentum during the opening week, fell to two wins and six losses. His defeat underlined the contrasting fortunes of two wrestlers at different stages of their careers, with Onosato continuing to demonstrate the consistency expected of a grand champion.
Kirishima also advanced to 7-1 after defeating fellow ozeki Kotozakura in just 2.6 seconds. The Mongolian-born wrestler secured a decisive grip and forced his opponent out of the ring, delivering one of the day's most significant results in the championship race.
The victory maintained Kirishima's position alongside Onosato and the other leaders while pushing Kotozakura to five wins and three losses. Although Kotozakura remains within reach of the leading group, the defeat leaves him two victories behind with seven days remaining.
The day's biggest upset came in the final bout, when Hoshoryu was pushed out by fifth-ranked maegashira Hakunofuji after a 13.9-second contest. The defeat left the yokozuna with an even record of four wins and four losses and handed him his fourth loss to a lower-ranked opponent during the tournament.
Hakunofuji, who improved to three wins and five losses, earned a kinboshi, or gold star, awarded to a maegashira-ranked wrestler who defeats a yokozuna. The result was particularly damaging for Hoshoryu because it marked the fourth gold star he had conceded during the first eight days, an unusually poor opening week for a wrestler holding sumo's highest rank.
Hoshoryu's difficulties have become one of the defining stories of the November tournament. While Onosato has remained near the top of the standings, Hoshoryu has struggled to produce the sustained results required of a yokozuna, with his latest defeat leaving him effectively out of the leading group unless the contenders ahead suffer a series of setbacks.
The contrasting performances of the two yokozuna have also highlighted the increasingly competitive nature of the top division, where lower-ranked wrestlers have repeatedly challenged established champions.
Hoshoryu, who returned to competition after missing three consecutive tournaments, has faced particular scrutiny over his physical condition and ability to regain his previous form. The 27-year-old underwent surgery on his right knee in July, and his comeback has been interrupted by a series of defeats despite signs of improvement during the preceding two days.
Against Hakunofuji, Hoshoryu allowed his opponent to secure both arms inside his defenses immediately after the initial charge. The yokozuna attempted two right-handed arm throws but was unable to reverse the position as Hakunofuji maintained forward pressure and eventually forced him out.
Hakunofuji's victory ended a four-bout losing streak and brought his career total of gold stars to six. The 23-year-old has now defeated Hoshoryu three times while ranked in the maegashira division, including a previous victory at the July tournament.
Speaking after the bout, Hakunofuji said he had been conscious of the yokozuna's powerful throwing techniques and had focused on avoiding them while maintaining his attacking position. He added that although he was pleased with the victory, his main ambition remained improving his sumo and climbing the rankings.
The result prompted renewed discussion about Hoshoryu's condition, although Kyokutenho's former contemporary Chiyotaikai, now known as Kokonoe and serving as chief ringside judge, suggested the yokozuna should continue competing rather than withdraw. Kokonoe said Hoshoryu's low initial charge had been reasonable but that Hakunofuji had gained the decisive inside position, leaving the yokozuna largely on the defensive.
Kokonoe expressed hope that Hoshoryu could recover his form over the remaining seven days, arguing that continued competition might allow him to correct his technique and rebuild momentum.
Elsewhere among the championship contenders, Atamifuji strengthened his challenge with a victory over Fujiseiun, using forward pressure to force the second-ranked maegashira out of the ring. The sekiwake improved to seven wins and one loss, remaining alongside Onosato and Kirishima at the top of the standings.
Atamifuji's performance has been particularly significant because of his position immediately below the ozeki ranks. A strong tournament at sekiwake can have important implications for future promotion prospects, although an eventual ozeki promotion would depend on his results across multiple tournaments rather than this competition alone.
Wakamotoharu also maintained his impressive form, defeating Gonoyama by force-out in just 5.3 seconds. Ranked seventh among the maegashira, Wakamotoharu continued to take advantage of the tournament's opening week to establish himself as a serious contender for the championship.
Kazakhstan-born Kinbozan completed the five-way tie at the top by pushing out Daieisho in only three seconds. The victory took Kinbozan to 7-1 and left Daieisho struggling at two wins and six losses.
Kinbozan's powerful attacking style has made him one of the tournament's prominent lower-ranked challengers. However, with the championship race entering its decisive stages, wrestlers occupying lower maegashira positions may face increasingly demanding opposition as tournament organizers arrange matches between the leading contenders.
The fortunes of the remaining ozeki were less encouraging. Aonishiki lost to sekiwake Fujinokawa by yorikiri after a 14.7-second contest, slipping to four wins and four losses. Fujinokawa improved to 3-5 with the victory.
Aonishiki, who has attracted considerable attention during his rise through professional sumo, now faces an important second week as he attempts to secure a winning record and avoid further setbacks. His inconsistent first eight days contrast sharply with Kirishima's seven victories, leaving the two ozeki in very different positions despite competing at the same rank.
Kotozakura's loss to Kirishima was another significant development among the upper ranks. At 5-3, Kotozakura remains mathematically within reach of the championship, but his prospects have weakened as five wrestlers have already established two-win advantages over him.
Former ozeki Asanoyama produced a notable victory over komusubi Yoshinofuji, forcing his opponent down while advancing to four wins and four losses. Yoshinofuji was also left with an even record after eight days.
Another komusubi, Churanoumi, suffered his seventh defeat when he was pushed out by Fujiryoga, who improved to five wins and three losses. Churanoumi's 1-7 record leaves him facing the threat of a losing tournament and demotion from the sanyaku ranks.
Among other notable results, veteran Tamawashi defeated Kagayaki by push-out to improve to five wins and three losses, while Takanosho defeated Arashifuji by rear push-out in just 2.7 seconds. The result was important to the championship race, bringing Takanosho to 6-2 while handing Arashifuji his second defeat.
Dewanoryu also maintained his place among the closest challengers, defeating Kyokukaiyu by force-out to improve to six wins and two losses. Asahakuryu, however, missed an opportunity to remain only one loss behind the leaders after being defeated by Kitanowaka in a lengthy 38.2-second contest.
Other results included Ichiyamamoto's victory over Shishi, leaving Shishi winless after eight days and confirming a losing record with seven bouts remaining. Abi defeated Asakoryu by rear push-out, Oho overcame Asaseiryu with an arm-lock throw, and Nishikifuji defeated Tokihayate by force-out.
Kotoshoho collected his fifth victory when his opponent Oshoma was disqualified for a rules violation, while Roga defeated Hiradoumi and Ura secured his second win when Takerufuji stepped out of the ring.
The close competition in the top division contrasts with the situation in juryo, sumo's second-highest division, where two wrestlers completed the opening eight days with perfect records.
Former sekiwake Wakatakakage and Mongolian-born Tamashoho both recorded their eighth consecutive victories, establishing a one-win advantage over Asahifuji, who stood at 7-1.
Wakatakakage's unbeaten performance is particularly important because of his previous standing in the top division. A strong finish could strengthen his prospects of returning to makuuchi, while Tamashoho's equally impressive start has established a direct contest for the second-division championship.
The lower divisions also produced several unbeaten performances. In makushita, the third-highest division, Ikarigata, Gyotoku, Tochimusashi, Kobayashi and Takakento were among the wrestlers who reached four wins without defeat, securing winning records under the division's seven-bout format.
The championship picture entering November 16 remains unusually open. Onosato is seeking a second consecutive tournament title, having won the previous championship, while Kirishima is attempting to capitalize on his strong opening week and reassert himself among sumo's most successful active wrestlers.
Atamifuji, Wakamotoharu and Kinbozan have also placed themselves in positions to challenge for the Emperor's Cup, ensuring that the championship cannot be viewed simply as a contest between the yokozuna and ozeki.
The ninth day will feature several important matches that could begin to separate the leading group. Onosato is scheduled to face Takerufuji, who has struggled to two wins and six losses, while Kirishima meets Daieisho, another wrestler with a 2-6 record.
Hoshoryu faces a potentially difficult contest against Atamifuji, whose seven victories have made him one of the strongest challengers. The bout carries significance for both men, with Atamifuji attempting to maintain his share of the lead and Hoshoryu seeking to avoid a fifth defeat.
The meeting will also test Hoshoryu's ability to recover against a leading opponent after his latest setback. Atamifuji has previously proved capable of troubling the yokozuna, making the contest one of the most closely watched matches of the ninth day.
With no wrestler remaining undefeated in makuuchi, the final seven days could produce frequent changes at the top of the standings. The five co-leaders have established a narrow advantage, but the four wrestlers immediately behind them remain well placed to challenge if the frontrunners falter.
The Kyushu tournament, the sixth and final grand sumo tournament of 2026, concludes on November 22. Its outcome will determine not only the last Emperor's Cup winner of the year but also provide an important indication of the balance of power among Japan's leading sumo wrestlers heading into the 2027 season.
