The second day of the May 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament delivered intense bouts and dramatic outcomes in both the Makuuchi and Juryo divisions. In the top Makuuchi ranks, Yokozuna Hoshoryu suffered a surprising loss, falling to 0-1 after his match against Fujinokawa, who improved to 1-0. Meanwhile, Ozeki Kirishima secured a decisive win over Yoshinofuji, moving to 1-0. Ozeki Kotozakura also faced defeat, dropping to 0-1 after losing to Wakotakage, who now stands at 1-0.
Other notable Makuuchi results include a hard-fought win by Atamifuji over Hiradoumi (1-0 each), while Daieisho continued his strong start with a second straight victory (2-0) over Wakamotoharu (0-2). In the lower ranks, Kinbozan maintained a perfect 2-0 record by defeating Tokikaze, and Kotoeisho also moved to 2-0 against Shishi. Veteran wrestler Tamawashi remains winless at 0-2 after losing to Gōnoyama.
In the Juryo division, standout performances included a 2-0 start for Ooyama, who defeated Takafuji (1-1). Hazedō also remained unbeaten at 2-0 after beating Asaseryū (0-2). Other wrestlers like Ichi and Kotoshofuji posted identical 2-0 records, while several competitors, including Sadanoumi and Tokihayate, are still searching for their first win.
News highlights from the tournament include the controversial loss of former ozeki Asanoyama, who had a winning bout overturned after a judges’ discussion. The call went against him, breaking his potential winning streak. Meanwhile, Midorifuji, who missed the entire spring tournament due to heart failure, returned to the dohyo and secured his first victory in the May tournament, drawing cheers and encouragement from fans. The match featured a prolonged stare-down between Hoshoryu and his opponent, lasting over 20 seconds, prompting comments from former yokozuna Shibata.
In other news, Midorifuji’s return and first win were widely celebrated online, with supporters expressing relief and hope for his continued recovery. A well-known celebrity was spotted in the front row, drawing attention with bright pink knitwear, while the match between Asanoyama and his rival remained a hot topic.
The second day also saw several wrestlers bounce back from early losses, while others fell further behind. As the tournament progresses, the competition is heating up, with both established stars and rising contenders aiming for the championship. Stay tuned for more action from the May 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament.
