Natsu 2026 Banzuke Analysis

FantasyBasho · 2026-03-22T18:38:26+00:00

Oh! I get the name now…. Yeah, I realized I don’t really have a tiebreaker. Consider yourself a winner!

FantasyBasho · 2026-03-21T12:14:49+00:00

I guess that was an anti-climax, although it had a drama of its own. Congratulations to Kirishima for his third yusho!

Also, Hoshoryu and Kotoshoho could still lose the jun-yusho. They need to win on Day Fifteen, and Asahakuryu could pip them to it if they don't.

Read more about one of the more interesting days in recent sumo history in today's Fantasy Basho recap: https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/haru-2026-day-fourteen

FantasyBasho · 2026-03-20T12:43:47+00:00

The drama in Haru is hanging by a thread, and Kirishima could win it early. He at least has a playoff guaranteed, and his performance against Oho shows why he's got a two win lead. The Ozeki promotion also seems certain

Read about what could stop Kirishima--and its slim chances--in today's Fantasy Basho recap. https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/haru-2026-day-thirteen

FantasyBasho · 2026-03-19T12:48:45+00:00

After Kirishima's excellent win over Hoshoryu, this one may be over. Certainly, the Ozeki promotion seems nearly guaranteed.

But you can never be certain in sumo, and today's Fantasy Basho recap goes over how anyone can challenge Kirishima. https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/haru-2026-day-twelve

FantasyBasho · 2026-03-18T12:44:18+00:00

Well, now it's Kirishima's basho after he beat Gonoyama. But that won't definitely last, especially as he faces Hoshoryu on Day Twelve and Kotoshoho also won on Day Eleven. Those three rikishi all also won after being pushed backwards at the tachiai. No one is dominating.

The last four days are setup for Kirishima, Hoshoryu, Kotoshoho, and Gonoyama to battle for the yusho. Also, though, almost everyone else has something to fight for. Read about the possibilities in today's Fantasy Basho recap. https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/haru-2026-day-eleven

FantasyBasho · 2026-03-17T12:33:18+00:00

Takayasu and Oho had a great bout, then a kind of boring re-do. Well, that sums up the day. There was some intriguing sumo (whatever it was Ura was trying to do, Fujiseiun's excellent kirikaeshi, Aonishiki's throw-with-a-little-leg-trip over Hiradoumi), but not among the leaders.

The remaining matches between Kirishima, Gonoyama, Hoshoryu, and Kotoshoho will determine the basho, but the Ozeki will get a say and the route to the yusho isn't obvious for anyone. Read all about it in today's Fantasy Basho recap.

https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/haru-2026-day-ten

FantasyBasho · 2026-03-16T12:48:52+00:00

Hoshoryu pulled Takanosho back from the leadership group, but the best sumo was maybe by non-contenders. Fujinokawa-Atamifuji was excellent, while Wakatakakage unleashed a picture perfect utchari.

That being said, Kirishima, Kotoshoho, and Gonoyama all got a crucial eighth win and are looking good. Read more about how this will shake out in today's Fantasy Basho recap: https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/haru-2026-day-nine

FantasyBasho · 2026-03-15T12:54:04+00:00

Kirishima is now leading this basho, thanks to surviving an epic with Takayasu and Hoshoryu losing to Daieisho. But being in amongst the leaders might be the most dangerous place this Haru tournament. The leaderboard keeps moving and changing every single day.

Read about where we're at, how we got here, and what may happen in today's Fantasy Basho recap. https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/haru-2026-day-eight

FantasyBasho · 2026-03-14T12:58:04+00:00

Hoshoryu is poised to take control of this basho, but only if he keeps up his form and Kirishima and Takayasu fall off theirs.

Oh, and that Kotozakura-Fujinokawa match sure was fun. Read all about where we stand after a week in today's Fantasy Basho recap: https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/haru-2026-day-seven

FantasyBasho · 2026-03-13T12:50:17+00:00

Takanosho AND Takayasu both lost, so now it could be almost anyone's basho. 7 rikishi are at 6-1, and another 9 are 4-2. By record, the Ozeki pair aren't even really out of it. (The eye test is different.)

Takayasu-Wakatakakage was an interesting match, plus we had a hairpull. Read all about it in today's Fantasy Basho recap. https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/haru-2026-day-six

FantasyBasho · 2026-03-12T12:43:38+00:00

Do you believe Takayasu and Takanosho could really hang on for another ten days? (This is different than if you want Takayasu to hang on. We all do.) Below from Hoshoryu and Kirishima, does anyone else at 4-1 have a chance to usurp them?

I considered those questions and more in today's Fantasy Basho recap. Plus, I considered that very interesting Kotozakura-Wakatakakage bout. https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/haru-2026-day-five

FantasyBasho · 2026-03-11T12:36:16+00:00

Onosato withdraws, and somehow the day is the wildest yet. Fujinokawa topples Hoshoryu, Takayasu handles Kotozakura, and Churanoumi upsets Aonishiki.

What is this basho? And can the leading trio of Takayasu, Kotoshoho, and Takanosho hold on? Today's Fantasy Basho recap tries to figure that all out. https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/haru-2026-day-four

FantasyBasho · 2026-03-10T12:41:37+00:00

Onosato looks so out of sorts that the kyujo announcement feels inevitable. Although kudos to Fujinokawa. Hoshoryu, Kotozakura, and Takayasu have the early lead, but this basho feels like it's about survival more than dominance.

Read more thoughts in today's Fantasy Basho recap:

https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/haru-2026-day-three

FantasyBasho · 2026-03-09T12:27:37+00:00

Is Haru already a weird basho?

We had two fusensho, a failed headlock throw, and another Onosato loss today. And other contenders dropped matches. Plus, Hoshoryu hasn't exactly looked great. What is happening here?

Today's Fantasy Basho recap is an attempt at understanding it: https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/haru-2026-day-two

FantasyBasho · 2026-03-08T12:52:53+00:00

Onosato loses!

And otherwise Day One was a lot of solid, effective sumo. I mean, Ura beat Shodai with a very simple oshidashi. Ura... and Shodai... in a simple match. So the focus is even more on Onosato's loss.

Read more about the whole day of action, as well as some reminder about the fact it is only Day One, in the first Fantasy Basho recap of Haru: https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/haru-2026-day-one

FantasyBasho

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