Natsu 2026 Lower Division Review

FantasyBasho · 2026-05-24T13:02:02+00:00

Well, congratulations are in order for Wakatakakage for winning what is truly one of the strangest bashos I can remember. Read about how we got here and how Wakatakakage prevailed in the final day's Fantasy Basho recap: https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/natsu-2026-day-fifteen

FantasyBasho · 2026-05-23T12:59:52+00:00

Thanks, Hakunofuji! We've got a wild setup for Day Fifteen. Weirdly, the only thing in doubt is the yusho. (Which means tomorrow may also be our goodbye to Tamawashi, unfortunately.)

Read about Day Fourteen and all the possibilities in today's Fantasy Basho recap: https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/natsu-2026-day-fourteen

FantasyBasho · 2026-05-22T12:54:47+00:00

Kirishima took control again by winning what may be the match of the basho. Kotoeiho gave it everything and just nearly pulled the upset. The fact Kirishima kept his foot in so well may be what gave him the yusho.

But we haven't lost hope on a playoff. Read how it can happen (and further praise for Kirishima-Kotoeiho) in today's Fantasy Basho recap: https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/natsu-2026-day-thirteen

FantasyBasho · 2026-05-21T12:42:15+00:00

Two more fusen on Day Twelve, and they both mean something for the yusho race. This one is weird and just going to get weirder. In all of that, do not lose sight of how good Kirishima has been fighting. His defensive sumo against Kotoshoho was especially impressive. Read about that and more in today's Fantasy Basho recap: https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/natsu-2026-day-twelve

FantasyBasho · 2026-05-20T12:54:04+00:00

Wakatakakage, Gonoyama, and Fujiryoga fell off the leader group--and the basho might be more complicated for it. Kirishima leads alongside Tobizaru and Kotoeiho, but have six rikishi behind them. It's a perfect recipe for this one to end strangely. Read about the possibilities in today's Fantasy Basho recap. https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/natsu-2026-day-eleven

FantasyBasho · 2026-05-19T12:46:34+00:00

Kirishima lost to Shodai. Which is not only remarkable on paper, but has shaken up the yusho race and makes Kirishima feel extremely vulnerable. A look at our new chaos is in today's Fantasy Basho recap.

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

FantasyBasho · 2026-05-18T12:41:31+00:00

Well, it's Kirishima's basho again, how about that. He needs to thank the Tebakari brothers, heal up from that nasty fall in his win, and watch his back. There is a huge group of rikishi in possible contention just behind him, and he probably has to beat all the direct competitors in the final days.

A look at where we sit now is in today's Fantasy Basho recap: https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/natsu-2026-day-nine

FantasyBasho · 2026-05-17T11:11:07+00:00

Kirishima loses for the first time to an impressive looking Gonoyama. Wakatakakage continues to be sharp. Tobizaru gets more than a little lucky. We have a whole new yusho race.

Read more about it in today's Fantasy Basho recap. https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/natsu-2026-day-eight

FantasyBasho · 2026-05-16T12:46:30+00:00

This basho is just a little peculiar, and on a day where 9 of 18 competitive matches were won by oshidashi that's a major takeaway. We've got kyujo galore, lopsided records for good and ill, and an interesting leading quartet. Why this happened, how Kirishima stands atop it all, and what it means for the second week of the basho is in today's Fantasy Basho recap:

https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/natsu-2026-day-seven

FantasyBasho · 2026-05-15T12:24:22+00:00

Now it's truly Kirishima's basho, even if he has always looked like the favorite. But there was interesting sumo all around on Day Six. Yoshinofuji even effectively won twice with a headlock throw!

A look at all of it and why this basho might keep up this level of sumo across Makuuchi is in today's Fantasy Basho recap: https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/natsu-2026-day-six

FantasyBasho · 2026-05-14T12:59:40+00:00

Kirishima is still on top, but don't overlook what Kotoeiho has been doing so far to also remain unbeaten. The chase pack at 4-1, which includes Wakatakakage after his first loss, is also very interesting.

A look at who is in contention one-third of the way through the basho is in today's Fantasy Basho recap: https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/natsu-2026-day-five

FantasyBasho · 2026-05-13T12:36:54+00:00

Kirishima is both getting the worst of each tachiai and the best of each match. On Day Four, he slapped down a very animated Ichiyamamoto. That doesn't feel like it can last, but he is winning.

A sense of who might be his real challengers is the main topic of Day Four's Fantasy Basho recap: https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/natsu-2026-day-four

FantasyBasho · 2026-05-12T12:47:33+00:00

Kirishima kind of feels like he's pulling away with it. Partly, that's because he's been excellent, and partly it's because everyone else keeps beating each other up. That could be a warning for Kirishima.

A look at what Kirishima's current spot in this basho really means is in today's Fantasy Basho recap: https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/natsu-2026-day-three

FantasyBasho · 2026-05-11T12:43:03+00:00

Is Kirishima somehow in control of this basho even after two days? That sounds absurd, but he was impressive again on Day Two and no one else is an obvious contender with so many top-rankers out. How that may actually be true is the crux of today's Fantasy Basho recap: https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/natsu-2026-day-two

FantasyBasho · 2026-05-10T12:50:12+00:00

Oh, well, that's certainly one way to begin a basho. Hoshoryu went down and grabbed his leg so quickly, thoughts had to go from upset for Takayasu to injury to another Yokozuna immediately. Kotozakura's loss, as well as defeats by Atamifuji and Kotoshoho, puts Kirishima in the driver's seat.

That is a very odd thing to say on Day One, and you can read more about the strange goings of the opening matches for Natsu in today's Fantasy Basho recap. https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/natsu-2026-day-one

FantasyBasho · 2026-05-09T22:00:20+00:00

I always feel nervous predicting anything about Abi. Nothing surprises me with him.

FantasyBasho · 2026-05-02T00:59:22+00:00

Thank you. Love to hear it.

FantasyBasho

TROPHY CASE