September Tournament, Day 5 · Thursday, September 17, 2026 · Pre-bout preview
Kotozakura finished Day 4 at 4–0. Ura and Wakamotoharu meet with matching 3–1 records, as do Asanoyama and Takerufuji. Instead of trying to follow every technique, today let’s use one small clue: the moment the wrestlers move closer.
The matchups, ranks and records were checked against the Japan Sumo Association’s official Day 5 listings and bout sheet on the morning of September 17, Japan Standard Time (JST). All records are through the end of Day 4. The questions below are things to look for while watching, not predictions or descriptions of bouts that have already happened.
Jump to: Ura vs Wakamotoharu / Asanoyama vs Takerufuji / Churanoumi vs Kotozakura / All bouts
Ura vs Wakamotoharu: closer can be even more interesting
Ura 3–1 / Wakamotoharu 3–1
Ura and Wakamotoharu both arrive with three wins and one loss. How closely will they wrestle? That question alone gives us something to watch carefully.
The official profiles list pushing and leg picks for Ura, and a left-hand-inside grip and forward driving for Wakamotoharu. If Ura gets in low, can Wakamotoharu bring his left arm inside? As you follow the arms, notice where Ura’s head and feet are too.
We do not need to expect an unusual technique. The changes between pushing apart and closing in for a grip can be just as interesting. If they lock up, watch Wakamotoharu’s left arm; if they separate, watch the space between them. One thing at a time is enough.
Official profiles (Japanese): Ura / Wakamotoharu
Asanoyama vs Takerufuji: the step before the grip
Asanoyama 3–1 / Takerufuji 3–1
Asanoyama and Takerufuji are both 3–1. Today’s note is about the step before either gets hold of the mawashi, the sumo belt. Who moves forward first, and how does the distance between them change after that?
Asanoyama’s listed strengths are pushing, a right-hand-inside grip and forward driving. Takerufuji’s are thrusting and pushing. Can Asanoyama get close enough to bring his right arm inside and look for a left-hand outside grip? If Takerufuji pushes, can he keep moving forward at a distance that denies Asanoyama a belt grip?
Pushing is among Asanoyama’s strengths too. There is no need to label this a belt wrestler versus a pusher before it begins. Watch the first step each chooses, then decide where to look next.
Official profiles (Japanese): Asanoyama / Takerufuji
Churanoumi vs Kotozakura: how will the unbeaten Ozeki get a grip?
Churanoumi 3–1 / Kotozakura 4–0
Kotozakura was the only Makuuchi wrestler at 4–0 after Day 4. On Day 5 he faces Churanoumi, who is 3–1. The winning streak is part of the story, of course, but first let’s watch their inside arms.
Churanoumi’s listed strengths are a left-hand-inside grip and forward driving; Kotozakura’s are a right-hand-inside grip, forward driving and pushing. As they face each other, Churanoumi’s left arm and Kotozakura’s right arm compete for the inside position on the same side. Whose arm gets in first? Then follow the other hand to see whether it reaches the belt.
Neither is guaranteed to find his preferred position immediately. If they push apart to make space, notice whether their arm positions change when they come together again. After looking at the win totals, it can be fun to return your attention to just one arm.
Official profiles (Japanese): Churanoumi / Kotozakura
All 20 Makuuchi bouts on Day 5
Listed in the official bout order, with East on the left and West on the right. Records are shown as wins–losses through the end of Day 4; they are not today’s results. East and West identify the sides for these bouts, while the rank shown is each wrestler’s tournament rank.
| Order | East | West |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shonannoumi Maegashira 17 · 0–4 |
Toshinofuji Maegashira 16 · 3–1 |
| 2 | Tamawashi Juryo 3 · 1–3 |
Chiyoshoma Maegashira 14 · 2–2 |
| 3 | Tobizaru Maegashira 14 · 1–3 |
Asasuiryu Maegashira 15 · 3–1 |
| 4 | Asakoryu Maegashira 13 · 3–1 |
Tokihayate Maegashira 15 · 2–2 |
| 5 | Abi Maegashira 13 · 2–2 |
Shodai Maegashira 11 · 0–4 |
| 6 | Asahakuryu Maegashira 12 · 2–2 |
Kinbozan Maegashira 10 · 3–1 |
| 7 | Oho Maegashira 10 · 1–3 |
Shishi Maegashira 9 · 1–3 |
| 8 | Ura Maegashira 9 · 3–1 |
Wakamotoharu Maegashira 11 · 3–1 |
| 9 | Hiradoumi Maegashira 8 · 2–2 |
Ichiyamamoto Maegashira 6 · 0–4 |
| 10 | Asanoyama Maegashira 6 · 3–1 |
Takerufuji Maegashira 8 · 3–1 |
| 11 | Nishikifuji Maegashira 7 · 1–3 |
Oshoma Maegashira 5 · 2–2 |
| 12 | Roga Maegashira 5 · 3–1 |
Fujiseiun Maegashira 7 · 3–1 |
| 13 | Fujiryoga Maegashira 4 · 1–3 |
Kotoeiho Maegashira 1 · 1–3 |
| 14 | Kotoshoho Maegashira 1 · 1–3 |
Takayasu Maegashira 2 · 2–2 |
| 15 | Hakunofuji Komusubi · 1–3 |
Fujinokawa Sekiwake · 2–2 |
| 16 | Atamifuji Sekiwake · 3–1 |
Daieisho Komusubi · 1–3 |
| 17 | Kirishima Ozeki · 3–1 |
Takanosho Maegashira 4 · 3–1 |
| 18 | Aonishiki Ozeki · 3–1 |
Gonoyama Maegashira 3 · 1–3 |
| 19 | Churanoumi Maegashira 3 · 3–1 |
Kotozakura Ozeki · 4–0 |
| 20 | Onosato Yokozuna · 3–1 |
Yoshinofuji Maegashira 2 · 0–4 |
Tamawashi is ranked Juryo 3 but faces Chiyoshoma in a Makuuchi bout today. His tournament rank and the division of today’s bout are shown separately.
Useful links for today
Day 5 viewing timetable / All 14 Juryo bouts / Articles from Instagram
Official sources checked
Japan Sumo Association: Day 5 bouts (Japanese) / Day 5 bout sheet PDF (Japanese) / Withdrawals and absences (Japanese)
Matchups and the running order may change. Please check the official information again shortly before watching. The illustrations were created with AI as viewing imagery; they are not photographs of the wrestlers or actual bouts.