September 2026 profile. Ranks, measurements and the six-tournament breakdown below reflect the Japanese article’s source check on 11 September 2026.
When I hear Asanoyama’s name and start waiting for a right-hand-inside grip, I risk skipping over everything that happens before it. Yorikiri, a force-out, leads his Association breakdown at 47%, but oshidashi, a push-out, accounts for 20% too. Knowing the position he likes makes me curious about the difference between the days he reaches it and the days he cannot.
Rewind a little from the moment he grabs the belt
A right-hand-inside grip means his own right arm is inside his opponent’s left arm. It does not mean the arm on the right side of the screen. When I watch Asanoyama, I try to see what he prevented his opponent from doing on the way in, and what the opponent blocked in return. The leading finishes in the Association’s six-tournament breakdown are yorikiri at 47%, oshidashi at 20% and uwatenage, an overarm throw, at 7%. Those numbers give me clues about the struggle for position, rather than telling the whole story.
Maegashira 6 in September: following the former ozeki
Asanoyama went 9–6 at Maegashira 10 in July and moved up to East Maegashira 6 for September. His official record lists one makuuchi championship and promotion to ozeki for the July 2020 tournament. His opening opponents make the struggle for that right-hand-inside grip interesting: Ichiyamamoto on Day 1, followed by Nishikifuji on Day 2.
A small detour through his favourite food
His official questionnaire names yellowtail and chawanmushi, a savoury steamed egg custard, among his favourite foods. He also says he supports athletes from his home prefecture. Knowing that he comes from Toyama City, Toyama, helps me notice those connections beyond the ring. His earlier ring name was Ishibashi; remembering it makes older records easier to follow.
At a glance
| September 2026 rank | East Maegashira 6 |
|---|---|
| Stable | Takasago stable |
| From | Toyama City, Toyama |
| Height / weight | 188 cm / 172 kg |
| Listed strengths | Pushing / right-hand-inside grip / forward driving |
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Source facts checked in the Japanese article on 11 September 2026: the Japan Sumo Association’s official profile (Japanese), including biographical details, tournament records, winning techniques and questionnaire answers. Percentages are the Association’s breakdown of winning finishes over the preceding six tournaments; they are not win rates across all bouts. The viewing suggestions are the writer’s interpretation. The official bout listings change with the tournament and day, so check the date shown there.