Takayasu: eleven days absent in May, eleven wins in July—and the bout beyond the numbers

Last verified: 11 Sep 2026Relevant official details and announcement dates checked

日本語で読む

September 2026 profile. Ranks, measurements, announced pairings and the six-tournament breakdown below reflect the Japanese article’s source check on 11 September 2026.

A miniature-style illustration inspired by Takayasu.
An AI-created miniature illustration, not a photograph or a reconstruction of a bout.

The same number, 11, means something entirely different in these two records. Takayasu finished May with two wins, two losses and eleven days absent; in July he went 11–4 and won a Fighting Spirit Prize. Describe the 36-year-old former ozeki only as someone who has yet to win a championship, and all those accumulated wins disappear. I think that would be a waste.

Two more wins to finish July

He had nine wins by Day 11 in July. After losing on Days 12 and 13, he beat Yoshinofuji and Asanoyama to reach eleven. Whether he won the title does not tell us what those individual bouts meant. For September he was East Maegashira 2, with consecutive ozeki opponents announced for the opening two days: Kotozakura, then Aonishiki.

Even his most common finish accounts for only 17%

The Association’s breakdown for the preceding six tournaments lists tsukidashi, a frontal thrust-out, at 17%; oshidashi, a frontal push-out, at 14%; hatakikomi, a slap-down, at 14%; and other techniques at 55%. No single finish accounts for most of his wins. I want to see whether a bout stays at thrusting distance or changes when the gap closes. Even among wrestlers described as thrusting and pushing specialists, the mix of winning finishes can be very different.

A voice beyond the ring

In the official questionnaire, his hobby is karaoke and his favourite music is by Konomi Mori. Singing programmes also appear among his television choices. If the power of his sumo caught your attention first, this is another small side of him to remember: time spent enjoying a voice. His tournament record alone does not establish why he was absent or how he is feeling now.

At a glance

September 2026 rank East Maegashira 2
Stable Tagonoura stable
From Tsuchiura, Ibaraki
Height / weight 188 cm / 173 kg
Listed strengths Thrusting and pushing

Meet his announced opening-day opponent, Kotozakura · Find a wrestler to follow

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.