Eve of Aki: Hoshoryu kyūjo; Onosato alone at yokozuna; Day 1 is tomorrow

HEADLINE

DAY

Pre-basho note — Aki Basho 2026 has not started. Day 1 is 13 Sep 2026 at Ryogoku Kokugikan. No completed honbasho day to score.

YUSHO WATCH

N/A (0 days completed). With West Yokozuna Hoshoryu out from Day 1, East Yokozuna Onosato is the lone grand champion on the card. Watch Kirishima’s yokozuna bid and Aonishiki (ozeki return after July yusho) once the race opens.

FANTASY HEAT

- Stud: Onosato — sole active yokozuna for Aki open (Kyodo / JSA). - Fade: Hoshoryu — official Day 1 kyūjo after right-knee surgery; third straight meet with at least partial absence. - Sleeper: Fujinokawa — new sekiwake; useful early if he holds the rank.

BOUT OF THE DAY

None — basho not started. Day 1 torikumi are set; results tomorrow.

HURT / KYUJO

Official JSA (as of 11 Sep, Makuuchi/Juryo): West Yokozuna Hoshoryu — absent from Day 1; East Maegashira #12 Wakatakakage — absent from Day 1; East Maegashira #16 Wakanosho — absent from Day 1. TOMORROW’S TRAP: Do not roster Hoshoryu or Wakatakakage for Aki open — both are Day 1 kyūjo on the JSA sheet.

GLOSSARY

Kyūjo — an official withdrawal/absence from a tournament day or the meet, posted by the Japan Sumo Association.

SOURCES

- https://sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoMain/absence/ (JSA, Day 1 absences) - https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/84702 (Hoshoryu withdraws, 11 Sep) - https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260911/p2g/00m/0sp/028000c (Mainichi/Kyodo) - https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2026/09/11/sumo/autumn-sumo-tournament-preview/

UNCERTAIN

Exact medical reason for Wakanosho’s Day 1 absence (not confirmed in English beyond the JSA listing). Whether any further makuuchi kyūjo appear before tachi-ai.