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TOKYO – Yokozuna Onosato overpowered new ozeki and early leader Aonishiki, securing a victory at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday, while No. 4 maegashira Atamifuji climbed to the top of the rankings as the final day approaches.

The win kept Onosato in the championship contention, one victory behind with a record of 10-4, alongside sekiwake Kirishima, No. 12 maegashira Abi, and No. 16 maegashira Oshoumi, who are all tied at the same score and have a chance to vie for the Emperor’s Cup in the first tournament of 2026.

Onosato, who has faced a difficult tournament after sustaining a left shoulder injury towards the end of November’s Kyushu event, performed exceptionally well and displayed no indications of uncertainty in defeating the leading competitor from the start at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.

The reigning champion’s strong momentum and right-handed thrust to the throat quickly forced Aonishiki (11-3) against the straw bales. The unsettled ozeki tried to flee to his left, but this was swiftly countered by a subsequent downward push from Onosato, who secured his fourth consecutive victory over his opponent.

In a clash between title hopefuls, Atamifuji (11-3) took control over Kirishima (10-4), the lower-ranked wrestler managing to get a left-handed grip and using his massive build to push the sekiwake toward the boundary.

Kirishima somehow endured the pressure and advanced along the ring’s edge searching for a chance, but Atamifuji maintained his momentum and overpowered the former ozeki with a backward push.

Grand champion Hoshoryu (9-5) ended his two-day losing streak by executing a quick, right-handed throw against Kotozakura (8-6) after the initial struggle, overturning the ozeki in a dramatic conclusion to the match.

Abi (10-4) won a pushing contest against sekiwake Takayasu (8-6), forcing the former ozeki to remain in the championship competition.

Oshoumi (10-4) first stepped back but then delivered an impressive counter, pushing No. 6 maegashira Hiradoumi (9-5) from one end of the ring to the other, securing victory through a powerful backward force and keeping his championship aspirations alive.