New Year Basho: Aonishiki Beats Atamifuji in Playoff to Win 2nd Consecutive Title

Aonishiki handled the demanding physical challenge of wrestling against a much heavier opponent in the New Year Basho playoff on Sunday, January 25.

Facing Shizuoka Prefecture native Atamifuji, a 195-kg, fourth-ranked maegashira, the Ukrainian ozeki was outweighed by 55 kg.

Atamifuji used his imposing physical presence to his advantage early in the match at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. His forceful shoves sent Aonishiki to the brink of defeat ― near the edge of the dohyo.

But Atamifuji, 23, was unable to seal the win. At the same time, Aonishiki maintained his poise, firmly held onto his foe's belt and found a way to topple Atamifuji.

The Ukrainian, who turns 22 in March, deployed a superb left-handed kubinage (headlock throw) to send Atamifuji tumbling down, giving him a hard-earned victory.

New Year Basho — *Aonishiki (left) grapples with Atamifuji in the playoff. (©SANKEI)*

Historic Accomplishments for Aonishiki

By winning the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, Aonishiki matched a pair of notable sumo wrestling feats.

For the first time since Hakuho in May 2006, he became the first wrestler to win his tournament debut at ozeki.

In addition, Aonishiki is the first wrestler since Futabayama in January 1937 to claim Emperor's Cups in consecutive tournaments while wrestling at sekiwake and ozeki.

What's more, he became the first Ukrainian to lift the Emperor's Cup with his triumph at the Kyushu Basho in November 2025.

Aonishiki compared his experience at the past two tournaments after the conclusion of the New Year Basho.

"To say it was the same feeling would be a lie,” Aonishiki said, according to Jiji Press. "There was a different kind of tension."

Atamifuji had his most successful tourney in the makuuchi division, and he received the Fighting Spirit Prize. He had gone 11-4 in three previous tournaments, most recently in July 2025.

The Thrill of Victory

After defeating Atamifuji, Aonishiki summed up what his title-winning performance in Tokyo means to him.

"I always dreamt of this moment of winning a championship at the Kokugikan, and now that it's arrived, I'm so happy," Aonishiki said, according to Kyodo News.

On a Collision Course for the Title

Entering the final day of the 15-day tournament, Aonishiki and Atamifuji were tied for the lead (11-3).

In his scheduled bout (the 10th of the afternoon in the makuuchi division), Atamifuji collected another win on Sunday, overpowering Oshoumi to maintain his place atop the standings.

Then, in the next-to-last scheduled match of the day, Aonishiki outmuscled Kotozakura in an all-ozeki showdown to force the playoff.

How the Top-Ranked Wrestlers Fared

Sunday's final regulation bout featured the two yokozuna (grand champions), Mongolian Hoshoryu and Onosato.

Hoshoryu improved to 10-5 with a frontal force-out, and Onosato ended the meet with the same record.

Both men coped with physical ailments during the tournament. Hoshoryu overcame left knee pain to reach double digits in victories.

Onosato, who endured a left shoulder injury, had lost three consecutive matches on the eighth, ninth and 10th days of the New Year Basho. He then won four straight matches, including on Day 14 against Aonishiki.

Final Results at the New Year Basho

In addition to yokozuna rivals Hoshoryu and Onosato, No 7 maegashira Fujinokawa, 12th-ranked maegashira Abi and No 16 maegashira Oshoumi finished with 10-5 records.

Sekiwake Kirishima ended the first tourney of the year with a victory over Abi and finished with an impressive 11-4 record.

Among others grapplers in the sanyaku ranks below yokozuna, komusubi Wakamotoharu notched his eighth victory on Day 15 to secure a winning record. Komusubi Oho had a disappointing New Year Basho, going 4-11.

Sekiwake Takayasu (8-7) finished the tourney with a loss to No 5 maegashira Churanoumi (9-6).

Top maegashira Yoshinofuji (8-7) closed out the New Year Basho with consecutive wins, including over No 7 maegashira Oshoma on Sunday. The other No 1 maegashira, Ichiyamamoto (4-11), struggled throughout the meet. But he did win three of his final five matches, including on Day 15 against Kinbozan.