Ozeki Kirishima defeats top-ranked maegashira Fujinokawa on Day 3 of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on May 12, 2026, in Tokyo. (©KYODO)
In a sumo tournament already defined by injuries to high-profile wrestlers, ozeki Kirishima has had a strong start at the Summer Basho.
Kirishima outmuscled top-ranked maegashira Fujinokawa on Tuesday, May 12, raising his record to 3-0 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Fujinokawa slipped to 2-1.
Also Tuesday, komusubi Wakatakakage improved to 3-0 with a frontal force-out of maegashira No 2 Yoshinofuji.
Unbeaten rank-and-filers Tobizaru and Kotoeiho are also tied for the lead at the 15-day tourney.
Meanwhile, ozeki Kotozakura (1-2) has had a disappointing start to the tournament. Maegashira No 1 Takanosho (1-2) defeated him on Tuesday.
On Monday, Mongolian yokozuna Hoshoryu pulled out of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament with a right hamstring injury. Hoshoryu sustained the injury during his opening-day loss to komusubi Takayasu on Sunday.
"It seems like something snapped," Hoshoryu's stablemaster Tatsunami was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. "He had been in good shape and perhaps let his guard down. We are very sorry to all the fans."
Sumo Standouts Sidelined
Onosato, the other yokozuna, is sidelined with a left shoulder injury.
Ukrainian ozeki Aonishiki has also been inactive after injuring his left ankle in a training session on May 6.
Table Tennis
China Sweeps Japan in Men's and Women's Finals at World Championships
China extended its global supremacy at the 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships in London. The tournament wrapped up on Sunday, May 10.
For Japan, Miwa Harimoto and Honoka Hashimoto triumphed in singles matches as the team took a 2-1 lead before China rallied for a 3-2 victory in the team final. As a result, China collected its 24th women's team title, including seven straight.
In the men's team final, Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto, Sora Matsushima and Shunsuke Togami lost three consecutive singles matches as China captured its 12th consecutive world title.
"In terms of skill, the opponent was better," Tomokazu Harimoto said, according to The Athletic. "Although Team China had tough times, they managed to win this whole thing, so their mentality is really strong.
"We need to practice a lot and the [mental] power to get the one last point for the win is one of the most important things."
Basketball
Hachimura Shines in Lakers' Playoff-Ending Loss
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura scored 21 of his 25 points in the second half of Game 4 against the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a Western Conference semifinal series on Monday, May 11.
The visiting Thunder completed a four-game sweep of the Lakers, earning a 115-110 victory.
In Game 4, Hachimura sank 4 of 8 3-point attempts. He added five rebounds, two assists and a block in 43 minutes.
Hachimura averaged 17.5 points in 10 postseason games for the Lakers in April and May. He showcased his 3-point shooting skills in LA's two playoff series, making 56.9% of his shots from beyond the arc.
"You know, I think it was a tough series for us," Hachimura said after Game 4. "We played against a championship team, they won last year."
In the opening round, Oklahoma City swept the Phoenix Suns in four games, while the Lakers prevailed in a tough six-game series against the physically imposing Houston Rockets.
"We didn't really rest and we went right into this series," Hachimura told reporters. "I think we adjusted a couple [of] times in the game plans and all that, but they are a championship [team] for a reason. They always figure out and they always adjust back to whatever we do ― they have the confidence.
"We tried a lot of stuff, but it just didn't work out. … But I'm proud of this team."
Hachimura becomes a free agent in the offseason. His three-year contract with the Lakers has expired.
Tennis
Swiatek Beats Osaka in Italian Open 4th Round
Six-time Grand Slam singles champion Iga Swiatek outplayed Naomi Osaka in the round of 16 at the Italian Open, winning 6-2, 6-1 on Monday, May 11.
In Rome, the "Queen of Clay" cruised past former world No 1 Osaka in 1 hour, 22 minutes.
"From the beginning till the end I knew what to do, and I did that great," the third-ranked Swiatek said, according to Tennis.com. "I was pretty confident with my game."
Swiatek, a three-time Italian Open titlist, improved to 3-1 in head-to-head singles matches against Osaka.
"Obviously this match wasn't ideal for me," Osaka told reporters. "But I'll just take a couple days to process it and figure out what I can do better next time."
Surfing
Hamamatsu Open to Feature More Than 175 Top Asian Surfers
The World Surf League opens its 2026-27 Asian season at the Hamamatsu Open from May 13-17, with Qualifying Series and Longboard Qualifying Series competitions.
Nakatajima Beach in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, will host the surfing events.
More than 175 of the top surfers from 10 Asian nations are scheduled to compete.
Reigning Hamamatsu Open men's champion Ikko Watanabe and Anon Matsuoka, the defending WSL Asia junior champion, are among the notable participants.
"The WSL is excited to return to Nakatajima Beach for the second edition of the Hamamatsu Open following a successful debut in 2025," said Ty Sorati, the WSL Asia Pacific tour director. "As the opening event of a new QS season for the Asia region, Hamamatsu will set the tone for the year ahead and provide a strong platform for both established competitors and emerging talent. The event will also be an important decider for the Longboard Tour qualifiers from Asia for the upcoming LT season."
Author: Ed Odeven
Follow Ed's [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and he can be found on X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
