The next rikishi I'd like to highlight in my (rather delayed) Makushita coverage is, of course, fan-favorite Nabatame, who secured a return to Jūryō this basho!

Nabatame is a former Jūryō rikishi who debuted in January 2020 and reached Jūryō in July 2024. However, he suffered an ACL tear before the July 2025 tournament, which dropped him to Sandanme. He has been fighting his way back since January and will return to Jūryō next basho. He will also go down in history as the first man to ever defeat Asahifuji. Nabatame has gained popularity through Futagoyama-beya's YouTube channel, and DJing is apparently a hobby of his. His stablemate, Mita, is a childhood friend of his.

* West Makushita #3 **Nabatame** (6-1-P)
   * ***Day 1:*** Ms3w **Nabatame** vs. Ms3e **Fujitensei** \- >!Nabatame wins by Hatakikomi!<
   * ***Day 3:*** Ms3w **Nabatame** vs. Ms4w **Daikisho** \- >!Nabatame wins by Tsukiotoshi!<
   * ***Day 5:*** Ms3w **Nabatame** vs. Ms1e **Tanji -** >!Nabatame wins by Tsukidashi!<
   * ***Day 7:*** Ms3w **Nabatame** vs. Ms6e **Himukamaru -** >!Nabatame wins by Tsukiotoshi!<
   * ***Day 9:*** Ms3w **Nabatame** vs. Ms11e **Asahifuji -** >!Nabatame wins by Tsukidashi!<
   * ***Day 11:*** Ms3w **Nabatame** vs. Ms30e **Fudoho** \- >!Nabatame wins by Oshidashi!<
   * ***Day 14:*** Ms3w **Nabatame** vs. J14w **Nishikigi** \- >!Nishikigi wins by Yorikiri!<
   * ***Day 15 Playoff:*** Ms3w **Nabatame** vs. Ms11e **Asahifuji -** >!Asahifuji wins by Okuridashi!<

Nabatame may not have been able to clinch the championship this basho, though he will forever be able to claim that he was the first guy to defeat Asahifuji! He'll be back in Juryo next basho for the first time in over a year!

In case you want to see the other rikishi highlights I've posted, [here is Mita,](https://www.reddit.com/r/Sumo/comments/1vbhwix/nagoya_2026_makushita_highlights_mita/) and [here is Omori!](https://www.reddit.com/r/Sumo/comments/1vcmq22/nagoya_2026_makushita_highlights_omori/) I'll have Tenshoyama and Asahifuji up later today, and I'll finally post a Makushita write-up later on this week.

Nagoya 2026 Makushita Highlights: Nabatame Returns to Jūryō!!