Open The Forbidden Gate

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 5 of the November 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Kyokukaiyu (M16) beat Onokatsu (J1)
Daiseizan (M17) beat Kitanowaka (M15$
Arashifuji (M16) beat Tamawashi (M15)
Dewanoryu (M14) beat Tokihayate (M14)
Ichiyamamoto (M12) beat Asasuiryu (M13)
Asahakuryu (M11) beat Toshinofuji (M13)
Takanosho (M11) beat Abi (M12)
Oshoma (M9) beat Oho (M10)
Nishikifuji (M8) beat Shishi (M10)
Roga (M8) beat Asakoryu (M9)
Kimbozan (M7) beat Kotoshoho (M6)
Wakamotoharu (M7) beat Hiradoumi (M5)
Gonoyama (M5) beat Daieisho (M4)
Fujiryoga (M1) beat Takerufuji (M4)
Yoshinofuji (K) beat Churanoumi (K)
Atamifuji (S) beat Fujinowaka (S)
Aonishiki (O) beat Hakunofuji (M3)
Kirishima (O) beat Asanoyama (M1)
Kotozakura (O) beat Takayasu (M3)
Fujiseiun (M2) beat Hoshoryu (Y). KINBOSHI!!! The first career Gold Star Victory for Fujiseiun!
Onosato (Y) beat Ura (M2)
Leader: Atamifuji (5-0)
Of note: Hoshoryu is now a 5-alarm fire. 2-0 to 3 straight Kinboshi amidst title-or-retire rumblings from his stablemaster? It really pains me to say it as a fan, but it’s over. He’s done. Even rallying to 12-3 and a title won’t be enough because history says he also is not beating Aonishiki. And keep in mind the Yokozuna could already have at least 2 more titles if not for Aonishiki beating him in playoffs. If he is forced to retire, bear in mind that as a Yokozuna he will have 5 years of temporary elder stock to find a more permanent position, which probably won’t be at Tatsunami Beya because the current Tatsunami is only, if I remember correct, either 56 or 58, meaning he has 6-9 years left before mandatory retirement at 65 (but there’s also a chance stablemate Meisei has the elder stock). I watched his second loss yesterday and that was lack of significant effort. The drama heightens. Tomorrow could be 4 if he loses to Takayasu…but the Yokozuna has 5 straight wins between them. Takayasu’s last win was March 2025. Onosato? 4-1 with 4 straight wins now, looking good despite some scares.
Ozeki Watch-Atamifuji now needs 8 more wins to get to 13 and is still the sole leader. A championship with 12+ wins also may be enough.

Juryo:
Ryuho (J14) beat Tokifudo (J13)
Tamashoho (J12) beat Hatsuyama (J14)
Meisei (J13) beat Sadanoumi (J11)
Asahifuji (J12) beat Tomokaze (J11)
Wakanosho (J10) beat Mitakeumi (J9)
Enho (J10) beat Tohakuryu (J8)
Nabatame (J6) beat Midorifuji (J6)
Tanji (J7) beat Shonannoumi (J6)
Ryuden (J5) beat Hitoshi (J7)
Wakatakakage (J5) beat Kayo (J4)
Tobizaru (J2) beat Kazuma (J4)
Kazekeno (J2) beat Shodai (J3)
Kagayaki (J3) beat Chiyoshoma (J1)
Leader: Wakatakakage, Tamashoho (5-0)
Of note: Asahifuji definitely is in Asahifuji form as the super-rookie now has 4 straight wins after a Day 1 loss and remains just one off the lead with 5 others including Enho, who bounced back from his first loss yesterday. Hitoshi returned after missing 3 days due to an orbital bone fracture. He gets Wakatakakage tomorrow while Tamashoho faces Tomokaze.

Lower tier notes: Sunamusashi won for a second straight day to improve to 3-0 in Jonokuchi, one win from promotion to Jonidan in his debut tournament. No match for Eisei today so he’ll be going for 3-0 tomorrow. Same for Moriurara at 1-1.

(After posting I saw an article from Hochi Sports stating Hoshoryu is STILL IN for tomorrow, talking Tatsunami out of potential withdrawal)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 4 of the November 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Chiyoshoma (J1) beat Daiseizan (M17)
Tamawashi (M15) beat Kyokukaiyu (M16)
Tokihayate (M14) beat Kitanowaka (M15)
Arrashifuji (M16) beat Dewanoryu (M14)
Toshinofuji (M13) beat Asasuiryu (M13)
Ichiyamamoto (M12) beat Abi (M12)
Asahakuryu (M11) beat Takanosho (M12)
Oho (M10) beat Shishi (M10)
Oshoma (M9) beat Asakoryu (M9)
Nishikifuji (M8) beat Roga (M8)
Wakamotoharu (M7) beat Kinbozan (M7)
Kotoshoho (M6) beat Takerufuji (M4)
Daieisho (M4) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Gonoyama (M5) beat Hakunofuji (M3)
Fujinokawa (S) beat Yoshinofuji (K)
Atamifuji (S) beat Churanoumi (K)
Kirishima (O) beat Takayasu (M3)
Kotozakura (O) beat Asanoyama (M1)
Fujiryoga (M1) beat Aonishiki (O)
Onosato (Y) beat Fujiseiun (M2)
Ura (M2) beat Hoshoryu (Y). KINBOSHI!!! The third career Gold Star Victory for Ura!
Leader: Atamifuji (4-0)
Of note: Hit the panic button on Hosboryu now. 2 straight losses AND Kinboshi too plus now 2 wins off the lead. The championship may be all but gone now. A lot of 3-0 wrestlers lost leaving only Atamofuji unbeaten. According to Nikkan Sports, stablemaster Tatsunami said Hoshoryu is not pulling out if something is wrong. It’s also time to maybe start Ozeki Watch again for Atamifuji, he still needs 9 or the championship but this is another great start. He has the Sekiwake Showdown against Fujinokawa tomorrow. Onosato will try to deny Ura another Kinboshi while Hoshoryu will face Fujiseiun.

Juryo:
Ryuho (J14) beat Meisei (J13)
Tokifudo (J13) beat Tenshoyama (Ms1)
Tomokaze (J11) beat Hatsuyama (J14)
Tamashoho (J12) beat Sadanoumi (J11)
Asahifuji (J12) beat Wakanosho (J10)
Mitakeumi (J9) beat Enho (J10)
Tohakuryu (J8) beat Shonannoumi (J6)
Nabatame (J6) beat Tanji (J7)
Wakatakakage (J5) beat Midorifuji (J8)
Ryuden (J5) beat Kayo (J4)
Kazekeno (J2) beat Kazuma (J4)
Shodai (J3) beat Tobizaru (J2)
Kagayaki (J3) beat Onokatsu (J1)
Leader: Wakatakakage, Tamashoho (4-0)
RE-ENTRY: Hitoshi (J7). Will return tomorrow. Missed 3 days with an orbital bone fracture. Will be the equivalent of 1-3
Of note: Maybe it wasn’t too early? Wakatakakage is a co-leader at 4-0 along with Tamashoho with several at 3-1, including Asahifuji who seemingly has his footing stable now with 3 straight wins. Mitakeumi handed Enho his first loss and got to 3-1 as well.

Lower tier notes: Eisei & Sunamusashi both won today to go to 2-0 so far. Sunamusashi competes again tomorrow, Eisei does not. No Moriurara tomorrow either.

In other news, New Japan Pro Wrestling announced that wrestler Taichi, a noted sumo fan, will be a special guest on commentary for ABEMA on Day 8 beginning Saturday at 10:40 PM PT/1:40 AM ET.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 3 of the November 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Kyokukaiyu (M16) beat Arashifuji (M16)
Tamawashi (M15) beat Daiseizan (M17)
Dewanoryu (M14) beat Kitanowaka (M15)
Tokihayate (M14) beat Toshinofuji (M13)
Asasuiryu (M13) beat Abi (M12)
Takanosho (M13) beat Ichiyamamoto (M12)
Oho (M10) beat Asahakuryu (M11)
Nishikifuji (M8) beat Asakoryu (M9)
Wakamotoharu (M7) beat Roga (M8)
Kinbozan (M7) beat Kotoeiho (M6) by default/withdrawal
Kotoshoho (M6) beat Hiradoumi (M5)
Takerufuji (M4) beat Gonoyama (M5)
Hakunofuji (M3) beat Takayasu (M3)
Atamifuji (S) beat Daieisho (M4)
Churanoumi (K) beat Fujinokawa (S)
Kotozakura (O) beat Fujiseiun (M2)
Aonishiki (O) beat Ura (M2)
Fujiryoga (M1) beat Hoshoryu (Y). KINBOSHI!!! The first career Gold Star Victory for Fujiryoga!
Onosato (Y) beat Asanoyama (M1)
WITHDRAWAL: Kotoeiho (M6). Hernia. Tournament over. Out about 4 weeks. Will finish equal to 1-14 and be demoted and will be a toss-up to stay in the top tier. Naturally this will disappoint the many fans who enjoy his very impressive shiko displays pre-match. Kinbozan got the fusen as a result.
Of note: Hoshoryu is still 2-1 but given history an early loss like this is some concern, more given he seems to have his career on the line according to stablemaster Tatsunami. Onosato is also 2-1 after denying Asanoyama in his second kinboshi attempt while Atamifuji is among the 3-0 group, he still has a chance at Ozeki promotion with a championship or at least 13 wins. At the bottom, Arashifuji lost by a rare non-winning technique-tsukite, hand touch down.
Chiyoshoma will be the first Juryo man up tomorrow, he is 0-3 at J1.

Juryo:
Tokifudo (J13) beat Hatsuyama (J14)
Tamashoho (J12) beat Ryuho (J14)
Asahifuji (J12) beat Meisei (J13)
Wakanosho (J10) beat Tomokaze (J11)
Enho (J10) beat Sadanoumi (J11)
Mitakeumi (J9) beat Tohakuryu (J8)
Tanji (J7) beat Midorifuji (J6)
Wakatakakage (J5) beat Shonannoumi (J6)
Nabatame (J6) beat Ryuden (J5)
Kazuma (J4) beat Shodai (J3)
Kayo (J4) beat Kagayaki (J3)
Kazekeno (J2) beat Onokatsu (J1)
Tobizaru (J2) beat Chiyoshoma (J1)
Of note: Asahifuji now has bis first Juryo winning streak, taking a second straight win by beating Meisei to improve to 2-1. The early lead is now shared by mostly top tier veterans with Enho & Wakatakakage at 3-0 along with Tobizaru, Tamashoho & Kayo. Kayo’s win means no repeat 10-0 start for Kagayaki. On the flip side, Shodai is now a quick 0-3 and is looking less like the former Ozeki will make a quick top tier return.
Chiyoshoma will be back in the top tier tomorrow and Tenshoyama will be the first Makushita man up for a day, he is 1-1 at Ms1.

Lower tier notes: No matches for Eisei or Sunamusashi today, but Moriurara did get his first (and maybe only) win in Jonokuchi today. Eisei & Sunamusashi are both in action tomorrow.

UPDATE: Abi suffered a foot/ankle injury in his Day 2 match but Nikkan Sports reports he will continue in the tournament for now, as he did today.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 2 of the November 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Arashifuji (M16) beat Daiseizan (M17)
Kitanowaka (M15) beat Kyokukaiyu (M16)
Tamawashi (M15) beat Tokihayate (M14)
Dewanoryu (M14) beat Asasuiryu (M13)
Ichiyamamoto (M12) beat Toshinofuji (M13)
Asahakuryu (M11) beat Abi (M12)
Takanosho (M10) beat Shishi (M12)
Oho (M10) beat Asakoryu (M9)
Roga (M8) beat Oshoma (M9)
Kinbozan (M7) beat Nishikifuji (M8)
Kotoshoho (M6) beat Wakamotoharu (M7)
Kotoeiho (M6) beat Gonoyama (M5)
Takerufuji (M4) beat Daieisho (M4)
Hakunofuji (M3) beat Hiradoumi (M5)
Takayasu (M3) beat Fujinokawa (S)
Atamifuji (S) beat Ura (M2)
Aonishiki (O) beat Yoshinofuji (K)
Kirishima (O) beat Fujiseiun (M2)
Kotozakura (O) beat Churanoumi (K)
Onosato (Y) beat Fujiryoga (M1)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Asanoyama (M1)
Of note: Almost a Sanyaku sweep today as the only one who lost against a non-Sanyaku foe was Fujinokawa, who is now 0-2 as is Churanoumi, but it’s too early to panic especially with the latter because Churanoumi had a Yokozuna yesterday and Ozeki today so he has all the difficult matches first, including a Sekiwake tomorrow in Fujinokawa. Onosato bounced back from a very debatable loss yesterday (it was upheld on a judges conference even though replays suggested it may have been too close to call and I would have said rematch because it appears he and Yoshinofuji both went out and down together) in what also was the debut for the 40th Kimura Shonosuke, promoted to chief referee. Onosato faces Asanoyama tomorrow while Hoshoryu, who is a quick 2-0 in a “must-win” return, has Fujiryoga.

Also, with today’s win that’s 715 all-time top tier wins for Tamawashi, moving him into 7th place all-time. He can move up to 6th with 4 more wins.

Juryo:
Ryuho (J14) beat Inami (Ms1)
Asahifuji (J12) beat Hatsuyama (J14)
Tamashoho (J12) beat Tokifudo (J13)
Enho (J10) beat Tomokaze (J11)
Sadanoumi (J11) beat Wakanosho (J10)
Midorifuji (J8) beat Mitakeumi (J9)
Meisei (J13) beat Tohakuryu (J8) by disqualification/judges reversal…HANSOKU!!! Hair/topknot pulling by Tohakuryu just before winning by arm bar throw.
Shonannoumi (J6) beat Hitoshi (J7) by default/withdrawal
Tanji (J7) beat Ryuden (J5)
Wakatakakage (J5) beat Nabatame (J6)
Kagayaki (J3) beat Kazuma (J4)
Kayo (J4) beat Shodai (J3)
Kazekeno (J2) beat Chiyoshoma (J1)
Tobizaru (J2) beat Onokatsu (J1)
WITHDRAWAL: Hitoshi (J7). Eye (fractured orbital bone). Status uncertain. Occurred in his win yesterday. Hochi Sports reports Hitoshi said he will need to rest for “a few days” which suggests he could return. Shonannoumi got the fusen as a result.
Of note: When I watched a replay of Meisei-Tohakuryu it looked like unintentional hair pulling but it’s still illegal regardless. Juryo is very loaded this time because of numerous top tier regulars down there and they’re having mixed results so far-Kagayaki & Wakatakakage are among the 2-0 early leaders but Shodai & Chiyoshoma are 0-2 and others are 1-1. Enho is off to a quick 2-0 start after today’s win too. Asahifuji picked up his first “official” Juryo win (but second overall as last time he was up as a Makushita man) and goes for 2-1 tomorrow against Meisei. No Makushita man starting tomorrow due to the Hitoshi withdrawal.

Lower tier notes: Eisei began his second tournament today with a win in Jonidan to start 1-0, snapping a 2-match losing streak dating to September after he had won 4 straight, while in the Jonokuchi Moriurara started his attempt to prevent The Streak from reaching 44…it didn’t start well as he lost his first match today. Moriurara tries again tomorrow but no match for Eisei and Sunamusashi so it looks like both will be back on Wednesday for their second matches.

It was also announced the traditional “pre-sumo” matches for new wrestlers will not be held this tournament. This is because there are only 4 newcomers who all passed the initial recruit exam (notably Otake wrestler Myanga, who has been featured on their YouTube channel regularly-he had to wait over a year for an international spot & approval as he is from Mongolia and started very late as he is 24) plus two of them are going to be stablemates as Shikoroyama Beya so they can’t face each other. That makes it logistically impossible because normally pre-sumo consists of 3 matches per wrestler, which do not count on a rikishi’s official record.

Finally, for users of the official Grand Sumo mobile app, a price increase has been announced for the Premium monthly subscription, which removes ads and grants unlimited viewing of videos including about 20 years of current & past Makuuchi & Juryo matches and special limited-time & historical content. The app itself remains free to download & use but starting on December 6 Premium will go from $4.99/month to $5.99/month. The price in Japanese is rising as well to around $6-6.50 US so the $1 raise is what I expected and I feel is still reasonable (I have been subscribed for at least a year). The app is available for iPhone, iPad and Android.