Open The Forbidden Gate

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 14-the penultimate day-of the September 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Asasuiryu (M15) beat Daiseizan (J2)
Toshinofuji (M16) beat Tobizaru (M14)
Oho (M10) beat Chiyoshoma (M14)
Kinbozan (M10) beat Shonannoumi (M17)
Asakoryu (M13) beat Ura (M9)
Shishi (M9) beat Abi (M13)
Wakamotoharu (M11) beat Takerufuji (M8)
Hiradoumi (M8) beat Tokihayate (M15)
Asahakuryu (M12) beat Fujiseiun (M7)
Gonoyama (M3) beat Shodai (M11)
Takayasu (M2) beat Churanoumi (M3)
Yoshinofuji (M2) beat Fujiryoga (M4)
Nishikifuji (M7) beat Kotoeiho (M10)
Ichiyamamoto (M6) beat Hakunofuji (K)
Daieisho (K) beat Oshoma (M5)
Roga (M5) beat Atamifuji (S)
Fujinokawa (S) beat Asanoyama (M6)
Aonishiki (O) beat Kirishima (O)
Kotozakura (O) beat Onosato (Y)
Leader: Onosato, Aonishiki (11-3)
Of note: It was Onosato’s to lose the last 3 days…and he lost it as Korozakura got to 9 wins with a chance to get to 10 tomorrow and Aonishiki beat Kirishima. Now it’s winner-take-all on the final day, and even worse it’s against Aonishiki. Winner is the champion, meaning a 6th Emperor’s Cup for Onosato or a second straight again for Aonishiki and back on Yokozuna Watch in November. Over the past year it’s 3-1 Onosato but Aonishiki won the laast meeting in July. Elsewhere, Aonishiki dropped Kirishima to 7-7 meaning Kirishima must win tomorrow just to protect his status. Atamifuji lost again to drop to 8-6 so for now his November magic number for Ozeki consideration without a championship is 13. If he wins tomorrow, 12. And how about Yoshinofuji? 0-5 to now promotion at 8-6. He may not earn a Special Prize for that but he deserves one.

Juryo:
Ikarigata (Ms4) beat Tochitaikai (J14)
Nabatame (J10) beat Meisei (J13)
Tokifudo (J13) beat Hatsuyama (J8)
Kitanowaka (J6) beat Kayo (J5)
Shirokuma (J6) beat Tamashoho (J12)
Sadanoumi (J5) beat Nishikigi (J13)
Arashifuji (J5) beat Hitoshi (J11)
Kazekeno (J4) beat Tohakuryu (J9)
Midorifuji (J7) beat Mitakeumi (J4)
Tamawahsi (J3) beat Kagayaki (J11)
Onokatsu (J3) beat Tanji (J10)
Tomokaze (J7) beat Kazuma (J2)
Dewanoryu (J1) beat Enho (J0)
Ryuden (J8) beat Kyokukaiyu (J1)
Leader: Kagayaki (11-3)
Of note: Kagayaki lost again but so did Kayo and now it’s complicated because Kitanowaka is back in it by beating Kayo as is Tamawashi. So here’s the scenario tomorrow-if Kagayaki beats Kitanowaka it’s all over and Kagayaki is the champion. If Kagayaki loses, there will be a 3-way playoff with Kagayaki, Kitanowaka and the Kayo-Tamawashi winner. Regardless what happens, 9 straight wins and 10 total now have me very confident about the Iron Man returning to the top tier 2 tournaments after demotion.
At the bottom…there’s no reason to save either Tochitaikai or Nishikigi if you ask me as both will be 5-10 or 6-9 at best. Nishikigi can get to 6-9 but Tochitaikai will be 5-10 or 4-11. But we’ll see as I only expect one Makushita promotion. This suggests a 4th straight save for Nishikigi…if he wins tomorrow…

Lower tier notes: Asahifuji won his final Makushita match so he will be promoted to Juryo with a 6-1 record at Ms1. I don’t expect any other promotions except maybe Inami, who won the championship at Ms25. In the Jonokuchi, Moriurara capped another 1-6 effort with a loss today and his only win today was a freebie as The Streak reaches 43. I should start a betting pool as to what happens first for him-300 career wins or 600 career losses? His career record now is 295-660-13 (win-loss-absent). At his current pace he’d need 5 tournaments to get to either mark and it would be a toss-up as to what happens first.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 90 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage FOR FREE tomorrow, including the final matches, Onosato-Aonishiki, awards ceremony and champion’s interview, tomorrow beginning at 12:30 AM PT/3:30 AM ET.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 13-Chanpionship Day-of the September 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yooozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi

First, a correction from a late update yesterday: I originally said Takayasu was a withdrawal today due to injury. It was Takanosho. Website translation was bad and I didn’t look close enough at the original kanji or article pictures. Apologies for the error.

Makuuchi (top tier):
Toshinofuji (M16) beat Abi (M13)
Tokihayate (M15) beat Asahakuryu (M12)
Shodai (M11) beat Shonannoumi (M17)
Oho (M10) beat Tobizaru (M14)
Shishi (M9) beat Chiyoshoma (M14)
Wakamotoharu (M11) beat Hiradoumi (M8)
Takerufuji (M8) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Asakoryu (M13) beat Nishikifuji (M7)
Ura (M9) beat Fujiseiun (M7)
Asasuiryu (M15) beat Ichiyamamoto (M6)
Yoshinofuji (M2) beat Oshoma (M5)
Takayasu (M2) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Kotoeiho (M1) beat Roga (M5)
Fujiryoga (M4) beat Daieisho (K)
Hakunofuji (K) beat Takanosho (M4) by default/withdrawal
Churanoumi (M3) beat Fujinokawa (S)
Asanoyama (M6) beat Atamifuji (S)
Aonishiki (O) beat Kotozakura (O)
Kirishima (O) beat Onosato (Y)
Leader: Onosato (11-2)
WITHDRAWAL: Takanosho (M4). Left knee/Achilles. Tournament over. Out 1 month. Hakunofuji got the fusen as a result.
Of note: It’s not over yet. Onosato still is in control but-and a big but-the door just further cracked open for Aonishiki to sneak in and go back-to-back again. And another dark horse is lurking too-Asanoyama, who is also 10-3, He has one championship before and a second would be a huge boost towards his goal of an Ozeki return. But Onosato can still win the championship tomorrow if Asanoyama (Fujinokawa) and Aonishiki (Kirishima) both lose AND Onosato wins (Kotozakura).
At the bottom, Toshinofuji clinched promotion today in his top tier debut. And how about Yoshinofuji? He started 0-5 and is now on the verge of promotion at 7-6. Atamifuji’s Ozeki bid is over for now but mathematically he will have another chance in November, right now the magic number is 13 or championship.

Juryo:
Hitoshi (J11) beat Nishikigi (J14)
Tanji (J10) beat Tokifudo (J13)
Nabatame (J10) beat Kagayaki (J11)
Tohakuryu (J9) beat Tamashoho (J8)
Enho (J9) beat Tochitaikai (J14)
Meisei (J13) beat Sadanoumi (J5)
Mitakeumi (J4) beat Kayo (J12)
Hatsuyama (J8) beat Kazekeno (J4)
Onokatsu (J3) beat Tomokaze (J7)
Tamawashi (J3) beat Ryuden (J8)
Arashifuji (J5) beat Kazuma (J2)
Kiranowaka (J6) beat Daiseizan (J2)
Kyokukaiyu (J1) beat Shirokuma (J6)
Dewanoryu (J1) beat Midorifuji (J7)
Leader: Kagayaki (11-2)
Of note: Both Kagayaki and Kayo lost so the title chase continues to tomorrow. It can end if Kagayaki wins and Kayo loses. Kayo first faces Kitanowaka and Kagayaki faces Tamawashi. Bad timing as the Iron Man now has won 8 straight and it seems like he is headed back to the top tier. I believe one more win makes it definite. A Kagayaki loss could also blow the title picture wide open.
Elsewhere, Dewanoryu finally got to 8 wins today and should be promoted to the top tier for the first time in November. Enho won to get to 7-6 and one win from promotion. At the bottom, Nishikigi is now in demotion talk at 5-8, Tochitaikai is 4-9, Tokifudo is also 5-8, so…who will get saved? Or not? And Meisei still isn’t safe although he got to 6-7 with bis win.

Makushita:
Inami (Ms25) beat Yumenofuji (Ms53). INAMI MAKUSHITA YUSHO!!! 2nd career championship, 1st Makushita. Will have a very slim chance-but still a chance-of promotion to Juryo.

Asahifuji goes for another 6-1 finish tomorrow before promotion to Juryo.

Sandanme:
Kobayashi (Sd37) beat Naya (Sd61). KOBAYASHI SANDANME YUSHO!!! 2nd career championship and 2nd Sandanme championship.

Jonidan:
Amane (Jd19) beat Suigafuji (Jd46). AMANE JONIDAN YUSHO!!! First career championship.

Jonokuchi:
Joshoyu (Jk17) beat Kakuho (Jd80). JOSHOYU JONOKUCHI YUSHO!!! First career championship in debut tournament. And maybe the first at any level for the former Takakeisho as a stablemaster (Minatogawa).

Elsewhere in Jonokuchi, Eisei lost his final match and finishes his debut at 4-3, which still should mean promotion to Jonidan. Moriurara tries to avoid 1-6 either on Day 14 or 15. Likely will be Day 15 based on schedules.

RETIREMENT: Yago (Sd22). The veteran called it a career today after his final match, finishing the tournament 3-4. He cited injury issues as the reason for retiring as he tried to make bis way back up the rankings. Yago, real name Takanori Yago from Oshiogawa Beya, finishes with a career record of 274-290-21 (win-loss-absent), 25-35 in the top tier (4 tournaments), 2 championships (1 Makushita, 1 Jonidan) and a highest rank of M10. He was an Ms15 debutant. He does not qualify for elder stock (only 24 tournaments in the top 2 tiers, need at least 30) but will remain involved in sumo as Nikkan Sports reports he will join the Chuo University Sumo Club as a coach.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage FOR FREE tomorrow at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 12 of the September 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Kyokukaiyu (J1) beat Tobizaru (M14)
Abi (M13) beat Chiyoshoma (M14)
Asahakuryu (M12) beat Toshinofuji (M16!
Oho (M10) beat Shonannoumi (M17)
Ura (M9) beat Tokihayate (M15)
Asasuiryu (M15) beat Takerufuji (M8)
Asakoryu (M13) beat Hiradoumi (M8)
Fujiseiun (M7) beat Shodai (M10)
Nishikifuji (M7) beat Shishi (M9)
Wakamotoharu (M11) beat Ichiyamamoto (M6)
Asanoyama (M6) beat Churanoumi (M3)
Yoshinofuji (M2) beat Roga (M5)
Fujiryoga (M4) beat Kotoshoho (M1) by default/withdrawal
Kotoeiho (M1) beat Takanosho (M4)
Gonoyama (M3) beat Hakunofuji (K)
Takayasu (M2) beat Daieisho (K)
Kotozakura (O) beat Oshoma (M5)
Fujinokawa (S) beat Kirishima (O)
Aonishiki (O) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Onosato (Y) beat Atamifuji (S)
Leader: Onosato (11-1)
WITHDRAWAL: Kotoshoho (M1). Concussion. Tournament over. Was hospitalized but is expected to be discharged today. Occurred during yesterday’s loss after being KO’d by a head shot to the chin. Will be demoted with the equivalent of a 5-10 record. Fujiryoga got the fusen as a result.
Of note: It could be over tomorrow. Of Fujinokawa, Aonishiki and Asanoyama all lose AND Onosato beats Kirishima, Onosato is the champion. Onosato is two wins ahead of those three. Anyone at 8-4 including Atamifuji can only hope to force a playoff but they need Onosato to lose. Elsewhere, Kirishima has gone from Yokozuna Watxh to panic mode as he has fallen to 6-6 and now has to go 2-1 just to protect his Ozeki rank. Kotozakura got to 8 wins today so he can breathe a little easier there. Kotoshoho’s withdrawal and being done for the tournament is largely precautionary but hopefully he’ll be back for November. No more Juryo man each day due to that.

Juryo:
Nishikigi (J14) beat Ryuho (Ms4)
Nabatame (J10) beat Tochitaikai (J14)
Kayo (J12) beat Tanji (J10)
Tohakuryu (J9) beat Tokifudo (J13)
Meisei (J14) beat Hatsuyama (J8)
Kitanowaka (J6) beat Hitoshi (J11)
Arashifuji (J5) beat Tamashoho (J12)
Kazekeno (J4) beat Ryuden (J8)
Mitakeumi (J4) beat Tomokaze (J7)
Tamawashi (J3) beat Sadanoumi (J5)
Midorifuji (J7) beat Onokatsu (J6)
Kagayaki (J11) beat Daiseizan (J2)
Enho (J9) beat Kazuma (J2)
Shirokuma (J6) beat Dewanoryu (J1)
Leader: Kagayaki (11-1)
Of note: It’s Kagayaki’s first title to lose. It looks like only Kayo has any chance to catch him, and Kagayaki already beat Kayo so any rematch would only happen in a playoff. Now let’s talk bottom because those rumblings are here-Tochitaikai has clinched presumed demotion at 4-8 and Nishikigi is again hanging on at 5-7. Reputation could also be the saving factor for Meisei if he doesn’t win out, today got him to 5-7 but losing out could end his career if he gets demoted down (injuries have really derailed his career the last 2-3 years). The only Makushita man coming up for sure is Asahifuji (5-1 at Ms1) so it may depend on how many get demoted from the top tier and if it outweighs promotions. Tamashoho isn’t yet safe either at J12. As for Tamawashi, the Iton Man clinched promotion today and now has 7 straight wins after starting 1-4, so any more wins will improve his chances of a top tier return. Right now I think he needs at least one more, ideally 2. Enho won again to get back to even at 6-6, at J9 that will be enough to keep him in Juryo if he gets demoted and finishes 6-9.
Tomorrow sees Kagayaki face Nabatame while Kayo has Mitakeumi. Kagayaki can’t win the championship tomorrow but could be 2 up on Kayo afterwards with a chance to clinch on Day 14, which would mean Kayo could only force a playoff rematch No Makushita man up tomorrow but maybe on day 14 and there should be a couple up on the Final Day as there traditionally are.

Lower tier notes: No match tomorrow for Asahifuji so he could be held back for said Juryo match for the second time this tournament this weekend.

UPDATE: Nikkan Sports reports Takayasu has WITHDRAWN ahead of Day 13. Left knee (Achilles). Tournament over. Likely out several weeks. He was 5-7 coming in and if true, he is going to be demoted and it looks like equal to 5-10 in the end. Not yet announced by the Japan Sumo Association but if true, Gonoyama will get the fusen as a result.

UPDATE 2: Correction to update above-it was Takanosho, not Takayasu. Blame bad website translations. That meant Hakunofuji got the fusen.