Now that it’s been a couple days since the tournament ended and post-ranking meetings were held and news is starting to come out, here is the initial wrap-up of the July 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament:
First, here is the final Hoshitori (Tournament Records) based on the Banzuke for the top 2 tiers (records are in win-loss-absent format, for rankings purposes absent is treated like a loss):
Makuuchi (top tier):
Yokozuna-Hoshoryu (7-7-1), Onosato (9-6)
Ozeki-Kirishima (12-3), Kotozakura (8-7)
Sekiwake-Atamifuji (12-3), Aonishiki (12-3, Tournament Champion), Kotoshoho (6-9), Wakatakakage (Absent)
Komusubi-Yoshinofuji (6-9), Oho (2-13)
Maegashira 1-Fujinokawa (8-7), Takanosbo (6-9)
Maegashira 2-Gonoyama (7-8), Churanoumi (7-8)
Maegashira 3-Hiradoumi (4-11), Hakunofuji (9-6)
Maegashira 4-Daieisho (10-5), Ichiyamamoto (6-9)
Maegashira 5-Ura (5-10), Oshoma (6-9)
Maegashira 6-Shodai (5-10), Fujiseiun (7-8)
Maegashira 7-Kotoeiho (11-4), Takayasu (11-4)
Maegashira 8-Wakanotoharu (6-9), Roga (9-6)
Maegashira 9-Fujiryoga (10-5), Tobizaru (5-10)
Maegashira 10-Asanoyama (9-6), Chiyoshoma (5-10)
Maegashira 11-Wakanosho (5-2-8), Mitakeumi (2-13)
Maegashira 12-Asahakuryu (7-8), Abi (7-8)
Maegashira 13-Nishikifuji (10-5), Takerufuji (10-5)
Maegashira 14-Kinbozan (9-6), Shishi (10-5)
Maegashira 15-Onokatsu (4-11), Kazuma (5-10)
Maegashira 16-Daiseizan (6-9), Asakoryu (9-6)
Notes: Because he won 10 matches in his first event after demotion to Sekiwake, Aonishiki will be re-promoted to Ozeki. And he did so injured (toe again) but indicated he will participate in the summer tour in August and be a full go for September. No Yokozuna consideration for Kirishima but he is still on Yokozuna Watch-the chief judge Asakayama wants another championship from Kirishima before he gets promoted while the Yokozuna Deliberation Council is giving encouragement to Hoshoryu & Onosato, which can be the beginning of the end. It’s a 3-step process, encouragement like this comes first when more stern warnings/demands followed by being forced to retire. Onosato did manage a winning record but leas than 10 wins is considered a failure and Hoshoryu withdrew on Day 14 to finish equal to 7-8. Hoshoryu is reportedly off the August tour but Onosato is in. There will be 3 Ozeki again as Kotozakura got out of kadoban status for now with 8 wins. Atamifuji is now on Ozeki Watch as a championship or at least 12 wins in September could see him promoted. Aside from him a major Sanyaku shakeup is coming as everyone else at Komusubi or Sekiwake will be demoted, with Fujinokawa likely making his Komusibi debut in September despite only 8-7 at M1, to probably be joined by Hakunofuji for the first time and possibly the biggest movers up-Kotoeiho (who was in title contention after 9 straight wins following a Day 1 loss before 3 straight losses took him down too far) & Takayasu who both went 11-4 at M7 (we know how they love Takayasu so yeah, he’ll be Sanyaku again) along with Daieisho who WILL NOT be M4 for a 5th straight tournament. 10-5 means he’s moving up. Wakatakakage is out for September due to serious injury but thankfully was released from the hospital over the past weekend and according to his stablemaster Arashio he is expected to make a full recovery and continue to compete, but not until at least November or January. For September he’ll stay in the top tier then be demoted to Juryo in November. Churanoumi almost salvaged promotion after a 2-6 start in getting to 7-8, but that Day 14 loss clinched demotion and keeps M2 his ceiling. Hiradoumi’s disastrous 4-11 effort was salvaged late by a 3-1 finish which will soften his demotion blow. It looks like there will be 3 demotions to Juryo for sure-Daiseizan, Kazuma & Onokatsu and one huge toss-up in Mitakeumi, who was 2-13 at M11. Wakanosho is also a toss-up after a 5-0 start ended unfortunately with injury and withdrawal but I think he’ll stay up. He’s a status uncertain for November though.
Juryo:
Juryo 1-Asasuiryu (11-4), Kyokukaiyu (7-8)
Juryo 2-Tokihayate (10-5), Sadanoumi (5-10)
Juryo 3-Ryuden (4-11), Dewanoryu (9-6)
Juryo 4-Tomokaze (5-10), Toshinofuji (11-4)
Juryo 5-Kitnaowaka (7-8), Oshoumi (0-5-10)
Juryo 6-Shonannoumi (11-4, Tournament Champion), Kazekeno (8-7)
Juryo 7-Tamawashi (9-6), Meisei (4-11)
Juryo 8-Midorifuji (8-7), Hatsuyama (7-9)
Juryo 9-Shirokuma (9-6), Nishinoryu (4-11)
Juryo 10-Hitoshi (6-9), Tamashobo (6-9)
Juryo 11-Kagayaki (7-8), Enho (8–7)
Juryo 12-Tohakuryu (8-7), Kayo (7-8)
Juryo 13-Arashifuji (11-4), Hakuyozan (Absent)
Juryo 14-Tochitaikai (7-8), Nishikigi (7-8)
Notes: There are big questions on both ends about promotion & demotion. What we know is Asasuiryu will join his real-life brother Asakoryu in the top tier for the first time, Tokihayate is headed back to the top tier and I think Dewanoryu will also go up for the first time. Shonannoumi is a toss-up to return after 11-4 and winning the championship in a playoff. Toshinofuji, the last of Hakuho’s top prospects left, is also a toss-up for promotion but may depend on numbers (I think the edge goes to Shonannoumi due to the championship). At the bottom, Hakuyozan will be demoted after bis expected injury absence and both J14s must hope their reputation spares them again as Tochitaikai & Nishikigi both went 7-8 but based on below I think their luck and time, particularly for Nishikigi, have run out. Enho clinched promotion on the last day so despite a struggle to get to 8-7 he’ll move up another spot or two. The other big demotion toss-up is Oshoumi, who between losses and injury withdrawal essentially went 0-15 at J5. Tamawashi’s Iron Man streak will continue in Juryo in September if it does, but after a slow start a 4-1 finish means he’ll move closer to a top tier return after going 9-6.
The Shin-Juryo and Sai-Juryo rikishi have been announced, and first the answer to the million-dollar question…no. Asahifuji WILL NOT be promoted to Juryo despite a 4th straight championship at Ms11 and 27-1 career. It sounds like it’s because he didn’t go 7-0. Being promoted up for the first time are Tanji, who went 4-3 at Ms1, and Tokifudo, a slight surprise because he went 4-3 at Ms2. Returning post-demotion is Nabatame, as expected after going 6-1 at Ms3 and handing Asahifuji his first career loss, despite losing a playoff rematch.
There were 5 official retirements announced led by Daishomaru, who called it a career after going 3-4 at Ms57. While he does qualify for elder stock (he made 19 appearances in the top tier and has more than enough in Juryo to get well over the required 30) it sounds like he’s leaving sumo as there’s been no indication of anything being available. Being from Oitekaze Beya it sounds like all the stock there is held by Daieisho. I was bummed to see Tatsuosho, a Tatsunami man, retiring but that may be due to injury as he was absent. Also retiring was one Jonidan wrestler-Asashorei, who went 2-5 and leaves after just over 6 years in Jonidan & Jonokuchi-and 2 unranked wrestlers, Asahirai & Nishikio. Both had not competed this year.
The September Banzuke will be announced on 8/31 Japan time so unless there’s any major news that’s when the next big news will come out. The September Tournament is 9/13-9/27 at Ryogoku Kokukigan in Tokyo. Advance tickets, if not all gobbled up by pre-sales and fan/supporter clubs, will go on sale 8/8.
UPDATE: Major news coming out of a board meeting yesterday per Nikkan Sports: Wrestler pay is going up next year (along with some ticket prices for events). Here’s what we know:
Increased prize money for championships (all tiers):
Jonokuchi-200,000 yen (around $1250 US). Doubled from prior
Jonidan-300,000 yen (around $1850 US). Up 100,000 yen
Sandanme-500,000 yen (around $3100 US). Up 200,000 yen
Makushita-700,000 yen (around $4350 US). Up 200,000 yen
Juryo-3 million yen (around $18,500 US). Up 1 million yen
Makuuchi-20 million yen (around $128,000 US). Doubled from prior
Special Prizes-3 million yen each. Up from 1 million yen
Wrestler pay increases (per month):
Juryo-1.2 million yen (around $7400 US). Up 100,000 yen
Maegashira-1.55 million ten (around $9500 US). Up 150,000 yen
Komusubi/Sekiwake-2 million yen (around $12,500 US). Up 200,000 yen
Ozeki-2.75 million ten (around $16,000 US). Up 250,000 yen
Yokozuna-3.3 million yen (around $20,000 US). Up 300,000 yen
There is also an increase in tournament allowances for the lower tiers and an increase in bonuses for winning records and kinboshi (Gold Star Victories-when a Maegashira beats a Yokozuna in a tournament except by default/withdrawal). A kinboshi awards bonus money every tournament regardless of rank.
The aforementioned ticket cost increases for fans will only be for Tokyo & Osaka tournaments, not Nagoya & Fukuoka. Basically the best/closest seats in the first 2 rows will go up in price with additional increases for the final 2 days. Ultimately those final days seats will go up to $30,000 yen or around $190 US. The mass/box seats cost more just because they are meant for 4-6 people. The cheapest seats start at around $20.
Elsewhere, at the regular Yokozuna Deliberation Council meeting, the chairman had hardh words for both Yokozuna but it sounds like it didn’t reach the level of “encouragement” which is Strike 1 for a Yokozuna’s career. Strike 2 is a warning and Strike 3 is a retirement recommendation. Strike 3 means your in-ring career is essentially over. (Yokozuna get 5 years of special elder stock upon retirement to give them time to find or wait for an opening to become an oyakata)
Obituary-it was announced that the former Kimigahama Oyakata died on the 26th. He was 78. Real name Takashi Tsuchiya, he began his sumo career at Dewanoumi Beya in 1964 and reached a highest rank of Sekiwake, winning 3 Special Prizes and 1 kinboshi. After retiring he became Kimigahama and was a coach at Kokonoe and Hakkaku Beya before stepping down upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65 in 2013.