Open The Forbidden Gate

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 6 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):
Tokihayate (J15) beat Shonannoumi (M17)
Tobizaru (M14) beat Onokatsu (J3)
Toshinofuji (M16) beat Chiyoshoma (M14)
Abi (M13) beat Asasuiryu (M15)
Wakamotoharu (M11) beat Oho (M10)
Kinbozan (M10) beat Asakoryu (M13)
Ura (M9) beat Asahakuryu (M12)
Shishi (M9) beat Shodai (M11)
Asanoyama (M6) beat Hiradoumi (M8)
Takerufuji (M6) beat Ichiyamamoto (M6)
Nishikifuji (M7) beat Roga (M5)
Fujiseiun (M7) beat Oshoma (M5)
Churanoumi (M3) beat Fujiryoga (M4)
Kotoeiho (M1) beat Takayasu (M2)
Daieisho (K) beat Hakunofuji (K)
Atamifuji (S) beat Kotoshoho (M1)
Kotozakura (O) beat Takanosho (M4)
Yoshinofuji (M2) beat Kirishima (O)
Fujinokawa (S) beat Aonishiki (O)
Onosato (Y) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Leader: 7 at 5-1
Of note: The leaderboard notably includes only one Ozeki now-Kotozakura is keeping pace at 5-1 but Kirishima was upset by Yoshinofuji, who got his first win today, and Aonishiki has fallen to 3-3, admittedly he may not be 100% still but after a good start this is a little concerning. Onosato also remains in the lead pack at 5-1, a good sign for the beleagured Yokozuna, while many fans are surely happy to see Ura in contention again. Atamifuji is now almost halfway to potential Ozeki promotion in the 5-1 group. At the bottom, it looks like Shonannoumi’s top tier return will be brief as he is now 0-6 and it’s time to wonder if Shodai is headed for the same fate as he is also 0-6.
Onosato faces Churanoumi tomorrow, who is also 5-1, Kotozakura has Fujiryoga, Atamifuji gets Aonishiki with the rest of the co-leaders farther down. Kazekeno will be the Juryo man up tomorrow, he is currently 4-2 at J4.

Juryo:
Tamashoho (J12) beat Ryuho (Ms4)
Kagayaki (J11) beat Nishikigi (J14)
Hitoshi (J11) beat Tochitaikai (J14)
Nabatame (J10) beat Tokifudo (J13)
Tanji (J10) beat Meisei (J13)
Kayo (J12) beat Tohakuryu (J9)
Midorifuji (J7) beat Hatsuyama (J8)
Enho (J9) beat Tomokaze (J7)
Kitanowaka ((J6) beat Shirokuma (J6)
Arashifuji (J5) beat Ryuden (J8)
Mitakeumi (J4) beat Kazekeno (J4)
Sadanoumi (J5) beat Daiseizan (J2)
Tamawashi (J3) beat Dewanoryu (J1)
Kyokukaiyu (J1) beat Kazuma (J2)
Leader: Kitanowaka, Kagayaki, Kayo (6-0)
Of note: As expected, Nabatame returned today after being out yesterday due to mumps (or, more technically, an inner ear issue) and won to even his record at 3-3. His stablemaster Futagoyama indicated this was only a one-day thing so Nabatame should be fine going forward. Enho also won today to stop his losing streak and get back to even at 3-3. And that’s finally #908 for Tamawashi today, moving the Iron Man into #8 on the all-time career wins list. It’s a Special K leaderboard now with Kitanowaka, Kagayaki and Kayo all 6-0, at J6 Kitanowaka could have a chance at a top tier return if he wins the championship. That would be nice for Hakkaku as the Chairman hasn’t had a top tier wrestler since Hokutofuji retired (he’s now Oyama oyakata). Ikarigata is the Makushita man up tomorrow. He is at Ms4 and 3-0 so a win would mean promotion and a chance to reach Juryo in November if he can get a couple more wins. He will face Hitosbi.

Lower tier notes: Asahifuji returned to Makushita today and won to improve to 2-1, but with 13 in Makushita left at 3-0 it’s now very unlikely he extends his career-opening championship streak to 5, but not impossible. The Sandanme has 20 at 3-0 including Kiryuko, who saw his recent comeback halted last time by demotion due to an injury withdrawal. The Jonidan has 24 at 3-0 while the Jonokuchi has 4 at 3-0. Tomorrow is the first half of what I call Promotion Day, when the leaders will improve to 4-0 and clinch winning records and thus promotions for the next tournament.

Also, if they are not already available, advance tickets (or what’s left of them) for the November Tournament at Fukuoka International Center in Fukuoka go on sale today.

UPDATE: Major news from Nikkan Sports after today’s matches-Nishikifuji will have heart surgery after the tournament. He is currently being treated for atrial fibrillation (Afib) and is expected to be hospitalized for 4 days. He stated it started earlier this year around the time stablemate Midorifuji was diagnosed with heart failure. Nishikifuji also revealed he has chronic neck disease too, but since he is not single he intends to continue his career. Had he been single he would have retired already. When/if that day does come, he does qualify for elder stock so he may be able to stay on as a coach.

UPDATE 2: Took less than 3 hours and all remaining November tickets are now already sold out.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 5 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):
Toshinofuji (M16) beat Shonannoumi (M17)
Chiyoshoma (M14) beat Tamawashi (J3)
Tobizaru (M14) beat Asasuiryu (M15)
Tokihayate (M15) beat Asakoryu (M13)
Abi (M13) beat Shodai (M11)
Asahakuryu (M12) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Shishi (M9) beat Oho (M10)
Ura (M9) beat Wakamotoharu (M11)
Hiradoumi (M8) beat Ichiyamamoto (M6)
Asanoyama (M6) beat Takerufuji (M8)
Oshoma (M5) beat Nishikifuji (M7)
Roga (M5) beat Fujiseiun (M7)
Fujiryoga (M4) beat Kotoeiho (M1)
Kotoshoho (M1) beat Takayasu (M2)
Fujinokawa (S) beat Hakunofuji (K)
Atamifuji (S) beat Daieisho (K)
Kirishima (O) beat Takanosho (M4)
Gonoyama (M3) beat Aonishiki (O)
Churanoumi (M3) beat Kotozakura (O)
Onosato (Y) beat Yoshinofuji (M2)
Leader: 9 at 4-1
Of note: Not the top tier return the Iron Man hoped for as Tamawashi was beaten by Chiyoshoma, keeping him one win from moving into sole possession of 8th on the all-time wins list and dropping him to 1-4. Elsewhere, it was finally O Yes for Onosato as he managed to beat Yoshinofuji for the first time and, with Kotozakura losing (and thus no 15-0 champion), join a 9-way tie at 4-1 for the lead. Aonishiki now has a rare losing streak and is 3-2 but not time to panic yet. Onokatsu will be the Juryo man up tomorrow as he looks to return to the top tier in November and is currently 3-2.

Juryo:
Nishikigi (J14) beat Tochitaikai (J14)
Kayo (J12) beat Tochikodai (Ms3)
Tokifudo (J13) beat Tamashoho (J12)
Kagayaki (J11) beat Meisei (J13)
Tanji (J10) beat Nabatame (J10) by default/withdrawal
Hitoshi (J11) beat Tohakuryu (J9)
Ryuden (J8) beat Enho (J9)
Hatsuyama (J8) beat Tokihayate (J7)
Kitanowaka (J6) beat Midorifuji (J7)
Shirokuma (J6) beat Arashifuji (J5)
Kazekeno (J4) beat Sadanoumi (J5)
Daiseizan (J2) beat Mitakeumi (J4)
Onokatsu (J3) beat Kyokukaiyu (J1)
Dewanoryu (J1) beat Kazuma (J2)
Leader: 4 at 5-0
WITHDRAWAL: Nabatame (J10). Mumps. Will return tomorrow. Nothing to worry about. He will be 2-3 with today’s absence. Tanji got the fusen as a result.
Of note: If Nishikigi gets spared demotion for a 4th straight time after this tournament if he finishes 7-8 or 6-9, today may be why. Same for a Tochitaikai demotion, but that’s all 10 days out. Enho took another loss today to fall to 2-3 while among the co-leaders is Daiseizan, not past halfway to a potential top tier return, and a surprise start by Kagayaki who is also 5-0. Ryuho will be the Makushita man up tomorrow, he is currently 2-1 at Ms4.

Lower tier notes: Asahifuji came back from only his second career loss and a 2-day break today with a win to improve to 2-1, leaving him 2 wins from promotion in Makushita. His next match should come on Day 7 or 8. Currently there are 5 at 3-0. Down in the Jonokuchi, Eisei picked up his second career win at the expense of Moriurara, now 1-2 and halfway to a 43rd straight demotion/losing record.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 4 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 Kazuma (J2)
Tobizaru (M14) beat Shonannoumi (M17)
Toshinofuji (M16) beat Asakoryu (M13)
Abi (M13) beat Tokihayate (M15)
Chiyoshoma (M14) beat Asahakuryu (M12)
Kikbozan (M10) beat Shodai (M12)
Wakamotoharu (M11) beat Shishi (M9)
Takerufuji (M8) beat Oho (M10)
Hiradoumi (M8) beat Fujiseiun (M7)
Ura (M9) beat Nishikifuji (M7)
Roga (M5) beat Ichiyamamoto (M6)
Asanoyama (M6) beat Oshoma (M5)
Churanoumi (M3) beat Takanosho (M4)
Daieisho (K) beat Yoshinofuji (M2)
Atamifuji (S) beat Fujiryoga (M4)
Kotoshoho (M1) beat Fujinokawa (S)
Hakunofuji (K) beat Aonishiki (O)
Kotozakura (O) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Kirishima (O) beat Kotoeiho (M1)
Takayasu (M2) beat Onosato (Y). KINBOSHI!!! The 7th career Gold Star Victory for Takayasu!
Leader: Kotozakura (4-0)
Of note: Since his promotion to Ozeki, Day 4 has been the Oh No for Onosato. His Day 4 record in that time? 2-9. That dates back to November 2024. And 0 for 2026 although he did miss one tournament. Yes it’s a kinboshi given up, yes Hakkaku will be en fuego, but no don’t panic yet as he’s still 3-1. Everyone else is too except Kotozakura, now the only unbeaten left. And reports of Atamifuji being hurt may have been greatly exaggerated as he came back today and won. Aonishiki took his first loss as Hakunofuji got his first Sanyaku victory while Kirishima bounced back from his first loss as both Ozeki are in the large 3-1 group with Atamifuji, who now needa at least 9 more wins for a chance at Ozeki promotion. Tomorrow could bring more trouble for Onosato in the form of Yoshinofuji, who is 0-4 so far but 4-0 this past year against the Yokozuna (one win was a fusen though).

Juryo:
Meisei (J13) beat Daikisho (Ms2)
Tokifudo (J14) beat Nishikigi (J14)
Kayo (J12) beat Tochitaikai (J14)
Tamashoho (J12) beat Nabatame (J10)
Hitoshi (J11) beat Enho (J9)
Tanji (J10) beat Tohakuryu (J9)
Kagayaki (J11) beat Hatsuyama (J8)
Kitanowaka (J6) beat Ryuden (J8)
Midorifuji (J7) beat Sadanoumi (J5)
Tomokaze (J7) beat Arashifuji (J5)
Mitakeumi (J4) beat Shirokuma (J6)
Daiseizan (J2) beat Kazekeno (J4)
Dewanoryu (J1) beat Onokatsu (J3)
Tamawashi (J3) beat Kyokukaiyu (J1)
Leader: 4 at 4-0
Of note: Tamawashi finally got in the win column today after starting 0-3, still with plenty of time to rack up wins and have a chance at a top tier return, and Mitakeumi also got his first win so one more should at least be enough to keep him in Juryo in a worst-case scenario. Enho lost and is alternating wins & losses at 2-2. Tochikodai will be the Makushita man up tomorrow, he is 0-2 at Ms3.

Lower tier notes: No match today for Asahifuji as expected since he already has 2 matches. He’ll be back tomorrow. In the Jonokuchi, Eisei picked up his first career win today to improve to 1-1 ahead of a fun on paper match tomorrow against Moriurara while the pre-sumo matches for debuting newcomers (they don’t count towards records or rankings win or lose although it counts as a tournament participated in) saw an impressive debut for Sunada, a highly-regarded Musashigawa Beya prospect from Hawaii (he actually is Japanese-American) who has both pro football and amateur wrestling experience. This makes it likely he will debut in Jonokuchi in November, less than 6 months after coming to Japan.

UPDATE: Nabatame has WITHDRAWN from Juryo ahead of Day 5. More to come per Nikkan Sports.

UPDATE 2: More on Nabatame-mumps (ear infection). Expected to be out only one day and return on Day 6. Tanji will get the fusen tomorrow as a result.