Here are the quick LIVE results from today’s Day 1-Opening Day-of the March 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (top tier):
Scheduled to begin at 11 PM PT/3 AM ET.
WITHDRAWAL (Pre-Tournament): Midorifuji (M15). Heart failure. Scary…status uncertain. Nikkan Sports reports he has been treated for about a month. I have seen unverified claims on Facebook that he won’t compete. If he can’t participate he will be demoted to Juryo for the first time in about 5 years. He would need to return and probably get at least 5 wins to stay in the top tier.
Of note: With regards to Isegahama fka Terunofuji, he will not be at the tournament and punishment for a recent incident of violence against Hakunofuji will be announced after the tournament. There are reports in the sumo media that it involved Hakunofuji drinking at a bar and perhaps making inappropriate gestures towards or contact with a female patron and that led Isegahama to intervene and attack his charge. Hochi Sports reports the investigation is ongoing and that is why Isegahama will not be at the tournament (according to fellow stablemaster Sadogatake, who is in charge of PR/media relations) although the absence/confined to stable is not disciplinary. But I could see such announcements being further delayed if Aonishiki gets promoted to Yokozuna so as not to distract from that.
Juryo:
Scheduled to start between 9-9:30 PM PT/midnight-12:30 AM ET.
Lower tier notes: In his next and perhaps last best chance at promotion back to Juryo, Enho has his opening match today at Ms4, facing recent demotion Hidenoumi who fell from Juryo to Ms3. Despite just being demoted after one tournament, Himukamaru is back in Juryo today for his first match, he is at Ms1.
RETIREMENT: Shiden (Ms21). Officially retired Friday before what would have been the start of his 12th year in sumo. Shiden, real name Takumi Shiba from Kise Beya, finishes with a career record of 319-273-26 (win-loss-absent), 2 championships (1 Makushita, 1 Jonidan) and a career high rank of Juryo 2. He went 1-6 in his final tournament in January. He does not qualify for elder stock due to having only 16 tournaments at Juryo (but he was absent in what would have been his Juryo debut) so he will be leaving the sumo world.
How to watch: If you can get ABEMA outside Japan, that service streams ALL matches LIVE for free. Otherwise, you can watch all top tier matches LIVE on NHK World Premium in Japanese & English, available on participating cable/satellite providers and Jme. NHK World Japan will also have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage in English beginning at 12:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET. All top tier and Juryo matches can also be watched on demand on the official Grand Sumo mobile app immediately after they happen. The app is available for iOS & Android for free but for unlimited viewing (and without ads) you meed to subscribe to it’s Tanimachi (Premium) subscription, currently available in the US for $4.99/month. It also gives you unlimited on demand viewing of over 12 years’ worth of matches.