The wait was a little longer this time but it’s finally over-the Japan Sumo Association has just announced the updated Banzuke (rankings) for the May 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo. Here are the full rankings for the top 2 tiers and other items of note:
Makuuchi (top tier):
Yokozuna-Hoshoryu, Onosato
Ozeki-Kirishima (March Tournament Champion), Kotozakura, Aonishiki
Sekiwake-Atamisuji, Kotoshoho
Komusubi-Wakatakakage, Takayasu
Maegashira 1-Fujinokawa, Takanosho
Maegashira 2-Yoshinofuji, Ichiyamamoto
Maegashira 3-Hiradoumi, Oho
Maegashira 4-Daieisho, Gonoyama
Maegashira 5-Wakamotoharu, Shodai
Maegashira 6-Churanoumi, Fujiseiun
Maegashira 7-Chiyoshoma, Asakoryu
Maegashira 8-Oshoma, Asahakuryu
Maegashira 9-Abi, Nishikifuji
Maegashira 10-Asanoyama, Hakunofuji
Maegashira 11-Ura, Kinbozan
Maegashira 12-Shishi, Tokihayate
Maegashira 13-Kotoeiho, Tamawashi
Maegashira 14-Mitakeumi, Roga
Maegashira 15-Tobizaru, Oshoumi
Maegashira 16-Wakanosho, Ryuden
Maegashira 17-Fujiryoga
Notes: With his March championship Kirishima was re-promoted to Ozeki making 3 at the second-highest rank for now, but Aonishiki is now in kadoban status after his first career losing record, meaning he must win 8+ matches or he will be demoted to Sekiwake. And it was revealed after the tournament Aonishiki actually was injured in March. Foot/toe. That cost him a chance at a 3rd straight championship and potential promotion to Yokozuna now and he must start over. Onosato is expected back for the tournament after having to withdraw in March for not only his first such absence (not counting the final day of January) but also his first career losing record, and equal to 0-15 at that. Sekiwake…wow. Atamifuji was expected to make his debut at that rank and will but…Kotoshoho?!? Did not see that coming! Takayasu was demoted only to Komusubi while Wakatakakage was promoted back up there to replace brother Wakamotoharu. Fujinokawa is now just short of Sanyaku with Yoshinofuji only going down one spot from March. At the bottom, Ryuden returns from Juryo after another tournament down while Wakanosho makes his top tier debut alongside him with Fujiryoga holding on to his top tier spot for a second chance despite a 7-8 debut. And he’ll also likely have a topknot for the first time too.
Finally, Tamawashi’s Iron Man records will keep going but he’s in the most danger of his top tier appearance streak ending than he has been in some time as he’s fallen to M13. This will be top tier appearance #100.
Juryo:
Juryo 1-Onokatsu, Daiseizan
Juryo 2-Sadanoumi, Takerufuji
Juryo 3-Dewanoryu (March Juryo Champion), Hatsuyama
Juryo 4-Kyokukaiyu, Asasuiryu
Juryo 5-Tomokaze, Kitanowaka
Juryo 6-Kazuma, Meisei
Juryo 7-Kagayaki, Toshinofuji
Juryo 8-Shonannoumi, Shirokuma
Juryo 9-Nishinoryu, Kayo
Juryo 10-Tohakuryu, Midorifuji
Juryo 11-Kazekeno, Nishikigi
Juryo 12-Hitoshi, Tamashoho
Juryo 13-Okaryu, Hakuyozan
Juryo 14-Tochitaikai, Enho
Note: The big stories are at the bottom of the ranks, specifically the return of Enho to Juryo after being demoted all the way down the rankings due to injury. This will mark his 30th career tournament in the top 2 tiers and that means he now will qualify for elder stock upon retirement, which he doesn’t plan on anytime soon. He barely made it at J14 but he made it nonetheless. Midorifuji took a big fall from the top tier after missing March due to heart failure, his status is uncertain but hopefully he will be good to go (the initial report in March was he would be out 1 month for treatment). Kazuma made a big move up in a much better second outing after a shaky debut while Takerufuji moves to the fringe of a top tier return. Sadanoumi’s near-miss dropped him only one spot to J2 so he’ll have another chance to get back along with Onokatsu who is down to J1. Okaryu is the only Shin-Juryo rikishi as the top prospect stablemate of Hoshoryu will make his second tier debut, giving Tatsunami Beya 3 rikishi in the top 2 tiers along with Hoshoryu and Meisei. Hakuyozan & Tochitaikai are the Sai-Juryo rikishi this tournament.
Lower tier notes: In the Makushita, March Champion Wakanofuji moved up to Ms3 for his third tournament so he is in position to get Kasugano Beya back into the top two tiers after missing out for the first time in a long time, while Ms1 will be Juryo demotion Fujitensei and Takakento, who may have missed out on a Juryo return with a final day March loss. Because of the timing of his retirement, Tsurugisho is ranked at Ms11 but obviously will not compete. The Sandanme remains at the “new normal” 80 ranks and 160 total wrestlers. The Jonidan slims down slightly to 102 ranks and 204 wrestlers while the Jonokuchi has 23 ranks & 45 wrestlers, with 18 scheduled debuts including top prospect Fuma Kawazoe, who will debut as his real last name of Kawazoe for Ajigawa Beya.
There are also 2 kaimei rikishi in the Makushita as the former Yoshii & Fukai have new shikona (ring names)-Yoshii is now Tokifudo and Fukai is now Asanoryu (following the general Takasago Beya practice of everyone being an Asa first).
The May Tournament is 5/10-5/24 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. All tickets are already sold out.
UPDATE: Nikkan Sports reports Midorifuji will be IN for the tournament. This comes from the wrestler himself, who added his heart failure was caused by excessive drinking & high blood pressure and is doing well with nedocations and diet. It also has been reported that, if he were forced to retire because of this, he does qualify for elder stock so hopefully a spot would be available for him.