Open The Forbidden Gate

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 13-Championship 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, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi

Makuuchi (top tier):
Ryuden (J1) beat Fujiryoga (M17)
Kinbozan (M16) beat Asanoyama (M12)
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Asakoryu (M12)
Chiyoshoma (M14) beat Oshoumi (M11)
Tobizaeu (M13) beat Shishi (M11)
Mitakeumi (M15) beat Roga (M10)
Asahakuryu (M16) beat Tokihayate (M9)
Fujiseiun (M13) beat Shodai (M8)
Kotoeiho (M17) beat Ura (M8)
Tamawashi (M9) beat Hakunofuji (M7)
Churanoumi (M2) beat Oshoma (M7)
Ichiyamamoto (M6) beat Fujinokawa (M2)
Yoshinofuji (M1) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Wakatakakage (M1) beat Abi (M5)
Atamifuji (K) beat Gonoyama (M10)
Daieisho (M4) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Takanosho (M4) beat Takayasu (S)
Kirishima (S) beat Oho (M3)
Apnishiki (O) beat Kotozakura (O)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Leader: Kirishima (12-1)
Of note: It’s Kirishima’s championship to lose. He will win the championship tomorrow if he beats Aonishiki or Hoshoryu loses to Kotozakura. That could mean Ozeki re-promotion for Kirishima. If not, right now he would need at least 10 wins in May. Hoshoryu can still force a playoff rematch, but on the last day he’ll have Aonishiki, who the Yokozuna has not yet beaten in a tournament. Elsewhere, Kotoeiho clinched promotion and will stay in the top tier in May and Atamifuji will at least remain at Komusubi, with a chance to go to Sekiwake. Wakatakakage appears poised to replace his brother in Sanyaku. Takayasu needs to win his last 2 to stay Sekiwake as he has now lost 6 straight.

Juryo:
Tochitaikai (Ms1) beat Fujitensei (J13)
Nishikigi (J12) beat Himukamaru (Ms1)
Tamashoho (J9) beat Toshinofuji (J11)
Kitanowaka (J8) beat Tsurugisho (J12)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Kayo (J6)
Hitoshi (J6) beat Kotokuzan (J14)
Shirokuma (J5) beat Kazekeno (J14)
Takerufuji (J4) beat Shonannoumi (J8)
Nishinoryu (J4) beat Kagayaki (J5)
Wakanosho (J3) beat Kazuma (J11)
Dewanoryu (J10) beat Daiseizan (J3)
Meisei (J7) beat Tomokaze (J2)
Hatsuyama (J9) beat Asasuiryu (J2)
Kyokukaiyu (J7) beat Sadanoumi (J1)
Leader: Dewanoryu (11-2)
Of note: Dewanoryu can win the championship tomorrow if he beats Ryuden and Wakanosho loses to Toshinofuji. Toshinofuji & Kazuma can stay in with playoff chances of they win and Dewanoryu loses. Wakanosho now seems likely to be promoted to the top tier with 10 wins and if Ryuden can spoil Dewanoryu’s title hopes, he likely gets promoted back up too. Sadanoumi will not go back up as today’s loss means demotion. At the bottom, it now looks like 3 demotions for sure with Fujitensei, Tsurugisho and Kotokuzan all going down while Nishikigi has won 3 straight to try and stave off demotion, but he’s got a tough one tomorrow…Enho, who is trying to get promoted back to Juryo.

Makushita:
Wakanofuji (Ms28) beat Arashifuji (Ms7). WAKANOFUJI MAKUSHITA YUSHO!!! First career championship in only his second career tournament, he was a Ms60 debut in January.

Sandanme:
Hogasho (Sd21) beat Gyotoku (Sd5)
Nabatame (Sd3) beat Tatsubayama (Sd7). PLAYOFF!!! This means it will be Hogasho vs. Nabatame for the championship on the Final Day.

Jonidan:
Kiryuko (Jd100) beat Satumasho (Jd63)
Asahifuji (Jd8) beat Tenshoyama (Jd39). PLAYOFF!!! It was guaranteed to be a playoff but now we know the participants-it will be Kiryuko vs. Asahifuji. The former Juryo man in his first full tournament in over a year against the latest Isegahama super-rookie.

Jonokuchi:
Shosei (Jk18) beat Kazeoki (Jk6)
Aron (Jk12) beat Tamanotora (Jk5)
Kojikara (Jk12) beat Ideno (Jk3). PLAYOFF!!! This means there will be a 3-way playoff with Shosei, Aron & Kojikawa on the Final Day, all at 6-1. Ideno was also 5-1 so the match with Kojikawa turned out to be an eliminator.

As for Enho, he’ll be in Juryo tomorrow for his final match to face Nishikigi. The promotion scenario for top Makushita now looks like Okaryu is definitely going up (6-1), Himukamaru is demoted (3-4), Tochitaikai is a maybe (4-3), Hakuyozan is a maybe (4-2 at Ms2) and now with Wakanofuji winning the championship that can’t be ruled out. Slim chances from Ms28 but not impossible. If Enho wins I think he’s going up. If he loses, he needs Hakuyozan to lose his last match.

RETIREMENT: Chiyosakae (Jd3). Called it a career after his last match today, which he won. He would have been promoted back to the Sandanme in May as he finished March with a 5-2 record. Chiyosakae, from Kokonoe Beya, real name Eita Kishi, will finish his career with a record of 396-380-35 (win-loss-absent) and a career high rank of J8. He does not qualify for elder stock (not enough tournaments in Juryo) and will have his haircutting ceremony at the Kokonoe Beya Senshuraku Party after the Final Day and move on from sumo. He is the rather uncommon case of a wrestler ending his career with, excluding absent days (which are treated as losses for ranking purposes), a winning record.

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

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 12 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):
Takerufuji (J4) beat Tobizaru (M13)
Asanoyama (M12) beat Kotoeiho (M17)
Oshoumi (M11) beat Fujiryoga (M17)
Chiyoshoma (M14) beat Roga (M10)
Mitakeumi (M15) beat Tokihayate (M9)
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Tamawashi (M9)
Asakoryu (M12) beat Ura (M8)
Asahakuryu (M16) beat Shodai (M8)
Shishi (M11) beat Oshoma (M7)
Kinbozan (M16) beat Hakunofuji (M7)
Takanosho (M4) beat Fujiseiun (M13)
Fujinokawa (M2) beat Churanoumi (M2)
Wakatakakage (M1) beat Ichiyamamoto (M6)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Yoshinofuji (M1)
Abi (M5) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Oho (M3) beat Atamifuji (K)
Hiradoumi (M3) beat Takayasu (S)
Daieisho (M4) beat Aonishiki (O)
Kotozakura (O) beat Gonoyama (M10)
Kirishima (S) beat Hoshoryu (Y)
Leader: Kirishima (11-1)
Of note: It’s almost Kirishima’s to lose but now he needs Hoshoryu to beat Kotoshoho tomorrow. They have met once this past year (September) and Hoshoryu won. Kirishima has Oho tomorrow, Oho beat Kirishima in January to stop a 3-match winning streak by Kirishima, so they are at 3-2 Kirishima this last year. Also tomorrow is the Ozeki Showdown-Kotozakura has once again protected his rank, now Aonishiki must win out just to protect his but he has won 4 straight against Kotozakura. A loss by Kirishima could also put Gonoyama back in contention. Also, another Takayasu epic collapse continues-that’s 5 straight losses after a 6-1 first week.
At the bottom, Ashakuryu has become the first to clinch promotion and protect his top tier spot at 8-4 at M16, most of the rest are taking it down to the wire.

Juryo:
Dewanoryu (J10) beat Kazuma (J11)
Tamashoho (J9) beat Fujitensei (J13)
Hatsuyama (J9) beat Kazekeno (J14)
Toshinofuji (J11) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Kotokuzan (J14) beat Kyokukaiyu (J7)
Nishikigi (J12) beat Hitoshi (J6)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Nishinoryu (J4)
Kagayaki (J5) beat Daiseizan (J3)
Wakanosho (J3) beat Shirokuma (J5)
Shonannoumi (J8) beat Asasuiryu (J2)
Tomokaze (J2) beat Tsurugisho (J12)
Ryuden (J1) beat Meisei (J7)
Kayo (J6) beat Sadanoumi (J1)
Leader: Dewanoryu (10-2)
Of note: Dewanoryu took control of the championship race today but it’s far from over. If Dewanoryu can win out and be champion at 13-2 he would have a slight chance at the top tier. Wakanosho probably needs one more win to get to the top tier in May. At the bottom, Fujitensei is now at risk of demotion to Makushita and needs to win out to have any chance at staying in Juryo. That means 4 probably or definitely demoted (Tsurugisho, Fujitensei, Shimazuumi, Kotokuzan) while Nishikigi is trying to hang on at 5-7. Kazekeno is safe at J14 as he has clinched promotion.

Lower tier notes: Tomorrow is Championship Day in the lower tiers and it’s going to be a lot of fun because we are virtually guaranteed a Final fay full of playoffs. First, the Makushita-if Wakanofuji beats Arashifuji, Wakanofuji is the champion. But if Wakanofuji loses, there will be AT LEAST a 6-way playoff because that means a 6-1 champion and at least 6 will have that record. But it could be 7 depending on Enho’s final match…which will not be tomorrow so he’ll have to wait a day or two. The Sandanme may be decided tomorrow with 3 left-first up, if Hogasho beats Gyotoku, there will be a playoff between Hogasho and the Tatsubayama-Nabatame winner. And if it’s Hogasho-Tatsubayama, that’s a playoff between Tokitsukaze stablemates. If Hogasho loses, Tatsubayama-Nabatame is for the championship. The Jonidan will have a playoff because there are 4 left at 6-0 and those will be narrowed down to 2 tomorrow. The Jonokichi is unsettled with 4 at 5-1, the last match involving them could be the championship match but if one of both of the other co-leaders win before that, there will be a playoff and it could be a 3-way or 4-way.

And here’s what to know about Enho’s promotion chances right now at 5-1: Of the 6 Makushita men above him (Enho is at Ms4), Okadyu is 5-1 at Ms2 and almost certainly will be promoted to Juryo. Hakuyozan is 4-2 at Ms2 and probably gets to Juryo with a win in his final match. If he loses, it’s a toss-up. At Ms1, Himukamatu & Tochitaikai are 3-3. Himukamaru will be in Juryo tomorrow to face Nishikigi. Tochitaikai also is in Juryo to face Fujitensei. Takakento is also promoted at Ms3 (4-3) while Hidenoumi is 3-3. So Enho really needs that last win to finish 6-1 then may need some help, but if one or both Ms1s lose too, Juryo chances go way up even though it means potentially fewer demotions. Worst case now will be Ms1 in May. For now it looks like Juryo demotions will open up 3-4 spots. Best-case is Nishikigi loses out and gets demoted to make 4 but that means Himukamaru likely takes a spot away. I only see 3 if Fujitensei gets to 7-8.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 11 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):
Kinbozan (M16) beat Nishikifuji (M14)
Chiyoshoma (M15) beat Nishinoryu (J4)
Tobizaru (M13) beat Kotoeiho (M17)
Asanoyama (M12) beat Mitakeumi (M15)
Fujiseiun (M13) beat Oshoumi (M11)
Asakoryu (M12) beat Shodai (M8)
Ura (M8) beat Asahakuryu (M16)
Tokihayate (M9) beat Hakunofuji (M7)
Roga (M10) beat Oshoma (M7)
Ichiyamamoto (M6) beat Tamawashi (M9)
Fujinokawa (M2) beat Abi (M5)
Yoshinofuji (M1) beat Churanoumi (M2)
Wakatakakage (M1) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Atmofuji (K) beat Daieisho (M4)
Oho (M3) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Kirishima (S) beat Gonoyama (M10)
Kotozakura (O) beat Takanosho (M4)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Aonishiki (O)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Takayasu (S)
Leader: Kirishima (10-1)
Of note: Ozeki Watch may suddenly be on again because if Kirishima wins the championship there is a chance of re-promotion. He can’t get there without it because of currently only 2 straight Sanyaku tournaments (he was M2 3 tournaments ago). But he has to win the big one tomorrow-Hoshoryu. Over the last year it’s 2-2 but Kirishima won in January and historically he has a solid edge over Hoshoryu, I believe it’s 14-8 according to NHK during the end of yesterday’s broadcast. Regardless, Kirishima will be on Ozeki Watch in May. A loss would also potentially keep Gonoyama & Kotoshoho in the title race. At the bottom, Fujiseiun clinched promotion in his top tier debut and will stick around in May. Both Hakunofuji & Yoshinofuji competrd despite injury scares-Hakuoho was wincing and clearly in pain after yesterday but came back today, while Yoshinofuji was limping a little in his loss yesterday when his foot turned awkwardly while sliding before going down. And now it’s worry time about Aonishiki, who is at 5-6.

Juryo:
Enho (Ms4) beat Kotokuzam (14)
Toshinofuji (J11) beat Kazuma (J11)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Shimazuumi (J13) by default/withdrawal
Nishikigi (J13) beat Hatsuyama (J9)
Kitanowaka (J8) beat Kazekeno (J14)
Shonannoumi (J8) beat Fujitensei (J13)
Kagayaki (J5) beat Tsurugisho (J12)
Takerufuji (J4) beat Tamashoho (J9)
Dewanoryu (J10) beat Wakanosho (J3)
Daiseizan (J3) beat Kyokukaiyu (J7)
Tomokaze (J2) beat Hitoshi (J6)
Asasuiryu (J2) beat Shirokuma (J5)
Meisei (J7) beat Sadanoumi (J1)
Ryuden (J1) beat Kayo (J6)
Leader: Kazuma, Dewanoryu (9-2)
WITHDRAWAL: Shimazuumi (J13). Right knee (medial meniscus). Injured on Day 3 but tried to push through it. Tournament over. Out about 3 weeks. Will be demoted back to Makushita. Tohakuryu got the fusen as a result.
Of note: This win greatly increases the chances Enho will be promoted back to Juryo in May but right now it’s a numbers game. The problem is all of the top 3 Makushita ranks above are 3-3 or 4-2, meaning a chance of promotion or promoted and Okaryu (Ms2) is 5-1 and almost certainly going up. Both Ms1 or Ms2 wrestlers have a chance, At Ms3 Takakento is 4-2 and a maybe, Hidenoumi is 3-3 and won’t go up even with a win. Enho’s win does mean 3 from Juryo are going down for sure with a chance of maybe 2 more unless they win out (Nishikigi & Fujitensei, Nishikigi is J12 so 6-9 may spare him from demotion). So right now it wiuld depend on Himukamaru & Tochitaikai at Ms1, both are 3-3. So Enho fans meed them to both lose their last matches. But if Enho wins his last match, there is almost no way he doesn’t go up at 6-1. Oh, and the way the championship picture down there is now? A playoff is still possible. Regardless, none compete tomorrow so we’ll have to wait for the Day 13 schedule to speculate further.
And Wakanosho may be seeing a second straight championship and the top tier slipping away. A second straight loss, today to Dewanoryu, drops the former leader to 8-3 and leaves Dewanoryu & Kazuma tied at 9-2 with Kazuma losing today. Takerufuji will be the Juryo Man in the top tier tomorrow. No Makushita Man up again until the Final Day unless there’s another withdrawal or re-entry in the top 2 tiers.

Lower tier notes: The Makushita championship is not yet settled because while Wakanofuji beat Okaryu to advance to what usually is the championship match, the other unbeaten left-Oshoryu-lost. So that means if Wakanofuji wins his last match, he is the champion. If not, there is a good chance of a playoff. The Sandanme has 3 left at 6-0 and 2 are Tokitsukaze men so there could be an all-stablemates playoff. The Jonidan has 4 left at 6-0 meaning a high likelihood of a playoff. The Jonokichi has 2 at 5-1 so it will be the rare case of a lower tiers champion not finishing 7-0. It happens, especially in Jonokichi, but it not a regular thing.