Open The Forbidden Gate

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 13-Chanpionship Day-of the September 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yooozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi

First, a correction from a late update yesterday: I originally said Takayasu was a withdrawal today due to injury. It was Takanosho. Website translation was bad and I didn’t look close enough at the original kanji or article pictures. Apologies for the error.

Makuuchi (top tier):
Toshinofuji (M16) beat Abi (M13)
Tokihayate (M15) beat Asahakuryu (M12)
Shodai (M11) beat Shonannoumi (M17)
Oho (M10) beat Tobizaru (M14)
Shishi (M9) beat Chiyoshoma (M14)
Wakamotoharu (M11) beat Hiradoumi (M8)
Takerufuji (M8) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Asakoryu (M13) beat Nishikifuji (M7)
Ura (M9) beat Fujiseiun (M7)
Asasuiryu (M15) beat Ichiyamamoto (M6)
Yoshinofuji (M2) beat Oshoma (M5)
Takayasu (M2) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Kotoeiho (M1) beat Roga (M5)
Fujiryoga (M4) beat Daieisho (K)
Hakunofuji (K) beat Takanosho (M4) by default/withdrawal
Churanoumi (M3) beat Fujinokawa (S)
Asanoyama (M6) beat Atamifuji (S)
Aonishiki (O) beat Kotozakura (O)
Kirishima (O) beat Onosato (Y)
Leader: Onosato (11-2)
WITHDRAWAL: Takanosho (M4). Left knee/Achilles. Tournament over. Out 1 month. Hakunofuji got the fusen as a result.
Of note: It’s not over yet. Onosato still is in control but-and a big but-the door just further cracked open for Aonishiki to sneak in and go back-to-back again. And another dark horse is lurking too-Asanoyama, who is also 10-3, He has one championship before and a second would be a huge boost towards his goal of an Ozeki return. But Onosato can still win the championship tomorrow if Asanoyama (Fujinokawa) and Aonishiki (Kirishima) both lose AND Onosato wins (Kotozakura).
At the bottom, Toshinofuji clinched promotion today in his top tier debut. And how about Yoshinofuji? He started 0-5 and is now on the verge of promotion at 7-6. Atamifuji’s Ozeki bid is over for now but mathematically he will have another chance in November, right now the magic number is 13 or championship.

Juryo:
Hitoshi (J11) beat Nishikigi (J14)
Tanji (J10) beat Tokifudo (J13)
Nabatame (J10) beat Kagayaki (J11)
Tohakuryu (J9) beat Tamashoho (J8)
Enho (J9) beat Tochitaikai (J14)
Meisei (J13) beat Sadanoumi (J5)
Mitakeumi (J4) beat Kayo (J12)
Hatsuyama (J8) beat Kazekeno (J4)
Onokatsu (J3) beat Tomokaze (J7)
Tamawashi (J3) beat Ryuden (J8)
Arashifuji (J5) beat Kazuma (J2)
Kiranowaka (J6) beat Daiseizan (J2)
Kyokukaiyu (J1) beat Shirokuma (J6)
Dewanoryu (J1) beat Midorifuji (J7)
Leader: Kagayaki (11-2)
Of note: Both Kagayaki and Kayo lost so the title chase continues to tomorrow. It can end if Kagayaki wins and Kayo loses. Kayo first faces Kitanowaka and Kagayaki faces Tamawashi. Bad timing as the Iron Man now has won 8 straight and it seems like he is headed back to the top tier. I believe one more win makes it definite. A Kagayaki loss could also blow the title picture wide open.
Elsewhere, Dewanoryu finally got to 8 wins today and should be promoted to the top tier for the first time in November. Enho won to get to 7-6 and one win from promotion. At the bottom, Nishikigi is now in demotion talk at 5-8, Tochitaikai is 4-9, Tokifudo is also 5-8, so…who will get saved? Or not? And Meisei still isn’t safe although he got to 6-7 with bis win.

Makushita:
Inami (Ms25) beat Yumenofuji (Ms53). INAMI MAKUSHITA YUSHO!!! 2nd career championship, 1st Makushita. Will have a very slim chance-but still a chance-of promotion to Juryo.

Asahifuji goes for another 6-1 finish tomorrow before promotion to Juryo.

Sandanme:
Kobayashi (Sd37) beat Naya (Sd61). KOBAYASHI SANDANME YUSHO!!! 2nd career championship and 2nd Sandanme championship.

Jonidan:
Amane (Jd19) beat Suigafuji (Jd46). AMANE JONIDAN YUSHO!!! First career championship.

Jonokuchi:
Joshoyu (Jk17) beat Kakuho (Jd80). JOSHOYU JONOKUCHI YUSHO!!! First career championship in debut tournament. And maybe the first at any level for the former Takakeisho as a stablemaster (Minatogawa).

Elsewhere in Jonokuchi, Eisei lost his final match and finishes his debut at 4-3, which still should mean promotion to Jonidan. Moriurara tries to avoid 1-6 either on Day 14 or 15. Likely will be Day 15 based on schedules.

RETIREMENT: Yago (Sd22). The veteran called it a career today after his final match, finishing the tournament 3-4. He cited injury issues as the reason for retiring as he tried to make bis way back up the rankings. Yago, real name Takanori Yago from Oshiogawa Beya, finishes with a career record of 274-290-21 (win-loss-absent), 25-35 in the top tier (4 tournaments), 2 championships (1 Makushita, 1 Jonidan) and a highest rank of M10. He was an Ms15 debutant. He does not qualify for elder stock (only 24 tournaments in the top 2 tiers, need at least 30) but will remain involved in sumo as Nikkan Sports reports he will join the Chuo University Sumo Club as a coach.

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

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 12 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):
Kyokukaiyu (J1) beat Tobizaru (M14)
Abi (M13) beat Chiyoshoma (M14)
Asahakuryu (M12) beat Toshinofuji (M16!
Oho (M10) beat Shonannoumi (M17)
Ura (M9) beat Tokihayate (M15)
Asasuiryu (M15) beat Takerufuji (M8)
Asakoryu (M13) beat Hiradoumi (M8)
Fujiseiun (M7) beat Shodai (M10)
Nishikifuji (M7) beat Shishi (M9)
Wakamotoharu (M11) beat Ichiyamamoto (M6)
Asanoyama (M6) beat Churanoumi (M3)
Yoshinofuji (M2) beat Roga (M5)
Fujiryoga (M4) beat Kotoshoho (M1) by default/withdrawal
Kotoeiho (M1) beat Takanosho (M4)
Gonoyama (M3) beat Hakunofuji (K)
Takayasu (M2) beat Daieisho (K)
Kotozakura (O) beat Oshoma (M5)
Fujinokawa (S) beat Kirishima (O)
Aonishiki (O) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Onosato (Y) beat Atamifuji (S)
Leader: Onosato (11-1)
WITHDRAWAL: Kotoshoho (M1). Concussion. Tournament over. Was hospitalized but is expected to be discharged today. Occurred during yesterday’s loss after being KO’d by a head shot to the chin. Will be demoted with the equivalent of a 5-10 record. Fujiryoga got the fusen as a result.
Of note: It could be over tomorrow. Of Fujinokawa, Aonishiki and Asanoyama all lose AND Onosato beats Kirishima, Onosato is the champion. Onosato is two wins ahead of those three. Anyone at 8-4 including Atamifuji can only hope to force a playoff but they need Onosato to lose. Elsewhere, Kirishima has gone from Yokozuna Watxh to panic mode as he has fallen to 6-6 and now has to go 2-1 just to protect his Ozeki rank. Kotozakura got to 8 wins today so he can breathe a little easier there. Kotoshoho’s withdrawal and being done for the tournament is largely precautionary but hopefully he’ll be back for November. No more Juryo man each day due to that.

Juryo:
Nishikigi (J14) beat Ryuho (Ms4)
Nabatame (J10) beat Tochitaikai (J14)
Kayo (J12) beat Tanji (J10)
Tohakuryu (J9) beat Tokifudo (J13)
Meisei (J14) beat Hatsuyama (J8)
Kitanowaka (J6) beat Hitoshi (J11)
Arashifuji (J5) beat Tamashoho (J12)
Kazekeno (J4) beat Ryuden (J8)
Mitakeumi (J4) beat Tomokaze (J7)
Tamawashi (J3) beat Sadanoumi (J5)
Midorifuji (J7) beat Onokatsu (J6)
Kagayaki (J11) beat Daiseizan (J2)
Enho (J9) beat Kazuma (J2)
Shirokuma (J6) beat Dewanoryu (J1)
Leader: Kagayaki (11-1)
Of note: It’s Kagayaki’s first title to lose. It looks like only Kayo has any chance to catch him, and Kagayaki already beat Kayo so any rematch would only happen in a playoff. Now let’s talk bottom because those rumblings are here-Tochitaikai has clinched presumed demotion at 4-8 and Nishikigi is again hanging on at 5-7. Reputation could also be the saving factor for Meisei if he doesn’t win out, today got him to 5-7 but losing out could end his career if he gets demoted down (injuries have really derailed his career the last 2-3 years). The only Makushita man coming up for sure is Asahifuji (5-1 at Ms1) so it may depend on how many get demoted from the top tier and if it outweighs promotions. Tamashoho isn’t yet safe either at J12. As for Tamawashi, the Iton Man clinched promotion today and now has 7 straight wins after starting 1-4, so any more wins will improve his chances of a top tier return. Right now I think he needs at least one more, ideally 2. Enho won again to get back to even at 6-6, at J9 that will be enough to keep him in Juryo if he gets demoted and finishes 6-9.
Tomorrow sees Kagayaki face Nabatame while Kayo has Mitakeumi. Kagayaki can’t win the championship tomorrow but could be 2 up on Kayo afterwards with a chance to clinch on Day 14, which would mean Kayo could only force a playoff rematch No Makushita man up tomorrow but maybe on day 14 and there should be a couple up on the Final Day as there traditionally are.

Lower tier notes: No match tomorrow for Asahifuji so he could be held back for said Juryo match for the second time this tournament this weekend.

UPDATE: Nikkan Sports reports Takayasu has WITHDRAWN ahead of Day 13. Left knee (Achilles). Tournament over. Likely out several weeks. He was 5-7 coming in and if true, he is going to be demoted and it looks like equal to 5-10 in the end. Not yet announced by the Japan Sumo Association but if true, Gonoyama will get the fusen as a result.

UPDATE 2: Correction to update above-it was Takanosho, not Takayasu. Blame bad website translations. That meant Hakunofuji got the fusen.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 11 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):
Dewanoryu (J1) beat Chiyoshoma (M14)
Wakamotoharu (M11) beat Tobizaru (M14)
Asahakuryu (M12) beat Oho (M10)
Shishi (M9) beat Shonannoumi (M17)
Toshinofuji (M16) beat Ura (M9)
Hiradoumi (M8) beat Shodai (M11)
Takerufuji (M8) beat Abi (M13)
Nishikifuji (M7) beat Asasuiryu (M15)
Fujiseiun (M7) beat Tokihayate (M15)
Asakoryu (M13) beat Ichiyamamoto (M6)
Asanoyama (M6) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Fujiryoga (M4) beat Oshoma (M5)
Yoshinofuji (M2) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Churanoumi (M3) beat Kotoshoho (M1)
Daieisho (K) beat Kotoeiho (M1)
Takayasu (M2) beat Hakunofuji (K)
Kirishima (O) beat Atamifuji (K)
Aonishiki (O) beat Takanosho (M4)
Kotozakura (O) beat Roga (M5)
Onosato (Y) beat Fujinokawa (S)
Leader; Onosato (10-1)
Or note: It’s officially Onosato’s to lose, and the only one who may now have a chance at stopping the Yokozuna’s return to the top is Atamifuji tomorrow, although the Kinbozan-Aonishiki winner will still have a chance, albeit a potentially slim one. And Atamifuji must win to keep his first Ozeki bid alive-he’s already protected his Sekiwake rank, but to get to the unofficial magic number of 33 wins for promotion consideration, he must win out. Or somehow win the championship. But no matter what he’ll have another chance in November, although his chances this time were greatly hurt today by Kirishima beating him. Aonishiki protected his Ozeki rank today with an 8th win and, with a little help, can still rally to win another championship and if he does so at 12-3 it could put him back on Yokozuna Watch in November. At the bottom, Shonannoumi was finally sent to demotion today and probably will be returning to Juryo, perhaps to make room for Daiseizan’s return. Dewanoryu winning today puts him one win from promotion to the top tier for the first time. Kyokukaiyu will be the Juryo man up tomorrow, he is trying to rally to make it as he has won 3 straight to get to 5-6 after a 2-6 first half.

Juryo:
Asahifuji (Ms1) beat Meisei (J13)
Kayo (J12) beat Tamashoho (J12)
Hitoshi (J11) beat Kagayaki (J13)
Tanji (J10) beat Nishikigi (J14)
Enho (J9) beat Tokifudo (J13)
Tochitaikai (J14) beat Hatsuyama (J8)
Ryuden (J8) beat Nabatame (J10)
Tohakuryu (J9) beat Tomokaze (J7)
Kazekeno (J4) beat Shirokuma (J6)
Onokatsu (J3) beat Sadanoumi (J5)
Tamawashi (J7) beat Mitakeumi (J4)
Kazuma (J2) beat Midorifuji (J7)
Arashifuji (J5) beat Daiseizan (J2)
Kyokukaiyu (J1) beat Kitanowaka (J6)
Leader: Kagayaki (10-1)
Of note: I spoke to soon and…no 15-0. Kagayaki’s zensho yusho bid was ended by Hitoshi, but he still leads with only Kayo one win back. That was an important win for Hitoshi because it also means promotion. Tanji also secured promotion in his Juryo debut while Enho snapped his current skid with a win to get back to 5-6. At the bottom, it’s time to start reputation talk for NIshikigi & Tochitaikai as both are now 4-7 although Tochitaikai briefly staved off demotion with a win today, and with his win as the Makushita man it’s definitely official-Asahifuji will be promoted to Juryo in November, just without another championship as that run to open his career ends at 4 championships but not a 5th in 5 tournaments. Finally, that’s 6 for the Iron Man as Tamawashi has moved within reach of promotion, his latest winning run taking him to 7-4 after a 1-4 start. If he can get at least 2 more wins he’ll have a chance at a top tier return. Tomorrow Kagayaki goes for 11-1 against Daiseizan. Ryuho will be the Makushita man up tomorrow, he has clinched promotion at 4-2 at Ms4, a win over Nishikigi would give him at least a chance at Juryo consideration.

Lower tier notes: As noted above, the Makushita champion will not be Asahifuji because there are 2 left at 6-0 now, so the championship match will be Inami vs. Yumenofuji. The Sandanme championship is set and will be Kobayashi vs. Naya (one of Oho’s brothers). The Jonidan has 3 at 6-0 so there is a chance of a playoff, while the Jonokuchi has only Joshoyu at 6-0. Today’s results saw Eisei’s 4-match winning streak end against Hokuto, but Eisei should still be promoted to Jonidan in November, while Moriurara took a 5th straight loss against formerly winless Chiyoshinzan.

UPDATE: Kotoshoho has WITHDRAWN ahead of Day 12. Not sure why but possibly head as he was essentially boxing-like KO’d yesterdsay. He was 5-6 coming into today. Fujiryoga will get the fusen as a result.