Open The Forbidden Gate

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 6 of the May 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Tobizaru (M15) beat Wakanosho (M16)
Mitakeumi (M14) beat Oshoumi (M15)
Ryuden (M16) beat Roga (M14)
Fujiryoga (M17) beat Tamawashi (M13)
Ura (M11) beat Kotoeiho (M13)
Asanoyama (M10) beat Shishi (M12)
Hakunofuji (M10) beat Tokihayate (M12)
Kinbozan (M11) beat Nishikifuji (M9)
Chiyoshoma (M7) beat Abi (M9)
Churanoumi (M6) beat Asahakuryu (M8)
Oshoma (M8) beat Fujiseiun (M6)
Shodai (M5) beat Asakoryu (M7)
Wakamotoharu (M5) beat Ichiyamamoto (M2)
Yoshinofuji (M2) beat Takanosho (M1)
Wakatakakage (K) beat Fujinokawa (M1)
Gonoyama (M4) beat Atamifuji (S)
Kotoshobho (S) beat Daieisho (M4)
Hiradoumi (M3) beat Kotozakura (O)
Kirishima (O) beat Oho (M3)
Leader: Kirishima (6-0)
Of note: The big story was perhaps away from the dohyo as it was confirmed that Aonishiki, who hasn’t appeared yet due to an ankle injury just before the tournament, will not participate this time. As a result, he will be demoted from Ozeki in July and be back to Sekiwake. But he will get the one chance at fast re-promotion, requiring at least 10 wins next time. He is expected to participate in the Paris special event in June. As for today’s action, it’s now Kirishima as the sole leader after Kotoeiho took his first loss, leaving a group of 5 at 5-1. Ryuden got his first win today, leaving us to only worry more about Tamawashi as the Iron Man is the only 0-6.
Tomorrow Kirishima faces Daieisho, who he beat in March in their first meeting in nearly a year. Daieisho won the last prior meeting in May 2025 so it’s 1-1 over the last year.

Juryo:
Hitoshi (J12) beat Okaryu (J13)
Tamashoho (J12) beat Hakuyozan (J13)
Tochitaikai (J14) beat Nishikigi (J11)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Enho (J14)
Midorifuji (J10) beat Nishinoryu (J9)
Kazekeno (J11) beat Kayo (J8)
Kazuma (J6) beat Shirokuma (J8)
Shonannoumi (J8) beat Meisei (J6!
Tomokaze (J5) beat Kagayaki (J7)
Kitanowaka (J5) beat Toshinofuji (J7)
Asasuiryu (J4) beat Sadanoumi (J2)
Takerufuji (J2) beat Kyokukaiyu (J4)
Onokatsu (J1) beat Hatsuyama (J3)
Dewanoryu (J3) beat Daiseizan (J1)
Leader: Kazekeno (6-0)
Of note: Unfortunately any hopes of 15-0 for Enho’s return ended today with his first loss, but at 5-1 he is still in great shape as several other losses left Kazekeno as the sole leader. Fellow Isegahama man Toshinofuji also took his first loss. So did Daiseizan leaving a 3-way tie for second. Newcomer Okaryu’s struggles continue as he is now 1-5 with 5 straight losses. Likewise Hakuyozan is running out of time to avoid demotion back to Makushita at 0-6, as is Nishikigi to make a miracle rank save at 1-5.

Lower tier notes: Tomorrow is the first half of what I call Promotion Day, when the co-leaders will be 4-0 and clinch winning records & promotions. The Makushita has 14 at 3-0 and going for promotions tomorrow. The Snadanme has 19 at 3-0 including Mita, Kiryuko and Asahifuji. The Jonidan has 24 at 3-0 while the Jonokuchi has 5 at 3-0.

Also, advance tickets for the July 2026 Tournament in Nagoya are now on sale. This will be the second tournament at the new IG Arena (Aichi International Arena), which replaced the now-closed Aichi Prefectural Gym last year and has a capacity of 18,000 for sumo (the old venue only held 7500).

UPDATE: In watching the match replay, it appears Asakoryu may have been injured. Possibly a right lower leg injury. He was very slow to get up and limping as he left the dohyo, needing help to walk to the back

UPDATE 2: Hochi Sports reports Asakoryu has WITHDRAWN. Right foot. Status uncertain. Hakunofuji will get the fusen tomorrow as a result.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 5 of the May 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Fujiryoga (M17) beat Oshoumi (M15)
Tobizaru (M15) beat Ryuden (M16)
Wakanosho (M16) beat Tamawashi (M13)
Kotoeiho (M14) beat Roga (M14)
Mitakeumi (M14) beat Tokihayate (M12)
Shishi (M12) beat Hakunofuji (M10)
Asanoyama (M10) beat Kinbozan (M11)
Abi (M9) beat Nishikifuji (M9)
Ura (M11) beat Asahakuryu (M8)
Oshoma (M8) beat Chiyoshoma (M7)
Asakoryu (M7) beat Churanoumi (M6)
Fujiseiun (M6) beat Wakamotoharu (M5)
Gonoyama (M4) beat Shodai (M5)
Yoshinofuji (M2) beat Daieisho (M4)
Takanosho (M1) beat Wakatakakage (K)
Kotoshoho (S) beat Oho (M3)
Atamifuji (S) beat Fujinokawa (M1)
Kirishima (O) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Ichiyamamoto (M2) beat Kotozakura (O)
Leader: Kirishima, Kotoeiho (5-0)
Of note: The leader group is down to 2 and Kirishima continues to take advantages of absences & Sanyaku struggles, but Kotoeiho remains a surprise co-leader. 6 remain right behind at 4-1 while at the bottom Ryuden is already past halfway to demotion back to Juryo. Also time to panic about Tamawashi, 0-5 at M13 is starting to raise thoughts of the top tier Iron Man streak being in danger as it approaches 1500. Kirishima faces Oho tomorrow, over the past year the series is 4-2 Kirishima with 4-1 in the last 5, Oho won in January. Kotoeiho has Ura, with Kotoeiho winning their first meeting in January.

Juryo:
Enho (J14) beat Tamashoho (J12)
Tochitaikai (J14) beat Hitoshi (J12)
Nishikigi (J11) beat Hakuyozan (J13)
Midorifuji (J10) beat Okaryu (J13)
Kazekeno (J11) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Nishinoryu (J9) beat Shirokuma (J8)
Shonannoumi (J8) beat Kayo (J9)
Toshinofuji (J7) beat Kazuma (J6)
Kagayaki (J7) beat Kitanowaka (J5)
Tomokaze (J5) beat Meisei (J6)
Asasuiryu (J4) beat Takerufuji (J2)
Sadanoumi (J2) beat Kyokukaiyu (J4)
Daiseizan (J1) beat Hatsuyama (J3)
Dewanoryu (J3) beat Onokatsu (J1)
Leader: 4 at 5-0
Of note: Enho remains among the group of co-leaders along with fellow Isegahama man Toshinofuji, as the former Hakuho men continue to stand out. Tomorrow Enho will face Tohakuryu who is 3-2. Daiseizan is also in the 5-0 group and now 3 wins away from what should be a proper top tier debut in July. Kazekeno is the other 5-0.

Lower tier notes: As the third round of matches began today, the Makushita has 8 at 3-0 so far, notably missing Wakanofuji who withdrew after a 2-0 start. Ms60 debut Omori is among the 8 co-leaders so far. In the Sandanme, Kiryuko is among the early 3-0 leaders but Asahifuji is not-yet-just because his 3rd match is not until tomorrow. The Jonidan has 11 at 3-0 with more to come tomorrow while the Jonokuchi has 2 at 3-0 with 5 more 2-0s on tap tomorrow.

UPDATE: Ahead of tomorrow’s Day 6 it has been confirmed that Aonishiki will not compete this tournament due to injury. That means, as a result, he will be demoted from Ozeki but will get a chance at quick re-promotion in July if he can win 10+ matches. For now it sounds like he will be IN for Paris in June.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 4 of the May 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Daiseizan (J1) beat Ryuden (M16)
Fujiryoga (M17) beat Tobizaru (M15)
Wakanosho (M16) beat Mitakeumi (M14)
Roga (M14) beat Oshoumi (M15)
Tokihayate (M12) beat Tamawashi (M13)
Ura (M11) beat Shishi (M12)
Kotoeiho (M13) beat Kinbozan (M11)
Abi (M9) beat Asanoyama (M10)
Oshoma (M8) beat Nishikifuji (M9)
Hakunofuji (M10) beat Asahakuryu (M8)
Fujiseiun (M6) beat Asakoryu (M7)
Churanoumi (M6) beat Wakamotoharu (M5)
Chiyoshoma (M7) beat Shodai (M5)
Gonoyama (M4) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Wakatakakage (K) beat Daieisho (M4)
Oho (M3) beat Takayasu (K) by default/withdrawal
Takanosho (M1) beat Atamifuji (S)
Fujinokawa (M1) beat Kotoshoho (S)
Kotozakura (O) beat Yoshinofuji (M2)
Kirishima (O) beat Ichiyamamoto (M2)
Leader: Kirishima, Wakatakakage, Kotoeiho (4-0)
WITHDRAWAL: Takayasu (K). Right thigh (adductor muscle). Status uncertain. According to stablemaster Tagonoura it’s not tournament-ending. However, Hochi Sports reports that, per the submitted medical certificate, out 2 weeks which would mean tournament over. If so that definitely means demotion from Sanyaku. He was 2-1 after yesterday. Oho got the fusen as a result.
Of note: Nikkan Sports reports Hakunofuji received a warning from the judging department after today’s matches. Apparently not doing the proper prize money hand gestures post-match. I’ll watch for this when I am able to watch replays later today. With the Takayasu withdrawal that means no more Juryo men up for now starting tomorrow. (UPDATE: He did the hand gestures, but barely and perhaps incomplete. I believe the warning is justified, he knows better)

Juryo:
Fujitensei (Ms1) beat Tochitaikai (M14)
Enho (J14) beat Okaryu (J13)
Hitoshi (J12) beat Hakuyozan (J13)
Kazekeno (J11) beat Tamashoho (J12)
Midorifuji (J10) beat Nishikigi (J11)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Shonannoumi (J8)
Kayo (J9) beat Shirokuma (J8)
Nishinoryu (J9) beat Kagayaki (J7)
Toshinofuji (J7) beat Meisei (J6)
Kyokukaiyu (J4) beat Kazuma (J6)
Asasuiryu (J4) beat Kitanowaka (J5)
Tomokaze (J5) beat Hatsuyama (J3)
Sadanoumi (J2) beat Dewanoryu (J3)
Takerufuji (J2) beat Onokatsu (J1)
Leader: 5 at 4-0
Of note: That leader group still includes Enho, now halfway to promotion in his Juryo return. With no more Makushita men coming up for now it’s only Juryo starting tomorrow and next up is Tamashoho who is 3-1. Daiseizan is also in the 4-0 group and halfway to hopefully that long-awaited top tier promotion, and he made a successful top tier appearance today. Last one for now though.

Lower tier notes: This is unfortunate-Wakanofuji, the defending Makushita Champion and 2-0 at Ms3 meaning potentially halfway to Juryo, has WITHDRAWN. Trying to find out why. He can miss a day or two and still make it but still you hate to see this happen.

UPDATE: Quite a story from before today’s matches has emerged…Hochi Sports reports Kotozakura was among a group of 8 rikishi who helped rescue a motorist from a submerged vehicle this morning. The accident occurred when a car went into water near Sadogatake Beya in Chiba Prefecture during morning practice. Kotozakura witnessed the accident and called several of the younger rikishi to assist (he felt the urgency of the situation did not allow time to contact emergency responders). Ultimately 8 of them along with the Ozeki were able to free the car from the water to safety. The driver was not injured. According to the article, this is at least the 5th time in the past 25+ years sumo wrestlers have performed or assisted in lifesaving actions towards regular citizens in Japan.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 3 of the May 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Onokatsu (J1) beat Fujiryoga (M17)
Wakanosho (M16) beat Ryuden (M16)
Tobizaru (M15) beat Oshoumi (M15)
Roga (M14) beat Mitakeumi (M14)
Kotoeiho (M13) beat Tamawashi (M13)
Shishi (M12) beat Tokihayate (M12)
Hakunofuji (M10) beat Kinbozan (M11)
Asanoyama (M10) beat Ura (M11)
Asahakuryu (M8) beat Nishikifuji (M9)
Oshoma (M8) beat Abi (M9)
Chiyoshoma (M6) beat Asakoryu (M7)
Fujiseiun (M6) beat Churanoumi (M6)
Wakamotoharu (M5) beat Shodai (M5)
Gonoyama (M4) beat Daieisho (M4)
Hiradoumi (M3) beat Takayasu (K)
Wakatakakage (K) beat Yoshinofuji (M2)
Kotoshoho (K) beat Ichiyamamoto (M2)
Atamifuji (S) beat Oho (M3)
Kirishima (O) beat Fujinokawa (M1)
Kotozakura (O) beat Takanosho (M1)
Of note: A much better day for Sanyaku today as all the losers of the first 2 days got their first wins including both Sekiwake & Kotozakura while Kirishima is off to a 3-0 start. Wakatakakage joins then at 3-0 while Kotoeiho is also in that early leader group. And it’s time to start worrying about Tamawashi’s top tier Iron Man streak-there’s still plenty of time to right the ship but 0-3 at M13 is early trouble for keeping it going into July.
Tomorrow also means, with a return still uncertain, Aonishiki is now halfway to demotion from Ozeki. He will get one chance at quick re-promotion in July if demoted to Sekiwake, he would need at least 10 wins. Keep in mind he is/was expected to be out 3 weeks due to an ankle injury suffered last week so there is a chance he does not compete at all and takes the demotion.
Daiseizan will be the Juryo man up tomorrow, he is 3-0 at J1 in his latest attempt to finally make it up and will face Ryuden who is 0-3.

Juryo:
Enho (J14) beat Takakento (Ms1)
Tochitaikai (J14) beat Hakuyozan (J13)
Tamashoho (J12) beat Okaryu (J13)
Hitoshi (J12) beat Nishikigi (J11)
Kazekeno (J11) beat Midorifuji (J10)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Kayo (J9)
Shonannoumi (J8) beat Nishinoryu (J9)
Toshinofuji (J7) beat Shirokuma (J8)
Meisei (J6) beat Kagayaki (J7)
Kazuma (J6) beat Kitanowaka (J5)
Asasuiryu (J4) beat Tomokaze (J5)
Kyokukaiyu (J4) beat Hatsuyama (J3)
Takerufuji (J2) beat Dewanoryu (J3)
Daiseizan (J1) beat Sadanoumi (J3)
Of note: That’s 3-0 for Enho after today’s win as he maintains an early share of the lead, he’ll face newcomer Okaryu tomorrow. 7 are currently 3-0 while 6 are 0-3, with Hakuyozan & Nishikigi putting themselves in early demotion danger while Sadanoumi may be seeing a top tier return chance slip away again and Dewanoryu also struggling early.
Fujitensei will be the Makushita man up tomorrow, he is currently 1-1 at Ms1 and will face Tochitaikai.

Lower tier notes: Some former Juryo men are off to good starts in their latest efforts to return-Kiryuko is 2-0 in Sandamne as is Mita, who returned this tournament after an injury last year caused his demotion from upper Juryo and straight down through Makushita. Mita is at Sd21 so promotion should get him back up to Makushita for July if that happens. Meanwhile, Isegahama super-prospect Asahifuji also improved to 2-0 and is now 16-0 to start his career.

UPDATE: According to Hochi Sports, Takayasu has WITHDRAWN. Right leg/foot injury suffered in today’s match (possibly adductor muscle). Status uncertain but hopes to return this tournament. Oho will get the fusen tomorrow as a result.