Here are the quick LIVE results from today’s Day 1-Opening Day-of the January 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo for the top 2 tiers:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo
Makuuchi (top tier):
Asahakuryu (M17) beat Hatsuyama (M17)
Oshoumi (M16) beat Asanoyama (M16)
Ryuden (M15) beat Asakoryu (M15) by disqualification/judges reversal…HANSOKU!!! Grabbing/pulling hair/topknot by Asakoryu which was clearly caught on replay so although he won it’s overturned. Grabbing or pulling the opponent’s hair or topknot is illegal in sumo
Shishi (M14) beat Mitakeumi (M14)
Tobizaru (M13) beat Tomokaze (M13)
Abi (M12) beat Midorifuji (M12)
Nishikifuji (M11) beat Chiyoshoma (M11)
Tokihayate (M10) beat Kotoshoho (M10)
Roga (M9) beat Gonoyama (M9)
Shodai (M8) beat Kinbozan (M8)
Oshoma (M7) beat Fujinokawa (M7)
Hiradoumi (M6) beat Onokatsu (M6)
Churanoumi (M5) beat Tamawashi (M5)
Daieisho (M4) beat Atamifuji (M4)
Hakunofuji* (M3) beat Oho (K)
Takayasu (S) beat Takanosho (M3)
Kirishima (S) beat Wakatakakage (M2)
Aonishiki (O) beat Ura (M2)
Kotozakura (O) beat Yoshinofuji (M1)
Onosato (Y) beat Ichiyamamoto (M1)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
*-fka Hakuoho before the final Hakuho purge by Isegahama/Terunofuji. All the former Miyagino men had to change to the Fuji-ending names except Enho.
Juryo:
Hakuyozan (J14) beat Kazuma (J14)
Dewanoryu (J13) beat Hidenoumi (J13)
Kyokukaiyu (J12) beat Nishikigi (J12)
Wakanosho (J11) beat Tsurugisho (J11)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Kazekeno (J10)
Kayo (J9) beat Hitoshi (J9)
Meisei (J8) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Tochitaikai (J7) beat Asasuiryu (J7)
Nishinoryu (J6) beat Kotokuzan (J6)
Tamashoho (J5) beat Takerufuji (J5)
Sadanoumi (J4) beat Shonannoumi (J4)
Shirokuma (J3) beat Fujiryoga (J3)
Daiseizan (J2) beat Kagayaki (J2)
Fujisieun (J1) beat Kotoeiho (J1)
Of note: That’s just the 3rd career loss for Kazuma today in his Juryo debut, he has 31 wins to date but also 30 absent. Having reportedly just submitted marriage papers today, there are rumors that Tsurugisho will retire if he gets demoted below Juryo, so no pressure.
Lower tier notes: No match today for Enho in Makushita, now the last post-Hakuho hope that wasn’t forced to become a Fuji by Isegahama/Terunofuji. His first match will be tomorrow. As expected, Mita is out this tournament at Ms1 so no promotion chances. Might be back in March.
Side note: For the first time in several years, at least as long as I’ve been regularly watching sumo (early 2020 on), there are no pre-tournament withdrawals in the top 2 tiers. There were injury concerns about Onosato and (last-minute) Hoshoryu but both Yokozuna are in (and although he didn’t use his questionable shoulder, Onosato looked very much like Onosato). It also means a rare instance of the “normal” Day 1 match structure-all wrestlers at or below M4 face the other wrestler at that rank, while M3 & above face Sanyaku or Yokozuna. All Juryo wrestlers will face the other wrestler at their same rank.
How to watch:
All matches across all tiers are streamed live for free on ABEMA, but if you’re not in Japan it’s difficult to get due to geoblocking. It can be done though (need a good VPN). Starts around 5 PM PT/8 PM ET.
NHK in Japan live broadcasts usually begin in the Makushita matches and go all the way through.
NHK World Premium broadcasts all top tier matches in Japanese and English as a simulcast of the NHK version. Available on participating cable/satellite providers and on Jme, a streaming service from NHK which is available in the US and Canada. Jme has monthly & annual subscription plans available, and for new subscribers there is a 5-day free trial. Jme also has a dedicated sumo channel that broadcasts that entire day’s NHK World Premium broadcast in its entirety 4 times daily during the tournament starting at 11 AM PT/2 PM ET (this includes a 30-minute highlight program after the 2 hour replay). Note the Premium/Jme broadcast is subject to one or two brief interruptions during the broadcast for quick news updates.
NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of live top tier coverage FOR FREE today beginning at 12:10 AM PT/3:10 AM ET and after the matches will replay their “Grand Sumo Highlights” program 4 times daily with all top tier matches in their entirety. NHK World Japan is available with Jme and select cable/satellite providers but is also available FOR FREE online and as a mobile/tablet/smart TV app, which also allows you to watch the Highlights program on demand the day after each day’s matches (later that day US time). After today, further live broadcasts will be on Day 8 (50 minutes), Day 14 (50 minutes) and the Final Day (90 minutes).
The official Japan Sumo Association mobile/tablet app allows you to view real-time results for all matches and watch on demand replays of the top 2 tiers plus select Makushita matches moments after a match finishes. The app is available on Apple & Android devices for free, but for unlimited on demand viewing (and ad-free usage) you need a Premium subscription. In the US this is available in the app for $4.99/month and also provides other benefits such as being able to vote for the wrestler of the day in real-time. You can also watch nearly 15 years of past tournament matches on demand.