Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8-the Halfway Point-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):
Asahakuryu (M16) beat Kinbozan (M16)
Fujiseiun (M13) beat Chiyoshoma (M14)
Asakoryu (M12) beat Fujiryoga (M17)
Mitakeumi (M15) beat Oshoumi (M11)
Shishi (M11) beat Nishikifuji (M14)
Tobizaru (M13) beat Roga (M16)
Gonoyama (M10) beat Kotoeiho (M17)
Asanoyama (M12) beat Tamawashi (M9)
Oshoma (M7) beat Tokihayate (M9)
Shodai (M8) beat Onokatsu (M6) by default/withdrawal
Haunofuji (M7) beat Ichiyamamoto (M6)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Ura (M8)
Abi (M5) beat Churanoumi (M2)
Wakatakakage (M1) beat Yoshinofuji (M1)
Fujinokawa (M2) beat Atamifuji (K)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Kirishima (S) beat Daieisho (M4)
Kotozakura (O) beat Oho (M3)
Aonishiki (O) beat Takayasu (S)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Takanosho (M4)
Leader: Gonoyama, Kotoshoho, Kirishima (8-1)
WITHDRAWAL: Onokatsu (again). Unknown if same as before. Status uncertain but may be done. Will be demoted but his one win should be enough to keep him in the top tier. Shodai got the fusen as a result. (UPDATE: Same as before-sprained left ankle. The original report was he was expected to be out 2 weeks. Probably safe to say tournament over)
Of note: The first promotions were clinched today and Kirishima is now setting himself up for another chance at Ozeki re-promotion in May if he does not win the championship. Hoshoryu has done well in his career against Takanosho and that continued today to keep the Yokozuna at 7-2 and in contention along with Takanosho despite the loss. Takayasu may have fallen out of it with a loss to Aonishiki, who improved to 4-5 as he tries to salvage his worst top-tier effort yet. No 3-peat. Wakamotoharu is now 6 away from the miracle rank save at 2-7 after an 0-7 start but tomorrow he has Hoshoryu. While he has taken 2 Kinboshi from the Yokozuna since his promotion he has lost 4 other times including January.
Also tomorrow, Wakanosho will be the Juryo Man of the day in a potential May preview of his top tier debut as he has clinched promotion but probably needs 2 more wins to make it official. It’s hard to say for sure right now because the only guaranteed demotion to make a space available is Midorifuji. Most of the other lowest ranked wrestlers have winning records right now. Abi has saved his spot with a second win even if he loses out after missing 6 days due to injury.
Juryo:
Nishikigi (J12) beat Shimazuumi (J13)
Kazuma (J11) beat Fujitensei (J13)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Kotokuzan (J14)
Toshinofuji (J11) beat Hatsuyama (J9)
Tamashoho (J9) beat Tsurugisho (J12)
Shonannoumi (J8) beat Kazekeno (J14)
Dewanoryu (J10) beat Kyokukaiyu (J7)
Meisei (J7) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Nishinoryu (J4) beat Kayo (J6!
Wakanosho (J3) beat Kagayaki (J5)
Tomokaze (J2) beat Takerufuji (J4)
Daiseizan (J3) beat Asasuiryu (J2)
Hitoshi (J6) beat Sadanoumi (J1)
Shirokuma (J5) beat Ryuden (J1)
Leader: Wakanosho, Kazuma (8-1)
Of note: Last time out seems like an exception and not the rule for Kazuma. He struggled badly in his Juryo debut after bulldozing his way up the ranks post-injury but barely secured promotion at the end. Now he has promotion and is co-leaser, clearly comfortable in the second tier and back in form. Wakanosho now has a chance at top tier promotion and he’ll be up for the day tomorrow. Kazume faces Kitanowaka. For now it’s between them for the championship as only Dewanoryu is 7-2. And following up on yesterday, I think Tsurugisho retirement is now official as 0-9 at J12 means even 6-9 probably isn’t enough to save his spot in Juryo.
Lower tier notes: After losing to him in the last 2 tournaments, including the championship match in January, Enho finally beat Nobehara in Makushita today, and that means promotion with a 4-1 record so far. He still needs at least one more win for a real chance at a Juryo return, winning his last 2 should be enough. Also depends on above him as all the higher Makushita are 3-2 or 2-3 except Okaryu. No match tomorrow so next is Day 11 or 12 with a chance for a Juryo appearance or two. Elsewhere in Makushita it’s down to 3 at 5-0 with Okaryu, Walanofuji & Oshoryu the final 3. Okaryu has probably clinched promotion to Juryo which would make 3 Tatsunami men in the top 2 tiers, assuming Meisei does not get demoted. The Sandanme has 6 left at 5-0 with a chance of a stablemate playoff with 2 Tokitsukaze men in that group. The Jonidan has 6 at 5-0 including Isegahama super-prospect Asahifuji who is Sandanme bound and former Juryo man Kiryuko in his first full tournament back after a year out. In the Jonokichi, Shosei is the sole leader at 5-0 but still has to win out to clinch a championship. Elsewhere, there is now talk the injured Mita, demoted from Juryo due to injury and headed to the Sandanme as a result, could return in May based on how his recovery is going. Worst-case seems to be July.