Here are the quick results from today’s Day 15-the Final 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):
Ohsoumi (M11) beat Tobizaru (M13)
Fujiseiun (M13) beat Shishi (M11)
Kinbozan (M16) bat Roga (M10)
Tamawashi (M9) beat Kotoeiho (M17)
Fujiryoga (M17) beat Tokihayate (M9)
Chiyoshoma 9M14) beat Ura (M8)
Hakunofuji (M7) beat Asahakuryu (M16)
Ichiyamamoto (M6) beat Mitakeumi (M16)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Asakoryu (M12)
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Abi (M5)
Gonoyama )M10) beat Takanosho (M4)
Shodai (M8) beat Daieisho (M4)
Hiradoumi (M3) beat Churanoumi (M2)
Fujinokawa (M2) beat Oho (M3)
Yoshinofuji (M1) beat Asanoyama (M12)
Oshoma (M7) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Takayasu (S) beat Atamifuji (K)
Kotozakura (O) beat Kirishima (S)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Aonishiki (O). Whoa…this was to have been perhaps 3 straight titles and Yokozuna coronation…but it all went wrong and now, Aonishiki kadoban…
CHAMPION: Kirishima (12-3)
Initial thoughts: The Osaka Tournament is called “The Stormy Spring Basho” by many in the Japanese media and it once again lived up to that moniker. Look at the top to start-it seems like Aonishiki finally got figured out. His first career losing record comes at the worst possible time, crushing his Yokozuna hopes after Onosato went out early due to injury and Hoshoryu fell out of contention late, although he finally did beat Aonishiki but no playoff for a 4rd straight time and he keeps trying for his first title as a Grand Champion. Aonishiki must get 8+ wins in May or he will be demoted. Kirishima has a chance for Ozeki re-promotion now but not sure if 12-3 will do it. If not, he will need 10 wins in May. We will probably know either way by Wednesday or Thursday. And no other Ozeki contender because, unfortunately, Takayasu was recent Takayasu. 5-0 start, 6-1 after the first week and finishes 7-8, meaning likely demotion. Atamifuji could be a new Sekiwake in May and with Wakamotoharu being demoted, Wakatakakage could move back up as despite withdrawing yesterday he had clinched promotion from M1. At the bottom, it looks like Fujiryoga may be going down to Juryo but only to J1 while Midorifuji will also be demoted for the first time in 5 years due to missing the tournament (heart failure). That’s probably it as both Hakunofuji & Abi returned to get enough wins to save their spots despite injury concerns, and Abi’s back will probably be okay given how he was able to HENKA!! on Asanoyama yesterday, which was a common theme of the day (the crowd hates them. It’s considered cheap)
But now that it’s all over, the other big story moves to the front again this week-the potential fate of Iesgahama Beya and its stablemaster more specifically. The former Terunofuji stayed away this tournament as he awaits potential discipline for an apparent act of violence against Hakunofuji outside the stable, and the question is whether he gets a slap on the wrist or does karma come for the stable and worst-case happen? That would be he gets kicked out of the Japan Sumo Association, which perhaps would be some vindication for the former Hakuho, who ultimately got pushed out by the old Isegahama (now Miyagino). If worst-case happens, I read in the Japanese media that Tateyama would be most likely to take over as he seems to be the next coach in the succession plan, although there is a chance of it being the former Takarafuji, who is now a coach there too.
SPECIAL PRIZES:
Outstanding Performance (Sekiwake or lower best record with most wins vs. Yokozuna & Ozeki)-Kirishima
Fighting Spirit (best display of fighting spirit)-Kotoshoho, Fujiseiun (Atamifuji would have gotten this too if he won)
Technique (best display of technique)-Fujinokawa
Juryo:
Tochimaru (Ms6) beat Tsurugisho (J12)
Toshinofuji (J11) beat Kyokukaiyu (J7)
Nishikigi (J12) beat Kayo (J6)
Hitoshi (J6) beat Fujitensei (J13)
Shirokuma (J5) beat Kotokuzan (J14)
Kagayaki (J5) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Takerufuji (J4) beat Dewanoryu (J10)
Nishinoryu (J4) beat Kazekeno (J14)
Hatsuyama (J6) beat Wakanosho (J3). PLAYOFF!!!
Daiseizan (J3) beat Meisei (J7)
Tamashoho (J9) beat Tomokaze (J2)
Asasuiryu (J2) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Sadanoumi (J1) beat Shonannoumi (J8)
Ryuden (J1) beat Kazuma (J11). That means it’s Dewanoryu & Wakanosho in the playoff.
Playoff: Dewanoryu beat Wakanosho. DEWANORYU JURYO YUSHO!!! 1st Juryo championship and 2nd career.
CHAMPION: Dewanoryu (11-4)
Of note: Wakanosho is presumably still headed to the top tier despite just missing a second straight championship but I doubt Dewanoryu is despite the title. 11-4 from J10 won’t be enough plus Ryuden is also going back up or should be so maybe no space. Nishikigi managed to save his spot with promotion today after finishing with 5 straight wins and…I guess we now wait for Tsurugisho to call it a career. He vowed to retire when he was next demoted from Juryo, and he’s crashing out with an 0-15 finale. But he does qualify for elder stock so we’ll see what happens.
Sandanme:
Playoff: Nabatame (Sd3) beat Hogasho (Sd21). NABATAME SANDANME YUSHO!!! First career championship. Will be promoted back to Makushita.
Jonidan:
Playoff: Asahifuji (Jd8) beat Kiryuko (Jd100). ASAHIFUJI JONIDAN YUSHO!!! Second championship and second straight for the new Isegahama super-rookie. Will be promoted to the Sandanme.
Jonokuchi:
Playoff (3-way):
Aron (Jk12) beat Kojikara (Jk12)
Aron beat Shosei (Jk18). ARON JONOKUCHI YUSHO!!! First career championship.
TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS:
Makuuchi-Kirishima (S). 3rd Emperor’s Cup, 5th career
Juryo-Dewanoryu (J10). 1st Juryo, 2nd career
Makushita-Wakanofuji (Ms28). 1st career
Sandanme-Nabatame (Sd3). 1st career
Jonidan-Asahifuji (Jd8). 1st Jonidan, 2nd career
Jonokuchi-Aron (Jk12). 1st career
As for Enho…we’ll know if he earned Juryo promotion Tuesday or Wednesday after the next rankings meeting is held because they announce Juryo promotions & re-promotions afterwards. It’s a toss-up based on numbers but I lean towards it happening. That means he would become eligible for elder stock after retiring. It looks like 4 could be going up from Makushita and 4 are going fown from Juryo. Worst-case is Wakanofuji steals the spot because of the championship from Ms28, which could happen.
The next tournament is 5/10-5/24 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. Tickets go on sale on 4/4. The Banzuke will be announced on 4/27. Final updates/post-tournament news to come later this week.