Sumo wrestling is not only the national sport of Japan, but has connections to pro wrestling both in style of competition and in the fact that several former sumo wrestlers later moved into pro wrestling after their sumo careers ended. The sport itself dates back centuries and is deeply rooted in traditions and its many pre and post-match rituals, which are said to be offerings of prayers to the gods and for bountiful harvests, and also are said to ward off evil spirits among other things. Among notable sumo wrestlers who went on to pro wrestling is Akebono, who became one of the most successful former sumo in Pro wrestling and won several championships in different promotions. While most sumo wrestlers hail from Japan, a growing number come from Mongolia and there also are wrestlers from Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia (country, not US state) and as far away as Ukraine and Brazil. Akebono came from the USA but became a Japanese citizen after retirement in order to keep his ring name.
Today Grand Sumo consists of tournaments held every other month in odd months (January, March, May, July, September, November) featuring, on average, over 600 sumo wrestlers, or rikishi in Japanese, competing in 15-day tournaments. The sport is governed by the Japanese Sumo Association, or Nihon Sumo Kyokai, consisting primarily of former sumo wrestlers in various roles and current stablemasters, or heya, who also serve as judges during tournaments. In fact, the current chairman is Hakkaku, the 61st Yokozuna.
Current and aspiring wrestlers train (and usually live) in stables, or beya, located throughout Japan, except during tournaments. Tournaments, or bashos, are held in different locations throughout Japan: The January, May & September tournaments are held at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. The March tournament is held at Osaka Prefectural Gym in Osaka. The July tournament is held at Aichi Prefectural Gym in Nagoya. The November tournament is held at Fukuoka International Center in Fukuoka. Some were moved to Tokyo in 2020 & 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Wrestlers are ranked based on performances in tournaments and listed in the banzuke, or rankings. The banzuke is updated and announced approximately 13 days before each tournament. When wrestlers finish with winning records in a tournament, they move up the rankings. When they finish with a losing record or miss tournaments, they usually move down the rankings. There are 10 ranks in sumo, from lowest to highest: Jonokuchi, Jonidan, Sandanme, Makushita, Juryo, Maegashira, Komosubi, Sekiwake, Ozeki, Yokozuna. Each ranking has limits on how many wrestlers can hold that ranking except for the top 5 ranks, which are limited to a combined total of 42. Juryo is limited to 28, Makushita is limited to 120, Sandanme is limited to 200. There is believed to be no limit for Jonidan and Jonokuchi. The top 2 rankings are different-when promoted to Ozeki, you can only be demoted if you have a losing record in 2 straight tournaments-after a losing record an Ozeki goes into what is called kadoban status, meaning a losing record or absence in the next tournament results in demotion. A winning record in the next tournament removes kadoban status. To become Ozeki, you must reach Sekiwake rank and then win at least 30 matches out of 45 over a stretch of 3 consecutive tournaments without a losing record. Yokozuna can never be demoted but can be forced to retire with repeated losing records or multiple absences due to injury/illness. To become Yokozuna, you must first reach Ozeki then win 2 consecutive tournaments, or have a comparable number of wins (roughly 24 at a minimum). Then you also must be approved by the Yokozuna Deliberation Council as Yokozuna are held to very high standards of conduct inside and outside the ring. There also is reportedly a mandatory retirement age in sumo, I believe it is 40 (that apparently is no longer true). After retirement a wrestler may become oyakata, when they normally work behind the scenes at tournaments to start becoming coaches in what often is the first step to eventually becoming a stablemaster or working in a stable. The most notable oyakata currently is Magaki, who until Fall 2021 was known as Yokozuna Hakuho, considered the greatest Yokozuna ever based on performance.
In tournaments each rank holds its own competition with wrestlers of the same rankings facing each other, except the top 5 rankings, also referred to collectively as makuuchi or similar, compete against each other in the top tier with the winner, or yusho, receiving the grand prize, the Emperor’s Cup. Sometimes lower tier wrestlers will compete in higher ranks for one or more days when wrestlers withdraw due to injury/illness. Also, only Juryo and higher wrestlers compete all 15 days in a tournament, Makushita & lower compete only 7 days unless a Makushita makes multiple appearances in Juryo. Because of this, on very rare occasions a lower rank wrestler may compete in 8 matches.
How to watch Grand Sumo in the US:
NHK World Premium-broadcasts all tournaments live and in English. Available on participating cable/satellite providers only.
NHK World Japan-broadcasts a 27-minute highlights program multiple times every day during tournaments featuring all makuuchi matches from each day in their entirety with English commentary. Also airs 50 minutes of LIVE coverage on Days 1 & 8 and 90 minutes LIVE on Day 15 (Final Day) which includes the final matches, champion’s award ceremony and interview with NHK. Available on participating cable/satellite providers, online, on smart TV and mobile apps. For online and apps, it is 100% FREE TO WATCH, no cable/satellite provider or account creation is required.
YouTube-if you search here odds are you will find people uploading taped matches each day or trying to livestream matches. This is how I watch Juryo & Makushita matches. Note that Sandanme, Jonidan & Jonokuchi matches usually don’t air.
Beni-the Nihon Sumo Kyokai mobile app allows you to watch replays of each day’s matches, classic matches and more. Available on iPhone and iPad. Free to download and use but video viewing is limited to one per day unless you become a Premium member which also unlocks other features including during tournaments. Premium membership currently costs $4.99 per month. Available from Apple App Store.
You can also view results, the latest banzuke, look up wrestlers/stables, buy tickets to tournaments and much more on the English version of the official Nihon Sumo Kyokai website: www.sumo.or.jp/En
Coming soon: Tournament daily updates/top tier results (beginning with May 2022 Tournament, scheduled for 5/8/22-5/22/22), notable records, Yokozuna history and more!
May 2022 Tournament:
Previous Tournament Champion (March 2022): Wakatakakage (Sekiwake; 1st career top-tier championship, 3rd career overall championship)
May 2022 Banzuke
Daily Results/Standings (Makuuchi Division) (Beginning 5/8/22)
History:
All-time Yokozuna Listing
Prior Tournament Champions (2021-Present)
