With the January 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament now in the books, here is a look back at the final standings and early post-tournament news from the first rankings meeting:
First, here is the final Hoshitori (Tournament Records) based on the Banzuke for the top 2 tiers, records are in win-loss-absent format (for rankings purposes absent is treated like a loss)::
Makuuchi (top tier):
Yokozuna-Hoshoryu (10-5), Onosato (10-5)
Ozeki-Aonishiki (12-3, Tournament Champion), Kotozakura (8-7)
Sekiwake-Kirishima (11-4), Takayasu (8-7)
Komusubi-Oho (4-11), Wakamotoharu (8-7)
Maegashira 1-Ichiyamamoto (4-11), Yoshinofuji (8-7)
Maegashira 2-Ura (4-11). Wakatakakage (9-6)
Maegashira 3-Takanosho (5-10), Hakunofuji (5-8-2)
Maegashira 4-Daieisho (7-8), Atamifuji (12-3, lost playoff)
Maegashira 5-Tamawashi (5-10), Churanoumi (9-6)
Maegashira 6-Hiradoumi (9-6), Onokatsu (7-8)
Maegashira 7-Oshoma (7-8), Fujinokawa (10-5)
Maegashira 8-Shodai (7-8), Kinbozan (4-11)
Maegashira 9-Gonoyama (7-8), Roga (7-8)
Maegashira 10-Tokihayate (8-7), Kotoshoho (9-6)
Maegashira 11-Chiyoshoma (6-9), Nishikifuji (6-6-3)
Maegashira 12-Midorifuji (6-9), Abi (10-5)
Maegashira 13-Tobizaru (7-8), Tomokaze (4-11)
Maegashira 14-Shishi (9-6), Mitakeumi (7-8)
Maegashira 15-Ryuden (6-9), Asakoryu (9-6)
Maegashira 16-Asanoyama (9-6), Oshoumi (10-5)
Maegashira 17-Asahakuryu (8-7), Hatsuyama (2-13)
Juryo:
Juryo 1-Kotoeiho (8-7), Fujiseiun (11-4)
Juryo 2-Daiseizan (7-8), Kagayaki (6-9)
Juryo 3-Fujiryoga (9-6), Shirokuyma (6-9)
Juryo 4-Sadanoumi (9-6), Shonannoumi (5-10)
Juryo 5-Tamashoho (5-10), Takerufuji (8-7)
Juryo 6-Kotokuzan (3-12), Nishinoryu (9-6)
Juryo 7-Tochitaikai (3-7-5), Asasuiryu (10-5)
Juryo 8-Meisei (8-7), Kitanowaka (7-8)
Juryo 9-Hitoshi (9-6), Kayo (9-6)
Juryo 10-Kazekeno (5-10), Tohakuryu (7-8)
Juryo 11-Wakanosho (12-3, Tournament Champion), Tsurugisho (6-9)
Juryo 12-NIshikigi (7-8), Kuokukaiyu (10-5)
Juryo 13-Hidenoumi (5-10), Dewanoryu (8-7)
Juryo 14-Hakuyozan (6-9), Kazuma (8-7)
Notes: Is it too early to think about Aonishiki Yokozuna? He’s got the consecutive championships now but the first one was at Sekiwake so that may mean having to go for promotion in March and doing what he’s done every tournament so far-11 or 12 wins. Based on the champion’s interview and post-tournament Association comments promotion contention is a no right now. Both Yokozuna had injury issues/rumors and struggled despite managing 10 wins each and Onosato getting back into championship contention at the end but they both started 6-1 then it fell apart. Kotozakura showed flashes of contention but as usual for this past year slumped late, losing his last 3 to fall out of it and disappoint yet again with only 8 wins to barely protect his rank. Kirishima & Takayasu will stay Sekiwake, with Kirishima needing a championship next time for potential Ozeki promotion because he was M2 last tournament. Wakamotoharu salvaged his rank on the last day after an 0-5 start, rallying to get to 8-7 while Oho will take another big fall as he can’t break through in Sanyaku. Ichiyamamoto’s personal best ranking effort ended early with a disastrous 1-9 start while Yoshinofuji rescued a Special Prize with his win today. Ura also is taking another big fall while Atamifuji is the big toss-up after his playoff loss-he could finally reach Sanyaku but based on Wakamotoharu saving his rank and the playoff loss I believe he won’t make it and will be M1 in March. For now it looks like the only definite demotion to Juryo is Hatsuyama, who may be lucky to hang on to Juryo after a 2-13 top tier debut at M17. Ryuden is a big maybe for demotion as is Tomokaze. It was also revealed there was no Technique Prize awarded because it would have gone yet again to Aonishiki but as Ozeki or Yokozuna he is not eligible for Special Prizes (only Maegashira, Komusubi & Sekiwake are).
For Juryo, It’s been revealed on social media that Shirokuma was injured in his final day match. Twisted ankle. Status uncertain. That aside, the numbers game is going to shun somebody again, this time I think it will be Kotoeiho staying in Juryo while Fujiseiun gets promoted this time. Fujiryoga will probably slot in as the other J1 while Sadanoumi likely just misses out on a top tier return after a strong start. Asasuiryu had an impressive finish after starting 0-4, going 10-1 the rest of the way while Wakanosho won his last 6 and 8 of his last 9 for his first championship. At the bottom, Hakuyozan & Hidenoumi look like they’ll be demoted to Makushita and possibly Tochitaikai, which if that happens would mean no Kasugano Beya wrestlers in the top 2 tiers for the first time in 60 years. Thanks to a final day win Nishikigi is probably safe one more time. As for Tsurugisho’s pledge to retire if demoted out of Juryo again? 6-9 at J11 probably means no retirement (it’s in big part because he announced his marriage at the start of the tournament). But reportedly he was also injured on the final day. Status uncertain but if he can’t compete in March then it’s over. Despite finishing with consecutive losses Kazuma & Dewanoryu did enough beforehand to clinch promotion and will stay in Juryo with 8 wins each.
The Shin-Juryo & Sai-Juryo rikishi for March 2026 have been announced: Promoted to Juryo for the first time are Toshinofuji (the former Seihakuho) and Fukuzaki, who also will be kaimei as his new shikona (ring name) will be Fujitensei. Being promoted back to Juryo after prior demotion is Shimazuumi. There were 8 retirements which includes Daiamami, who was the only one above the Sandanme to retire (2 Sandanme, 3 Jonidan, 2 Jonokuchi).
Also, it was announced earlier this week that Tamawashi has been recognized by Guinness World Records for his Iron Man streak of never missing a day (excluding 2 expunged absent days that were pandemic-related because they were not his fault. There were policies at one time stating of one wrestler got Covid-19 during a tournament, the entire stable had to withdraw even if they did not have the virus. Mitakeumi got an extra chance at Ozeki because this would have otherwise resulted in demotion due to having to withdraw because of this).
In other major off-dohyo news, Tokiwayama Beya is changing hands and names because the current Tokiwayama stepped down after the tournament because he just reached, or is about to reach, the mandatory retirement age of 65. It will now become Minatogawa Beya as the former Takakeisho takes over as stablemaster. This may open the Tokiwayama elder stock for Takanosho when he retires as it’s believed he holds it but if he wants to be a stablemaster he may have to go elsewhere as Minatogawa/Takakeisho has nearly 40 years until he turns 65. Also coming up this Saturday is the retirement & haircutting ceremony for the former Terunofuji, now Isegahama. Watch for clips hopefully showing up on YouTube in the next week or two. Also coming in the next couple weeks os the 2026 Hakuho Cup, the 16th annual event held by the legendary former Yokozuna, now without Japan Sumo Association backing or involvement (namely no former Isegahama-now Miyagino-keeping a close leash on Hakubo). Live (and hopefully on demand streams) of the event will be available FOR FREE on YouTube.
UPDATE: The Terunofuji retirement event will be streamed live on ABEMA beginning Friday at 5 PN PT/8 PM ET.