Open The Forbidden Gate

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8-the Halfway Point-of the May 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Sadanoumi (J2) beat Wakanosho (M16)
Fujiryoga (M17) beat Kotoeiho (M13)
Ryuden (M16) beat Tamawashi (M13)
Tokihayate (M12) beat Oshoumi (M15)
Tobizaru (M15) beat Ura (M11)
Roga (M14) beat Kinbozan (M11)
Mitakeumi (M14) beat Hakunofuji (M10)
Nishikifuji (M9) beat Shishi (M12)
Asanoyama (M10) beat Oshoma (M8)
Asahakuryu (M8) beat Chiyoshoma (M7)
Abi (M9) beat FUjiseiun (M6)
Hiradoumi (M3) beat Churanoumi (M6)
Yoshinofuji (M2) beat Fujinokawa (M1)
Ichiyamamoto (M2) beat Takanosho (M1)
Wakatakakage (K) beat Oho (M3)
Atamifuji (S) beat Shodai (M5)
Kotoshoho (S) beat Wakamotoharu (M5)
Daieisho (M4) beat Kotozakura (O)
Gonoyama (M4) beat Kirishima (O)
Leader: Kirishima, Tobizaru, Wakatakakage (7-1)
Of note: No 15-0 and no rank secured for Kirishima today after Gonoyama pulled off the upset. And it means a 3-way tie for the lead with former champion Wakatakakage and an unlikely flying monkey-a resurgent Tobizaru remains in contention for his first title. On the opposite side, Tamwashi is the first demotion and in embarrassing fashion-he lost by tsukihiza, knee touch down, a non-winning technique. Kotozakura is again out of it early as well as he once again is a poor 2-6 at halfway and in a major slump.
Kirishima will try to bounce back and clinch a winning record tomorrow against Wakamotoharu, who is 2-6. Wakatakakage has Kotoshoho who is 5-3 and Tobizaru gets Kotoeiho who is 6-2. Taklerufuji will be the Juryo man up tomorrow, he is 5-3 at J2 and could send Oshoumi to demotion tomorrow.

Juryo:
Hakuyozan (J13) beat Arashifuji (Ms2)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Tochitaikai (J14)
Midorifuji (J10) beat Hitoshi (J12)
Enho (J14) beat Kayo (J9)
Shirokuma (J8) beat Nishikigi (J11)
Kagayaki (J7) beat Tamashoho (J12)
Kazekeno (J11) beat Toshinofuji )J7)
Kazuma (J6) beat Okaryu (J13)
Meisei (J6) beat Nishinoryu (J9)
Shonannoumi (J8) beat Kitanowaka (J5)
Tomokaze (J5) beat Dewanoryu (J3)
Takerufuji (J2) beat Hatsuyama (J3)
Onokatsu (J1) beat Asasuiryu (J4)
Kyokukaiyu (J4) beat Daiseizan (J1)
Leader: Kazekeno (8-0)
Of note: Kazekeno is the first in the top 2 tiers to clinch promotion this time It’s not impossible for him to make the top tier if he wins the championship but he’s probably going to need 15-0. He’ll almost certainly surpass his career best rank of J8 in July. And he’s got some breathing room with nobody at 7-1, the rest of the pack is 6-2 and that includes Enho, who snapped a 2-match losing streak with a win today. Hakuyozan spoiled Makushita man Arashifuji’s promotion bid today to stave off demotion for another day and get his first win at the bottom.

Lower tier notes: With Promotion Day in the books, the Makushita has 7 at 4-0 including newcomer Omori, debuting at Ms60, and 2 Tokitsukaze men which means a potential stablemate playoff. If co-leader Tanji wins the championship from Ms6 he’ll probably be promoted to Juryo for the first time. The Sandanme has 10 left at 4-0 including Asahifuji, Mita & Kiryuko. The Jinodan has 12 at 4-0 while the Jonokuchi has 2 at 4-0.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 7 of the May 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Roga (M14) beat Fujiryoga (M17)
Ryuden (M16) beat Mitakeumi (M14)
Kotoeiho (M13) beat Wakanosho (M16)
Tobizaru (M15) beat Shishi (M12)
Kinbozan (M11) beat Oshoumi (M15)
Ura (M11) beat Tamawashi (M13)
Tokihayate (M12) beat Asanoyama (M10)
Hakunofuji (M10) beat Asakoryu (M7) by default/withdrawal
Chiyoshoma (M7) beat Nishikifuji (M9)
Oshoma (M8) beat Shodai (M5)
Yoshinofuji (M2) beat Gonoyama (M4)
Fujinokawa (M1) beat Takanosho (M1)
Wakatakakage (K) beat Ichiyamamoto (M2)
Kotoshoho (S) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Atamifuji (S) beat Wakamotoharu (M5)
Kirishima (O) beat Daieisho (M4)
Oho (M3) beat Kotozakura (O)
Leader: Kirishima (7-0)
WITHDRAWAL: Asakoryu (M7). Right foot. Injury occurred in loss yesterday. Status uncertain. But per stablemaster Takasago via Hochi Sports, tournament likely over. He was 3-3 coming into today. Hakunofuji got the fusen as a result.
Of note: In other injury news, it’s been confirmed that Aonishiki and Takayasu are out for the rest of the tournament, so Aonishiki will be demoted from Ozeki to Sekiwake and finish tied for the second-shortest Ozeki reign ever at just 3 tournaments. He went 12-3 & second straight championship, 7-8, Absent. But he will be back in July and will go for 10+ wins and quick re-promotion. And now we know why Tamawashi is 0-7 in part…right calf injury. He’s all but demoted now and his top tier Iron Man streak will be in danger if he can’t get some wins. At M13 he probably needs at least 4 wins to be safe.
Kirishima goes for 8-0 tomorrow against Gonoyama.

Juryo:
Tamashoho (J12) beat Tochitaikai (J14)
Hitoshi (J12) beat Enho (J14)
Kazekeno (J11) beat Hakuyozan (J13)
Okaryu (J13) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Nishikigi (J11) beat Kayo (J8)
Midorifuji (J10) beat Shonannoumi (J8)
Nishinoryu (J9) beat Toshinofuji (J7)
Shirokuma (J8) beat Meisei (J6)
Kazuma (J6) beat Kagayaki (J7)
Kitanowaka (J5) beat Dewanoryu (J3)
Tomokaze (J5) beat Takerufuji (J2)
Sadanoumi (J2) beat Hatsuyama (J3)
Daiseizan (J1) beat Asasuiryu (J4)
Onokatsu (J1) beat Kyokukaiyu (J4)
Leader: Kazekeno (7-0)
Of note: After a 5-0 start Enho has now lost 2 straight to fall off the lead pace as Kazekeno remains the only unbeaten. Daiseizan is now the only 6-1 with the rest of the pack at 5-2, whichi ncludes 3 Isegahama men as Toshinofuji also took his second loss today but Midorifuji won, although it was by isahmiashi, a non-winning technique (inadvertent step out).
Kazekeno goes for 8-0 and promotion tomorrow against Toshinofuji, while the top tier withdrawal means Makushita men start coming back up again-tomorrow it will be Arashifuji, who is 3-1 at Ms2 so a win could mean Juryo promotion in July.

Lower tier notes: Before we get to the first half of Promotion Day, YouTube English language news source Chris Sumo provided the searched-for update on Wakanofuji, who was 2-0 and seemingly headed for Juryo promotion before an unexpected withdrawal on Day 5…broken collarbone. Tournament over. Out a while. Ugh, so close and yet so far away…now then, with the first leaders having clinched promotions, the Makushita has 3 so far at 4-0 with 8 more going for it tomorrow. The Sandanme has 6 at 4-0 including Arashifuji now at 18-0 for his career and headed to the Makushita in July, with 7 more including Mita & Kiryuko going for promotion tomorrow. The Jonidan has 6 so far at 4-0 while the Jonokuchi has one at 4-0 with 2 at 3-0.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage FOR FREE tomorrow beginning at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 6 of the May 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Tobizaru (M15) beat Wakanosho (M16)
Mitakeumi (M14) beat Oshoumi (M15)
Ryuden (M16) beat Roga (M14)
Fujiryoga (M17) beat Tamawashi (M13)
Ura (M11) beat Kotoeiho (M13)
Asanoyama (M10) beat Shishi (M12)
Hakunofuji (M10) beat Tokihayate (M12)
Kinbozan (M11) beat Nishikifuji (M9)
Chiyoshoma (M7) beat Abi (M9)
Churanoumi (M6) beat Asahakuryu (M8)
Oshoma (M8) beat Fujiseiun (M6)
Shodai (M5) beat Asakoryu (M7)
Wakamotoharu (M5) beat Ichiyamamoto (M2)
Yoshinofuji (M2) beat Takanosho (M1)
Wakatakakage (K) beat Fujinokawa (M1)
Gonoyama (M4) beat Atamifuji (S)
Kotoshobho (S) beat Daieisho (M4)
Hiradoumi (M3) beat Kotozakura (O)
Kirishima (O) beat Oho (M3)
Leader: Kirishima (6-0)
Of note: The big story was perhaps away from the dohyo as it was confirmed that Aonishiki, who hasn’t appeared yet due to an ankle injury just before the tournament, will not participate this time. As a result, he will be demoted from Ozeki in July and be back to Sekiwake. But he will get the one chance at fast re-promotion, requiring at least 10 wins next time. He is expected to participate in the Paris special event in June. As for today’s action, it’s now Kirishima as the sole leader after Kotoeiho took his first loss, leaving a group of 5 at 5-1. Ryuden got his first win today, leaving us to only worry more about Tamawashi as the Iron Man is the only 0-6.
Tomorrow Kirishima faces Daieisho, who he beat in March in their first meeting in nearly a year. Daieisho won the last prior meeting in May 2025 so it’s 1-1 over the last year.

Juryo:
Hitoshi (J12) beat Okaryu (J13)
Tamashoho (J12) beat Hakuyozan (J13)
Tochitaikai (J14) beat Nishikigi (J11)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Enho (J14)
Midorifuji (J10) beat Nishinoryu (J9)
Kazekeno (J11) beat Kayo (J8)
Kazuma (J6) beat Shirokuma (J8)
Shonannoumi (J8) beat Meisei (J6!
Tomokaze (J5) beat Kagayaki (J7)
Kitanowaka (J5) beat Toshinofuji (J7)
Asasuiryu (J4) beat Sadanoumi (J2)
Takerufuji (J2) beat Kyokukaiyu (J4)
Onokatsu (J1) beat Hatsuyama (J3)
Dewanoryu (J3) beat Daiseizan (J1)
Leader: Kazekeno (6-0)
Of note: Unfortunately any hopes of 15-0 for Enho’s return ended today with his first loss, but at 5-1 he is still in great shape as several other losses left Kazekeno as the sole leader. Fellow Isegahama man Toshinofuji also took his first loss. So did Daiseizan leaving a 3-way tie for second. Newcomer Okaryu’s struggles continue as he is now 1-5 with 5 straight losses. Likewise Hakuyozan is running out of time to avoid demotion back to Makushita at 0-6, as is Nishikigi to make a miracle rank save at 1-5.

Lower tier notes: Tomorrow is the first half of what I call Promotion Day, when the co-leaders will be 4-0 and clinch winning records & promotions. The Makushita has 14 at 3-0 and going for promotions tomorrow. The Snadanme has 19 at 3-0 including Mita, Kiryuko and Asahifuji. The Jonidan has 24 at 3-0 while the Jonokuchi has 5 at 3-0.

Also, advance tickets for the July 2026 Tournament in Nagoya are now on sale. This will be the second tournament at the new IG Arena (Aichi International Arena), which replaced the now-closed Aichi Prefectural Gym last year and has a capacity of 18,000 for sumo (the old venue only held 7500).

UPDATE: In watching the match replay, it appears Asakoryu may have been injured. Possibly a right lower leg injury. He was very slow to get up and limping as he left the dohyo, needing help to walk to the back

UPDATE 2: Hochi Sports reports Asakoryu has WITHDRAWN. Right foot. Status uncertain. Hakunofuji will get the fusen tomorrow as a result.