It’s earlier than usual but sumo fans just got an early Christmas present-the Japan Sumo Association has just announced the updated Banzuke (rankings) for the January 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament. Below are the full rankings for the top 2 tiers then some related notes:
Makuuchi (top tier):
Yokozuna-Onosato, Hoshoryu
Ozeki-Aonishiki (November Champion), Kotozakura
Sekiwake-Kirishima, Takayasu
Komusubi-Oho, Wakamotoharu
Maegashira 1-Ichiyamamoto, Yoshinofuji
Maegashira 2-Ura, Wakatakakage
Maegashira 3-Takanosho, Hakunofuji
Maegashira 4-Daieisho, Atsmifuji
Maegashira 5-Tamawashi, Churanoumi
Maegashira 6-Hiradoumi, Onokatsu
Maegashira 7-Oshoma, Fujinokawa
Maegashira 8-Shodai, Kinbozan
Maegashira 9-Gonoyama, Roga
Maegashira 10-Tokihayate, Kotoshoho
Maegashira 11-Chiyoshoma, Nishikifuji
Maegashira 12-Midorifuji, Abi
Maegashira 13-Tobizaru, Tomokaze
Maegashira 14-Shishi, Mitakeumi
Maegashira 15-Ryuden, Asakoryu
Maegashira 16-Asanoyama, Oshoumi
Maegashira 17-Asahakuryu, Hatsuyama
Notes: First up, another one you don’t recognize? Yep, now that he’s a full-fledged Isegahama wrestler and no more Miyagino/Hakuho, Hakuoho is now also a kaimei rikishi, with a new shikona (ring name) and is under full Isegahama credo as Hakunofuji. Sounds like he also is the first to have a Terunofuji-influenced ring name on top of the Fuji requirement (Terunofuji is now the current Isegahama). That aside…the big story is Aonishiki being promoted to Ozeki and making his first effort at the second-highest ranking, beginning his quest towards a vow to reach Yokozuna this year. He comes in on the heels of his first Emperor’s Cup and will look to win more tournaments and more matches. There may be some health concerns about Onosato due to a shoulder injury that caused him to withdraw for the first time on the final day of November, but all indications are he should be good to go. Hoshoyu won this tournament last year to clinch promotion to Yokozuna and is coming off another playoff loss. At the bottom, Asanoyama makes his long-awaited return to the top tier right between Takasago stablemates Asakoryu-hanging on to his spot despite another struggle in November-and Asahakuryu who makes his top tier debut after only 2 Juryo tournaments including a championship. Hatsuyama will also make his top tier debut at the bottom of the rankings while the Aonishiki promotion takes away the Maegashira 18 ranking for now.
Juryo:
Juryo 1-Kotoeiho, Fujiseiun
Juryo 2-Daiseizan, Kagayaki
Juryo 3-Fujiryoga (November Champion), Shirokuma
Juryo 4-Sadanoumi, Shonannoumi
Juryo 5-Tamashoho, Takerufuji
Juryo 6-Kotokuzan, Nishinoryu
Juryo 7-Tochitaikai, Asasuiryu
Juryo 8-Meisei, Kitanowaka
Juryo 9-Hitoshi, Kayo
Juryo 10-Kazekeno, Tohakuryu
Juryo 11-Wakanosho, Tsurugisho
Juryo 12-Nishikigi, Kyokukaiyu
Juryo 13-Hidenoumi, Dewanoryu
Juryo 14-Hakuyozan, Kazuma (November Makushita Champion)
Notes: Not quite enough for Fujiryoga to get to the top tier after a championship in his Juryo debut as he’s near the top of loaded rankings. Somewhat surprised Fujiseiun didn’t get promoted to the top tier despite 8-7 at J1 last time, he’ll have to try again this time. Kotoeiho also lost out on the numbers game too and only went up one spot to J1 despite 9-6. Meisei didn’t fall as far as I feared he would, only to the middle of Juryo and hopefully will be ready for a full comeback as he was a late entry in November after back surgery. The Shin-Juryo wrestlers fill out the bottom 3 rankings with Kazuma debuting after a championship at Ms15.
Lower tier notes: As probably expected, Mita was demoted from Juryo after having to withdraw early due to injury and is now at Makushita 1, but he is not expected to compete this time. Former Juryo champion Tochimusashi is the other Ms1. Himukamaru was demoted back to Makushita after his Juryo debut, but not too bad as he only fell to Ms2 so he can get back quickly. At the other slot, the Miyagino purge by Isegahama continues as Seihakuho is also kaimei, now going forward he will be Toshinofuji. Shiden was also demoted from Juryo and is at Ms3. Basically anyone that was a Miyagino man in Isegahama now, except for Enho, is also kaimei and is now a Fuji. Enho took a smaller than hoped for jump up, moving up to Ms11 which means he probably will need to go 7-0 and win the championship for a Juryo return in March. Debuting at Ms21 in the third tier is Kaki, who will be going for a 4th straight championship to open his career, and in all 4 of the lower tiers. That feat could mean a Juryo debut in March. The Sandanme is at the usual “new normal” of 80 ranks and 160 total wrestlers. The Jonidan slims down a little to 101 ranks and 202 total wrestlers while the Jonokuchi has 21 ranks and 42 total wrestlers.
The January Tournament runs from 1/11-1/25 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. All tickets are already sold out.