With the May Grand Sumo Tournament and post-event rankings meetings and more now in the books, here is the final recap and post-tournament news:
First up, here is the final Hoshitori or tournament records based on the Banzuke (ranking) for the top 2 tiers (records in win-loss-absent format, absent is treated as a loss for ranking purposes):
Makuuchi:
Yokozuna-Hoshoryu (12-3)
Ozeki-Onosato (14-1, Tournament Champion), Kotozakura (8-7)
Sekiwake-Daieisho (10-5), Kirishima (11-4)
Komusubi-Takayasu (6-9), Wakatakakage (12-3)
Maegashira 1-Wakamotoharu (7-8), Oho (7-8)
Maegashira 2-Abi (7-8), Gonoyama (4-11)
Maegashira 3-Tamawashi (6-9), Hiradoumi (6-9)
Maegashira 4-Takerufuji (6-9), Ichiyamamoto (5-10)
Maegashira 5-Ura (5-10), Chiyoshoma (4-11)
Maegashira 6-Oshoma (10-5), Tobizaru (7-8)
Maegashira 7-Hakuoho (8-7), Churanoumi (4-11)
Maegashira 8-Onokatsu (10-5), Kinbozan (10-5)
Maegashira 9-Aonishiki (11-4), Midorifuji (6-9)
Maegashira 10-Meisei (9-6), Shodai (6-9)
Maegashira 11-Endo (9-6), Shishi (4-11)
Maegashira 12-Atamifuji (8-7), Takanotho (8-7)
Maegashira 13-Tokihayate (8-7), Sadanoumi (10-5)
Maegashira 14-Kotoshoho (6-4-5), Roga (9-6)
Maegashira 15-Ryuden (5-10), Shonannoumi (5-10)
Maegashira 16-Kayo (7-8), Nishikigi (6-9)
Maegashira 17-Tamashoho (4-11), Asakoryu (10-6)
Maegashira 18-Tochiaikai (4-11)
Notes: With Onosato being promoted, that will mean 2 Yokozuna and just 1 Ozeki in July. Onosato’s only loss was to Hoshoryu who started 2-0, then looked shaky in losing 2 straight (both Kinboshi) but then finished on a 10-1 run with 7 straight wins, the only loss being to Kirishima. And beating Onosato on the final day was big too. Onosato had his official promotion ceremony today and will perform his first ring-entering ceremony at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo Friday, reportedly he’ll inherit the Unryu style from Nishonoseki (former Yokozuna Kisenosato). Also of note is that Onosato is the first Japanese-born Yokozuna since Kisenosato 8 years ago, the Yokozuna since have all been Mongolians (Kakuryu-now Otowoyama, Terunofuji, Hoshoryu and of course Hakuho). Kotozakura’s current Yokozuna push has stalled with another 8-7 and finishing with 3 straight losses. Daieisho started 5-0 but could then only go 5-5, while Kirishima won 6 straight before his final day loss to get back into Ozeki contention. Wakatakakage should move up to Sekiwake again but the rest of the rankings will get blown up because everyone else down to M5 will be demoted, which means Oshoma could jump from M6 to Komusubi. Hakuoho could make a big move up from M7, but his 8-7 is concerning because, due to another possible injury (arm/bicep), he lost his last 6. Onokatsu, Kinbozan & Aonishiki will also be big movers up (Aonishiki won a second straight Fighting Spirit Prize) while Midorifuji spared himself from demotion to Juryo by, despite another 6-9 effort, winning his last 6 after an 0-9 start. Meisei & Endo will also move up nicely after 9-6 efforts along with Special Prize winner Sadanoumi & Asakoryu. Despite missing the first 5 days with in jury, I think Kotoshoho’s 6 wins will be enough to keep him in the top tier (despite losing his last 3). Ryuden & Shonannoumi could be demoted to Juryo while Tamashoho and Tochitaikai will be.
Juryo:
Juryo 1-Kusano (13-2, Tournament Champion), Mitakeumi (8-7)
Juryo 2-Hidenoumi (9-6), Fujiseiun (4-11)
Juryo 3-Takarafuji (5-10), Shirokuma (6-9)
Juryo 4-Hakuyozan (6-9), Kagayaki (6-9)
Juryo 5-Nishikifuji (5-10), Wakaikari (12-3)
Juryo 6-Hitoshi (7-8), Daiseizan (7-8)
Juryo 7-Tomokaze (10-5), Kotoeiho (11-4)
Juryo 8-Shimanoumi (5-10). Shiden (6-9)
Juryo 9-Oshoumi (10-5), Tsurugisho (7-8)
Juryo 10-Tohakuryu (9-6), Hatsuyama (6-9)
Juryo 11-Kazekeno (9-6), Wakanosho (1-2-12)
Juryo 12-Mitoryu (8-7), Nabatame (8-7)
Juryo 13-Miyanokaze (6-9), Daiamami (7-8)
Juryo 14-Mita (8-5-2), Mudoho (5-10)
Notes: Kusano is riding back-to-back championships to the top tier, this time losing his first match before winning 13 of his last 14. The question is how high up he’ll start, I’m thinking M12 or M13. Mitakeumi will also be promoted after one tournament in Juryo. Hidenoumi also should be headed back up for the first time since the end of 2021 (not counting absent in January 2022, his last official appearance in the top tier). Wakaikari also has a good chance at promotion after going 12-3, while Tomokaze & Kotoeiho should be J1 in July.Oshoumi could be up to J2 or J3. Despite missing the last 3 days with injury, Mita will be promoted and stay in Juryo assuming he can return in July. Wakanosho (injured), Miyanokaze, Mudoho (who finished with 7 straight losses) and maybe Daiamami will be demoted. (Correction during original post creation-reports are Miyanokaze will stay in Juryo and Daiamami may stay Juryo too. Mudoho reportedly suffered a lisfranc fracture injury and may be out most of, if not the rest of the year)
Post-event news:
As widely expected, Onosato was promoted today and is now The 75th Yokozuna in history. He earned the rank in a record speed 13 tournaments since his debut at Makushita 10. Compared to normally debuting, that made it about 5 tournaments faster than normally possible.
The Shin-Juryo & Sai-Juryo Rikishi for July have been announced, and it’s only the latter: Returning to the second tier after prior demotion are Otsuji (as expected after winning the Makushita Championship) and Kotokuzan. No Juryo debuts this time. Asanoyama will remain in Makushita with a chance at a Juryo return in September while Enho will be demoted after a 3-4 record and remain in Makushita, pushing his Juryo return hopes (and elder stock eligibility) further back. November is now best-case.
The first batch of post-tournament retirements were also announced, joining Hokutofuji who retired during the tournament (Hokutofuji cashed in his elder stock and will become Oyama Oyakata). Notably absent from this list-Takarafuji, who has been rumored to be calling it a career to possibly take over Isegahama Beya as the current stablemaster must retire before the next tournament due to turning 65 (the mandatory retirement age). That suggests if recently retired Terunofuji doesn’t take over temporarily (the rest of the year, he’s reported to be starting his own stable in 2026) it could be either an outsider or perhaps Tateyama (former Homarefuji, a coach at Isegahama who reached a top rank of M6) taking over (actually it’s sounding like it’ll go to Terunofuji for now). It sure won’t be Miyagino (Hakuho) or his coach Magaki (former Ishiura). There were a few Makushita retirements with the rest being at the lower tiers including the two oldest active wrestlers-Satonofuji and Sawaisamu, both 48 and with 30 years’ experience each, perhaps reflecting the last remnants of sumo’s “old guard” giving way to the current youth movement. 2 other Isegahama retirements-Hayatefuji & Raiho (a Miyagino man)-also happened due to injuries. Also leaving is lower tier veteran Ryusei after a 22-year career. And reliable YouTube reporter Chris Sumo suggests Miyagino himself-the former Hakuho-may be done tomorrow at the next board meeting, which is when Isegahama should retire. Also coming in the next few days is a haircutting/retirement ceremony for Oguruma Oyakata, the former Kotoeko who retired in the past year. Probably towards the end of the year will be similar for Terunofuji. Also listed as retired is Wakatozakura, which is a ceremonial gesture after he sadly died in April from medical complications. Because the Banzuke is updated and decided 48 hours after each tournament ends (but not publicly released until 2 weeks prior to the tournament), he was ranked for May at Jonidan 72.
UPDATE: Following up on the earlier week’s item about a referee being investigated for embezzlement & misuse of charitable funds, Nikkan Sports reports the unnamed referee submitted his resignation to the Japan Sumo Association but it was rejected. The investigation is expected to lead to potential criminal charges and internal discipline, which is expected to be severe. There is a 7 level system of discipline in the Association which goes like this from lightest to harshest: Reprimand, Reduction in pay, Suspension, Suspension without pay, Demotion, Recommended retirement and Dismissal/termination/firing. If fired, you don’t get retirement benefits. This sounds like it would be firing.
UPDATE 2: Nikkan Sports reports the Mita injury is a fractured hand. He hopes to be back for the July tournament but that depends on being able to return to practice in time.
