It’s the end of an even-numbered month which means that exciting time again for sumo fans-the Japan Sumo Association has just announced the Banzuke (rankings) for the September 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament. Here are the full standings for the top 2 tiers:
Makuuchi (top tier):
Yokozuna-Onosato, Hoshoryu
Ozeki-Kotozakura
Sekiwake-Wakatakakage, Kirishima
Komusubi-Takayasu, Aonishiki
Maegashira 1-Tamawashi, Abi
Maegashira 2-Hakuoho, Oho
Maegashira 3-Atamifuji, Gonoyama
Maegashira 4-Hiradoumi, Wakamotoharu
Maegashira 5-Kotoshoho (July Champion), Ichiyamamoto
Maegashira 6-Onokatsu, Kusano
Maegashira 7-Takanosho, Oshoma
Maegashira 8-Ura, Kinbozan
Maegashira 9-Midorifuji, Fujinokawa
Maegashira 10-Daieisho, Churanoumi
Maegashira 11-Shodai, Roga
Maegashira 12-Takerufuji, Mitakeumi
Maegashira 13-Meisei, Tokihayate
Maegashira 14-Sadanoumi, Asakoryu
Maegashira 15-Tobizaru, Shonannoumi
Maegashira 16-Tomokaze, Nishikigi
Maegashira 17-Ryuden, Hitoshi
Maegashira 18-Shishi
Notes: No changes at the top except at Komusubi where Aonishiki makes his Sanyaku debut after 3 straight 11-4 efforts and 3 Special Prizes, if he can keep this up he’ll be in Ozeki contention very quickly. Wakatakakage is on Ozeki Watch again as his magic number to get to the unofficial benchmark for promotion contention is 11 as he’s gone 12-3 and 10-5 the last 2 tournaments. Kirishima would need a championship or at least 14 wins to have a chance for Ozeki return. Kotoshoho’s move up was about what I expected after his surprise July championship at M16 as he shoots up to M5, with Kusano also making a big move up to M6 and Fujinokawa going up to M9. At the bottom, Hitoshi makes his top tier debut alongside the returning Ryuden, with Shonannoumi, Tomokaze & Nishikigi all returning to the top tier as well. Shishi clearly has some allies on the ranking committee as despite what should have been another demotion he once again hangs on to his top tier position.
Daieisho, below M4 for the first time since climbing above that rank in his career, is probably out the entire tournament again and will be demoted to Juryo in November.
Juryo:
Juryo:1-Daiseizan, Oshoumi
Juryo 2-Kotoeiho, Chiyoshoma
Juryo 3-Endo, Nishikifuji
Juryo 4-Kagayaki, Mita (July Champion)
Juryo 5-Tochitaikai, Fujiseiun
Juryo 6-Kayo, Tohakuryu
Juryo 7-Tamashoho, Hidenoumi
Juryo 8-Hatsuyama, Kotokuzan
Juryo 9-Shirokuma, Tsurugisho
Juryo 10-Hakuyozan, Miyanokaze
Juryo 11-Kazekeno, Asahakuryu (July Makushita Champion)
Juryo 12-Takarafuji, Asasuiryu
Juryo 13-Kyokukaiyu, Asanoyama
Juryo 14-Shiden, Nishinoryu
Notes: After missing out on what could have been the first of 2 straight championships in May due to a late injury, Mita makes a big move up to J4 after winning July, putting him into top tier contention with Daiseizan & Oshoumi on the verge of moving up at J1.Kotoeiho & Chiyoshoma are demotions from the top tier along with Endo, who was out in July and probably will not compete this time either. Nishikifuji moves up 3 spots and also will have a chance to return to the top tier while the missle ranks are a combination of top tier demotions and those trying to move back up.
At the bottom, after no Shin-Juryo rikishi in July there are 4 debuts in the second tier this time, led by July Makushita Champion Asahakuryu then Asasuiryu, Kyokukaiyu and Nishinoryu along with Asanoyama being Sai-Juryo and returning following his last injury-related demotion. Asasuiryu is also a kaimei rikishi as upon promotion he changed his shikona (ring name) from Ishizaki, which he shared with his real-life brother Asakoryu.
In the Makushita, Daiamami was demoted from Juryo after hanging on despite 2 straight losing records at the bottom ranks while Kitanowaka is at Ms1 as well after potentially missing out on promotion with a 4-3 finish at Ms3. Otsuji is demoted back down to Ms3 and Shimanoumi has indeed run out of luck and paychecks as he is demoted after hanging on in Juryo for 3 straight years. Enho fell down to Ms31 after being forced to withdraw after a 2-1 start so his only chance to return to Juryo by the end of the year now is to win a championship. The Sandanme has the new-normal 80 ranks while the Jonidan has 105 ranks for an initial 210 total wrestlers, and the Jonokuchi starts with 51 wrestlers in 26 ranks and at least 4 debuts.
The September Tournament begins on 9/14 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. All tickets for all days are now sold out.
UPDATE: Daieisho has told the media he hopes to compete this tournament. Endo & Takerufuji are questionable due to injuries.