With the September 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament now in the books and the post-tournament rankings meeting held, here are the final records from the event and some early news/notes:
First up, here is the final Hoshitori (records based on the Banzuke) for the top 2 tiers, records in win-loss-absent format (for rankings purposes absent is treated as a loss):
Makuuchi (top tier):
Yokozuna-Onosato (13-2, Tournament Champion), Hoshoryu (13-2, lost in playoff)
Ozeki-Kotozakura (9-5-1)
Sekiwake-Wakatakakage (6-9), Kirishima (6-9)
Komusubi-Takayasu (7-8), Aonishiki (11-4)
Maegashira 1-Tamawashi (6-9), Abi (3-12)
Maegashira 2-Hakuoho (8-7), Oho (10-5)
Maegashira 3-Atamifuji (5-10), Gonoyama (1-14)
Maegashira 4-Hiradoumi (8-7), Wakamotoharu (9-6)
Maegashira 5-Kotoshoho (3-12), Ichiyamamoto (4-11)
Maegashira 6-Onokatsu (7-8), Kusano (8-7)
Maegashira 7-Takanosho (12-3), Oshoma (9-6)
Maegashira 8-Ura (10-5), Kinbozan (7-8)
Maegashira 9-Midorifuji (7-8), Fujinokawa (6-9)
Maegashira 10-Daieisho (7-8), Churanoumi (9-6)
Maegashira 11-Shodai (10-5), Roga (7-8)
Maegashira 12-Takerufuji (Absent), Mitakeumi (7-8)
Maegashira 13-Meisei (5-10), Tokihayate (7-8)
Maegashira 14-Sadanoumi (6-9). Asakoryu (6-9)
Maegashira 15-Tobizaru (9-6), Shonannoumi (7-8)
Maegashira 16-Tomokaze (9-6), Nishikigi (2-13)
Maegashira 17-Ryuden (9-6), Hitoshi (7-8)
Maegashira 18-Shishi (10-5)
Notes: A big Sanyaku Shakeup is likely as everyone below Ozeki is or should be demoted except Aonishiki, who should be promoted to Sekiwake and possibly be on early Ozeki Watch. He kept his 11-win streak going which could see him promoted within 2 more tournaments. Takayasu might get another chance at Komusubi seeing how he rallied from demotion to 7-8. Oho should return to Sanyaku but beyond that the only possible safe bet for that high is Takanosho, who gas been as high as Sekiwake. Ura & Shodai also should jump up while Takerufuji should be demoted to Juryo but may be saved by numerous demotions below him. Gonoyama is safe despite a disastrous 1-14 effort while July champion Kotoshoho will fall back to the lower ranks. Nishikigi will be demoted to Juryo while Hitoshi is a toss-up. And finally, props to Mitakeumi for fighting through after the sudden death of his mother right before the tournament and managing to go 7-8.
As far as Kotozakura goes, it sounds like his injury is an MCL/knee injury and he reportedly is out 3 weeks. Probably doubtful for the upcoming London event but should be ready for November.
Juryo:
Juryo 1-Daiseizan (7-8), Oshouni (9-6)
Juryo 2-Kotoeiho (8-7), Chiyoshoma (9-6)
Juryo 3-Endo (Absent), Nishikifuji (11-4)
Juryo 4-Kagayaki (8-7), Mita (9-6)
Juryo 5-Tochitaikai (7-8), Fujiseiun (10-5)
Juryo 6-Kayo (6-9), Tohakuryu (4-11)
Juryo 7-Tamashoho (4-11), Hidenoumi (6-9)
Juryo 8-Hatsuyama (9-6), Kotokuzan (8-7)
Juryo 9-Shirokuma (8-7), Tsurugisho (5-10)
Juryo 10-Hakuyozan (7-8), Miyanokaze (3-12)
Juryo 11-Kazekeno (8-7), Asahakuryu (13-2, Juryo Champion)
Juryo 12-Takarafuji (5-10), Asasuiryu (7-8)
Juryo 13-Kyokukaiyu (6-9), Asanoyama (12-3)
Juryo 14-Shiden (7-8), Nishinoryu (8-7)
Notes: It was a good tournament if you were a Takasago man as 2 of 3 earned promotions and were championship contenders with newcomer Asahakuryu winning in his debut and Asanoyama right behind and in contention until the end, other newcomer Asasuiryu just missed promotion but 7-8 at J12 probably means a second chance in November. Nishikifuji also stayed in it until the end and almost certainly will return to the top tier in November. Mita should have won it again but after an 8-1 start he collapsed with a 1-5 finish and probably will miss the top tier in November. The Asas, in particular Asahakuryu, are a huge toss-up to be promoted up, with Asahakuryu having a slight chance due to 13 wins and the championship. I think Asanoyama just misses out and will be J1. Oshoumi will also be promoted to the top tier while Chiyoshoma has a chance to return too. Elsewhere, Shiden should be demoted along with Miyanokaze and maybe Kyokukaiyu, same for possibly the absent Endo who is rumored to be considering retirement, then there’s the real talking point-Takarafuji. Is his 15-year salaried run about to end? He has never been demoted below Juryo since getting there in July 2010. 5-10 at J14 may mean even the legendary Isegahama clout can’t save him and will spur more retirement talks. I think he tries to hang on for one more tournament then look to take over when/if the current Isegahama-the former Terunofuji-leaves in January as rumored to open his own stable. (Endo also is rumored to be considering retiring as well, he does have elder stock and should be able to cash in)
Lower tier notes: Kitanowaka will be promoted from Makushita back to Juryo while Nagamura, who went 5-2 at Ms2, should be making his Juryo debut in November. Walanosho has a slight chance to return after going 5-2 at Ms3 while Goshima, 6-1 at Ms5, has a chance at promotion. The toss-up is Shimazuumi, the champion at Ms20. It could happen, worst-case is Ms1 or Ms2. Enho went 5-2 at Ms31 and will be promoted back to the upper half of Makushita, leaving a chance for a Juryo return in January. I’ll slot him in around Ms15, which would require a championship.
The Shin-Juryo & Sai-Juryo rikishi for November have been announced: There are 2 new debuts and both will also be Kaimei rikishi due to new shikona (ring name changes)-Nagamura will become Himikimaru and Goshima will become Fujiryoka. The Sai-Juryo riishi are Kitanowaka as expected and Wakanosho.
In outside the dohyo news, Nishonoseki (former Yokozuna Kisenosato and Onosato’s stablemaster) has been warned for negligent supervision after the stable’s tokoyama (hairdresser/stylist for wrestlers, as I’ve learned through YouTube videos from several stables, in particular Hoshoryu’s Tatsunami stable which regularly features their tokokei or lead hairdresser) resigned due to financial issues at only 21. This is on the lower end of disciplinary sanctions but on the higher end it can lead to removal/termination, like what eventually led to Hakuho being forced out and his Miyagino stable merging into Isegahama stable (although the former Isegahama, who recently retired after transferring the stablemaster position to the former Terunofuji, now has the Miyagino elder stock for 5 years and could reopen it).
And among upcoming retirement/hair cutting ceremonies will be one for former top tier wrestler Myogiryu this Sunday at the Kokugikan.
Finally, as this was about to be posted, Takarafuji retired. He will cash in his elder stock and become Kiriyama, remaining with Isegahama Beya for now. The respected veteran, real name Daisuke Sugiyama, was a true Iron Man as he never missed a day in his career for any reason. Takarafuji finishes with a career record of 678-720, 544-626 in the top tier, one Sandanme Championship, one Special Prize (Fighting Spirit) and 3 Kinboshi over a career that began in January 2009. He may get a chance to become Isegahama if rumors that the former Terunofuji will leave in January to open his own stable prove true. 14 other retirements were announced, 2 in the Sandanme and the rest in Jonidan & Jonokuchi plus one unranked wrestler. They join the previously announced Mitoryu, who retired during the tournament after being a pre-tournament withdrawal.
The Banzuke for the November Tournament in Fukuoka will be announced on 10/27 with the tournament running from 11/9-11/23. All tickets are already sold out.