Sumo wrestling is not only the national sport of Japan, but has connections to pro wrestling both in style of competition and in the fact that several former sumo wrestlers later moved into pro wrestling after their sumo careers ended. The sport itself dates back centuries and is deeply rooted in traditions and its many pre and post-match rituals, which are said to be offerings of prayers to the gods and for bountiful harvests, and also are said to ward off evil spirits among other things. Among notable sumo wrestlers who went on to pro wrestling is Akebono, who became one of the most successful former sumo in Pro wrestling and won several championships in different promotions. While most sumo wrestlers hail from Japan, a growing number come from Mongolia and there also are wrestlers from Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia (country, not US state) and as far away as Ukraine and Brazil. Akebono came from the USA but became a Japanese citizen after retirement in order to keep his ring name.
Today Grand Sumo consists of tournaments held every other month in odd months (January, March, May, July, September, November) featuring, on average, over 600 sumo wrestlers, or rikishi in Japanese, competing in 15-day tournaments. The sport is governed by the Japan Sumo Association, or Nihon Sumo Kyokai, consisting of former sumo wrestlers in various roles and current stablemasters, or heya, who also serve as judges during tournaments. In fact, the current chairman is Hakkaku, the 61st Yokozuna.
Current and aspiring wrestlers train (and usually live) in stables, or beya, located throughout Japan, except during tournaments. Tournaments, or bashos, are held in different locations throughout Japan: The January, May & September tournaments are held at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. The March tournament is held at Osaka Prefectural Gym in Osaka. The July tournament is held at Aichi Prefectural Gym in Nagoya (although starting in 2025 it relocated to the new IG Arena which replaced the now-closed Aichi Prefectural Gym). The November tournament is held at Fukuoka International Center in Fukuoka. Some were moved to Tokyo in 2020 & 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Wrestlers are ranked based on performances in tournaments and listed in the banzuke, or rankings. The banzuke is updated 2-3 days after each tournament and announced approximately 2 weeks before each tournament. When wrestlers finish with winning records in a tournament, they usually move up the rankings. When they finish with a losing record or miss tournaments, they usually move down the rankings. There are 10 ranks in sumo, from lowest to highest: Jonokuchi, Jonidan, Sandanme, Makushita, Juryo, Maegashira, Komosubi, Sekiwake, Ozeki, Yokozuna. Each ranking has limits on how many wrestlers can hold that ranking except for the top 5 ranks, which are limited to a combined total of 42. Juryo is limited to 28, Makushita is limited to 120, Sandanme is limited to 200 (but as of 2025 it has been lowered to 160). There is currently no limit for Jonidan and Jonokuchi. The top 2 rankings are different-when promoted to Ozeki, you can only be demoted if you have a losing record in 2 straight tournaments-after a losing record an Ozeki goes into what is called kadoban status, meaning a losing record or absence in the next tournament results in demotion. A winning record in the next tournament removes kadoban status. To become Ozeki, you must reach Komusubi or Sekiwake rank and then win at least 30 matches (unofficially 33) out of 45 over a stretch of 3 consecutive tournaments without a losing record OR win a championship, ideally 2 straight. Yokozuna can never be demoted but can be forced to retire with repeated losing records, multiple absences due to injury/illness or what is judged to be poor conduct inside and outside the ring. To become Yokozuna, you must first reach Ozeki then win 2 consecutive tournaments, or have a comparable number of wins (roughly 24 at a minimum) and finishes equal to a championship (like losing in a playoff). Then you also must be approved by the Yokozuna Deliberation Council as Yokozuna are held to very high standards of conduct inside and outside the ring. There also is reportedly a mandatory retirement age in sumo, which currently is 65 for most and 70 for some others After retirement a wrestler may become an oyakata, when they normally work behind the scenes at tournaments to start becoming coaches in what often is the first step to eventually becoming a stablemaster. To become an oyakata a wrestler must have elder stock-to be eligible a wrestler must have spent at least 5 years (30 tournaments) in Makuuchi and/or Juryo in their career, which do not have to be consecutive. Then it depends on if a suitable spot is available, usually within their stable. If not, there may be openings for wrestlers to work elsewhere in the organization.
In tournaments each rank holds its own competition with wrestlers of the same rankings facing each other, except the top 5 rankings, also referred to collectively as makuuchi or similar. Makuuchi wrestlers compete against each other in the top tier with the winner, or yusho, receiving the grand prize, the Emperor’s Cup. Sometimes lower tier wrestlers will compete in higher ranks for one or more days when wrestlers withdraw due to injury/illness. Also, only Juryo and higher wrestlers compete all 15 days in a tournament, Makushita & lower compete only 7 days unless a Makushita makes multiple appearances in Juryo. Because of this, on very rare occasions a lower rank wrestler may compete in 8 matches.
How to watch Grand Sumo in the US:
NHK World Premium-broadcasts all tournaments live in Japanese and English (top tier matches only) Available on participating cable/satellite providers only.
NHK World Japan-broadcasts a 27-minute highlights program multiple times every day during tournaments featuring all makuuchi matches from each day in their entirety with English commentary. Also airs 50 minutes of LIVE coverage on Days 1, 8 & 14 and 90 minutes LIVE on Day 15 (Final Day) which includes the final matches, champion’s award ceremony and interview with NHK. Available on participating cable/satellite providers, online, on smart TV and mobile apps. For online and apps, it is 100% FREE TO WATCH, no cable/satellite provider or account creation is required.
YouTube-if you search here odds are you will find people uploading taped matches each day or trying to livestream matches. This is how I watch Juryo & Makushita matches. Note that Sandanme, Jonidan & Jonokuchi matches usually don’t air. You can also find some match replays and more on the Japan Sumo Association channel and on the NHK World Japan channels.
The Nihon Sumo Kyokai Grand Sumo mobile app allows you to watch replays of each day’s matches, classic matches (dating back to the early 2010s) and more. Available on iPhone and iPad. Free to download and use but video viewing is limited unless you become a Premium member which also unlocks other features. Premium membership currently costs $4.99 per month. Available from Apple App Store.
ABEMA-this requires a VPN and some skill because it is normally geoblocked outside Japan and it does require setting up an account (free with optional paid services). Broadcasts ALL tournament matches live.
Additionally, the US streaming TV provider Fubo regularly broadcasts programs featuring past matches with English commentary.
History:
All-time Yokozuna Listing