Tag: grand sumo

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 6 of the November 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Kagayaki (J4) beat Nishikifuji (M15)
Chiyoshoma (M17) beat Shonannoumi (M15)
Asakoryu (M17) beat Ryuden (M14)
Tokihayate (M14) beat Oshoumi (M16)
Gonoyama (M13) beat Sadanoumi (M16)
Mitakeumi (M13) beat Fujinokawa (M12)
Tomokaze (M12) beat Shishi (M11)
Daieisho (M10) beat Roga (M11)
Tobizaru (M9) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Kotoshoho (M10) beat Kinbozan (M8)
Atamifuji (M6) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Yoshinofuji (M5) beat Churanoumi (M7)
Shodai (M5) beat Abi (M7)
Oshoma (M4) beat Onokatsu (M6)
Kirishima (M2) beat Wakatakakage (M1)
Takanosho (K) beat Takayasu (K)
Aonishiki (S) beat Ura (M3)
Oho (S) beat Hakuoho (M1)
Tamawashi (M4) beat Kotozakura (O)
Onosato (Y) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Wakamotoharu (M2) beat Hoshoryu (Y). KINBOSHI!!! The third career Gold Star Victory for Wakamotoharu!
Leader: Onosato (6-0)
Of note: There ate still 9 days left but today it may unofficially be over and the Emperor’s Cup possibly handed back to Onosato. It’s now his to lose as the only unbeaten left with Fujinokawa taking his first loss and Hoshoryu now at 4-2 but the Yokozuna’s loss was on a HENKA! by Wakamotoharu. Hoshoryu gets an always-tough one tomorrow in Iron Man Tamawashi while Onosato tries to stay perfect against Ura. Asakoryu is also at 5-1 but he has a history of second half struggles after fast starts. Tokihayate is also in the group at 5-1 along with Atamifuji and Yoshinofuji, the latter seemingly back in form after some growing pains last time out. Aonishiki quickly bounced back from his first loss yesterday and is also 5-1, although only his second tournament in Sanyaku at least one stablemastet/judge suggested pre-tournament he could be on Ozeki Watch if he can once again win 11 matches or improve on that.
Also, since it looks like he will not return tomorrow it’s safe to say Meisei will be demoted to Juryo in January for the first time since July 2020. He has been out due to injuty. His only hope to stay is return Sunday and win out. There is a very slight chance he gets demoted all the way to Makushita if he can’t compete.

Juryo:
Kitanowaka (J12) beat Wakanosho (J14)
Tamashoho (J11) beat Shiden (J14)
Fujiryoga (J13) beat Tsurugisho (J11)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Himukamaru (J13)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Asasuiryu (J13)
Kayo (J8) beat Nishinoryu (J9)
Shirokuma (J7) beat Hidenoumi (J10)
Kazekeno (J6) beat Kotokuzan (J8)
Hatsuyama (J5) beat Nishikigi (J6)
Asanoyama (J4) beat Takerufuji (J7)
Kotoeiho (J2) beat Tochitaikai (J5)
Daiseizan (J3) beat Hitoshi (J1)
Fujiseiun (J1) beat Asahakuryu (J2)
Leader: Fujiryoga (6-0)
Of note: Second tier rookies have been faring very well in Juryo debuts recently and Fujiryoga, the former Goshima, is continuing that trend as sole leader. This is just his 5th career tournament (he was a Makushita 60 debut in March) and while it’s not fair at all to compare Juryo results to Makushita he’s now got 6 wins in 4 of those 5 tournaments (with one 4-3) and if he can go 15-0 he’d have a very slim chance at top tier promotion. Also of note for both tiers-I think this is the earliest point in some time that every wrestler in the top 2 tiers has at least one win. No 0-15s this time excluding withdrawals (Meisei & Mita).

Lower tier notes: No match for Enho today as expected and it looks like no match tomorrow, so he’ll be back Sunday on Day 8. Tomorrow starts what I call Promotion Day, when the lower tier leaders will be 4-0 and thus clinch winning records and promotions for the next tournament. There are 14 such co-leaders in Makushita at 3-0, most notably Seihakuho, one of the few remaining top prospects of former Yokozuna Hakuho (later Miyagino, who is now the former Isegahama/Asahifuji as Hakuho has completely left the Japan Sumo Association to start his own endeavors) who is now an Isegahama man like the others, Hakuoho being the other most notable one still going.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage FOR FREE on Sunday (Day 8) beginning at 12:10 AM PT/3:10 AM ET.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 5 of the November 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Asakoryu (M17) beat Sadanoumi (M16)
Daiseizan (J3) beat Shonannoumi (M16)
Ryuden (M14) beat Chiyoshoma (M17)
Mitakeumi (M13) beat Oshoumi (M16)
Nishikifuji (M15) beat Gonoyama (M13)
Tokihayate (M14) beat Tomokaze (M12)
Roga (M11) beat Shishi (M11)
Fujinokawa (M12) beat Kotoshoho (M10)
Daieisho (M10) beat Kinbozan (M8)
Ichiyamamoto (M8) beat Tobizaru (M9)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Churanoumi (M7)
Onokatsu (M6) beat Abi (M7)
Yoshinofuji (M5) beat Shodai (M5)
Atamifuji (M6) beat Oshoma (M4)
Kirishima (M2) beat Tamawashi (M4)
Hakuoho (M1) beat Takanosho (K)
Takayasu (K) beat Oho (S)
Wakatakakge (M1) beat Aonishiki (S)
Ura (M3) beat Kotozakura (O)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Onosato (Y) beat Wakamotoharu (M2)
Leader: Onosato, Fujinokawa (5-0)

Juryo:
Wakanosho (J14) beat Shiden (J14)
Fujiryoga (J13( beat Kitanowaka (J12)
Tsurugisho (J11) beat Himukamaru (J13)
Asasuiryu (J12) beat Hakuyozan (J10)
Tamashoho (J11) beat Nishinoryu (J9)
Hidenoumi (J9) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Kazekeno (J8) beat Shirokuma (J7)
Kotokuzan (J6) beat Kayo (J8)
Takerufuji (J7) beat Tochitaikai (J5)
Asanoyama (J4) beat Nishikigi (J6)
Hatsuyama (J5) beat Kotoeiho (J2)
Fujiseiun (J1) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Asahakuryu (J2) beat Hitoshi (J1)
Leader: Fujiryoga (5-0)

Lower tier noted: Enho took his first loss today against Kazuma, the September Sandanme Champion who made a massive leap up to Ms15 and now has won 10 straight matches overall. Amazingly, he has only 2 career losses so far but also has more absent days than wins (30 absent, 27 wins) so far due to missing 4 tournaments because of an injury in his debut tournament (after he clinched promotion). Enho will try to bounce back on Day 7 or 8.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 4 of the November 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Asahakuryu (J2) beat Oshoumi (M16)
Nishikifuji (M15) beat Chiyoshoma (M17)
Shonannoumi (M15) beat Asakoryu (M17)
Tokihayate (M14) beat Sadanoumi (M16)
Gonoyama (M13) beat Mitakeumi (M13)
Ryuden (M14) beat Tomokaze (M12)
Fujinokawa (M12) beat Shishi (M11)
Kotoshoho (M10) beat Roga (M11)
Daieisho (M10) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Tobizaru (M9) beat Kinbozan (M8)
Churanoumi (M7) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Atamifuji (M6) beat Abi (M7)
Yoshinofuji (M5) beat Onokatsu (M6)
Oshoma (M4) beat Shodai (M5)
Tamawashi (M4) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Takayasu (K) beat Wakamotoharu (M2)
Aonishiki (S) beat Takanosho (K)
Ura (M3) beat Oho (S)
Kotozakura (O) beat Hakuoho (M1)
Onosato (Y) beat Kirishima (M2)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Wakatakakage (M1)
Leader: Onosato, Aonishiki, Fujinokawa (4-0)

Juryo:
Fujiryoga (J13) beat Himukamaru (J13)
Shiden (J14) beat Kitanowaka (J12)
Wakanosho (J14) beat Asasuiryu (J12)
Tsurugisho (J11) beat Hakuyozan (J10)
Tamashoho (J11) beat Hidenoumi (J9)
Nishinoryu (J9) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Kazekeno (J8) beat Kayo (J8)
Shirokuma (J7) beat Kotokuzan (J6)
Takerufuji (J7) beat Hatsuyama (J5)
Tochitaikai (J5) beat Nishikigi (J6)
Asanoyama (J4) beat Kotoeiho (J2)
Kagayaki (J4) beat Hitoshi (J1)
Fujiseiun (J1) beat Daiseizan (J3)
Leader: Shirokuma, Fujiryoga (4-0)
Of note: Fun fact for those superstitious ones today-all the Juryo wrestlers on the West side except for one won. The only East side winner? Wakanosho.

Lower tier notes: Enho won today to start Makushita 2-0 for the fourth time in his last 5 tournaments. 3 of those 4 starts resulted in promotion, one ended with a demotion. His 3rd match will be tomorrow instead of Day 6.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 3 of the November Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Asakoryu (M17) beat Chiyoshoma (M17)
Kotoeiho (J2) beat Sadanoumi (M16)
Nishikifuji (M15) beat Oshoumi (M16)
Shonannoumi (M15) beat Tokihayate (M14)
Ryuden (M14) beat Gonoyama (M13)
Mitakeumi (M13) beat Tomokaze (M12)
Kotoshoho (M10) beat Shishi (M11)
Fujinokawa (M12) beat Daieisho (M10)
Roga (M11) beat Tobizaru (M9)
Ichiyamamoto (M8) beat Kinbozan (M8)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Abi (M7)
Atamifuji (M6) beat Onokatsu (M6)
Shodai (M5) beat Churanoumi (M7)
Tamawashi (M4) beat Oshoma (M4)
Yoshinofuji (M5) beat Ura (M3)
Wakamotoharu (M2) beat Takanosho (K)
Hiradoumi (M3) beat Oho (S)
Aonishiki (S) beat Hakuoho (M1)
Takayasu (K) beat Kotozakura (O)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Kirishima (Y)
Onosato (Y) beat Wakataakage (Y)

Juryo:
Fujiryoga (J13) beat Otsuji (Ms2)
Asasuiryu (J12) beat Shiden (J14)
Tsurugisho (J11) beat Wakanosho (J14)
Himukamaru (J13) beat Tamashoho (J11)
Kitanowaka (J12) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Nishinoryu (J9) beat Hidenoumi (J9)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Kazekeno (J8)
Shirokuma (J7) beat Takerufuji (J7)
Nishikigi (J6) beat Kayo (J8)
Hatsuyama (J5) beat Tochitaikai (J5)
Asanoyama (J4) beat Kotokuzan (J6)
Daisizen (J3) beat Mita (J3) by default/withdrawal
Kagayaki (J4) beat Asahakuryu (J2)
Fujiseiun (J1) beat HItoshi (J1)
WITHDRAWAL: Mita (J3). Right knee (ACL). Tournament over. Out about 3 months but may depend on if surgery is needed. Will be demoted to Makushita either after this tournament or after January. Injury happened in loss to Kagayaki yesterday. Daiseizen got the fusen as a result.
Of note: On a side note to Mita, the injury led his stablemaster Futagoyama to have his head shaved for the first time in 30 years in a show of support for his prized fast-rising wrestler, the second-highest ranked in the stable behind Roga. Mita was fast-tracked on debut (Makushita debut) and despite late struggles in recent tournaments was on pace to reach the top tier anytime now. If he can return in March which seems best-case, he should still be in Makushita.

Lower tier notes: No match for Enho today as expected given he’s on the even-day schedule for now. His second match will be tomorrow.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 2 of the November 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Chiyoshoma (M17) beat Fujiseiun (J1)
Asakoryu (M17) beat Oshoumi (M16)
Sadanoumi (M16) beat Shonannoumi (M15)
Nishikifuji (M15) beat Ryuden (M14)
Tokihayate (M14) beat Mitakeumi (M13)
Fujinokawa (M12) beat Gonoyama (M13)
Roga (M11) beat Tomokaze (M12)
Kotoshoho (M10) beat Daieisho (M10)
Shishi (M11) beat Tobizaru (M9)
Ichiyamamoto (M8) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Abi (M7) beat Kinbozan (M8)
Churanoumi (M7) beat Atamifuji (M6)
Onokatsu (M6) beat Shodai (M5)
Tamawashi (M4) beat Yoshinofuji (M5)
Oshoma (M4) beat Ura (M3)
Takayasu (K) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Aonishiki (S) beat Wakamotoharu (M2)
Oho (S) beat Wakatakakage (M1)
Kirishima (M2) beat Kotozakura (O)
Onosato (Y) beat Hakuoho (M1)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Takanosho (K)

Juryo:
Shiden (J14) beat Takakento (Ms1)
Himukamaru (J13) beat Wakanosho (J14)
Fujiryoga (J13) beat Asasuiryu (J12)
Tamashoho (J11) beat Kitanowaka (J12)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Tsurugisho (J11)
Hidenoumi (J9) beat Hakuyozan (J10)
Kazekeno (J8) beat Nishinoryu (J9)
Takerufuji (J7) beat Kayo (J8)
Shirokuma (J7) beat Nishikigi (J6)
Koyokuzan (J6) beat Hatsuyama (J5)
Tochitaikai (J5) beat Asanoyama (J4)
Kagayaki (J4) beat Mita (J3)
Daiseizan (J3) beat Asahakuryu (J2)
Hitoshi (J1) beat Kotoeiho (J2)
Of note: There are reports that Mita possibly suffered a knee injury in his loss today. He had to be taken out on a wheelchair and was hospitalized immediately but may have been able to walk from the wheelchair to the ambulance on his own. Updates to follow.

Lower tier notes: Enho won his opening Makushita match today and is off to a 1-0 start as he has a very slim chance at promotion back to Juryo if he can win the championship. No match tomorrow so for now he’ll likely be competing on even numbered days.

UPDATE: Mita has WITHDRAWN. Right ACL tear per Nikkan Sports. Tournament over. Out about 3 months. That would put him out of January and mean demotion back to Makushita in March. Daiseizan will get the fusen tomorrow as a result.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 1-Opening Day-of the November 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Asakoryu (M17) beat Hitoshi (J1)
Chiyoshoma (M17) beat Sadanoumi (M16)
Oshoumi (M16) beat Shonannoumi (M15)
Tokihayate (M14) beat Nishikifuji (M15)
Ryuden (M14) beat Mitakeumi (M13)
Gonoyama (M13) beat Tomokaze (M12)
Fujinokawa (M12) beat Roga (M11)
Daieisho (M10) beat Shishi (M11)
Tobiuzaru (M9) beat Kotoshoho (M10)
Kinbozan (M8) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Abi (M7) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Churanoumi (M7) beat Onokatsu (M6)
Atamifuji (M6) beat Shodai (M5)
Yoshinofuji (M5) beat Oshoma (M4)
Ura (M3) beat Tamawashi (M4)
Hiradoumi (M3) beat Takanosho (K)
Oho (S) beat Wakamotoharu (M2)
Aonishiki (S) beat Kirishima (M2)
Kotozakura (O) beat Wakatakakage (M1)
Hakuoho (M1) beat Hoshoryu (Y). KINBOSHI!!! The 3rd career Gold Star Victory for Hakuoho!
Onosato (Y) beat Takayasu (K)
WITHDRAWAL (Pre-tournament): Meisei (M18). Lower back (herniated disc). Status uncertain. He had surgery in mid-October and, according to Nikkan Sports, was expected to be out a month. If that holds, that means perhaps a mid-tournament entry. If he can’t return before the halfway point and get a winning record he will be demoted to Juryo for the first time since July 2020. That lasted one tournament as he won the Juryo Championship and quickly re-promoted.
Of note: For those who missed it before, Yoshinofuji is the former Kusano, who now is a full Isegahama man with the Fuji-ending ring mane. As for his stablemate, that’s the first time in 4 career meetings Hakuoho has beaten Hoshoryu, and he now has wins against both current Yokozuna. He goes for a 4th Gold Star Victory and 3rd over Onosato tomorrow. Hoshoryu will try to bounce back against Takanosho.

Juryo:
Wakanosho (J14) beat Kyokukaiyu (Ms1)
Fujiryoga (J13) beat Shiden (J14)
Asasuiryu (J12) beat Himukamaru (J13)
Kitanowaka (J12) beat Tsurugisho (J11)
Tamashoho (J11) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Nishinoryu (J9) beat Hakuyozan (J10)
Hidenoumi (J9) beat Kazekeno (J8)
Shirokuma (J7) beat Kayo (J8)
Nishikigi (J6) beat Takerufuji (J7)
Koyokuzan (J6) beat Tochitaikai (J5)
Hatsuyama (J5) beat Asanoyama (J4)
Daiseizan (J3) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Asahakuryu (J2) beat Mita (J3)
Kotoeiho (J2) beat Fujiseiun (J1)

Lower tier note: No match for Enho today, his first match of the tournament will be tomorrow.

With everyone who went to London back in Japan and teams setting up shop in and around Fukuoka for training, things are back to normal and just in time as the Japan Sumo Association has just announced the Banzuke (rankings) for the November 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament. Here are the rankings for the top 2 tiers and other notes, also note these rankings do not take the London results into consideration:

Makuuchi (top tier):
Yokozuna-Onosato (September Tournament Champion), Hoshoryu
Ozeki-Kotozakura
Sekiwake-Aonishiki, Oho
Komusubi-Takanosho, Takayasu
Maegashira 1-Hakuoho, Wakatakakage
Maegashira 2-Kirishima, Wakamotoharu
Maegashira 3-Hiradoumi, Ura
Maegashira 4-Tamawashi, Oshoma
Maegashira 5-Yoshinofuji, Shodai
Maegashira 6-Atamifuji, Onokatsu
Maegashira 7-Churanoumi, Abi
Maegashira 8-Ichiyamamoto, Kinbozan
Maegashira 9-Midorifuji, Tobizaru
Maegashira 10-Daieisho, Kotoshoho
Maegashira 11-Shishi, Roga
Maegashira 12-Fujinokawa, Tomokaze
Maegashira 13-Gonoyama, Mitakeumi
Maegashira 14-Ryuden, Tokihayate
Maegashira 15-Nishikifuji, Shonannoumi
Maegashira 16-Oshoumi, Sadanoumi
Maegashira 17-Chiyoshoma, Asakoryu
Maegashira 18-Meisei
Notes: First things first-Yoshinofuji? Yeah, double take for me too…That’s the former Kusano, who will be a kaimei rikishi with a new shikona (ring name change) as apparently he’s now full-fledged Isegahama and that means he must have a Fuji-ending name per stable tradition and policy. And despite concerns about Aomori Prefecture’s nearly 150-year run of a rikishi in the top tier ending after Takerufuji being demoted due to missing September, it’s intact thanks to Nishikifuji being promoted back up from Juryo. At the top, Onosato is the higher ranked Yokozuna over Hoshoryu (East is considered higher than West) after coming back to beat Hoshoryu in a playoff after Hoshoryu won their final day match in September, although Hoshoryu is coming off a championship in London, which was little more than a glorified exhibition, while Aonishiki moves up to Sekiwake along with Oho. Aonishiki also has set the record for fastest promotion to Sekiwake from debut at just 13 tournaments, excluding Makushita debuts (most notably Onosato, who also has yet to have a losing tournament). The previous record was 14 by Konishiki. Takayasu gets the benefit of the doubt again and, despite a second straight losing record, once again stays at Komusubi joined by Takanosho who made a huge jump up after a runner-up and Special Prize effort. Wakatakakage & Kirishima both fell out of Sanyaku with demotions to M1 & M2 while Hakuoho is up to M1 and Ura also made a big move up to M3. Iron Man Tamawashi slipped to M4 but remains in the upper ranks while Shodai had a big improvement up to M5, as did Shishi going up from M18 and barely hanging on to M11. Tamawashi can get to 700 career top tier wins this time if he gets at least 5 wins. Also of note-he will turn 41 on Day 8. Oshoumi makes his expected top tier debut this time starting at M16 while Chiyoshoma also retuns at M17 while Meisei barely holds on to his position at M18.
Some high-ranking Association members have hinted at Aonishiki being on potential Ozeki watch and could be promoted if he wins his first championship or perhaps improves on his perfect mark of 11 wins every tournament he’s been in the top tier so far.

Juryo:
Juryo 1-Hitoshi, Fujiseiun
Juryo 2-Kotoeiho, Asahakuryu (September Juryo Champion)
Juryo 3-Mita, Daiseizan
Juryo 4-Kagayaki, Asanoyama
Juryo 5-Hatsuyama, Tochitaikai
Juryo 6-Kotokuzan, Nishikigi
Juryo 7-Takerufuji, Shirokuma
Juryo 8-Kayo, Kazekeno
Juryo 9-Hidenoumi, Nishinoryu
Juryo 10-Hakuyozan, Tohakuryu
Juryo 11-Tamashoho, Tsurugisho
Juryo 12-Kitanowaka, Asasuiryu
Juryo 13-Himukamaru, Fujiryoga
Juryo 14-Shiden, Wakanosho
Notes: Close but not quite for Asahakuryu as his Juryo debut championship takes him up to just short of the top tier, settling in at J2 with Hitoshi being demoted from the top tier but having a chance to get back right away. A runner-up finish moves Asanoyama up to J4, on the bottom end of where I figured he’d wind up, while Mita’s second-week collapse kept his rise to just one spot to J3. At the bottom, the former Nagamura makes his expected Juryo debut with a new shikona as he is now Himukamaru, joined by fellow newcomer Fujiryoga, the former Goshima. Kitanowaka & Wakanosho are the Sai-Juryo rikishi this time, returning after prior demotions. I haven’t heard anything yet on if Takerufuji will be able to return from injury this time, if not he will be demoted to Makushita.

Lower tier notes:
Despite rumors he might retire due to injury, Endo remains in for now although his status for November is uncertain. He is demoted to Makushita 3. Shimazuumi just missed a Juryo return after his Makushita championship and will try again for a second tier return from Makushita 2. Miyanokaze was also demoted to Juryo after a second chance and will be at Ms4, Enho moved up to Ms17, about where I considered to be best-case, so he’d need a 7-0 championship for any chance at a Juryo return in January. The Sandanme remains at the new-normal of 80 ranks with 160 total wrestlers. The Jonidan shrinks a little this tournament with 102 ranks and 204 total wrestlers. The Jonokuchi starts with 22 ranks and 44 total wrestlers.

The November Tournament runs from 11/9-11/24 at Fukuoka International Center in Fukuoka. All tickets for all days are already sold out.

UPDATE: Endo has retired. He missed the last 2 tournaments due to injury. Based on a Nikkan Sports report it’s not clear what his future plans are, the question is whether there is a spot open for him to be able to cash in any elder stock he may have. (From articles I’ve read so far the answer seems to be no but confirmation should come in the next day or two) Endo, who competed using his real name (his full name is Shota Endo), finishes with a career record of 527-494-88 (win-loss-absent), 480-482-73 in the top tier, 1 Juryo Championship, 6 Special Prizes and 7 Kinboshi.

UPDATE 2: According to a report published by the Hokkoku Shimbum via Yahoo Sports Japan, Endo had the elder stock of Hokujin, the former Tenkaiho who just retired yesterday. So it sounds like Endo will be able to become Hokujin Oyakata and remain as a coach/eventual stablemaster.(11/2/25 VERY LATE UPDATE: That’s the case. Also Endo’s retirement wasn’t officially announced until a couple days ago, but the Japan Sumo Association websites and mobile app don’t reflect it yet)

The 5-day Grand Sumo Tournament in London, England has just wrapped up, it featured only the top tier wrestlers with a few exceptions who didn’t make the trip (notably Ozeki Kotozakura). While it shouldn’t have any effect on the upcoming Banzuke despite win-loss records, here are the final award winners:
Tournament Champion-Hoshoryu (Yokozuna)
Outstanding Performance Award-Tobizaru (Maegashira 15)
Fighting Spirit Award-Takayasu (Komusubi)
Technique Award-Ura (Maegashira 8)
Audience Award-Ura
The final saw Hoshoryu beat fellow Yokozuna Onosato for the championship.

There are already reports of a Paris tournament coming in either late 2026 or 2027 so that sounds like the next abroad event to look forward to.

The tournament was streamed live on a few services in Japan but if you’re in the US and a FuboTV subscriber, it can be watched on demand on Fubo Sports Network for a limited time in English with NHK sumo reporter/host Hiro Morita on commentary.

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:

Continue reading “Sumo-September 2025 Tournament Final Records & Post-Tournament News”

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 15-the Final Day-of the September 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi

Makuuchi (top tier):
Tobizaru (M15) beat Asakoryu (M14)
Hitoshi (M17) beat Meisei (M13)
Mitakuemi (M12) beat Nishikigi (M16)
Roga (M11) beat Ryuden (M17)
Shodai (M11) beat Shishi (M18)
Churanoumi (M10) beat Tomokaze (M16)
Tokihayate (M13) beat Fujinokawa (M9)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Sadanoumi (M14)
Kusano (M5) beat Shonannoumi (M15)
Hiradoumi (M4) beat Kinbozan (M8)
Daieisho (M10) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Atamifuji (M3) beat Ichiyamamoto (M5)
Oho (M2) beat Oshoma (M7)
Hakuoho (M2) beat Ura (M8)
Onokatsu (M6) beat Abi (M1)
Tamawashi (M1) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Wakamotoharu (M4) beat Aonishiki (K)
Takayasu (K) beat Kirishima (S)
Takanosho (M7) beat Wakatakakage (S)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Onosato (Y). PLAYOFF!!!
Playoff: Onosato beat Hoshoryu. ONOSATO YUSHO!!! The 5th career Emperor’s Cup for Onosato!
CHAMPION: Onosato (13-2)
Of note: But it was close and a Mono-ii (judges conference) followed which upheld the referee’s call of Onosato winning as they both went out of the ring at the same time. That helped Onosato snap, including the regulation match, a 4-match losing streak to Hoshoryu, who comes up just painfully short of his 3rd Emperor’s Cup, but after withdrawals in 2 or 3 as a Yokozuna due to injury he showed that, when healthy, he’s going to win more. Or at least have more showdowns with Onosato like this for championships.

SPECIAL PRIZES:
Outstanding Performance (winning record with most wins vs. Yokozuna & Ozeki): Hakuoho. Aonishiki would have also earned this had he won
Fighting Spirit (winning record with best display of fighting spirit): Takanosho
Technique (winning record with best display of winning technique): Aonishiki. 3rd straight tournament he has won it.

Juryo:
Goshima (Ms5) beat Kyokukaiyu (J13)
Wakanosho (Ms3) beat Takarafuji (J12)
Kamito (Ms4) beat Miyanokaze (J10)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Shirokuma (J9)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Tohakuryu (J6)
Kayo (J5) beat Nishinoryu (J14)
Fujiseiun (J5) beat Kazekeno (J11)
Tochitaikai (J5) beat Tsuurgisho (J9)
Asanoyama (J13) beat Mita (J4)
Kagayaki (J4) beat Shiden (J14)
Asahakuryu (J11) beat Nishikifuji (J3). ASAHAKURYU JURYO YUSHO!!! 3rd career championship, 2nd straight, 1st Juryo in his debut tournament.
Chiyoshoma (J2) beat Kotokuzan (J8)
Kotoeiho (J2) beat Asasuiryu (J12)
Hatsuyama (J8) beat Oshomi (J1)
Daiseizan (J1) beat Tamashoho (J7)
CHAMPION: Asahakuryu (13-2)
Of note: Asanoyama did his part but when Asahakuryu won that ended any playoff hopes. And it would have been a 3-way with Nishikifuji trying to spoil an all-Takasago playoff. Now the question is will either be in the top tier in November? Asahakuryu is a very big maybe and it’s going to be a toss-up. Asanoyama almost certainly will not. At worst, I see them both being J1. I think Mita is now going to miss out on the top tier, after an 8-1 start he collapsed in the second week and finished 1-5, he’ll still be promoted but I think he’ll stay in Juryo. Despite the loss today Oshoumi is also going up to the top tier as he finished 9-6 and Chiyoshoma will have a chance with also 9-6 at J2. At the bottom, Shiden & Kyokukaiyu are probably being demoted and…I think it’s the end for Takarafuji. 5-10 at J12 almost certainly means he’ll lose the numbrs game and his salary despite the Isegahama clout. The last time he was below Juryo? Not counting before promotion, never. And he was promoted up in July 2010 so that means his run could end at over 15 years. I do think he’ll still try and hang on for one more tournament and then try to cash in his elder stock to possibly take over the stable if the current Isegahama-the former Yokozuna Terunofuji-follows through on reports he’ll leave in January to open his own stable.

Jonidan:
Playoff: Kaki (Jd44) beat Teraosho (Jd99). KAKI JONIDAN YUSHO!!! 2nd career championship, 1st Jonidan in second career tournament.

TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS:
Makuuchi-Onosato (5th Emperor’s Cup)
Juryo-Asahakuryu (2nd career, 1st Juryo)
Makushita-Shimazuumi (1st career, 1st Makushita)
Sandanme-Kazuma (2nd career, 1st Sandanme)
Jonidan-Kaki (3nd career, 1st Jonidan)
Jonokuchi-Tatsubayama (1st career)

The next tournament is November 9-23 at Fukuoka International Center in Fukuoka. All tickets are already sold out. The tournament wrap-up post with final standings, post-event news and more will follow later this week after the post-tournament rankings meetings are held, which I believe are scheduled for Tuesday.