Tag: ozumo

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 5 of the March 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Seliwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Kotoeiho (M17) beat Mitakeumi (M15)
Fujiryoga (M17) beat Chiyoshoma (M14)
Kinbozan (M16) beat Fujiseiun (M13)
Asahakuryu (M16) beat Tobizaru (M13)
Asanoyama (M12) beat Nishikifuji (M14)
Asakoryu (M12) beat Roga (M10)
Gonoyama (M10) beat Oshoumi (M11)
Shishi (M11) beat Tokihayate (M9)
Tamawashi (M9) beat Ura (M8)
Shodai (M8) beat Oshoma (M7)
Takanosho (M4) beat Onokatsu (M6)
Daieisho (M4) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Ichiyamamoto (M6) beat Oho (M3)
Hiradoumi (M1) beat Atamifuji (K)
Takayasu (S) beat Yoshinofuji (M1)
Kirishima (S) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Wakatakakage (M1) beat Kotozakura (O)
Aonishiki (O) beat Fujinokawa (M2)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Churanoumi (M2)
Leader: Takayasu, Takanosbo (5-0)
Of note: The leaderboard shrank from 4 to 2 at the top today, and for the first time since July 2023 Takayasu is 5-0 and teasing both another chance at that elisive first Emperor’s Cup. However…the last time he was 5-0? Demotion as he finished 7-8. As for Takanosho, he could give the former Takakeisho a championship in his first tournament as stablemaster Minatogawa. Hoshoryu is right there at 4-1 along with 7 others.
Yokozuna Watch: Aonishiki was back in the win column today and is now 3-2, still with a chance. He has Oho tomorrow who can’t be overlooked despite a 1-4 start.

Juryo:
Kotokuzan (J14) beat Tsurugisho (J12)
Nishikigi (J12) beat Fujitensei (J13)
Kazekeno (J14) beat Toshinofuji (J11)
Dewanoryu (J10) beat Tohakuryy (J10)
Hatsuyama (J9) beat Shimazuumi (J13)
Kazuma (J11) beat Tamashoho (J9)
Kitanowaka (J8) beat Kyokukaiyu (J7)
Shonannoumi (J8) beat Hitoshi (J6)
Meisei (J7) beat Shirokuma (J5)
Kayo (J6) beat Kagayaki (J5)
Wakanosho (J3) beat Takerufuji (J4)
Asasuiryu (J2) beat Nishinoryu (J4)
Daiseizan (J3) beat Sadanoumi (J1)
Ryuden (J1) beat Tomokaze (J2)
Leader: Wakanosho, Kazuma (5-0)

Lower tier notes: Enho lost to fellow Makushita promotion candidate Okaryu (Ms2) today to fall to 2-1, but still has a chance at promotion to Juryo if he finishes 6-1, maybe 5-2 but it depends on what else happens. No match tomorrow.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 4 of the March 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

As today-March 11-is the 15th Anniversary of the Great Japan Earthquake of 2011 that decimated eastern parts of the country, especially Fukushima prefecture, each department held a moment of silence today in remembrance of the victims. The quake struck at 2:46 PM, which was 1:46 AM ET/10:46 PM PT. In sumo in recent years, the prefecture has been buoyed by the Onami brothers-Wakamotoharu & Wakatakakage-who have been mainstays in the top tier and Wakatakakage has also won the Emperor’s Cup once. Their older brother, Wakatakamoto, currently is in Makushita.

Makuuchi (top tier):
Asahakuryu (M16) beat Fujiryoga (M17)
Kotoeiho (M17) beat Kinbozan (M16)
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Mitakeumi (M15)
Fujiseiun (M13) beat Tobizaru (M13)
Asanoyama (M12) beat Chiyoshoma (M14)
Asakoryu (M12) beat Oshoumi (M11)
Tokihayate (M9) beat Roga (M10)
Shishi (M11) beat Tamawashi (M9)
Shodai (M8) beat Gonoyama (M10)
Daieisho (M4) beat Ura (M8)
Takanosho (M4) beat Oshoma (M7)
Hiradoumi (M3) beat Ichiyamamoto (M6)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Oho (M3)
Atamifuji (K) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Kirishima (S) beat Wakatakakage (M1)
Churanoumi (M2) beat Aonishiki (O)
Takayasu (S) beat Kotozakura (O)
Yoshinofuji (M1) beat Onosato (Y) by default/withdrawal
Fujinokawa (M2) beat Hoshoryu (Y). KINBOSHI!!! The second career-and second straight-Gold Star Victory for Fujinokawa!
Leader: Takayasu, Takanosho, Kotoshoho (4-0)
WITHDRAWAL: Onosato (Y). Dislocated shoulder. Seems to be his previously injured left shoulder per Nikkan Sports, who got comments from his stablemaster Nishonoseki on the matter. Tournament likely over. Expected to be out 3 weeks. Surgery is possible but seems unlikely and Onosato is expected back for the Spring provincial tour in April. Yoshinofuji got the fusen as a result, but not another kinboshi. This also means, if he misses 4 more days, Onosato’s run of no losing tournaments in his entire career to date is over.
RE-ENTRY: Onokatsu (M6). Will return tomorrow. He was out the last 4 days with a left ankle sprain, which was expected to keep him out 2 weeks. Will be the equivalent of 0-4 and probably needs a win to ensure he is safe from demotion to Juryo in worst-case.
Of note: Tamawashi’s latest Iron Man feat is in the books as he is now the all-time leader in top tier matches with 1471. Unfortunately the bad luck continues as he is 0-4 and is going to need some wins to keep those runs going. At M9 he probably needs just 2 wins to be safe from demotion to Juryo. Also, for a second straight day a match ended with a non-winning technique as Takanosho beat Oshoma by tsukihiza, knee touch down. Right after the match began Oshoma bent his right knee down too far and it inadverttently touched the ground. Not injured, just accidental. Elsewhere, Fujinokawa became the latest to scalp both Yokozuna in a tournament and he reportedly gave his prize money today to oyakata Kabutoyama (formerly Oikari), who is his father. He already has more kinboshi than the old man did in his career.
Yokozuna Watch: Aonishiki’s hopes aren’t gone but now it’s the danger zone at 2-2. Still early and plenty of time but he can only afford maybe one more loss.

Juryo:
Kazekeno (J14) beat Shimazuumi (J13)
Fujisentsei (J13) beat Kotokuzan (J14)
Nishikigi (J12) beat Tsurugisho (J12)
Dewanoryu (J10) beat Toshinofuji (J11)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Tamashoho (J9)
Kazuma (J11) beat Hatsuyama (J9)
Kiwanowaka (J8) beat Shonannoumi (J8)
Kyokukaiyu (J7) beat Hitoshi (J6)
Meisei (J7) beat Kagayaki (J5)
Kayo (J6) beat Shirokuma (J5)
Nishinoryu (J4) beat Takerufuji (J4)
Wakanosho (J3) beat Asasuiryu (J2)
Daiseizan (J3) beat Ryuden (J1)
Sadanoumi (J1) beat Tomokaze (J2)
Leader: Wakanosho, Kyokukaiyu, Kazume, Fujitensei (4-0)

Lower tier notes: Enho beat Shimanoumi today for his second win and a 2-0 start, halfway to promotion in Makushita. Tomorrow he faces Okaryu, who is also 2-0 at Ms2 and looking for promotion to Juryo. Tough one for me because as a Tatsunami man prominently featured on their YouTube channel Okaryu has become one of my favorites along with Enho.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 3 of the March 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Fujiryoga (M17) beat Kotoeiho (M17)
Kinbozan (M16) beat Asasuiryu (J2)
Asahakuryu (M16) beat Nishikifuji (M14)
Chiyoshoma (M14) beat Mitakeumi (M15)
Tobizaeu (M15) beat Asanoyama (M12)
Fujiseiun (M13) beat Asakoryu (M12)
Roga (M10) beat Oshoumi (M11)
Gonoyama (M10) beat Shishi (M11)
Shodai (M8) beat Tamawashi (M9)
Ura (M8) beat Tokihayate (M9)
Kotoshobo (M5) beat Ichitamamoto (M6)
Oshoma (M7) beat Abi (M5) by default/withdrawal
Oho (M3) beat Daieisho (M4)
Takanosbo (M4) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Takayasu (S) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Kirishima (S) beat Atamifuji (K)
Kotozakura (O) beat Churanoumi (M2)
Aonishiki (O) beat Wakatakakage (M1)
Fujinokawa (M2) beat Onosato (Y). KINBOSHI!!! The first career Gold Star Victory for Fujinokawa!
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Yoshinofuji (M1)
WITHDRAWAL: Abi (M5). Back (simple explanation). Out about a week. That means there is a chance he could return this tournament but it would be to soften the blow of demotion and try to avoid the equivalent of 0-15. His top tier position is probably safe if he can’t return but at worst it’s a toss-up. A return with one win should be enough Oshoma got the fusen as a result.
Of note: Oh-no-sato! What is going on with Onosato? This is the first time the Yokozuna has begun a tournament 0-3 in his career and he is almost halfway to what would be the first losing record in his career. As a Yokozuna he can’t be demoted but from what I’ve seen he has been exposed technique-wise and doesn’t appear injured unless Nishonoseki is not telling us something. Tomorrow could be big trouble for Onosato…Yoshinofuji, who has taken two Kinboshi from the Yokozuna in their two medtings the last 2 tournamrnts. It does help Hoshoryu who is off to a 3-0 start as he tries for his first championship as a Yokozuna. But he must face a now-very-motivated Fujinokawa tomorrow. There is also an important co-leader clash between Takayasu & Kotozakura who are both 3-0.
Also of note-Tobizaru won by a non-winning technique-isamiashi, frontal step out. Asanoyama was about to push Tobizaru out but as The Flying Monkey went down & out at the edge of the dohyo, Asanoyama inadvertently stepped out first with his right foot before Tobizaru’s body touched the ground, a result upheld after a judges conference. So while Tobizaru won, Asanoyama caused himself to lose, albeit unintentionally.
Yokozuna Watch: Aonishiki bounced back from his first loss today with a win to improve to 2-1. Too early to speculate but every win helps. While best-case is winning a 3rd straight championship for promotion, yet another playoff appearance would also be enough or a runner-up with at least 12 wins. He faces Churanoumi tomorrow.

And Finally…Tamawashi’s next Iron Man record cones tomorrow when he will claim the all-time record for top tier appearances at 1471. Hopefully it gives him some better luck as he’s 0-3 so far.

Juryo:
Fujitensei (J13) beat Hakuyozan (Ms2)
Kazekeno (J14) beat Tsurugisho (J12)
Toshinofuji (J11) beat Kotokuzan (J14)
Kazuma (J11) beat Shimazuumi (J13)
Togakuryu (J10) beat Nishikigi (J12)
Hatsuyama (J9) beat Tamashoho (J9)
Kitanowaka (J8) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Kyokukaiyu (J7) beat Meisei (J7)
Shonannouni (J8) beat Kayo (J6)
Kagayaki (J5) beat Shirokuma (J5)
Takerufuji (J4) beat Hitoshi (J6)
Wakanosho (J3) beat Daiseizan (J3)
Tomokaze (J2) beat Nishinoryu (J4)
Ryuden (J1) beat Sadanoumi (J1)

Lower tier notes: No match for Enho in Makushita today, his second match is scheduled for tomorrow against fellow ex-salaried wrestler Shimanoumi.

UPDATE: Onosato has WITHDRAWN. No word as to why or status going forward. If he misses 5 or more days it will be his first career losing record. Yoshinofuji will get the fusen as a result, but not another Kinboshi. Nikkan Sports reports Onosato said he physcially was “okay” after today’s loss which suggests he’ll be back in a couple days.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 2 of the March 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Fujiryoga (M17) beat Sadanoumi (J1)
Asahakuryu (M16) beat Kotoeiho (M17)
Mitakeumi (M15) beat Kinbozan (M16)
Chiyoshoma (M14) beat Tobizaru (M13)
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Fujiseiun (M13)
Asakoryu (M12) beat Shishi (M11)
Asanoyama (M12) beat Oshoumi (M11)
Gonoyama (M10) beat Tokihayate (M9)
Roga (M10) beat Tamawashi (M9)
Ura (M8) beat Oshoma (M7)
Shodai (M8) beat Hakunofuji (M7) by default/withdrawal
Ichiyamamoto (M6) beat Abi (M5)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Onokatsu (M6) by default/withdrawal
Hiradoumi (M3) beat Daieisho (M4)
Takanosho (M4) beat Oho (M3)
Churanoumi (M2) beat Kirishima (S)
Takayasu (S) beat Fujinokawa (M2)
Yoshinofuji (M1) beat Aonishiki (O)
Kotozakura (O) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Hosboryu (Y) beat Wakatakakage (M1)
Atamifuji (K) beat Onosato (Y)
WITHDRAWALS: Onokatsu (M6), Hakuoho (M7). Onokatsu-left knee. Status uncertain. Occurred during his match yesterday, he was notably limping for a moment afterwards (at the end he went down backwards in a squat and a little awkward, maybe a hyperextension). No word on his condition. Hakuoho-Lisfranc (toe). Aggravation of January’s injury. Tournament over. Out about 3 weeks. This means there is a slight chance of demotion to Juryo because he will be the equivalent of 0-15. Kotoshoho & Shodai both got the fusen as a result.
Of note: O(h)no(sato)…only Day 2 but this is not good. Only the second time he has started 0-2, the first time was at Seliwake in July 2024 when he finished 9-6 and won a Special Prize. Yesterday his pulling/push down technique was his undoing. I haven’t seen today’s match yet. No second Kinboshi for Wakatakakage as Hoshoryu beat him today for a 2-0 start.
Yokozuna Watch-let’s panic/not panic about Aonishiki losing today. The last two tournaments were exceptions to him losing on one or both the first 2 days but yes it’s concerning since this is his first chance at promotion. But not all-or-nothing yet.

Juryo:
Kazekeno (J14) beat Tochitaikai (Ms1)
Shimazuumi (J13) beat Kotokuzan (J14)
Fujitensei (J13) beat Tsurugisho (J12)
Kazuma (J11) beat Nishikigi (J12)
Toshinofuji (J11) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Dewanoryu (J10) beat Tamashoho (J9)
Kitanowaka (J8) beat Hatsuyama (J9)
Shonannouni (J8) beat Meisei (J7)
Kyokukaiyu (J7) beat Kayo (J6)
Hitoshi (J6) beat Kagayaki (J5$
Takerufuji (J4) beat Shirokuma (J5)
Nishinoryu (J4) beat Daiseizan (J3)
Wakanosho (J3) beat Tonokaze (J2)
Asasuiryu (J2) beat Ryuden (J1)

Lower tier notes: No match for Enho today as expected following his opening day win. His second match will likely be Wednesday on Day 4 as I do not see him on tomorrow’s schedule.

UPDATE: Abi has WITHDRAWN. Third lumbar transverse protrusion fracture per a loose translation of the report from Nikkan Sports. In other words, back. Out about a week. That means a return is possible but at 0-2 it virtually guarantees demotion. Oshoma will get the fusen tomorrow as a result.

Here are the quick LIVE results from today’s Day 1-Opening Day-of the March 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

9:35 PM PT UPDATE: Juryo updates below begin now.

11 PM PT UPDATE: Live top tier updates and the NHK World Premium broadcast begin now.

Makuuchi (top tier):
Kotoeiho (M17) beat Ryuden (J1)
Kinbozan (M16) beat Fujiryoga (M17)
Mitakeumi (M15) beat Asahakuryu (M16)
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Chiyoshoma (M14)
Fujiseiun (M13) beat Asanoyama (M12)
Asakoryu (M12) beat Tobizaru (M13)
Shishi (M11) beat Oshoumi (M11)
Gonoyama (M10) beat Roga (M10)
Tokihayate (M9) beat Tamawashi (M9)
Ura (M8) beat Shodai (M8)
Oshoma (M7) beat Hakunofuji (M7)
Ichiyamamoto (M6) beat Onokatsu (M6)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Abi (M5)
The NHK World Japan live broadcast begins here.
Takanosho (M4) beat Daieisho (M4)
Hiradoumi (M3) beat Oho (M3)
Takayasu (S) beat Churanoumi (M2)
Kirishima (S) beat Fujinokawa (M2)
Kotozakura (O) beat Yoshinofuji (M1)
Aonishiki (O) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Wakatakakage (M1) beat Onosato (Y). KINBOSHI!!! The first career Gold Star Victory for Wakatakakage!
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Atamifuji (K)
WITHDRAWAL (Pre-Tournament): Midorifuji (M15). Heart failure. Scary…status uncertain. Nikkan Sports reports he has been treated for about a month. I have seen unverified claims on Facebook that he won’t compete. If he can’t participate he will be demoted to Juryo for the first time in about 5 years. He would need to return and probably get at least 5 wins to stay in the top tier.
UPDATE: Will not compete this tournament. Out about a month per a new Nikkan Sports article with comments from Isegahama coach Tateyama. He is back in Tokyo and will be hospitalized soon for further examination.

Of note: With regards to Isegahama fka Terunofuji, he will not be at the tournament and punishment for a recent incident of violence against Hakunofuji will be announced after the tournament. There are reports in the sumo media that it involved Hakunofuji drinking at a bar and perhaps making inappropriate gestures towards or contact with a female patron and that led Isegahama to intervene and attack his charge. Hochi Sports reports the investigation is ongoing and that is why Isegahama will not be at the tournament (according to fellow stablemaster Sadogatake, who is in charge of PR/media relations) although the absence/confined to stable is not disciplinary. But I could see such announcements being further delayed if Aonishiki gets promoted to Yokozuna so as not to distract from that.

Juryo:
Himukamaru (Ms1) beat Kotokuzan (J14)
Fujitensei (J13) beat Kazekeno (J14)
Shimazuumi (J13) beat Tsurugisho (J12)
Toshinofuji (J11) beat Nishikigi (J12)
Kazuma (J11) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Hatsuyama (J9) beat Dwanoryu (J10)
Tamashoho (J9) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Kyokukaiyu (J7) beat Shonannoumi (J8)
Kayo (J6) beat Meisei (J7)
Shirokuma (J5) beat Hitoshi (J6)
Kagayaki (J5) beat Takerufuji (J4)
Wakanosho (J3) beat Nishinoryu (J4)
Daiseizan (J3) beat Tomokaze (J2)
Sadanoumi (J1) beat Asasuiryu (J2)

Lower tier notes: Enho opened with a win against just-demoted Hidenoumi to get off to a 1-0 start as he tries to get promoted back to Juryo. Despite just being demoted after one tournament, Himukamaru is back in Juryo today for his first match, he is at Ms1.

RETIREMENT: Shiden (Ms21). Officially retired Friday before what would have been the start of his 12th year in sumo. Shiden, real name Takumi Shiba from Kise Beya, finishes with a career record of 319-273-26 (win-loss-absent), 2 championships (1 Makushita, 1 Jonidan) and a career high rank of Juryo 2. He went 1-6 in his final tournament in January. He does not qualify for elder stock due to having only 16 tournaments at Juryo (but he was absent in what would have been his Juryo debut) so he will be leaving the sumo world.

How to watch: If you can get ABEMA outside Japan, that service streams ALL matches LIVE for free. Otherwise, you can watch all top tier matches LIVE on NHK World Premium in Japanese & English, available on participating cable/satellite providers and Jme. NHK World Japan will also have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage in English beginning at 12:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET. All top tier and Juryo matches can also be watched on demand on the official Grand Sumo mobile app immediately after they happen. The app is available for iOS & Android for free but for unlimited viewing (and without ads) you meed to subscribe to it’s Tanimachi (Premium) subscription, currently available in the US for $4.99/month. It also gives you unlimited on demand viewing of over 12 years’ worth of matches.

UPDATE 2: Hochi Sports reports Onokatsu has WITHDRAWN ahead of Day 2. Left knee. Kotoshoho will get the fusen as a result.

This is bad for sumo and really bad if true-Nikkan Sports reports there is another investigation of violence among wrestlers within a sumo stable…and if this one is true, open the floodgates because it involves…Isegahama Beya. The current stablemaster, fka Yokozuna Terunofuji, is being investigated for violent acts against one of his wrestlers-Hakunofuji, who will be ranked Maegashira 7 in the March Tournament. The report indicates there may be witnesses as fellow Isegahama wrestler Nishikifuji was also interviewed about this.

This could be an uncomfortable full-circle moment for the sumo powers-this kind of incident ultimately led to the former Yokozuna Hakuho being forced out of the Japan Sumo Association and Miyagino Beya being taken over by Isegahama-and the former Isegahama, just forced to retire last year (reaching age 65, the mandatory retirement age in sumo), currently has that elder stock for up to 5 years as a former Yokozuna although, if Enho can get promoted back to Juryo again, he will be eligible for elder stock which is hope. Nonetheless, with more details and potential punishment to be announced in the near future, what goes around may have just come around. Best-case punishment? Equal to a slap on the wrist. Worst-case? If recent history is an indication, he could be kicked out of the Association and his career & stablemaster time would be over. There was such a situation more recently with Kise Beya but that was wrestler-on-wrestler violence/bullying, however Kise was punished stiffly with the equivalent of demotion in the stablemaster hierarchy and perhaps hopes of running for an executive position soon being dashed.

Nikkan Sports also reports Hakunofuji is currently not with the rest of the stable for pre-Tournament training camp in Osaka and Terunofuji was absent from a press conference the other day with Atamifuji after the January playoff loser was promoted to Komusubi, becoming the first rikishi from Shizuoka Prefecture to reach Sanyaku since 1930. And in worst-case it could take down the most powerful & influential stable in sumo (and the biggest too).

More as it becomes available.

After being delayed a day because today (yesterday Japan time) was a holiday, the Japan Sumo Association has now announced the updated Banzuke (rankings) for the March 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament. Here are the full rankings for the top 2 tiers and other notes:

Makuuchi (top tier):
Yokozuna-Hoshoryu, Onosato
Ozeki-Aonishiki (January Champion), Kotozakura
Sekiwake-Kirishima, Takayasu
Komusubi-Wakamotoharu, Atamifuji
Maegashira 1-Wakatakakage, Yoshinofuji
Maegashira 2-Fujinokawa, Churanoumi
Maegashira 3-Hiradoumi, Oho
Maegashira 4-Daieisho, Takanosho
Maegashira 5-Abi, Kotoshoho
Maegashira 6-Ichiyamamoto, Onokatsu
Maegashira 7-Oshoma, Hakunofuji
Maegashira 8-Ura, Shodai
Maegashira 9-Tokihayate, Tamawashi
Maegashira 10-Gonoyama, Roga
Maegashira 11-Shishi, Oshoumi
Maegashira 12-Asakoryu, Asanoyama
Maegashira 13-Tobizaru, Fujiseiun
Maegashira 14-Chiyoshoma, Nishikifuji
Maegashira 15-Midorifuji, Mitakeumi
Maegashira 16-Asahakuryu, Kinbozan
Maegashira 17-Fujiryoga, Kotoeiho
Notes: The big story is Aonishiki being on Yokozuna watch as he goes for 3 straight championships and potential promotion. Next up is Atamifuji, whose playoff loss in January finally gets him into Sanyaku as he is Komusubi for the first time alongside Wakamotoharu, who protected his rank on the final day of January after an 0-5 start. No change at Sekiwake-Kirishima has a chance at promotion back to Ozeki if he wins the championship. Yoshinofuji was perhaps only denied Komusubi by Wakamotoharu’s promotion-saving win and Atamifuji’s playoff loss. Fujinokawa & Abi are notable big movers up while Tamawashi will keep his Iron Man streak going from the middle of the chart. There were rumblings about Aomori’s top tier representation streak being in danger of ending due to Nishikifuji’s demotion because of late withdrawal but it’s safe for now as he only fell to M14. But he needs to compete and do decent or hope Takerufuji can get back up from Juryo this time, which is possible. Fujiseiun was also rightfully promoted up from Juryo for the first time, and they made up for January’s snub by taking him up to M13 and also coming up is Fujiryoga at M17 for his rookie effort.

Juryo:
Juryo 1-Ryuden, Sadanoumi
Juryo 2-Asasuiryu, Tomokaze
Juryo 3-Daiseizan, Wakanosho (January Champion)
Juryo 4-Nishinoryu, Takerufuji
Juryo 5-Kagayaki, Shirokuma
Juryo 6-Hitoshi, Kayo
Juryo 7-Meisei, Kyokukaiyu
Juryo 8-Shonannoumi, Kitanowaka
Juryo 9-Tamashoho, Hatsuyama
Juryo 10-Dewanoryu, Tohakuryu
Juryo 11-Kazuma, Toshinofuji
Juryo 12-Nishikigi, Tsurugisho
Juryo 13-Shimazuumi, Fujitensei
Juryo 14-Kazekeno, Kotokuzan
Notes: Ryuden was once again demoted from the top tier while Sadanoumi came closer to going back up than I expected as they are the J1s this time. January Champion Wakanosho went from J11 to J3 this time. At the bottom, Toshinofuji (fka Seihakuho) & Fujitensei are the Shin-Juryo rikishi while Fujitensei is also kaimei, as his promotion comes with a new shikona (ring name) for the former Fukuzaki, while Shimazuumi is Sai-Juryo returning from the lower tiers. A slight surprise that Nishikigi gets one more chance to stay Juryo while Tsurugisho staves off demotion-induced retirement for another tournament.

Lower tier notes: In the Makushita Enho is within promotion range, climbing up to Ms4. That means he needs 5+ wins for a chance at that long-hoped-for Juryo return. Himukamaru is at Ms1 after demotion to Juryo but with a chance to return quickly, alongside Tochitaikai. Hakuyozan was demoted from Juryo to Ms2 alongside Okaryu, who climbs to a career-best with Juryo in reach. January champion Nobehara is up to Ms6 with a chance at promotion too. The Sandanme has the “new normal” 80 ranks & 160 total wrestlers. The Jonidan slims down just a little to 100 ranks & 200 wrestlers, with both Isrgahama January Jonokuchi unbeatens, champion Asahifuji (their next super-prospect) & runner-up Aoifuji, slotting in high at Jd8, while the Jonokuchi has 21 ranks with 42 wrestlers and what looks like 7 debuts, and the net’s favorite “lovable loser” Moriurara at Jk14 (also getting more popularity thanks to Otake Beya starting a YouTube channel a few months ago).

The March Tournament runs from 3/8-3/22 at Osaka Prefectural Gym in Osaka. All tickets are already sold out. Remember the time change forward in the US starts on 3/8 so everything is an hour later than usual for TV/streaming.

Normally the Banzuke for the March Grand Sumo Tournament would be announced today (Monday Japan time). However, because Monday is a holiday in Japan, the Banzuke announcement is DELAYED and will be announced Tuesday, so that post will come Monday afternoon US time, likely between 2-6 PM PT.

With 10 days until the next Banzuke announcement, the Japan Sumo Association announced another wrestler decided to retire today-Daishoho is calling it a career. Daishoho, from Oitekaze Beya, real name Chimidregzen Shijirbayar from Mongolia, is leaving after just short of 13 years in pro sumo with a career record of 417-433-2 (win-loss-absent), 53-82 in the top tier, one Jonidan Championship and a career high rank of Maegashira 9. Because the 2 absent were due to coronavirus protocols during the pandemic, they were expunged and he is credited with perfect attendance in his career (this applied to many wrestlers with such absent days, including most notably Tamawashi, which kept his Iron Man streak intact). He went 3-4 in January at Sandanme 5 which meant a demotion and, due to the timing of retirement, he will appear on the March Banzuke but it will not count on his record and he will be perhaps announced as a pre-tournament withdrawal. He qualified for elder stock but the reports I read on Nikkan Sports & Hochi Sports as well as the JSA announcement made no mention of it so he probably is leaving the Association or will not become a coach.