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)