Tag: wrestling

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 14-the penultimate day-of the January 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo. Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Kotoshoho (M10) beat Mitakeumi (M14)
Gonoyama (M9) beat Hatsuyama (M17)
Asahakuryu (M17) beat Shodai (M8)
Midorifuji (M12) beat Kinbozan (M8)
Oshoma (M7) beat Ryuden (M15)
Fujinokawa (M7) beat Asakoryu (M15)
Oshoumi (M16) beat Hiradoumi (M6)
Tobizaru (M13) beat Onokatsu (M6)
Tamawashi (M5) beat Tomokaze (M13)
Churanoumi (M5) beat Roga (M9)
Chiyoshoma (M11) beat Takanosho (M3)
Wakatakakage (M2) beat Daieisho (M4)
Tokihayate (M10) beat Ichiyamamoto (M1)
Yoshinofuji (M1) beat Shishi (M14)
Ura (M2) beat Oho (K)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Asanoyama (M16)
Atamifuji (M4) beat Kirishima (S)
Abi (M12) beat Takayasu (S)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Kotozakura (O)
Onosato (Y) beat Aonishiki (O)
Leader: Aonishiki, Atamifuji (11-3)
Of note: The championship will be decided tomorrow, but it won’t be simple because Aonishiki-Atamifuji already happened on Day 12. So here are the championship scenarios:
1-If either Aonishiki (Kotozakura) or Atamifuji (Oshoumi) win AND the other loses, the winner is the champion.
2-If both win, there will be a playoff.
3-if both lose, there will be a 4-way playoff with Aonishiki, Atamifuji, Oshoumi and the Kirishima-Abi winner as both are now 10-4 so the winner becomes a co-leader. But if Onosato wins the Yokozuna Showdown tomorrow in this scenario, there would be a FIVE-WAY playoff!
Atamifuji is up first tomorrow so Aonishiki will know his destiny before he faces Kotozakura. Kirishima-Abi happens right before Aonishiki-Kotozakura, and of course Onosato-Hoshoryu is last and remember that despite Onosato’s playoff win history between them still favors Hoshoryu.
At the bottom, Sadanoumi & Kotoeiho will be the Juryo men up for tomorrow’s final day, both trying to get back to the top tier in March-Sadanoumi already has promotion at 9-5 but probably does need that 10th win (Asahakuryu) to move up from J4, Kotoeiho is 7-7 at J1 so he must win (Ryuden).
Also of note: With this win Tamawashi (finally) moves into 9th place all-time in top tier wins with 707, breaking a tie with Musashimaru (now Musashigawa). A long way to go to 8th which is 777.

Juryo:
Toshinofuji (Ms2) beat Hakuyozan (J14)
Meisei (J8) beat Dewanoryu (J13)
Kotokuzan (J6) beat Nishikigi (J12)
Nishinoryu (J9) beat Kazuma (J14)
Kyokukaiyu (J12) beat Tamashoho (J5)
Takerufuji (J5) beat Hidenoumi (J13)
Sadanoumi (J4) beat Kayo (J9)
Kitanowaka (J8) beat Shonannoumi (J4)
Fujiryoga (J3) beat Tsurugisho (J11)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Shirokuma (J3)
Asasuiryu (J7) beat Daiseizan (J2)
Kazekeno (J10) beat Kagayaki (J2)
Wakanosho (J11) beat Kotoeiho (J1)
Fujiseiun (J1) beat Hitoshi (J9)
Leader: Wakanosho (11-3)
Of note: The Juryo title picture is much simpler tomorrow-if Wakanosho wins (Fujiryoga), he is the champion. If Wakanosho loses and Fujiseiun wins (Tohakuryu), there will be a playoff. Wakanosho is up first and Fujiseiun is the last match of the day. Fujiseiun is headed to the top tier regardless, if Wakanosho wins the championship I don’t think 12-3 at J11 will be enough. But he should be J1 or J2 for sure, at worst J3 with top tier demotions. I don’t think Daiseizen will move up even if he clinches promotion tomorrow to finish 8-7 at J2 but Fujiryoga will have a chance if he wins to get to 10-5 at J3. With his win today it looks like Toshinofuji, the former Seihakuho, is probably getting promoted to Juryo in March for the first time. He was considered the last of the real Hakuho big-time prospects before the Isegahama takeover. As far as anyone else coming up, Himukamaru is a toss-up for a return at 4-3 from Ms2 as he is done, Fukuzaki has a chance fro Ms3 if he wins tomorrow to finish 5-2 and maybe Shimazuumi from Ms5 if he gets to 6-1. I’d like to see Okaryu have a chance as he is a stablemate of Hoshoryu and finished 6-1 (lost his first match then won all the rest) but Ms7 may be too far down. He probably goes to Ms3, maybe Ms2.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 90 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage, including the final matches, playoff if necessary, awards ceremony and champions’ interview, FOR FREE TONIGHT beginning at 11:30 PM PT/2:30 AM ET. NHK World Premium coverage begins at 11 PM PT/2 AM ET. I will try and do live results tonight beginning with Juryo around 9:30 PM PT/12:30 AM ET.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 13-Championship Day-of the January 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi

Makuuchi (top tier):
Asahakuryu (M17) beat Kotoeiho (J1)
Ryuden (M15) beat Chiyoshoma (M11)
Tokihayate (M10) beat Tomokaze (M13)
Roga (M9) beat Tobizaru (M13)
Gonoyama (M9) beat Midorifuji (M12)
Hatsuyama (M17) beat Kinbozan (M8)
Mitakeumi (M14) beat Shodai (M6)
Fujinokawa (M7) beat Kotoshoho (M10)
Asakoryu (M15) beat Oshoma ((M7)
Atamifuji (M4) beat Abi (M12)
Onokatsu (M6) beat Hakunofuji (M3) by default/withdrawal
Wakatakakage (M2) beat Churanouni (M5)
Takanosho (M3) beat Ura (M2)
Daieisho (M4) beat Yoshinofuji (M1)
Ichiyamamoto (M1) beat Tamawashi (M5)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Osboumi (M16)
Hiradoumi (M6) beat Oho (K)
Takayasu (S) beat Asanoyama (M16)
Kirishima (S) beat Shishi (M14)
Onosato (Y) beat Kotozakura (O)
Aonishiki (O) beat Hoshoryu (Y)
Leader: Aonishiki (11-2)
WITHDRAWAL: Hakunofuji (M3). Toe. Tournament over. Injury occurred yesterday in loss to Aonishiki where his foot turned awkwardly at the end of the match. Status uncertain beyond this weekend. Will be demoted. Onokatsu got the fusen again as a result. (UPDATE: Per Hochi Sports, out about 4 weeks. That means he should be back for March)
Of note: It’s Aonishiki’s to lose but he can’t win the championship tomorrow because both Kirishima & Atamifuji are 10-3 and face off tomorrow. No 3rd straight playoff for Hosboryu as 8-5 means he is out of it, while Onosato is 9-4 and needs a lot of help as do the other 5 with that record. In fact, Onosato’s fate is the easiest to decide because he has Aonishiki tomorrow-he must win to have any chance at a 6th championship. At the bottom, Hatsuyama got his second win today which, despite a big demotion coming, should be enough to at least keep him in Juryo.
Finally, I don’t think Onokatsu will get lucky and fusen his way to promotion, he’s gonna have to face Tobizaru tomorrow barring the unexpected. But the last two days did help, taking him from 5-6 to 7-6.

Juryo:
Kayo (J9) beat Nishikigi (J12)
Hitoshi (J9) beat Hakuyozan (J14)
Kazuma (J14) beat Meisei (J8)
Asasuiryu (J7) beat Taurugisho (J11)
Dewanoryu (J14) beat Takerufuji (J5)
Kazekeno (J10) beat Tamashoho (J5)
Shonannoumi (J4) beat Hidenouni (J13)
Kyokukaiyu (J12) beat Sadanoumi (J4)
Shirokuma (J3) beat Kotokuzan (J6)
Nishinoryu (J6) beat Fujiryoga (J3)
Kitanowaka (J8) beat Kagayaki (J2)
Daiseizan (J2) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Wakanosho (J11) beat Fujiseiun (J1)
Leader: Wakanosho (10-3)
Of note: Wakanosho now controls his destiny and the championship after today. If he beats Kotoeiho tomorrow and Hitoshi beats Fujiseiun, Wakanosho is the champion. Otherwise, Fujiseiun can still force a playoff. A Wakanosho loss could also keep as many as 7 others in contention for a playoff, including newcomer Kazuma who continued his impressive rebound from an 0-3 start by securing promotion today. At the bottom, Hakuyozan will presumably be demoted to Makushita at 5-8 now while Hidenouni is in danger of demotion at 5-8 along with Nishikigi at 6-7. The others at the bottom, Dewanoryu & Kyokukaiyu, clinched promotions today. As far as potential Makushita promotions, nobody who still has a chance competed today. Records so far show perhaps 5 with a chance still, and more realistically 3 at best.

Makushita:
Nobehara (Ms54) beat Enho (Ms11). NOBEHARA MAKUSHITA YUSHO!!! 1st career championship. So close and yet so far away for Enho, who just misses out on potential Juryo promotion. He’ll try again in Match from a much closer rank.

Sandanme:
Hananofuji (Sd23) beat Kakueizan (Sd9). HANANOFUJI SANDANME YUSBO!!! 2nd career championship and 2nd Sandanme championship for the former Kawazoe. Will be promoted to Makushita as he tries to climb back up to Juryo himself after a long injury absence.

Jonidan:
Asanojo (Jd49) beat Takakurayama (Jd68)
Koseiryu (Jd3) beat Chiyoyamato (Jd41). KOSEIRYU JONIDAN YUSHO!!! First career championship. Takakurayama was eliminated from contention with his loss.

Jonokuchi:
Asahifuji (Jk19) beat Wakaonehara (Jk1)
Aoifuji (Jk17) beat Datenoumi (Jd98). PLAYOFF!!! And between stablemates! Both Isegahama men will face off for the championship on Sunday.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage FOR FREE tomorrow at 12:10 AM PT/3:10 AM ET. NHK World Premium will have 2 hours of top tier coverage beginning at 11 PM PT/2 AM ET, and remember if you are in the US or Canada you can subscribe to Jme and new subscribers get a 5 day free trial so you can watch the final weekend for free that way.

UPDATE: From the lower tiers, Nikkan Sports reports we have another retirement: Kenho (Jk5), who is calling it quits after nearly 15 years despite earning promotion with a 5-2 record this tournament. His highest career rank was Ms59 for one tournament and he nearly won one Sandanme Championship, losing in a playoff in January 2012. He was better known for being, at one point, one of the heaviest wrestlers ever at roughly 575 pounds, but following major health issues including having part of his stomach removed he reportedly slimmed down to about 420 pounds although for this tournament he was listed as back up to 501.6 pounds. His career record was 258-254-90 (win-loss-absent).

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 12 of the January 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Tobizaru (M13) beat Mitakeumi (M14)
Chiyoshoma (M11) beat Tomokaze (M13)
Asakoryu (M15) beat Tokihayate (M10)
Kotoshoho (M10) beat Asahakuryu (M17)
Roga (M9) beat Hatsuyama (M17)
Shodai (M8) beat Midorifuji (M12)
Ryuden (M15) beat Kinbozan (M8)
Asanoyama (M16) beat Fujjnokawa (M7)
Onokatsu (M6) beat Nishikifuji (M11) by default/withdrawal
Gonoyama (M9) beat Tamawashi (M5)
Oshoumi (M16) beat Churanouni (M5)
Daieisho (M4) beat Oshoma (M6)
Ura (M2) beat Hakunofuji (M3)
Takanosho (M3) beat Ichiyamamoto (M1)
Wakatakakage (M2) beat Yoshinofuji (M1)
Shishi (M14) beat Oho (K)
Hiradoumi (M6) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Kotozakura (O) beat Abi (M12)
Aonishiki (O) beat Atamifuji (M4)
Kirishima (S) beat Hoshoryu (Y)
Onosato (Y) beat Takayasu (S)
Leader: Aonishiki (10-2)
WITHDRAWAL: Nishikifuji (M11). Herniated discs and right elbow. Tournament over. Out at least 2 weeks. Will finish the equivalent of 6-9 (he was 6-5 going into today after 2 straight losses) and be demoted but his top tier spot is safe. Onokatsu got the fusen as a result.
Of note: No perfect attendance this time. Nishikifuji is the first top tier withdrawal of the tournament but despite his demotion Aomori’s streak of unbroken top tier representation going back to the 1800s will continue as Nishikifuji will stay in the top tier while Takerufuji is still in Juryo.
Of note: it looks like two straight tournaments without a Yokozuna champion, and now it’s perhaps Aonishiki’s to lose. If he can win out and claim the title at 13-2, I think we might hear some Yokozuna rumblings as it would be consecutive championships. But first he must get by the current Yokozuna beginning tomorrow with Hoshoryu, and here’s a maybe-shocker: Including the November playoff they have met 4 times to date…Aonishiki has won them all. Against Onosato? 0-3. Both Yokozuna are 8-4 and will be out of it with another loss, with Onosato facing Kotozakura tomorrow after the Ozeki got his 8th win to protect his rank again. 5 are still in it at 9-3 including Asanoyama, looking for his second top tier title.

Juryo:
Himukamaru (Ms2) beat Hakuyozan (J14!
Kyokukaiyu (J12) beat Kazekeno (J10)
Kazuma (J14) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Hidenouni (J13) beat Kotokuzan (J6)
Nishinoryu (J6) beat Dewanoryu (J13)
Nishikigi (J12) beat Tamashoho (J5)
Tsurugisho (J11) beat Sadanoumi (J4)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Shonannoumi (J4)
Fujiryoga (J3) beat Kayo (J9)
Takerufuji (J5) beat Shirokuma (J3)
Daiseizan (J2) beat Hitoshi (J9)
Wakanosho (J11) beat Kagayaki (J2)
Asasuiryu (J7) beat Kotoeiho (J1)
Fujiseiun (J1) beat Meisei (J6)
Leader: Fujiseiun, Wakanosho (9-3)
Of note: It’s now pretty much definite that Fujiseiun will be promoted to the top tier in March with likely at least 2 demotions. Kagayaki has all but lost his chance now at 5-7, Kotoeiho still needs a win at 7-5 while Daiseizan needs to win out at 6-6. Fujiryoga & Sadanoumi both will be promoted but need to win out to have any chance. At the bottom, Himukamaru clinched promotion today so he has a chance at a quick Juryo return, but it will depend on the numbers game. Both Ms1 ranks will be demoted (Tocjimusashi is 2-4, Mita is absent) and fellow Ms2 Toshinofuji (fka Seihakuho) is also promoted at 4-2, Shimazuuni is 5-1 at Ms5…ultimately it may depend on Enho. If he wins the championship tomorrow he could be promoted from Ms11 and take a spot away. It’s too early to speculate about the bottom of Juryo with several at 5-7, 6-6 or 7-5 but Kazekeno is 3-9 and could be demoted if he loses out and Wakanosho is a co-leader and promoted. Tocjitaikai is also a toss-up as he seems to be done and would be equal to 3-12 at J7 if he is As for Kazuma, he is now 7-5 and one win from promotion and staying in Juryo as his strong comeback from an 0-3 start continues.

Lower tier notes: No match for Enho today as expected or any of the lower division co-leaders ahead of Championship Day tomorrow. All the lower tier champions may be crowned tomorrow but Jonidan may need a playoff and Jonokuchi may need a playoff between Isegahama stablemates.

UPDATE: BREAKING as of 5:30 PM PT/8:30 PM ET-Hakunofuji has WITHDRAWN per Nikkan Sports. More to come. If this is true, Onokatsu will get the fusen again as a result, his second straight, and move to one win from promotion at 7-6. Hakunofuji will be demoted as a result as he would be 5-8 after tomorrow.
UPDATE 2: Possible left leg injury per Hochi Sports, which may have occurred in his Day 11 loss to Aonishiki. His foot/ankle clearly turned in a bad way at the end.

UPDATE 3: Hakunofuji withdrawal is official. Toe. Tournament probably over. Status uncertain.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 11 of the January 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Tobizaru (M13) beat Hatsuyama (M17)
Abi (M12) beat Shishi (M14)
Midorifuji (M12) beat Ryuden (M15)
Oshoumi (M16) beat Nishikifuji (M11)
Asakoryu (M15) beat Chiyoshoma (M11)
Tokihayate (M10) beat Asahakuryu (M17)
Mitakeuni (M14) beat Gonoyama (M9)
Shodai (M8) beat Tomokaze (M13)
Roga (M9) beat Oshoma (M7)
Asanoyama (M16) beat Hiradoumi (M6)
Churanouni (M5) beat Kotoshoho (M10)
Kinbozan (M8) beat Tamawashi (M5)
Atamifuji (M2) beat Fujinokawa (M7)
Onokatsu (M6) beat Daieisho (M4)
Ichiyamamoto (M1) beat Wakatakakage (M2)
Walamotoharu (K) beat Ura (M2)
Yoshinofuji (M1) beat Oho (K)
Aonishiki (O) beat Hakunofuji (M3)
Takanosho (M3) beat Kotozakura (O)
Pnosato (Y) beat Kirishima (S)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Takayasu (S)
Leader: Abi, Atamifuji, Aonishiki (9-2)
Of note: Onosato stopped his career-worst 3-match losing streak today to remain in contention at 7-4 while Hosboryu is one back at 8-3, but Takanosho surprised Kotozakura to drop the Ozeki to 7-4 and deny his protecting his rank today. 3 remain co-leaders with Atamifuji being the only one to not have won an Emperor’s Cup already (Abi did a few years ago and Aonishiki is going for two straight). If Atamifuji is going to win his first, he has to pass his biggest test tomorrow-Aonishiki. Abi faces Kotozakura. After Onosato beat him today, Hosboryu will try to pretty much eliminate Kirishima from contention while Onosato faces Takayasu with a winning record on the line for both.
And if you had the first katasukashi this tournament for Midorifuji coming today, you win! He beat Ryuden with his signature technique. And while Hatsuyama will be demoted back to Juryo, Oshoumi clinched his first top tier promotion today in his second try. Finally, what may be the last chance to climb back up the ladder for Asanoyama will continue as his latest top tier return will end with promotion as he joined the 8-3 crowd today.

Juryo:
Kazuma (J14) beat Tochimusashi (Ms1)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Kyokukaiyu (J2)
Kayo (J9) beat Tsurugisho (J11)
Hitoshi (J9) beat Dewanoryu (J13)
Hidenouni (J13) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Hakuyozan (J14) beat Kotokuzan (J6)
Shonannoumi (J4) beat Nishikigi (J12)
Walanosho (J11) beat Sadanoumi (J4)
Shirokuma (J3) beat Kazekeno (J10)
Fujiryoga (J3) beat Tamashoho (J5)
Kagayaki (J2) beat Meisei (J8)
Takerufuji (J5) beat Daiseizan (J2)
Fujiseiun (J1) beat Asasuiryu (J7)
Kotoeiho (J1) beat Nishinoryu (J6)
Leader: Fujiseiun, Sadanoumi, Walanosho (8-3)
Of note: After somehow being denied promotion to the top tier despite 8 wins at J1, Fujiseiun will get a second chance after clinching promotion today. With Hatsuyama being demoted that should open the spot for Fujiseiun. At the bottom, it’s been noted that with Tocjimusashi now being demoted and Tochitaikai demoted too and pribably done for the tournament, March could mark the first time in 60 years Kasugano Beya has no rikishi in the top 2 tiers. It’s been a long, slow fall since former Ozeki Tochinoshin retired and even before that. Himikamaru is the Makushita man up tomorrow, he is 3-3 at Ms2 so a win gives him a slim chance of following Kise stablemate Kazuma into Juryo in Matrch. As for Kazuma, beating Tochimusashi saw him improve to 6-5, an impressive turnaround from a surprise 0-3 start.

Lower tier notes: There’s real hope for Enho’s long-awaited Juryo promotion…he beat Tochimaru today and now will face Nobehara Friday for the Makushita Championship. If Engo wins, there is a chance he will be promoted back to Juryo from Ms11. Why is this such a big deal, you ask? Before demotion to the lower ranks due to injuries, Enho was probably one win short of what would have been 30 tournaments in the top 2 tiers-that means eligibility for elder stock and perhaps hope of someday restarting Miyagino Beya, which was forced to close when the former Hakuho was forced out of sumo and everything transferred to Isegahama Beya (the Miyagino elder stock is now held by the former Isegahama despite having to retire last year, at least for another 4 years or so). Enho has 29 such tournaments. If he loses Friday he’ll have to try again in March but probably from a top 5 Makushita ranking. The Sandanme final is also set and will be Hananofuji vs. Tatsubayana. The Jonidan has 3 at 6-0 so a playoff remains possible. The Jonokuchi has the two Isegahama men at 6-0 so they will not face each other yet-if both win their last match, there will be a playoff between them. If one wins and the other loses, the winner is the champion. If both lose, there will be a multi-man playoff. This does mean Isegahama has a chance to claim 4 of the 6 championships this time-all but Juryo & Jonidan. Not a bad way to send the former Terunofuji into retirement-his retirement ceremony & haircutting event will be held on 1/31.

In other news, it was also announced that Oyakata Kitajin-the former Endo-will have his retirement event & haircutting ceremony on 1/30/2027 at the Kokugikan. The former Hokutofuji (now Oyama) & Takarafuji (now Kiriyama) will have their retirement events in the coming months.

UPDATE: Nishikifuji has WITHDRAWN ahead of day 12. First out of the top tier this tournament. Herniated disc(s) and right elbow. Tournament over. Out at least 2 weeks. Will finish the equivalent of 6-9 but at M11 his top tier spot is safe so the unbroken Aomori representation run int he top tier will continue even with Takerufuji stuck in Juryo. Onokatsu will get the fusen as a result.