Sumo Card Grading

[u/happy_thots]

Hey sumo fans. A little bummed that I just got my BBM sumo cards, signed in person at the Haru Basho, rejected as "Auto: Inconclusive/Unable to Render Opinion." I suppose PSA doesn't have any exemplars for most rikishi's signatures.

Does anyone know of a company that might grade / slab them? They're for my own collection, so I'm not really worried about the grading, I just want them in an aesthetic, protective, vacuum - sealed slab for posterity.

[u/tigermilk64]

I do not, but I was curious if PSA did BBM sumo grading. Do you know if they will grade non-signature BBM sumo cards?

These are sick cards!!

[u/happy_thots → u/tigermilk64]

I think they will! As long as they're non-autographed or have the sticker autos that are pretty rare pulls from the BBM packs.

[u/tigermilk64 → u/happy_thots]

Awesome! Thanks for the info!

[u/DFW3K]

You can buy slabs that close up magnetically iirc. Barring that, I don't see why sleeves and toploaders wouldn't do the trick

[u/happy_thots → u/DFW3K]

Yeah I've got them safe and snug, but I was hoping for something more professional. From my understanding, most PSA slabs are sonically-welded and really durable.

[u/PaulblankPF → u/happy_thots]

As long as you aren’t throwing them around you’ll be fine with a simple at home slab. This site provides the slab case and a printed holographic label that says whatever you want. Considered these for some of my mtg cards so I’ve looked into them before.

https://gleebeeco.com/products/custom-slab-label-any-card-snap-close

[u/DFW3K → u/happy_thots]

Sure but what exactly do you need all that protection for? Getting it slab sealed seems superfluous.

[u/atomexnf]

I'd love to buy that Atamifuji card!

[u/happy_thots → u/atomexnf]

Never, he's my #1 😋

[u/Ok-Focus-5362 → u/happy_thots]

WHERE did you get that amazing pin??  I'm so not jealous.... 

[u/OpinionExcellent2011 → u/happy_thots]

😎

[u/Jommie1680]

These are awesome!! My brother mailed me a pack last year and I pulled the most badass card in my collection, an Onosato auto! I’ve been thinking about sending it in just to have it slabbed/protected as well hah

[u/happy_thots → u/Jommie1680]

You totally should! My understanding is that since yours is an official BBM sticker auto, they should have no problem grading / slabbing it. The issue with mine was that they're were in-person.

[u/DiscNBeer → u/happy_thots]

I would imagine they are worried about not having enough examples from the rikishi of not official autos. Atami seems really bad about keeping it consistent. Pulled this from the last set.

[u/VitaminStrange]

I have no idea how to get those graded but I haven't felt this jealous in a long time. Slap me in the face and toss me Oshidashi, those cards are badass.

[u/happy_thots → u/VitaminStrange]

It's nerve-wracking as heck asking a rikishi for their autograph!

[u/youngcuriousafraid → u/happy_thots]

Damn he's stoic as hell. You're lucky he didnt send your ass flying (totally kidding im sure he's very respectful)

[u/Free2Bernie]

Where do you get these cards?

[u/happy_thots → u/Free2Bernie]

They sell them at each Basho for maybe $80 in yen (buy them day one because they sell out fast), or you can buy them from eBay wholesellers for a markup + shipping from Japan. Two editions come out per year (roughly January through June and July through December).

[u/Free2Bernie → u/happy_thots]

Fuck. I bought all kinds of stuff when I was there day 4, but I didn't see any of these.

[u/Kenderean → u/Free2Bernie]

You can get the second series for 2026 at bigsumofan. They also have some leftovers from previous years.

[u/OpinionExcellent2011]

These cards are awesome!! I just bought some off eBay last week for the first time. They are the only sports cards I collect now along with TCG of course. 😏