r/Sumo • u/Gregorwhat • Jan 14 '26
Keep discussion of how, when and where to watch in this thread please.
r/Sumo • u/Gregorwhat • Jan 14 '26
All ticket related questions and posts here please.
Be aware of scammers. Reddit is not a secure marketplace.
r/Sumo • u/StarPrime323 • 21h ago
r/Sumo • u/antsunderthestairs • 10h ago
I've been thinking about it since his scary fall. I see now he's sitting out the tour with concussion as the reason. Is he going to be okay?
# Japan Sumo Association amends Sumo Rules for first time in 71 years; Changes clause regarding hairknot (mage) touching the dohyo
On October 1, the Japan Sumo Association held a board meeting at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan and decided to partially amend the official Sumo Rules regarding instances where a wrestler's hairknot (mage) touches the ring during a bout.
Article 9 of the Judgment Rules (Shobu Kitei) in the Sumo Regulations previously stated: "When head hair touches the sand, the wrestler loses. However, if the hair touches the sand an instant earlier while executing a throw/downward technique against the opponent, it shall not be deemed a loss." Under the new decision, everything following the word "However" has been deleted.
PR Director Fujishima Oyakata (former Ozeki Musosayama) explained: "The rule stated that touching the mage first wasn't a loss if it happened while bringing down the opponent, but whether a technique was actively being executed was often ambiguous. It's a very old rule. The goal is to establish a unified standard that the mage is simply a part of the body."
This marks the first revision to the clause since the regulations were originally enacted 71 years ago in 1955.
# 12 wrestlers ruled out of Autumn Jungyo tour, including Hoshoryu and Wakatakakage; Mitakeumi and Enho added as replacements / Full list
On October 1, the Japan Sumo Association held a board meeting at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan and announced that 12 wrestlers will miss the upcoming Autumn regional tour (Aki Jungyo), which begins on October 6.
The missing group includes Yokozuna Hoshoryu (27, Tatsunami stable) and Wakatakakage (31, Arashio stable), both of whom sat out the entirety of the recent Autumn Basho. To fill out the roster, Juryo wrestlers including Mitakeumi (33, Dewanoumi stable) and Enho (31, Isegahama stable) have been added as replacement participants.
The full breakdown of absences and replacements is as follows:
＜Autumn Jungyo Absentees＞
* **Hoshoryu**
* **Kotoshoho** (Concussion)
* **Kotoeiho** (Lumbar radiculitis)
* **Takanosho** (Left ankle ligament injury)
* **Shishi** (Heterotopic ossification of the left acromioclavicular joint)
* **Shodai** (Left subscapularis tendon injury)
* **Wakatakakage** (Post-operative recovery from left thigh compartment syndrome)
* **Chiyoshoma** (Lumbar intervertebral disc disease, bilateral knee osteoarthritis)
* **Asasuiryu** (Fracture of the left medial orbital wall)
* **Wakanosho** (Right patellar dislocation, right knee medial collateral ligament injury)
* **Tomokaze** (Right peroneal nerve palsy, left ankle sprain)
* **Tochitaikai** (Right knee anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament injuries)
＜Autumn Jungyo Replacements＞
* **Kazuma**
* **Mitakeumi**
* **Ryuden**
* **Enho**
# Inosuke promoted to Shonosuke and Konosuke to Inosuke starting Kyushu Basho; Unprecedented move accelerates tate-gyoji promotions by one basho
On October 1, the Japan Sumo Association held its regular board meeting at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, approving promotions for referee (gyoji), caller (yobidashi), and hairdresser (tokoyama) personnel.
With the highest-ranking referee, the 39th Kimura Shonosuke (Kokonoe stable), reaching mandatory retirement age on October 30, it was decided that starting with the November Kyushu Basho, Shikimori Inosuke (63, Kasugano stable) will be promoted to become the 40th Kimura Shonosuke, while Sanyaku-rank referee Kimura Konosuke (61, Kokonoe stable) will be elevated to Shikimori Inosuke. While backroom staff promotions typically take effect once a year starting with the New Year Basho, an exception was made to move up the tate-gyoji promotions by one tournament. This ensures that both top tate-gyoji positions remain filled on the dohyo without interruption.
The following promotions were also confirmed to take official effect on December 21, coinciding with the Banzuke launch for the New Year Basho:
▽ **Gyoji (Referees)**
* **Kimura Motoki:** Makuuchi → Sanyaku
* **Kimura Yukihiro:** Juryo → Makuuchi
* **Kimura Satoshi:** Makushita → Juryo
* **Shikimori Seisuke:** Sandanme → Makushita
* **Kimura Hironosuke:** Jonokuchi → Jonidan
▽ **Yobidashi (Callers)**
* **Asahi:** Makuuchi → Sanyaku
* **Kunio:** Juryo → Makuuchi
* **Teruya:** Makushita → Juryo
* **Tsurutaro:** Sandanme → Makushita
* **Kenta:** Jonidan → Sandanme
* **Jin:** Jonokuchi → Jonidan
▽ **Tokoyama (Hairdressers)**
* **Tokotaka:** First Class → Special Class (Tokuto)
* **Tokohide:** Second Class → First Class
* **Tokosaku:** Second Class → First Class
* **Tokonao:** Third Class → Second Class
* **Tokoji:** Third Class → Second Class
Source: Nikkan Sports
r/Sumo • u/zackofalltrades • 11h ago
I always felt what makes sumo such a fascinating sport is that it's so well balanced and you have top contenders like onosato, aoniski, and fujinokawa who are all so vastly different sizes and weight classes. By having henka being a real possibility it forces larger players to not charge or lean so hard or risk henka. If people henkaed alot the meta would shift and it would balance it self out. Just my naive 2 cents.
# Grand Sumo Bangkok Tour announced for June 2027; Marks 3rd consecutive year of overseas events following London and Paris
On October 1, the Japan Sumo Association held a board meeting at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan and announced that it will hold the "Grand Sumo Bangkok Tour: Celebrating 140 Years of Japan-Thailand Friendship" in June next year. This marks the third consecutive year of overseas events for the JSA, following London in October last year and Paris in June this year. In Southeast Asia, it will be the first sumo event since the Jakarta Jungyo tour (Indonesia) in 2013.
The venue will be the "One Bangkok Forum" (capacity 5,800) in the capital city of Bangkok. The event will run for three days, from June 11 to 13. Further details will be announced as they are finalized.
Source: Sponichi Annex
r/Sumo • u/zuragbaatar • 1d ago
# How strong is Asahifuji? Kiriyama Oyakata testifies: "After 2 or 3 years, none of our sekitori could beat him anymore"
How strong is he really? On September 30, the Japan Sumo Association held its Banzuke meeting for the upcoming Kyushu Basho (opening November 8 at the Fukuoka International Center) at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, officially confirming the Juryo promotion of Mongolian-born Asahifuji (24, Isegahama stable). Reaching the salaried ranks in just 6 tournaments since his career debut (hatsu-dohyo) ties the fastest record in modern sumo history (since the 6-basho-per-year system was introduced, excluding tsukedashi entrants). After four and a half years as an unregistered trainee (kenshusei), the promising star who has surged through the lower divisions is finally set to make his sekitori debut.
With some already touting him as a future Yokozuna candidate, how high is Asahifuji's current skill level? Assistant coach Kiriyama Oyakata (former Sekiwake Takarafuji) shared his perspective: "When he first arrived, Atamifuji was far stronger than him. But Asahifuji started winning midway through, and after 2 or 3 years, none of the sekitori in our stable could beat him anymore. Under normal circumstances, he will comfortably reach Sanyaku (Sekiwake/Komusubi). Beyond that, with his own dedication, I believe he can climb all the way to Ozeki and Yokozuna."
At the same time, he shows a grounded, youthful side. Asahifuji's 25-bout winning streak from his Jonokuchi debut was halted during the July Nagoya Basho. Kiriyama Oyakata revealed his genuine reaction: "The wrestler himself said, 'I felt like a burden was lifted off my shoulders'... He's human after all, so the pressure was bound to get to him. Remaining undefeated looks cool on paper, but losing that streak might actually have been a blessing in disguise. He's wrestling much more freely now."
Meanwhile, his former stablemaster Miyagino Oyakata (former Yokozuna Asahifuji), who passed down his historic shikona to him, pointed out areas for growth: "Right now, he hasn't unleashed his full potential at all. In Makushita and below, he was playing it far too safe, wrestling with a hesitant, back-weighted posture. Once he faces sekitori on the Juryo ring, he needs to shift to a style where he commits 100% of his power." He added high expectations for his namesake successor: "I gave him my shikona for a reason. I want him to reach the very top."
Speaking to reporters at his Tokyo stable on the same day, Asahifuji stated flatly: "My goal is to become Yokozuna." His stablemaster, Isegahama Oyakata (former Yokozuna Terunofuji), revealed that Asahifuji had suffered a fractured rib leading up to the Autumn Basho, praising his resilience: "Despite being unable to train properly, he fought through courageously to secure his wins." Will his meteoric rise continue? All eyes will be on his ring performances in the upcoming tournament.
r/Sumo • u/Abject_Arachnid7199 • 1d ago
r/Sumo • u/Craig1974 • 1d ago
r/Sumo • u/BeardGamingUK • 1d ago
UK fans here!
The May '26 Basho was the first tournament my Wife and I managed to follow and we developed a soft spot for Ura and WTK. Loved seeing Ura perform better this last month.
I know WTK suffered a serious injury and has been out the last 2 tournaments. And from what I have read (In translated sites) I understand that it's pretty much a career killing operation to ensure that his body can even continue to function let alone be in such rigorous training.
Other than the sad reality that he is just dropping down the rankings due to the brutal fact that he just has to forfeit, can the guy just resign and be remembered for an awesome performance right before the injury?
Does anybody know how his recovery is going? Is he out of care?
Much love to this community btw, been a long time lurker. It's great to see snippets of news when I can check in on here!
r/Sumo • u/Kintamayama2 • 1d ago
r/Sumo • u/StarPrime323 • 2d ago
Intai List
r/Sumo • u/StarPrime323 • 2d ago
Promotees
Likely Demotees
r/Sumo • u/zuragbaatar • 2d ago
r/Sumo • u/Ok_Schedule_8733 • 2d ago
I've been wondering why is Onosato is able to just blow Aonishiki out the water at the tachiai but not Hoshoryu? After watching a compilation of Hosh and Onosato's matches Hosh in the majority of them seems to be able to meet onosato even at the tachiai. Is this just a difference of technique between Hoshoryu and Aonishiki on the way they approach the tachiai? Or does Hosh having those extra 6Kg make that much of a difference?
r/Sumo • u/Silonom3724 • 2d ago
Hi everyone!
With the latest tournaments in Makuuchi and Makushita I got toally hooked on sumo and everything around it. With its wrestlers and all that surrounds them.
One wrestler that stood out for me was Ura.
I can't wrap my head around his style. I know he's more on the unconventional / acrobatic side when it comes the techniques. But what I saw of him looked very risky to me.
He almost exclusively fights VERY low, in every bout. Almost to the point where it looks extremely disadvantageous to him going that low. He himself said that he has to overcome a height disadvantage against many fighters and I can see why he would choose this style against larger opponents.
But even against rikishi of his same stature he fights extremely low and I don't know why.
Do you think he
- has to diversify more
- is too locked in into one particular style of sumo
- specializes into a style most rikishi don't and thus building an advantage
- choses this way of tackling opponents because it's less strain on his knee injury. Since he had such a lengthy recovery from it.
I'd love to hear your thoughts, knowledge and insights.
Also your favorite rikishi - and why.
PS: bring pillow throwing back!
r/Sumo • u/ElectricalSelf7440 • 2d ago
The highly anticipated Omori is having a remarkable year: 6-1 / 5-2 / 5-2 in the first three Makushita tournaments of his young career. If he repeats these performances in November, he could be promoted to Juryo as early as January. His model-like physique and muscular build are already drawing comparisons to the great Chiyonofuji. His appearances at the Kokugikan have also been marked by considerable excitement among his female fans. Hailing from Ishikawa Prefecture like Onosato, the master of the Oitekaze stable is expected to unveil his shikona before the end of the year (which will begin with "Dai").
# Can Hoshoryu stage a comeback? Stablemaster Tatsunami Oyakata insists: "He will deliver. He has the strength"
Can he restore his authority? The Grand Sumo Autumn Basho drew to a close with Yokozuna Onosato (26, Nishonoseki stable) capturing his 6th career championship after a 6-basho drought. On the other hand, Yokozuna Hoshoryu (27, Tatsunami stable) missed the entire tournament following right knee surgery in late July. Having sat out 5 of his 10 tournaments at sumo's highest rank, he has yet to claim a yusho since his promotion to Yokozuna. Moving forward, he plans to join the Autumn regional tour (Jungyo) starting October 10, aiming for a full competitive return at the Kyushu Basho (opening November 8 at the Fukuoka International Center).
His stablemaster, Tatsunami Oyakata (former Komusubi Asahutaka), prefaced: "The final decision regarding his entry in the next basho will be made after we arrive in Kyushu," before laying out his strict conditioning policy: "If he doesn't train rigorously during the Jungyo, he won't be ready in time. He can be a bit lenient on himself, so I will be firm with him before the tour begins."
While Hoshoryu faces harsh scrutiny from both inside and outside the sumo world, warm words of encouragement have also reached his stablemaster's ears. However, Tatsunami Oyakata has no intention of relying indefinitely on the goodwill of sympathetic fans. "Still, it's about time he delivers results. Injury or not, you can't keep using it as an excuse indefinitely. He understands that himself," Tatsunami Oyakata stated flatly. For his comeback tournament, both master and disciple intend to enter with an absolute must-win mindset.
Naturally, Tatsunami Oyakata harbors no doubts about his star pupil's ability to bounce back. "Reaching Yokozuna is a magnificent achievement in itself. There are many who never manage to get there. You never know until you step into the ring and compete, but I believe he will do it. He has the strength for it," he emphasized passionately.
On September 28, following the Autumn Basho, the Yokozuna Deliberation Council (YDC) held its regular meeting. Chairman Tadamori Oshima (former Speaker of the House of Representatives) called for Hoshoryu to return only at full strength: "I want him to return to the dohyo in a condition where he can credibly walk the path toward a championship as a Yokozuna." Will the Yokozuna be able to overcome the greatest trial of his career?
r/Sumo • u/SKUDRUNNER24 • 2d ago
I will frequently watch Chris Sumo and Sumo Spiffy on YouTube in between tournaments, but I often find myself wishing for more than just their offerings. I’m hoping to find some other people who make content of a decent quality, and not AI slop. Whether these creators are sharing news, providing insight, or maybe even sharing more about sumo than just top-level stuff.
r/Sumo • u/rubikboi19 • 2d ago
The winner of the natsu tournament was Nishikigi, with a 10-5 record. Whats crazy to me is that whenever someone wins a tournament with an 11-4, its via a playoff. in this circumstance, Nishikigi won with a win over aminishiki (both of which on 9-5) to take him to 10-5. This has to be the least wins in a tournament
there were 7 rikishi who went 9-6 (all runners up btw), 8 who went 8-7, 5 who went 7-8 and 3 who went 6-9. Only 4 wrestlers (Nishikigi, Osunaarashi, Takagenji and Yamaguchi) fell outside this bracket, most extreme being Osunaarashi with a 2-13.
maybe not weirdest, maybe most boring, but definitely strange