Sumo Tournaments and Stable Politics — 2026-09-24
The September Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan entered its final stretch with Yokozuna Onosato holding the sole lead at 10-1, keeping his bid for a third consecutive title alive. Yokozuna Hoshoryu's run of consecutive absences deepened into a third straight tournament missed, drawing scrutiny from commentators. Meanwhile, tickets remained completely sold out for all 15 days, underscoring sumo's commercial strength.
Sumo Tournaments and Stable Politics — 2026-09-24
Top developments
Onosato keeps sole lead in pursuit of a third straight title
Yokozuna Onosato beat young challenger Fujoryo (藤凌駕) on Day 9 (September 21) to hold the sole lead at 8-1 and become the first makuuchi wrestler this September basho to secure kachi-koshi (a winning record), according to Sumostats reporting from Ryogoku Kokugikan. He retained the sole lead through Day 10, securing his winning record while standing one loss clear of the field. On Day 11 (September 23) he defeated Fujimikawa to remain at one loss toward a V3 (third consecutive championship), with several chasers eliminated.
Ozeki Kotōzakura falls out of the title race
Ozeki Kotōzakura, who had been tied with Onosato at one loss, lost to Fujimikawa on Day 10 (September 21), falling behind in the championship race. The loss, combined with Onosato's win, gave the yokozuna a one-loss cushion over his nearest rival with a handful of days remaining. Kotōzakura had earlier kept pace with Onosato at 1 loss as of Day 7 (September 19), when a cluster of tied leaders all lost.
Kirishima's yokozuna promotion race all but dead
Ozeki Kirishima, chasing promotion to yokozuna with the expressed desire to seize the rope ("tuna-ori"), was described as facing near-hopeless promotion odds after dropping to three losses by Day 8 — with Sponichi noting there is no precedent for a wrestler securing promotion to yokozuna with three defeats by the tournament's midpoint. His stablemaster reportedly sighed about the situation. This matters for the Yokozuna Deliberation Council's end-of-tournament deliberations over any rope promotion.
Yokozuna Council watches Onosato as Hoshoryu keeps sitting out
The Yokozuna Deliberation Council (yokozuna shingikai) held its in-tournament general observation (honbasho sōken) on Day 5 (September 17), with chairman Ōshima Rinmoron telling Onosato to show "the conviction of a yokozuna," while also referencing the absent Hoshoryu. A fresh Sankei Sports column published September 24 examines Hoshoryu (27)'s troubles after he sat out from Day 1, marking his third consecutive tournament absence, framed around the dilemma of a talent "irreplaceable by any other." This keeps yokozuna status questions — for both Onosato's legitimacy and Hoshoryu's future — center-stage.
Mongolian teenage heavyweight Tensoyama suffers first loss
Tensoyama Shogo (22, Tamanoi-beya), a 197cm, 173kg Mongolian-born wrestler billed as the tallest active wrestler, saw his winning streak end with his first career defeat on Day 11 of the Autumn basho at Ryogoku Kokugikan, competing from the Eastern Makushita 8 rank — with Korean outlet Starnews relaying Sponichi's report and speculation he could "change the 70th-year history" of sumo. His degree of promotion next to the November banzuke is one to watch.
Local view
Japanese sports media is unanimous on the Onosato bandwagon: Sponichi framed Day 11 as "a step toward V3" for the yokozuna, with six wrestlers (including Asakusae and Atamafuji) already eliminated at three or more losses. Daily Sports highlighted that after Onosato clinched his winning record on Day 10 from sole first place, he referenced the two-year anniversary of the Noto Peninsula flood disaster affecting his home region in Ishikawa, saying "I want to be able to give good news" to his hometown. Nikkei published the official star chart (hoshi-tori) after Day 6, tracking the pulsing loss column of the eliminated contenders.
Context & numbers
- Tickets: Every date of the September Grand Sumo Tournament (September 13–27, Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo) is listed as sold out, with no day-of sales permitted on Ticket Oosumo; every day had reportedly sold out by early August.
- Standings through Day 11: Onosato 10-1 (sole lead); Juryō leader Kagayaki 10-1 after his first loss; Kayo the only 9-2 in Juryō; Hitoshi (8-3) picked up his kachi-koshi.
- Onosato's September totals: 5-1 after Day 6 per Nikkei, then 8-1 by Day 9 and 10-1 through Day 11.
On the radar
- Kagayaki's push toward the yusho and a makushita-to-juryō headline watch, after his first loss of the tournament on Day 11 (now 10-1).
- Whether Onosato closes Things out over the final days (through September 27) — a third straight title would strengthen yokozuna promotion pressure on him going into November.
- Hoshoryu's situation: with three straight absences, watch for any statement on his return or the November banzuke placement when the new rankings are released.
- Rumor-flagged: Sankei Sports columnist notes that if the division title race comes down to another playoff, "talk changes again" on Onosato — i.e., potential yokozuna promotion deliberations could be triggered by a playoff-level finish.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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