Grand Sumo returns in November for the final tournament of the year on the official honbasho calendar. The 2026 Kyushu basho is scheduled to run from Sunday, November 8, through Sunday, November 22, taking place on Japan’s southernmost major island. As is tradition ahead of every grand tournament, the Japan Sumo Association (JSA) has officially released the banzuke—the meticulous rankings document that organizes hundreds of professional wrestlers across six distinct divisions based primarily on their performance in the preceding competition.
The upcoming November tournament follows a dramatic Aki basho in September, which culminated in yokozuna Onosato claiming the championship (yusho) after overcoming a late-tournament wobble. Onosato secured his title on the final day with a high-stakes victory over ozeki Aonishiki, cementing his status at the pinnacle of the sport. With the new banzuke now locked in, the spotlight shifts to the 42 elite wrestlers who make up the makuuchi top division, featuring a mix of returning veterans, rising stars, and historic milestone-makers.
Grand Sumo Top-Division Rankings and Key Shifts
The upper echelons of the banzuke feature Onosato anchoring the East as the lone yokozuna, while Hoshoryu holds the West side. The ozeki rank is occupied by Aonishiki on the East, Kotozakura on the West, and Kirishima rounding out the tier. Below them, the sekiwake and komusubi positions set the stage for the joi—the elite group of maegashira ranked one through four who must face the highest-ranking champions during the opening week of the tournament.
Churanoumi Makes History as First Okinawan Shin-Komusubi
Among the most significant storylines heading into the Kyushu tournament is the historic rise of Churanoumi, who has earned promotion to the san’yaku upper ranks for the first time in his career. Churanoumi delivered a stellar performance in September, posting a 10-5 record while fighting out of the grueling joi ranks. It marked the first time he had ever secured a winning record at such a high level, earning him a well-deserved jump to shin-komusubi (first-time komusubi). His previous career-high rank was maegashira two.
This promotion is a momentous occasion not only for Churanoumi but for the entire prefecture of Okinawa. Hailing from Uruma, Churanoumi is the first-ever wrestler from Okinawa to achieve the rank of komusubi. Okinawa, famously recognized as the birthplace of karate and often referred to as "the Hawaii of Japan," occupies Japan’s southernmost territory and possesses a distinct cultural heritage separate from mainland Japan. Because the Kyushu tournament is held in southern Japan, it represents the geographically closest honbasho to Okinawa, ensuring that Churanoumi will enjoy a passionate wave of regional fan support during his shin-komusubi debut.
Ura Leads a Challenging Joi Lineup
Fan favorite Ura enters the November tournament riding the momentum of a strong 10-5 campaign in September. Coupled with underwhelming performances from several wrestlers positioned above him, Ura has climbed all the way to maegashira two, placing him squarely in the demanding joi tier.
Affectionately known to fans as the "Peach Prince," Ura faces a formidable gauntlet of opponents during the first week of the tournament, matching up against the titans at komusubi, sekiwake, ozeki, and yokozuna. While Ura’s popularity is unmatched thanks to his unorthodox and exciting style, he has historically struggled when elevated to this tier of the banzuke. The last time he competed in the joi, back in January, he managed a difficult 4-11 record.
Ura is joined in the joi ranks by a diverse group of competitors, including Asanoyama, Fujiryoga, Fujiseiun, Takayasu, Hakunofuji, Takerufuji, and Daieisho. Among them, veterans Asanoyama and Takayasu are former ozeki whose career trajectories were severely disrupted by injuries. Fujiryoga and Fujiseiun, both representing the Fujishima stable, are entering only their fifth top-division tournament. Takerufuji aims to recapture the magic of his historic debut tournament championship, which he won in stunning fashion before leveling off into more modest performances. Hakunofuji and Daieisho dropped into the joi following difficult September campaigns at the komusubi rank, marking a first for Hakunofuji.
Tobizaru and Shodai Highlight Notable Demotions
While promotions capture much of the attention, the shifting banzuke also brought harsh realities for several veterans. Six wrestlers were demoted from the top division following the September tournament. Aside from Wakatakakage, who was forced to sit out the previous competition due to injury, the most prominent names dropping down to the second-division juryo are Tobizaru and Shodai.
Tobizaru, widely known as the "Flying Monkey" for his chaotic style and vibrant personality, suffered a 4-11 record in September. His popularity rivals that of Ura, making his descent to juryo a surprising development for fans who have not seen him in the second division since his initial rise through the ranks in 2020.
Shodai, a former ozeki, endured an even tougher September, finishing 3-12 and resulting in his demotion to juryo for the first time since 2015. They are joined in the drop by Chiyoshoma, Wakanosho, and Shonannoumi, clearing the way for a fresh wave of talent entering the top tier.
Arashifuji Leads a Massive Isegahama Stable Presence in Makuuchi
Taking advantage of the vacancies left by demotions, 22-year-old Arashifuji has earned his first-ever promotion to the top division. Having only started competing in Grand Sumo in 2022, his rapid ascent highlights the depth of the dominant Isegahama stable.
With Arashifuji’s promotion, the Isegahama stable now boasts an extraordinary six wrestlers in the makuuchi division. He joins stablemates Atamifuji, Hakunofuji, Takerufuji, Nishikifuji, and Toshinofuji. Because stablemates are prohibited from facing each other during regular tournament bouts unless forced by a playoff, this heavy concentration presents a unique logistical challenge for tournament matchmakers. Furthermore, Isegahama’s dominance is underscored by top prospect Asahifuji earning promotion to juryo, making him a salaried sekitori for the first time. In total, the stable now holds 10 salaried wrestlers across the top two divisions, far surpassing any other stable in the sport.
Tamawashi and Other Newcomers Round Out the Division
Among the other notable promotions to the top division is sumo’s enduring "Iron Man," Tamawashi. Holding the modern record for the most consecutive bouts without an absence, Tamawashi spent two tournaments in juryo recovering and fighting back after dealing with a calf injury earlier in the year.
He is joined by Kitanowaka, who secured the juryo championship in September, alongside Daiseizan, Dewanoryu, and Kyokukaiyu. For both Dewanoryu and Kyokukaiyu, the November tournament will mark their historic debuts in the elite makuuchi division, setting the stage for an unpredictable and thrilling Kyushu basho.
