The rankings for the September 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo have officially been released. This Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament will take place from September 13 to September 27 at Ryogoku Kokugikan, where the sport’s top sumo wrestlers will compete over 15 days of action.
The new banzuke, sumo’s official ranking sheet, brings Aonishiki back to ozeki after his amazing July championship in Nagoya. Fujinokawa also moves into the upper ranks at West sekiwake, adding another name to watch near the top at the Tokyo tournament.
| Makuuchi Division | ||
| East | Rank | West |
| Onosato | Yokozuna | Hoshoryu |
| Kirishima | Ozeki | Kotozakura |
| Aonishiki | Ozeki | |
| Atamifuji | Sekiwake | Fujinokawa |
| Hakunofuji | Komusubi | Daieisho |
| Kotoshoho | Maegashira 1 | Kotoeiho |
| Takayasu | Maegashira 2 | Yoshinofuji |
| Gonoyama | Maegashira 3 | Churanoumi |
| Takanosho | Maegashira 4 | Fujiryoga |
| Roga | Maegashira 5 | Oshoma |
| Asanoyama | Maegashira 6 | Ichiyamamoto |
| Fujiseiun | Maegashira 7 | Nishikifuji |
| Takerufuji | Maegashira 8 | Hiradoumi |
| Ura | Maegashira 9 | Shishi |
| Oho | Maegashira 10 | Kinbozan |
| Wakamotoharu | Maegashira 11 | Shodai |
| Wakatakakage | Maegashira 12 | Asahakuryu |
| Asakoryu | Maegashira 13 | Abi |
| Tobizaru | Maegashira 14 | Chiyoshoma |
| Asasuiryu | Maegashira 15 | Tokihayate |
| Wakanosho | Maegashira 16 | Toshinofuji |
| Shonannoumi | Maegashira 17 | |
For the complete official rankings, see the full banzuke (the official ranking of the grand tournament) here.
Grand Sumo Tournament Banzuke
Aonishiki Returns To Ozeki
Aonishiki is listed as East ozeki for September, restoring the rank he held before the July tournament. His return follows a 12-3 championship in Nagoya, where he won the Emperor’s Cup and the Technique Prize after a three-way playoff.
For newer sumo fans, ozeki is sumo’s second-highest rank, directly below yokozuna. The placement puts Aonishiki alongside East ozeki Kirishima and West ozeki Kotozakura, creating a three-man ozeki group beneath the two yokozuna.
Onosato remains East Yokozuna, with Hoshoryu on the West side. Together with the three Ozeki, they make for a strong lineup at the top of the rankings in Tokyo.
Fujinokawa Reaches Sekiwake
The most notable new placement immediately below ozeki is Fujinokawa at West sekiwake. He joins East sekiwake Atamifuji in the rank known as the third-highest position in professional sumo.
Fujinokawa’s rise gives September another reason to watch the early fights closely. Sekiwake wrestlers regularly face the highest-ranked opponents, so his bouts against the yokozuna and ozeki will be among the tournament’s best fights.
Two New Faces At Komusubi
Hakunofuji is listed as East komusubi and Daieisho as West komusubi. Komusubi is the fourth-highest rank and, along with sekiwake, forms the group of elite positions known as sanyaku.
Below them, Kotoshoho and Kotoeiho lead the maegashira ranks at No. 1. That part of the banzuke is often especially important: strong results from the upper maegashira can quickly change the shape of the next tournament’s sanyaku discussion.
Other Movements To Watch
Wakatakakage is listed at East maegashira 12, while Yoshinofuji is West maegashira 2. Their placements underline how quickly a single tournament can reshape the banzuke.
The lower half of makuuchi also includes familiar names such as Takerufuji, Ura, Oho, and Asanoyama, while Shonannoumi holds the final East maegashira 17 position. With 15 days of competition ahead, this part of the rankings can produce some of the most consequential promotion and demotion stories for November.
Join us in this tournament
See the action live at Ryogoku Kokugikan during the September 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament. With the sport’s highest-ranked wrestlers competing across 15 days, the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament is one of the best opportunities to experience professional sumo in Tokyo. Book your seat and enjoy the atmosphere of Japan’s national sport in person.
