Professional sumo has officially moved into 2026 with the release of the banzuke for the January tournament. Tickets and rankings were published in late December ahead of the Hatsu Basho, scheduled for January 11–25 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
Ozeki Vacancy Filled
In the new banzuke for the January 2026 tournament, Aonishiki fills the west ozeki slot that had been vacant for the previous three tournaments, joining Hoshoryu (east yokozuna), Onosato (west yokozuna), and Kotozakura (east ozeki) in the sport’s elite ranks.
Shikona (Sumo wrestler’s ring name) Changes at Isegahama Stable
Several proteges of former yokozuna Hakuho, who transferred to Isegahama stable, have changed their shikona (ring names) ahead of the January tournament, replacing the character 鵬 (ho) with 富士 (fuji) to fit Isegahama’s naming tradition under stablemaster Terunofuji (former yokozuna wrestler). The most prominent example is Hakuoho, who now competes as Hakunofuji in the top division.
Asanoyama’s Historic Return
Former ozeki Asanoyama returns to the makuuchi (top division) for the January 2026 tournament, becoming the first wrestler in sumo history to be demoted as far as sandanme (fourth division) twice and return to the makuuchi division each time.
New Sekitori in Juryo
Osaka-born wrestler Kazuma makes his juryo debut after winning multiple lower-division championships and joins the salaried ranks as one of the new sekitori (this term refers to a professional wrestler ranked in the top two divisions: Makuuchi and Juryo).
Other Notable Banzuke Changes
Dewanoryu also debuts in juryo, becoming the first sekitori from Dewanoumi stable since 2015.
Other notable changes include veteran Kirishima’s return to the sekiwake rank (third-highest rank in professional sumo wrestling, just below ozeki), while Takayasu also holds a sekiwake spot, marking his fifth consecutive sanyaku appearance.
Oho earns his first promotion to komusubi (fourth-highest rank in professional sumo, the lowest of the elite san’yaku (titleholder) ranks, just below sekiwake and above the maegashira), while Wakamotoharu returns to that komusubi rank after several tournaments.
Additionally, Asahakuryu and Hatsuyama make their makuuchi debuts, bringing fresh talent into the top division.
A new year, a new banzuke, and no time to breathe. The January tournament, the first basho of 2026, is almost here, and the dohyo is already buzzing with urgency.
There’s no warm-up in January sumo, only statements to be made, and they’ll begin very, very soon.
