(Looking for a different day? Try the master list!)
Compiled from: JSA's postings for makuuchi, juryo, makushita, sandanme, jonidan and jonokuchi; JSA's absence list, JSA's tournament leader list, JSA's tournament champions list and JSA's Day 9 program in Japanese.
There are 155 bouts listed on the schedule today. It's an odd-numbered day which means the east side is first to get called.
4 of today's 155 bouts are fusensho or fusenpai because of kyujo rikishi. This may change over the course of the day!
Check the appendices at the end of the schedule for more useful information!
If you want a toriteki (non-salaried rikishi from divisions 3 to 6) added to this watch list, get in touch!
Appearing on day 9: Agora, Aonishiki, Chikureisen, Fujiseiun, Hagane, Hakuoho, Hananoumi, Hogasho, Itadaki, Kaiseijo, Kamito, Kazeeidai, Kazuto, Kirimaru, Kiryuko, Kitadaichi, Koki, Kokuryunami, Kototebakari, Maikeru, Mineyaiba, Miyagi, Mogamizakura, Moriurara, Najima, Nikko, Obara, Onokatsu, Otani, Sawayaka, Shoketsu, Souga, Taiga, Takerufuji, Tanji, Wakatakakage, Wakatakamoto, Yago, Yamato, Yoshii
Having a rest on day 9: Akenonami, Amakaze, Arise, Asakiryu, Asanowaka, Asasorai, Asonoyama, Baraki, Dainichido, Dewanojo, Furanshisu, Hayashiryu, Hokuyozan, Ikazuchido, Ito, Kaihiryu, Kanzaki, Kazekeno, Kazeyuki, Kenho, Kitanosho, Kokiryu, Kotokuzan, Kyokutaisei, Nabatame, Nakashima, Raiho, Rinko, Satonofuji, Satsumao, Sazanami, Shoran, Shunkaku, Shunrai, Suyama, Takeuchi, Taranami, Tatsuosho, Terutsuyoshi, Toshunryu, Tsukubayama, Tsushimanada, Urutora, Wakaikari, Yuki, Yukiamami
Kyujo on day 9: Chiyooga, Enho, Kawamura, Kiho, Rao, Tochimaru
Note: Each division also has its own mini-report for who's on the schedule and who's kyujo!
The following rikishi are kyujo on day 9: Amao, Aoifuji, Aoiyama, Asanoyama, Chiyooga, Daiyusho, Dewataikai, Enho, Gonoumi, Hatooka, Hayatefuji, Higohikari, Hokuseiho, Hokutofuji, Ienoshima, Kaishin, Kawamura, Kiho, Kiyonoyama, Kiyota, Kosei, Kotoeko, Kototaiki, Kyokushori, Makotofuji, Masuminato, Minorufuji, Mishima, Miyakogawa, Nishikikuni, Oginohama, Okuyama, Rao, Ryuo, Ryutsukasa, Sadanojo, Sadanokuni, Shinzan, Shosei, Takakeisho, Takakento, Takayasu, Tamatensho, Tamatensho, Tochimaru, Tochiseiryu, Tsuyasato, Wakaikki, Wakayamanaka, Yamadaumi, Yurikisho
These gyoji were promoted at the end of December: Tategyoji Shikimori Inosuke (41st) promoted to Kimura Shonosuke (38th); Kimura Hisanosuke (up to san'yaku); Kimura Seiichiro (to makushita); Kimura Sakuranosuke (to makushita); Shikimori Komei (to jonidan); Shikimori Tomokimi (to jonidan). Congratulations to them all!
Azumaryu ("Squidward") announced his retirement in December after the release of the banzuke.
Retirees after the November tournament include Chiyoshishi, Kototakuya, Daijo, Tamanowaka, Itoga, Kirizakura and Raikisho. Best of luck to them all! (Collected from JSA's retirements page, Japanese language)
Chiyoarashi retired mid-tournament.
Second top ranked gyoji Kimura Tamajiro retired suddenly in September 2023, making that his final tournament. Shikimori Shiho has also disappeared from the listing of gyoji on the website in time for January 2024.
Takayasu went absent from day 3 with a back injury (source: Sponichi) then returned on day 6, but went out again on day 8 with an even worse back injury plus the flu! (Source: Hochi News). Takakeisho went absent from day 4 with a pinched nerve in his neck and is likely to be out for the rest of the tournament. Hokuseiho went absent from day 6 with a hurt knee and will require surgery. (source: Nikkan Sports). Aoiyama went absent from day 7 with a ruptured ACL and damaged meniscus. (Source: Sponichi). Hokutofuji went absent on day 9, believed to be a knee injury from a fall during his day 8 match (source: Hochi). Asanoyama also went out on day 9, presumed to be a right ankle injury (source: Hochi). Kotoeko also went out on day 9 with damage to his left knee's MCL (source: Sponichi).
Ringside judge Sadogatake is absent and will be replaced by Fujishima. Ringside judge Ajigawa is also absent and will be replaced by Onogawa. (Source: tachiai's Twitter.)
Vibrato King yobidashi Hiroyuki is not on the schedule starting day 9.
Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for jonokuchi
Coming up: Moriurara
Shimpan are Kataonami* (sekiwake Tamakasuga) facing us left, Tamagaki (komusubi Tomonohana) facing us right, Azumazeki (komusubi Takamisakari) right of dohyo, Tokitsukaze* (maegashira #1 Tosayutaka) facing away on mic, Ikazuchi* (komusubi Kakizoe) left of dohyo
Yobidashi is Akitaka (Ajigawa stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Kazenosuke (Oshiogawa stable)
Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for jonidan
Coming up: Aonishiki, Chikureisen, Kirimaru, Kokuryunami, Mogamizakura, Najima, Sawayaka, Shoketsu, Souga, Yamato
Gyoji is Shikimori Kisaburo (Tokitsukaze stable)
Gyoji is Shikimori Komei (Naruto stable)
Gyoji is Kimura Shunta (Shikoroyama stable)
Gyoji is Kimura Ryunosuke (Kokonoe stable)
Shimpan are Tatekawa (sekiwake Tosanoumi) facing us left, Hanaregoma* (sekiwake Tamanoshima) facing us right, Futagoyama* (ozeki Miyabiyama) right of dohyo, Onogawa (maegashira #2 Kitataiki) facing away on mic, Hidenoyama (ozeki Kotoshogiku) left of dohyo
Gyoji is Kimura Keitaro (Musashigawa stable)
Gyoji is Kimura Katsunosuke (Oshima stable)
Gyoji is Kimura Narimasa (Irumagawa)
Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for sandanme
Coming up: Agora, Fujiseiun, Hagane, Hogasho, Itadaki, Kazeeidai, Koki, Maikeru, Nikko, Wakatakamoto
Gyoji is Shikimori Kainosuke (Isenoumi stable)
Shimpan are Urakaze (maegashira #1 Shikishima) facing us left, Takenawa (sekiwake Tochinonada) facing us right, Oshima* (sekiwake Kyokutenho) right of dohyo, Takasago* (sekiwake Asasekiryu) facing away on mic, Nishonoseki* (the 72nd yokozuna Kisenosato) left of dohyo
Gyoji is Shikimori Tatsunosuke (Takadagawa stable)
Gyoji is Shikimori Seisuke (Miyagino stable)
Gyoji is Kimura Sakuranosuke (Shikihide stable)
Gyoji is Shikimori Seiichiro (Isegahama stable)
Gyoji is Kimura Kintaro (Nishikido stable)
Gyoji is Kimura Kazuma (Nishiiwa stable)
Gyoji is Shikimori Kinosuke (Sadogatake stable)
Shimpan are Onaruto (ozeki Dejima) facing us left, Edagawa (maegashira #1 Aogiyama) facing us right, Asahiyama* (sekiwake Kotonishiki) right of dohyo, Tanigawa (sekiwake Hokutoriki) facing away on mic, Naruto* (ozeki Kotooshu) left of dohyo
Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for makushita
Coming up: Hakuoho, Hananoumi, Kaiseijo, Kamito, Kazuto, Kototebakari, Mineyaiba, Miyagi, Obara, Otani, Taiga, Tanji, Yago, Yoshii
Gyoji is Shikimori Tomokazu (Oshima stable)
Gyoji is Kimura Ennosuke (Nishonoseki stable)
Gyoji is Kimura Satoshi (Takasago stable)
Yobidashi is Soichi (Yamahibiki stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Kazuki (Arashio stable)
Yobidashi is Yohei (Dewanoumi stable)
Yobidashi is Keisuke (Shibatayama stable); Gyoji is Kimura Hideaki (Tokiwayama stable)
Yobidashi is Fujio (Isegahama stable)
Tochiseiryu is kyujo! Asashiyu picks up the fusensho
Yobidashi is Shigetaro (Kokonoe stable); Gyoji is Kimura Kozaburo (Hakkaku stable)
Yobidashi is Tasuke (Yamahibiki stable); Gyoji is Kimura Zennosuke (Kasugano stable)
Yobidashi is Satoru (Hanaregoma stable); Gyoji is Kimura Chishu (Dewanoumi stable)
Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for makushita
Coming up: Kiryuko, Kitadaichi, Onokatsu, Wakatakakage
Shimpan are Kumegawa (komusubi Kotoinazuma) facing away on mic, Tatekawa (sekiwake Tosanoumi), Futagoyama* (ozeki Miyabiyama), Onogawa (maegashira #2 Kitataiki), Hidenoyama (ozeki Kotoshogiku)
Yobidashi is Masao (Nishiiwa stable); Gyoji is Kimura KANKURO (Yamahibiki stable)
Yobidashi is Rokuro (Nishonoseki stable); Gyoji is Kimura Kichijiro (Shibatayama stable)
Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for juryo
Coming up: Takerufuji
Yobidashi is Matsuo (Hanaregoma stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Shinnosuke (Hanaregoma stable)
Yobidashi is Kunio (Takasago stable); Gyoji is Kimura Yukihiro (Tamanoi stable)
Yobidashi is Mitsuaki (Tagonoura stable); Gyoji is Kimura Mitsunosuke (Takadagawa stable)
Yobidashi is Rikinojo (Takasago stable); Gyoji is Kimura Takao (Tagonoura stable)
Yobidashi is Koji (Asakayama stable); Gyoji is Kimura Asanosuke (Takasago stable)
Yobidashi is Teruki (Isegahama stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Kiichiro (Oitekaze stable)
Kotoeko is kyujo! Tohakuryu picks up the fusensho
Yobidashi is Daikichi (Hakkaku stable); Gyoji is ❤️ Kimura Yonosuke ❤️ (Hakkaku stable)
Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for makuuchi
Shimpan are Fujishima* (ozeki Musoyama) facing away on mic, Urakaze (maegashira #1 Shikishima), Oshima* (sekiwake Kyokutenho), Takasago* (sekiwake Asasekiryu), Nishonoseki* (the 72nd yokozuna Kisenosato)
Yobidashi is Kotoyoshi (Sadogatake stable); Gyoji is Kimura Ginjiro (Shibatayama stable)
Yobidashi is Kotozo (Sadogatake stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Kindayu (Hanaregoma stable)
Yobidashi is Ryuji (Miyagino stable); Gyoji is Kimura Akijiro (Kasugano stable)
Yobidashi is Akira (Oshima stable); Gyoji is Kimura Motoki (Minato stable)
Asanoyama is kyujo! Onosho picks up the fusensho
Yobidashi is Kokichi (Oshima stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Kandayu (Miyagino stable)
Shimpan are Asakayama* (ozeki Kaio) facing away on mic, Onaruto (ozeki Dejima), Asahiyama* (sekiwake Kotonishiki), Tanigawa (sekiwake Hokutoriki), Naruto* (ozeki Kotooshu)
Yobidashi is Goro (Otake stable); Gyoji is Kimura Hisanosuke (Oshima stable)
Hokutofuji is kyujo! Tobizaru picks up the fusensho
Yobidashi is Shigeo (Kokonoe stable); Gyoji is Kimura Konosuke (Kokonoe stable)
Yobidashi is Shiro (Otake stable); Gyoji is Kimura Shotaro (Kasugano stable)
Yobidashi is Katsuyuki (Shibatayama stable); Gyoji is Kimura Yodo (Kokonoe stable)
Yobidashi is Jiro (Kasugano stable); Gyoji is Kimura Shonosuke (Takadagawa stable)
Wikipedia has a list of winning techniques like oshidashi, yorikiri, etc and a sumo glossary, the heaviest grand sumo competitors ever, and an English-language page for just about every sekitori there is or was.
SumoDB has the entire banzuke in both Japanese and English. SumoDB also contains information about historical results and head to head matchups.
Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association) links: current rankings Japanese/English; yobidashi (ushers & attendants) Japanese/English; gyoji (referees) Japanese/English; oyakata (coaches) Japanese/English; heya (training stables) Japanese/English. NSK homepage in English; retirees - Japanese only but only requires hiragana knowledge
Fred Pinkerton's promotion/demotion charts show who's moving where in top division.
News sources and blogs: Tachi-Ai sumo blog (in English); Japan Times sumo coverage (in English); Nikkan Sports sumo articles (in Japanese); Sponichi sumo articles (in Japanese); Chunichi sumo articles (in Japanese). Hochi.news sumo articles (in Japanese). Useful Japanese terms to search in the highlights page for: 休場 (kyujo, absence); コロナ (korona, COVID).
Japanese language resources: DeepL for translating entire articles; Jisho for looking up specific words and kanji; the 10ten extension for Firefox lets you mouse over particular Japanese text of interest on websites.
Curiosities: that time half a stable went AWOL because the stablemaster's wife was being too harsh on them; interview with a yobidashi
A comprehensive gallery featuring head shots and bios of rikishi, oyakata, gyoji, yobidashi and more (correct to the beginning of 2023). Pre-bout rituals explained; What do the gyoji say?
Mono-ii reports are very formulaic! They're usually a couple of long run-on sentences that go something like this:
Matters for discussion and findings may include a touchout (te ga dete ori/orazu..), a simultaneous landing for both rikishi (doutai or ryousha), or even a disqualification (hansoku).
Helpful words to listen out for to get the gist of the report:
The outcome can go three ways:
Click the name of the shimpan to see what they look like. (You may need to middle-click it to open the link in a new window.) Thanks to the maintainer of this page for providing these images!
No new ringside judges to report this month!
Stablemasters have * after their name; everyone else is a coach.
Members of this senior group join up with other shimpan groups to act as head shimpan after the juryo ring entrance ceremony & intermission.
Expect to see one or more of these folks subbing in if someone doesn't make their shift: Hatachiyama (komusubi Tochinohana), Minato* (maegashira 2 Minatofuji), Shiranui (komusubi Wakakoyu), Takadagawa (sekiwake Akinoshima)
The official program only lists sekitori yobidashi from Soichi onwards. Even after their match-calling shifts, these youngsters work throughout the day as attendants.
There's a slightly outdated gallery of yobidashi headshots with bios at Heyaaz - it's missing Kumajiro because he debuted during 2023.
To help spot them, here's links to screencaps of the non-sekitori yobidashi in their order of appearance, including onscreen bios in Japanese:
