The yobidashi finished building the dohyo and it has been consecrated. The Osaka tournament is set to begin! There are a few items to note as we head into the opening day of the sumo tournament in Osaka.

First up, Shiden has retired. The timing seemed rather abrupt. At the end of last year, he had fallen into Makushita after his kyujo-shortened Kyushu tournament. He only managed one win in January so he fell deeper into the division when this most recent banzuke came out. The end of this past week was the time when they’re putting together the torikumi for the start of Osaka, so I imagine he was staring at either lengthy kyujo or push ahead with another poor performance and decided to hang up his mawashi. Tweets from fans expressed surprise at the timing but also thanks and wished him well in his second career.

＜紫雷引退のお知らせ＞
元十両 紫雷（しでん）
（本名 芝 匠、木瀬部屋）は引退しました。

紫雷のプロフィールhttps://t.co/m0sX3B4k32#sumo #相撲 #紫雷 pic.twitter.com/EcVSScN5lM

— 日本相撲協会公式 (@sumokyokai) March 6, 2026

I mentioned the bout list, or torikumi (取り組み), with the news above about Shiden. The list was released by the Sumo Association and we have a number of exciting matchups to look forward to on Sunday.

We take a brief stop by the infirmary. Midorifuji will be kyujo. Midorifuji’s kyujo is due to a heart condition which I hope will be treated and will allow him to come back. Fujiryoga will be welcomed to the top division with the open arms of Kinbozan’s fierce tsuppari. Fujiseiun doesn’t get any lighter treatment. He will take on former Ozeki, Asanoyama. “Here, Fujiseiun, lemme give you a hug.” Oof. Kotoeiho will open things up against Ryuden.

As we hop up the list, we see Ura paired against Shodai. That should be entertaining. Up in sanyaku, Papa Bear will face Churanoumi, Kirishima will fight Fujinokawa and Kotozakura will fight Yoshinofuji. Aonishiki’s rope run starts against Wakamotoharu. Must win. Onosato will fight Wakatakakage and Hoshoryu will close Day One action against Atamifuji.

We also note that Hakunofuji is scheduled to face Oshoma. This brings us to our third bit of “big news” — the news which I have been holding back on due to lack of detail in public. As Josh mentioned in his post, there was reportedly a violent encounter between Isegahama-oyakata (ex-Terunofuji) and Hakunofuji at a fan event. Because the incident is still under investigation and there are few details and many questions about those few details which have surfaced, I have decided to wait to report until we have those details. Well, we now have some items to report.

Hakunofuji will participate in Haru Basho. Isegahama-oyakata will be kyujo. The Sumo Association held a board meeting and determined that Isegahama will not work this tournament but will still act as coach. With the investigation still pending, he is effectively on leave. So we won’t see him in a blue jacket ushering fans out of the stadium or taking tickets or any sort of the activities oyakata perform at tournaments.

I’m sure your minds have questions and sadly, I have no answers, only my own questions and speculation. There are still several questions which I was hoping to be able to answer…but I can’t. If Hakunofuji is participating, is he practicing? Where is he practicing if Terunofuji is still coaching at the heya? If they’re together, that’s going to be awkward and not bode well for performance.

This drama won’t merely impact Hakunofuji, either. Nishikifuji witnessed the event and was summoned with Terunofuji and Hakunofuji to provide statements. Surely Nishikifuji’s going to want to get his head in the game, but who knows how effective that will be. Meanwhile, guys from Atamifuji on down to newly promoted Toshinofuji will try to soldier on.

Anyway, I won’t report on what I don’t know so don’t expect much coming out of me on this topic for the next fortnight. After the tournament, the board will get together and decide any outcomes and hand down any punishment. Till then, the show must go on!