Banzuke (番付)

Banzuke Sunday!

Bruce H Banzuke (番付), Natsu Basho 2020

The threat of COVID-19 looms over the world of sumo, but at least one thing is certain—today is Banzuke day! That’s Sunday in the US, and early Monday for much the the rest of the world. In spite of the doubts about when the next basho will start, join Team Tachiai as we celebrate the Natsu ranking sheet!

Tachiai will bring you the details as soon as the banzuke hits the NSK web site, or you can join us in manically clicking refresh on this page: Grand Sumo Tournament Banzuke

Of course our master prognosticator, lksumo, published his predictions some time ago; you can find them here:

Banzuke Crystal Ball
Juryo Banzuke Guess, and a Look at Makushita
Looking Ahead To The Next Banzuke

Banzuke Sunday!

Bruce H Banzuke (番付), Kyushu Basho 2019

Can you feel it? That hint of sumo in the air?

It’s Banzuke Sunday, and the team at Tachiai is milling about, trying to be useful while constantly refreshing the Sumo Kyokai’s banzuke web page. We expect it to be posted in about 6 hours, but that does not prevent us from hitting “reload” every so often.

If you are eagerly awaiting the answer to the banzuke mysteries like we are, why not start by reading lksumo’s forecast?

Check back this afternoon US time for the details. Look for our banzuke podcast on Monday!

Aki Banzuke Is Live!

Bruce H Aki Basho 2019, Banzuke (番付)

The Japan Sumo Association has published the banzuke for the upcoming Aki basho, starting September 8th, in Tokyo.

Find it at : Banzuke – Aki Basho 2019

Some notable facts:

  • 2 Sekiwake, 2 Komusubi, Hokutofuji hardest hit.
  • Hokutofuji and Aoiyama share Maegashira 1. One of these two will probably bludgeon their way into San’yaku next time.
  • Tomokaze makes it to Maegashira 3, we may get a Kakuryu rematch.
  • Enho levitates to Maegashira 11 – Ishiura back in the top division at Maegashira 15 (Hakuho gets his all-deshi dohyo-iri crew)
  • Juryo scratch-n-dent bin: Yoshikaze down to Juryo 7, Ikioi at Juryo 12, Yago at Juryo 4, Kaisei at Juryo 8. Maybe enough parts there for 1 awesome Ozeki if some surgeon can convince them.
  • Arawashi falls out of the salaried ranks to Makushita 1 – the Makushita joi-jin looks like a mosh pit yet again
  • Hoshoryu at Ms5, Naya at Ms10, Terunofuji at Ms27, Roga at Ms43
  • Wakaichiro at Sandanme 67, adding to the Musashigawa Sandanme log-jam. Amakaze up to Sandanme 27 and ready to eat anything on camera.
  • Hattorizakura anchors the banzuke at Jonokuchi 34e

I am sure lksumo will have his reaction (vs his always thoughtful predictions) later today. The Aki basho is just two weeks away!