Haru 2026 Banzuke trivia

[Moti Dichne]

The number of rikishi on the Banzuke is 592. This is two fewer than the Hatsu Basho in January, and marks the third consecutive tournament with fewer than 600 rikishi. The previous record was 943, set in the Natsu basho in 1994, fueled by the "Wakataka boom." Isegahama beya had the most rikishi with 31, followed by Takasago with 26, Sakaigawa and Tamanoi with 23, and Nishonoseki , Oitekaze, and Kokonoe with 21 each. Isegahama beya has the most sekitori with seven (five makuuchi and two juryo).

Aonishiki, who won his second consecutive yusho at the Hatsu Basho as a new Ozeki, has risen half a rank from the West in the previous tournament, earning his first ranking as "East Ozeki." This feat marks the first time in 89 years since the future Yokozuna Futabayama that a rikishi has won two yusho in a row as a Sekiwake and new Ozeki. Aonishiki will be aiming to join Futabayama and others in the feat of being promoted to Yokozuna after only two basho, the shortest time possible. Atamifuji, a new sanyaku rikishi, has been promoted to Komusubi. He finished the Hatsu Basho with a record of 12-3, matching Aonishiki's record, but lost the playoff match, narrowly missing out on his first yusho. Nevertheless, he defeated both Yokozuna to earn his first two kinboshi in a single tournament. In the previous tournament, Yoshinofuji, who was ranked M1W , had an 8-7 record, and Wakatakakage, who was ranked  Maegashira 2W , had an 9-6 record, both of which were worthy of promotion to Sanyaku. Atamifuji leap-frogged over both of them, becoming the first sanyaku rikishi out of Shizuoka in 96 years and the first to be promoted under the leadership of the current Isegahama Oyakata.

Kasugano beya has no sekitori for the first time in 91 years. Juryo Tochitaikai dropped to Makushita after going kyujo last basho.