You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy sumo — but five minutes of preparation multiply the pleasure. Why does the crowd roar when a mid-ranked wrestler beats an ozeki? Why do they throw salt? What are those banners paraded around the ring? Here is everything a first-time spectator at the Kyushu Basho needs.
The basic rules
Two wrestlers (rikishi) face each other on a ring of packed clay, the dohyo, inside a circle of straw bales 4.55 m in diameter. The bout starts when both wrestlers put their fists on the ground and charge at the same time — the tachiai. You lose if you step outside the circle or if any part of your body other than the soles of your feet touches the ground. There are no rounds, no points and no weight categories: a 100 kg technician can beat a 200 kg giant. Pulling the hair, punching with a closed fist and kicking above the knee are forbidden.
The referee, the gyoji, in silk robes, announces the winner by pointing his fan. Five judges seated around the ring can challenge his decision; they then confer on the ring (mono-ii) and may order a rematch.
Divisions and ranks
| Division | Who | What you see at the venue |
|---|---|---|
| Makuuchi (top division) | 42 wrestlers, including yokozuna, ozeki, sekiwake, komusubi and maegashira | From about 15:40, ring-entering ceremony then bouts |
| Juryo | 28 wrestlers, the second salaried division | From about 14:15 |
| Makushita | Around 120 wrestlers, the gateway to the salaried ranks | Early afternoon |
| Sandanme | Around 180 wrestlers | Late morning |
| Jonidan | The largest division | Morning |
| Jonokuchi | Newcomers | First bouts of the day |
The ranking list, the banzuke, is published about two weeks before each tournament, written in traditional calligraphy. Only the top two divisions, the sekitori, receive a salary and wear silk belts. At the top, yokozuna (grand champion) is a rank for life: a yokozuna is never demoted, he retires when results fail. Ozeki is the second-highest rank: two losing tournaments in a row and he drops.
The rituals to watch
- Salt throwing: before each bout, wrestlers from the upper divisions throw a handful of salt on the ring to purify it.
- Shiko: the famous leg raise and stamp, to drive away evil spirits and loosen the muscles.
- Shikiri: the stare-down crouches, repeated several times until the time limit — the tension the crowd loves.
- Kensho banners: sponsors’ flags carried around the ring before big bouts. Each one is prize money for the winner, handed to him in an envelope.
- Dohyo-iri: the ring-entering ceremony of the upper divisions, then the yokozuna’s solo ceremony with his rope belt (tsuna).
How a bout is won: the techniques you’ll see most
The Japan Sumo Association recognises 82 winning techniques (kimarite). You will mostly see:
- Yorikiri: frontal force-out while holding the belt — the most common.
- Oshidashi: frontal push-out without a belt grip.
- Hatakikomi: slap-down — the wrestler steps aside and slaps his charging opponent down.
- Uwatenage: overarm throw, holding the belt from the outside.
- Tsukiotoshi: thrust-down to the side.
The winning technique is announced in Japanese right after each bout and shown on the screens.
Wrestlers to watch at the Kyushu Basho 2026
The November tournament closes the sumo year, and in 2026 several stories converge in Fukuoka:
- Onosato, yokozuna, won in September with 12 wins and 3 losses — his sixth top-division title — after a difficult, injury-hit year.
- Hoshoryu, yokozuna, missed the September tournament through injury; his return is one of the questions of November.
- Aonishiki, ozeki born in Ukraine, finished 11–4 in September; a title in Fukuoka could see him promoted to yokozuna, a first for a European-born wrestler.
- Fujinokawa, sekiwake, 11–4 in his first tournament at that rank, is on an ozeki run.
- Kirishima and Kotozakura, ozeki, need strong results to stay in contention.
Ranks change with every banzuke: check the official list published on 26 October 2026 on the Japan Sumo Association’s website.
Spectator etiquette
- Clap and shout the names of wrestlers you support — it’s welcome.
- No flash photography; filming rules are stricter in ringside seats.
- Stay seated during bouts and move between them.
- Don’t throw your cushion, even after a yokozuna loses: it is banned.
More practical advice in our guide to the Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
Read also:Daily schedule and the best day to go
Frequently asked questions
How do you win in sumo?
By forcing your opponent out of the ring or making him touch the ground with any part of his body other than the soles of his feet.
How long does a sumo bout last?
Most bouts last under ten seconds, but the pre-bout ritual can take up to four minutes in the top division.
What is a yokozuna?
The highest rank in sumo, a grand champion. A yokozuna cannot be demoted; he is expected to retire when he can no longer win.
What is the banzuke?
The official ranking list for a tournament, published about two weeks before it starts. For the Kyushu Basho 2026 it is published on 26 October.
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