We've got about a week before the sumo starts. You can still sign up for Fantasy Basho on Fantasizr for the Natsu basho. While you wait, use this preview of all 42 top division rikishi to tide you over.
01 Yokozuna East Terunofuji
Terunofuji Haruo | 照ノ富士 春雄
Isegahama | Mongolia
Birthdate: November 29, 1991
Height: 192 cm | 6' 4"
Weight: 174 kg | 384 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Yokozuna East
Haru 2024 Record: 2-5-8
Terunofuji made it six days in defending his January yusho, then pulled out with a lower back problem. Injuries aren't new for the Yokozuna, but usually the problem is with his knees and a new worry isn't great. "If healthy, he is the best rikishi in sumo," is still true. The conditional clause just needs to be emphasized more.
02 Ozeki #1 East Hoshoryu
Hoshoryu Tomokatsu | 豊昇龍 智勝
Tatsunami | Mongolia
Birthdate: May 22, 1999
Height: 188 cm | 6' 2""
Weight: 142 kg | 313 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Ozeki #1 West
Haru 2024 Record: 11-4 Jun-Yusho
Hoshoryu was in the thick of the yusho race, losing to shin-Ozeki Kotonowaka but beating contenders Takerufuji and Onosato. He is now a firm Ozeki who can challenge for an Emperor's Cup, and he won't turn 25 until after this basho. We could be on the verge of the Hoshoryu era if he takes a leap.
03 Ozeki #1 West Kotozakura
Kotozakura Masahiro | 琴櫻 傑太
Sadogatake | Chiba
Birthdate: November 19, 1997
Height: 189 cm | 6' 2"
Weight: 176 kg | 388 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Ozeki #2 West
Haru 2024 Record: 10-5
Kotonowaka got a respectful 10 wins in his Ozeki debut, hanging around the yusho race for most of the basho. Now he is adopting the shikona of Kotozakura, the name his maternal grandfather used as a Yokozuna in the 1970s. That is a lot of pressure, but he has shown the ability to hang with the very best and is just entering his prime.
04 Ozeki #2 East Takakeisho
Takakeisho Takanobu | 貴景勝 貴信
Tokiwayama | Hyogo
Birthdate: August 5, 1996
Height: 175 cm | 5' 9"
Weight: 165 kg | 364 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Ozeki #2 East
Haru 2024 Record: 8-6-1
Takakeisho just held on to his Ozeki rank with the 8th win on Day 13. He then sat out the last two days. He has now come back from kadoban status seven times in his Ozeki career, showing a strange facility for just staying at sumo's second rank.
05 Ozeki #2 West Kirishima
Kirishima Tetsuo | 霧島 鐵雄
Otowayama | Mongolia
Birthdate: April 24, 1996
Height: 186 cm | 6' 1"
Weight: 143 kg | 315 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Ozeki #1 East
Haru 2024 Record: 5-10
Kirishima looked awful throughout the March tournament, without pulling out or officially declaring an injury. He did skip the jungyo tour between basho, citing a few small problems. He is also in a new stable due to the retirement of Michinoku-oyakata. Otowayama, the former Yokozuna Kakuryu, is now in charge of keeping Kirishima at Ozeki.
06 Sekiwake East Wakamotoharu
Wakamotoharu Minato | 若元春 港
Arashio | Fukushima
Birthdate: October 5, 1993
Height: 187 cm | 6' 2"
Weight: 147 kg | 324 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Sekiwake West
Haru 2024 Record: 9-6
Wakamotoharu returned to Sekiwake and showed he can still handle the rank. He did feast on lower-ranked men, except for later wins over the struggling Ozeki Kirishima and Takakeisho. This is who he is, but that means he can scrap to even or better against most rikishi.
07 Sekiwake West Abi
Abi Masatora | 阿炎 政虎
Shikoroyama | Saitama
Birthdate: May 4, 1994
Height: 186 cm | 6' 1"
Weight: 158 kg | 348 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Komusubi East
Haru 2024 Record: 9-6
Abi did his usual, windmilling his arms and then going sideways when that wasn't working. In March, that got him 9 wins. He is not the most refined rikishi in Makuuchi, but he's such a handful for most opponents he is an outside contender.
08 Komusubi East Asanoyama
Asanoyama Hiroki | 朝乃山 広暉
Takasago | Toyama
Birthdate: March 1, 1994
Height: 189 cm | 6' 2""
Weight: 168 kg | 370 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #1 West
Haru 2024 Record: 9-6
Asanoyama was very close to his Ozeki form, but not quite there. 9-6 from Maegashira #1 puts him back in the Sanyaku, and he can challenge for a yusho with his impressive grappling skills. What he'll need to do that is a bit of luck both in injuries and circumstances, as well as being absolutely locked in for all 15 days.
09 Komusubi West Onosato
Onosato Daiki | 大の里 泰輝
Nishonoseki | Ishikawa
Birthdate: June 7, 2000
Height: 192 cm | 6' 4"
Weight: 177 kg | 390 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #5 West
Haru 2024 Record: 11-4 Jun Yusho; Technique Prize; FIghting Spirit Prize
In just two Makuuchi basho, Onosato already has 22 wins, three special prizes, and a Jun-Yusho. Unfortunately for him, he got overshadowed in March by Takerufuji winning his debut top-division basho. So it needs to be clear. This is a 23 year old who looks like a model sumotori and has already compiled the kind of record that screams future star.
10 Maegashira #1 East Atamifuji
Atamifuji Sakutaro | 熱海富士 朔太郎
Isegahama | Shizuoka
Birthdate: September 3, 2002
Height: 185 cm | 6' 1"
Weight: 176 kg | 388 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #2 East
Haru 2024 Record: 8-7
Atamifuji collected his 8 for a kachi-koshi, and now he can make his Sanyaku debut. The 21 year old has an extremely bright future, thanks to his blend of size, strength, and skill. His present is a little murkier, as he still sometimes struggles against wrestlers with similar athletic gifts. Good for him that is really only a small handful of rikishi.
11 Maegashira #1 West Daieisho
Daieisho Hayato | 大栄翔 勇人
Oitekaze | Saitama
Birthdate: November 10, 1993
Height: 182 cm | 6' 0"
Weight: 164 kg | 362 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Sekiwake East
Haru 2024 Record: 6-9
Daieisho finally crashed out of the Sekiwake ranks after a year at sumo's third rank. He is also out of the Sanyaku for the first time since January 2023. March might not have been his best, but the pushing specialist can definitely make some noise in May.
12 Maegashira #2 East Hiradoumi
Hiradoumi Yuki | 平戸海 雄貴
Sakaigawa | Nagasaki
Birthdate: April 20, 2000
Height: 177 cm | 5' 10"
Weight: 135 kg | 298 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #4 West
Haru 2024 Record: 9-6
Hiradoumi is quietly becoming a top rikishi. Compared to recent debutants with ideal size and outlandish records, he can be overlooked. On his own merits, this is a just-turned 24 year old who got 9 wins at a career-high rank. He goes for it and he will be a tough out for anyone.
13 Maegashira #2 West Gonoyama
Gonoyama Toki | 豪ノ山 登輝
Takekuma | Osaka
Birthdate: April 7, 1998
Height: 177 cm | 5' 10"
Weight: 154 kg | 340 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #6 West
Haru 2024 Record: 10-5
Gonoyama rebounded from his first Makuuchi losing record in January by pulling off 10 wins in March. His ascent to the top may continue, although the new contenders that have emerged have taken away his shine a little bit. But he should make Sanyaku at some point soon.
14 Maegashira #3 East Takayasu
Takayasu Akira | 高安 晃
Tagonoura | Ibaraki
Birthdate: February 28, 1990
Height: 188 cm | 6' 2"
Weight: 183 kg | 403 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #8 West
Haru 2024 Record: 11-4 Jun-Yusho
Takayasu had a relatively quiet Jun-Yusho, because many others fell back into a tie on 11 wins with final day losses. Yet it was the eighth runner-up performance of his career. He will be closer to Sanyaku for May, so he gets the chance to knock off key competitors.
15 Maegashira #3 West Tobizaru
Tobizaru Masaya | 翔猿 正也
Oitekaze | Tokyo
Birthdate: April 24, 1992
Height: 174 cm | 5' 9"
Weight: 135 kg | 298 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #4 East
Haru 2024 Record: 8-7
Tobizaru went 8-7 in March, although appropriately for such an interesting rikishi he had both a fusen win and a fusen loss. He missed Day 10 with illness, then came back to win three more times for his eight. He'll be the most entertaining rikishi in Makuuchi once again, but we'll see if it can get 8 wins.
16 Maegashira #4 East Oho
Oho Konosuke | 王鵬 幸之介
Otake | Tokyo
Birthdate: February 14, 2000
Height: 190 cm | 6' 3"
Weight: 179 kg | 395 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #3 East
Haru 2024 Record: 7-8
Oho held essentially even at Maegashira #3 East. Compared to the sensational feats of Onosato and Takerufuji, not to mention rival Hoshoryu's Ozeki status, this could be a dissapointment. Yet Oho should be viewed as a 24 year old consolidating his place in upper Maegashira before pushing for more.
17 Maegashira #4 West Ura
Ura Kazuki | 宇良 和輝
Kise | Osaka
Birthdate: June 22, 1992
Height: 175 cm | 5' 9"
Weight: 143 kg | 315 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #1 East
Haru 2024 Record: 6-9
Ura's time at Maegashira #1 resulted in a 6-9 record, but with the highlight of beating three Ozeki (Hoshoryu, Kirishima, and Kotonowaka.) He will be one of the most exciting rikishi until he hangs it up, largely because of his combination of skill and a willingness to try things.
18 Maegashira #5 East Onosho
Onosho Fumiya | 阿武咲 奎也
Onomatsu | Aomori
Birthdate: July 4, 1996
Height: 177 cm | 5' 10"
Weight: 165 kg | 364 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #8 East
Haru 2024 Record: 9-6
Onosho is coming back up the Banzuke again, although he has had moments where he would fall back in the last few years. Remarkably, he still is in his prime years, despite seeming like he has been around forever. Also, he apparently is Onosato's kryptonite, for whatever that is worth.
19 Maegashira #5 West Meisei
Meisei Chikara | 明生 力
Tatsunami | Kagashima
Birthdate: July 24, 1995
Height: 180 cm | 5' 11"
Weight: 154 kg | 340 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #2 West
Haru 2024 Record: 6-9
Meisei floated up to Maegashira #2, then only got 6 wins.Although he is smack dab in his prime, this is kind of who he is right now. When his dance card has enough Sanyaku, he's in trouble. If he mostly faces Maegashira, he'll be good.
20 Maegashira #6 East Takerufuji
Takerufuji Mikiya | 尊富士 弥輝也
Isegahama | Aomori
Birthdate: April 9, 1999
Height: 184 cm | 6' 0"
Weight: 143 kg | 315 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #17 East
Haru 2024 Record: 13-2 Yusho; Outstanding Performance Prize; Technique Prize; Fighting Spirit Prize
What Takerufuji did in March was historic, as he is the first rikishi in the modern era (since 1957 when sumo moved to 6 15-day basho a year) to win his debut top division tournament. That almost undersells it, because he won 13 matches including toppling a Komusubi, a Sekiwake, and an Ozeki. He only lost to an Ozeki and a former Ozeki. All the while, he was taking every opponent head on with a forward-charging style that was difficult to handle. Now he gets the huge promotion and the challenge of doing more than a one-of-a-kind yusho.
21 Maegashira #6 West Midorifuji
Midorifuji Kazunari | 翠富士 一成
Isegahama | Shizuoka
Birthdate: August 30, 1996
Height: 171 cm | 5' 7"
Weight: 116 kg | 256 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #5 East
Haru 2024 Record: 7-8
Midorifuji's career had been in a cycle of flailing in upper Maegashira, but succeeding at mid-to-lower-Maegashira. In March, he broke that by getting a bare make-koshi from Maegashira #5. Undersized, but with a devastating katasukashi, Midorifuji always has his hands full against anyone.
22 Maegashira #7 East Nishikigi
Nishikigi Tetsuya | 錦木 徹也
Isenoumi | Iwate
Birthdate: August 25, 1990
Height: 185 cm | 6' 1""
Weight: 180 kg | 397 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Komusubi West
Haru 2024 Record: 3-12
Nishikigi did not have a good Haru basho, gathering just 3 wins and having an 11 match losing streak from Day 2 to Day 12. He is limited, but he also takes everyone head on and gets his grip. The demotion could see him bounceback quickly.
23 Maegashira #7 West Mitakeumi
Mitakeumi Hisashi | 御嶽海 久司
Dewanoumi | Nagano
Birthdate: December 25, 1992
Height: 179 cm | 5' 10"
Weight: 170 kg | 375 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #10 West
Haru 2024 Record: 9-6
Mitakeumi, like Shodai, is a former Ozeki who has found a spot where he can manage the winning record. Mitakeumi looks like his old self most of the time, except he's clearly lost just enough strength and speed as he's moved past 30 to not have the same ability to move opponents back.
24 Maegashira #8 East Takanosho
Takanosho Nobuaki | 隆の勝 伸明
Tokiwayama | Chiba
Birthdate: November 14, 1994
Height: 183 cm | 6' 0""
Weight: 170 kg | 375 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #3 West
Haru 2024 Record: 5-10
Maegashira #3 was apparently too much for Takanosho to handle at this point in his career. He did beat Terunofuji on Day 6, although that says more about the Yokozuna's state. Takanosho was a Sanyaku wrestler just two years ago, but a knee injury last November seems to have robbed him of his best form.
25 Maegashira #8 West Kotoshoho
Kotoshoho Yoshinari | 琴勝峰 吉成
Sadogatake | Chiba
Birthdate: August 26, 1999
Height: 191 cm | 6' 3""
Weight: 161 kg | 355 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #9 West
Haru 2024 Record: 8-7
Kotoshoho has reestablished himself as a Maegashira, and now, once again, it's time to see if he can do more. The abilities are there, but for him it's all about consistency. That even applies to individual matches, where his footwork can occasionally betray an excellent hold.
26 Maegashira #9 East Tamawashi
Tamawashi Ichiro | 玉鷲 一朗
Kataonami | Mongolia
Birthdate: November 16, 1984
Height: 189 cm | 6' 2""
Weight: 174 kg | 384 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #7 West
Haru 2024 Record: 7-8
We're getting closer to Tamawashi's 40th birthday, and he's still hanging around mid-Maegashira after a 7-8 in Haru. The ONLY wrestler in the modern era to fight in Makuuchi after turning 40 was fellow Mongolian Kyokutenho, but Tamawashi is coming for it.
27 Maegashira #9 West Shodai
Shodai Naoya | 正代 直也
Tokitsukaze | Kumamoto
Birthdate: November 5, 1991
Height: 184 cm | 6' 0""
Weight: 161 kg | 355 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #10 East
Haru 2024 Record: 8-7
Shodai got a winning record. For a former Ozeki at Maegashira #10, that isn't necessarily a fantastic achievement. It does stop him from going even lower on the Banzuke. May the Lord of Chaos continue to bring insanity to the dohyo as Maegashira for a long time.
28 Maegashira #10 East Shonannoumi
Shonannoumi Momotaro | 湘南乃海 桃太郎
Takadagawa | Kanagawa
Birthdate: April 8, 1998
Height: 193 cm | 6' 4""
Weight: 186 kg | 410 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #12 East
Haru 2024 Record: 9-6
After looking like he was needing a serious readjustment, Shonannoumi found his footing again in March. Blessed with great size, he does look a touch slow compared to most Maegashira. That's not a guarantee of trouble, but he needs to be smart on the dohyo.
29 Maegashira #10 West Kinbozan
Kinbozan Haruki | 金峰山 晴樹
Kise | Kazakhstan
Birthdate: June 24, 1997
Height: 192 cm | 6' 4""
Weight: 181 kg | 399 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #7 East
Haru 2024 Record: 6-7-2
Kinbozan had to depart the March basho early, leaving on Day Four after an awkward fall. Yet he also came back and valiantly went on to get 6 wins and lessen his demotion. The massive Kazakh is still figuring out how to beat people who can handle his size.
30 Maegashira #11 East Sadanoumi
Sadanoumi Takashi | 佐田の海 貴士
Sakaigawa | Kumamoto
Birthdate: May 11, 1987
Height: 182 cm | 6' 0""
Weight: 142 kg | 313 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #11 West
Haru 2024 Record: 8-7
Sadanoumi turns 37 just before the basho, and he'd be sumo's resident old man if not for Tamawashi. His 8-7 last time out is actually quite impressive and gives him space from a Juryo drop. Despite being older than many recent retirees in the sport, he's still able to outclass younger men regularly enough to win.
31 Maegashira #11 West Hokutofuji
Hokutofuji Daiki | 北勝富士 大輝
Hakkaku | Saitama
Birthdate: July 15, 1992
Height: 184 cm | 6' 0""
Weight: 158 kg | 348 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #9 East
Haru 2024 Record: 6-9
Hokutofuji continues his slow slide down the Banzuke. He is also a veteran rikishi who absolutely knows what he's doing out there. Of course, everyone else also knows his hands are going under their chin AND he's lost a step. It can be a rough combo.
32 Maegashira #12 East Ichiyamamoto
Ichiyamamoto Daiki | 一山本 大生
Hanaregoma | Hokkaido
Birthdate: October 1, 1993
Height: 187 cm | 6' 2""
Weight: 144 kg | 317 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #11 East
Haru 2024 Record: 7-8
Ichiyamamoto came at every opponent with both arms pushing, and he gave every match all that he had. That got him a 7-8 for Haru. Expect something very similar from him in Natsu, but also always watch his matches for entertainment value.
33 Maegashira #12 West Nishikifuji
Nishikifuji Ryusei | 錦富士 隆聖
Isegahama | Aomori
Birthdate: July 22, 1996
Height: 184 cm | 6' 0""
Weight: 149 kg | 328 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #14 East
Haru 2024 Record: 8-7
Nishikifuji seems to be back as a Maegashira, which adds more intrigue to the division. His most frequent kimarite is a simple yorikiri, but he also has a range of pushing/slapping kimarite behind it. Whether he can push on above this rank is the next question for him."
34 Maegashira #13 East Mitoryu
Mitoryu Takayuki | 水戸龍 聖之
Nishikido | Mongolia
Birthdate: April 25, 1994
Height: 189 cm | 6' 2""
Weight: 199 kg | 439 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Juryo #2 West
Haru 2024 Record: 12-3
Mitoryu got 12 wins in Juryo in March, a performance he has actually managed before. What he hasn't done is shown he can hold his own in Maegashira. He is under water at 25-35 in his four Makuuchi basho.
35 Maegashira #13 West Churanoumi
Churanoumi Yoshihisa | 美ノ海 義久
Kise | Okinawa
Birthdate: May 6, 1993
Height: 176 cm | 5' 9""
Weight: 130 kg | 287 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #13 West
Haru 2024 Record: 7-8
Churanoumi hung in there with a 7-8 in his third Makuuchi basho. That's good enough to stay a Maegashira, although as a 31 year old before this basho, it's an open question if this is basically his ceiling.
36 Maegashira #14 East Ryuden
Ryuden Goshi | 竜電 剛至
Takadagawa | Yamanashi
Birthdate: November 10, 1990
Height: 188 cm | 6' 2""
Weight: 155 kg | 342 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #13 East
Haru 2024 Record: 6-9
Ryuden usually runs wild in the lower Maegashira ranks, but that did not happen in March. His sumo is not pretty, unless you particularly enjoy seeing rikishi slowly getting into some awkward positions that can't really end a match. Maybe even lower Maegashira will do the trick for him.
37 Maegashira #14 West Oshoma
Oshoma Degi | 欧勝馬 出気
Naruto | Mongolia
Birthdate: April 9, 1997
Height: 187 cm | 6' 2""
Weight: 132 kg | 291 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Juryo #4 West
Haru 2024 Record: 11-4
Oshoma is a Mongolian University wrestler who rocketed to Juryo after gaining Makushita Tsukedashi status. However, he has spent nearly two years climbing through the second division. His most frequent kimarite is the hatakikomi, or slap-down, and he favors pushing much more.
38 Maegashira #15 East Tokihayate
Tokihayate Hideki | 時疾風 秀喜
Tokitsukaze | Miyagi
Birthdate: August 25, 1996
Height: 178 cm | 5' 10""
Weight: 132 kg | 291 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Juryo #1 East
Haru 2024 Record: 8-7
Finally squeaking into Makuuchi is Tokihayate, getting an 8-7 from Juryo #1 East to cap off four straight winning records in the second division. The 27-year-old has taken 5 years to get from the bottom of sumo after graduating University. The yorikiri specialist also has a winning record overall and should be able to jump in and compete.
39 Maegashira #15 West Roga
Roga Tokiyoshi | 狼雅 外喜義
Futagoyama | Russia
Birthdate: March 2, 1999
Height: 185 cm | 6' 1""
Weight: 154 kg | 340 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #15 West
Haru 2024 Record: 7-8
Roga did just enough to remain at Maegashira for May. He will probably need to do better than his March performance to stick around for July. It is unclear at this moment if he is capable of it.
40 Maegashira #16 East Tomokaze
Tomokaze Yuta | 友風 勇太
Nishonoseki | Kanagawa
Birthdate: December 2, 1994
Height: 183 cm | 6' 0""
Weight: 168 kg | 370 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Juryo #3 West
Haru 2024 Record: 9-6
After a 9-6 in Juryo, Tomokaze comes back up to Makuuchi. When he was last here in January, he went 5-10. He's a smart veteran now, but that also means he is behind the curve athletically against most anyone.
41 Maegashira #16 West Takarafuji
Takarafuji Daisuke | 宝富士 大輔
Isegahama | Aomori
Birthdate: February 18, 1987
Height: 186 cm | 6' 1""
Weight: 171 kg | 377 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Juryo #1 West
Haru 2024 Record: 8-7
He's back! Takarafuji needed just one basho at Juryo #1 to get back to Maegashira. Now, he did do that with only 8 wins and he certainly isn't getting younger. The 37-year old gets to rejoin Tamawashi, Sadanoumi, and Myogiryu in the elder statesmen brigade.
42 Maegashira #17 East Tsurugisho
Tsurugisho Momotaro | 剣翔 桃太郎
Oitekaze | Tokyo
Birthdate: July 27, 1991
Height: 185 cm | 6' 1""
Weight: 194 kg | 428 lbs
Haru 2024 Rank: Maegashira #6 East
Haru 2024 Record: 2-3-10
Tsurugisho left the Haru tournament after Day Four, wherein he suffered multiple tears in his left knee and was taken off in a wheelchair. He will miss out on the May tournament.