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Sumo Association releases Haru basho banzuke

Feb. 25th - The Sumo Association released the banzuke rankings for the upcoming Haru basho set to kick off on March 9th in Osaka, Japan. Fresh off of his yusho-worthy performance in January, Ozeki Kakuryu finds himself ranked in the highest Ozeki slot for the first time in eight basho. His 14-1 record also means that the Ozeki is officially being considered for promotion to Yokozuna pending his results in March. Also creating headlines with the new rankings is the Maegashira rikishi, Endoh, who finds himself propelled to the East M1 slot guaranteeing bouts with the Yokozuna, Ozeki, and Sanyaku rikishi.

Other movement includes Yokozuna Hakuho's regaining the East Yokozuna slot while Kisenosato falls to lowest rung on the Ozeki ladder after his official 7-8 in January, which leaves him at kadoban status. Sekiwake Goeido maintains his East rank for the 12th basho in a row with Kotooshu in the West while Tochiohzan is also promoted to the rank occupying the second West slot and marking the first time since the 2011 Aki basho that three Sekiwake graced the banzuke. Rounding out the sanyaku are Toyonoshima in the East slot--his first return to the rank in 10 basho--and Shohozan in the West.

Newcomers to the division are Terunofuji and Chiyomaru (older brother to Chiyootori) while Jokoryu, Azumaryu, and Tenkaiho make their return to Makuuchi.  Click here for the complete Makuuchi banzuke.

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