Onosato wins the Aki Basho.

Promotional previews released on October 5 on the NHK E-Tele website and on October 7 on the official X account for "Switch Interview" highlighted an upcoming October 10 broadcast featuring Elder Minatogawa, the 30-year-old former ozeki Takakeisho, and 32-year-old literary critic Kaho Miyake. In the preview clips, Minatogawa discussed how he deconstructs traditional sumo instruction into concrete physical mechanics so young wrestlers can grasp them. He questioned vague directions such as keeping one's armpits closed, explaining that closing the armpits actually requires leading with tucked elbows, which in turn depends on turning the wrists inward. The preview follows the pair's initial broadcast on October 3, where Minatogawa and Miyake discussed commentary philosophy and post-retirement life. Minatogawa expressed an interest in studying sports such as the UFC and American basketball to build shared emotional excitement with viewers, crediting his analytical mindset to his father, Kazuya. He also reflected on deliberately keeping distance from fans during his active career to preserve the mystique of sumo wrestlers, noted humorously that mothers now look at him warily when he tries to hold their babies without his topknot, and recalled being deeply moved by fans' emotional reactions upon entering the upper spectator seats of Ryogoku Kokugikan for the first time as an elder. Born Takanobu Sato on August 5, 1996, in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, Minatogawa attended Nigawa Gakuin Elementary and Hotoku Gakuen Junior High before entering professional sumo from Saitama Sakae High School at the September 2014 tournament under Takanohana stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 2017, debuted at sekiwake in January 2019, and was promoted to ozeki following the March 2019 tournament, later reclaiming the rank after a two-tournament demotion. Minatogawa transferred to Tokiwayama stable in October 2018 following the retirement and resignation of former yokozuna Takanohana, and concluded his active career with four top-division championships and a record of 441 wins, 254 losses, and 116 absences.

Oct 3, 15 sources

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Hoshoryu performs ring entrance after knee surgery, eyes autumn tour return

On October 5, Yokozuna Onosato (26, Nishonoseki stable) and Hoshoryu (27, Tatsunami stable) performed ceremonial ring-entering rites (hono dohyo-iri) at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine in celebration of the shrine's upcoming annual festival on November 3. Due to rain, organizers decided at 9:30 a.m. to hold the ceremony inside the main shrine hall, where Onosato was accompanied by Takayasu and Ichiyamamoto, and Hoshoryu was flanked by Hiradoumi and Ura. Later that day, Hoshoryu performed his yokozuna ring-entering ceremony again at the 83rd All-Japan Rikishi Championship at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Japan's oldest one-day sumo tournament, marking his first dohyo-iri since withdrawing midway through the July Nagoya tournament. Hoshoryu, who won the previous championship tournament, returned the championship banner but did not participate in bouts. The yokozuna underwent surgery in late July to repair a torn right knee ligament and missed the entire September Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, marking his third consecutive tournament with absences. Hoshoryu has yet to win a tournament since being promoted to yokozuna, prompting Stablemaster Tatsunami (former komusubi Asahiyutaka) to comment in late August that the yokozuna faces a tough road unless he fully recovers and contends for a championship. Speaking to reporters, Hoshoryu stated that the condition of his injured knee has "gotten much better" as he prepares for the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament opening on November 8 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center. He noted that he felt physical relief after performing the ceremonies and was glad to show fans that he was alright. He explained that his daily routine involves morning rehabilitation and attending the practice ring in the afternoon or evening. While sitting out the tour opening on October 6 in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, Hoshoryu hopes to join the autumn regional tour on October 10 in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, provided his October 8 hospital examination shows no issues.

Oct 5, 10 sources

Oct 6, 8 sources

Onosato Begins Autumn Tour in Ibaraki After Alma Mater Visit

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Oct 5, 8 sources

39th Kimura Shonosuke reflects on career ahead of mandatory retirement

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Oct 3, 11 sources

Former Hidenoumi Holds Hair-Cutting Ceremony and Defeats Brother Tobizaru in Final Bout

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Oct 7, 5 sources

Aonishiki targets practice bouts against sekitori later in autumn tour

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Oct 5, 5 sources

Wakamotoharu Wins All Japan Rikishi Championship on 33rd Birthday

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Oct 4, 4 sources

Aonishiki Talks Titles, Diet, and Path to Sumo at Event with Christa Deguchi

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Yasuo Fujii backs JSA rule change making any hair touching dohyo a loss

The Japan Sumo Association held a Board of Directors meeting at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on October 1, 2026, approving an amendment to Article 9 of its official bout regulations. The board deleted the exception clause stating that a wrestler does not lose if their hair touches the sand an instant earlier while bringing down the opponent. Under the revised rule, any wrestler whose hair touches the dohyo will now be ruled the loser. The change marks the first revision to the bout regulations in 71 years since they were established in 1955. The Judging Department proposed the amendment after finding the exception confusing to adjudicate. Public Relations Director Fujishima (54, former ozeki Musoyama) explained, "Simultaneous throwing situations were ambiguous. We decided to standardize the rule by treating the topknot as part of the body." On October 2, former NHK announcer Yasuo Fujii (69) voiced strong support for the revision on his YouTube channel, Fujii Yasuo no Utchari Ozumo. Fujii, who now serves as an announcer for ABEMA's sumo broadcasts, welcomed the simplification. "Even among general sumo fans who know that touching the sand with your topknot means defeat, few realized that the attacking wrestler would not lose," Fujii said. "It was certainly ambiguous. Now, simply knowing whose topknot touched the ground first is all that matters, which makes it much clearer."

Oct 1, 7 sources