Basho Simplified: A Sumo Discussion

The Aki Basho is here, and we're back to preview everything you need to know before the action gets underway! We'll break down the upcoming tournament, look at the big names, the potential dark horses, the matchups we're most excited for, and who could be walking away with the Emperor's Cup. Let the Aki Basho begin!

The Nagoya Basho is in the books, and there is plenty to unpack. We review the tournament's biggest stories, from Aonishiki's remarkable return to Ozeki and yusho triumph, to Kirishima's Yokozuna bid, Hoshoryu and Onosato's difficult tournaments, and Atamifuji's emergence as a genuine Ozeki contender. Join us as we break down the performances that defined one of the most dramatic tournaments of the year.

The Nagoya Basho is here! We break down the biggest storylines heading into the July 2026 tournament, looking at recent form, what we're watching for, and our predictions. With injuries, promotions and plenty of questions to answer, there's a lot to look forward to over the next 15 days.

In Part 2 of our story on Chiyonofuji, we explore the remarkable career of one of sumo's greatest Yokozuna. From years of dominance at the sport's highest level to the legacy he left behind, we look at how the "Wolf" became a legend whose influence can still be felt in sumo today. Join us as we conclude the story of strength, determination, and one of the most iconic careers in sumo history.

The Natsu Basho of 2026 had everything. A Yokozuna withdrawal on Day 2. An Ozeki sliding into kadoban status. Controversial henkas. Rising stars announcing themselves on the biggest stage. And one of the most unpredictable yusho races we've seen in years.

The salt is ready, the clay has been swept, and once again it’s time for the most dangerous part of any basho… two idiots with microphones pretending they understand momentum. This week we preview the May 2026 Grand Sumo Basho, Hōshōryū trying to finally deliver a proper Yokozuna performance, Kirishima returning to Ōzeki, and Atamifuji stepping into a career-high rank with a target painted firmly on his back.

The salt has settled, the clay’s been swept, and we’re looking back at a tournament that had everything. Yokozuna drama, Ōzeki heartbreak, surprise runs, questionable decisions, and at least one rikishi who chose violence against the entire concept of expectation. We break it all down in the only way we know how: Overreactions, under-qualified analysis, and the occasional moment of actual insight buried somewhere in the nonsense.

The salt’s down, the family’s gathered, and for the first time ever… we’re doing a basho preview for someone we actually know. This is a surprise episode, because today Lewis steps onto the dohyo for the English Sumo Nationals, his first amateur tournament, and we couldn’t not treat it like the biggest basho of the year. A full basho preview. Overanalysis. Questionable takes. Probably a bit of bias. We break down Lewis’ bouts from the day, the explosive starts, the chaos, the lessons learned, and the moments where things actually started to click. There’s controversy, there’s head impacts (don’t worry, he’s fine… probably), and there’s a very honest look at what it means to step into your first tournament against more experienced opposition. This time it's only one idiot with a microphone, trying to make sense of something much bigger. Except this time, it’s personal.

The clay is packed, the salt is ready, and another tournament is about to begin. In this episode we break down the storylines heading into the upcoming basho and look at the rikishi who could shape the next chapter of the sport. We take a close look at the Yokozuna duo of Hōshōryū and Onosato, the unstoppable momentum of Aonishiki, and the san’yaku hopefuls trying to force their way into the conversation. We also dive into the dangerous mid-maegashira pack: the veterans, the dark horses, and the chaos agents who could blow the whole leaderboard apart.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the extraordinary career of Chiyonofuji, one of the most dominant and recognisable Yokozuna in sumo history. From a lightweight prospect battling injuries and doubt to a record-breaking grand champion, we explore how discipline, reinvention, and sheer willpower turned him into “The Wolf.”

The dust has settled on the dohyo and the January Basho is in the books. In Episode 44, we break down everything that defined the Hatsu tournament, the moments that lived up to the hype, the storylines that surprised us, and the bouts that quietly shifted the balance of power. From statement performances to hard lessons learned, we look at who emerged stronger, who stumbled, and which performances hinted that the next chapter of sumo may already be taking shape, whether we’re ready for it or not.

A new year, a fresh banzuke, and the first basho of the season is almost upon us. In this episode, we preview the January Basho, breaking down the key storylines heading into the tournament, the rikishi with the most to gain, and the ones already under pressure. From promotion hopes and redemption arcs to early predictions and bold takes, we set the stage for what could be a pivotal start to the sumo year.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the remarkable career of Takamiyama, the man who changed sumo forever. From his beginnings in Hawaii to becoming the first foreign-born rikishi to win a top-division yūshō, we explore the struggles, triumphs, and cultural barriers he overcame along the way.

The salt has settled, the clay’s been swept, and Kyushu has officially closed the curtain on another wild year of sumo! In this episode, we break down everything that actually happened on the dohyo, the standout performances, the shock upsets, the late-basho surges, and the “what on earth was that?” moments.

The ring has been consecrated one last time for 2025! In this episode, we dive into the final tournament of the year, the Kyushu Basho. With promotion hopes, redemption arcs, and late-year surprises on the line, we break down all the drama, dominance, and dohyo dust from the final showdown of the sumo calendar

The September tournament has wrapped, and what a ride it’s been! In this episode, we break down all the key matches, the biggest surprises, and the stories that defined the Aki Basho. From the drama at the top of the banzuke to the rikishi who fought their way into the spotlight, we look back at the triumphs, the struggles, and everything in between.

The dohyo is set, the matchups are looming, and the drama is about to unfold, Aki Basho is here! In this episode, we break down the storylines heading into the September tournament: who’s in form, who’s on the ropes, and who might shock us all.

In this episode, we dive deep into the story of Tochinoshin, the Georgian titan who won fans worldwide with his sheer strength and unshakable spirit. From his early days on the dohyo to his rise to Ozeki, we revisit the unforgettable bouts, the iconic lifts, the struggles with injuries, and the resilience that defined his career.

The sun wasn’t the only thing scorching in Nagoya—this basho brought the fire! In this episode, we dive into all the drama, delight, and dohyo dominance from July’s tournament. From surprise contenders to injuries that shook the banzuke, we break down who rose, who fell, and who left us shouting “ZEN-SAIGAI!”

The sun’s out, the salt’s flying, and it’s time to gear up for the Nagoya Basho! In this episode, we break down everything you need to know ahead of July’s tournament — who's hot, who's hurt, and who’s just here to make things very interesting.