January 2026 Brings a San’yaku Reshuffle: Kirishima and Takayasu Back at Sekiwake, Ōhō’s Komusubi Debut

The Japan Sumo Association’s January 2026 banzuke sets up a fresh san’yaku picture, highlighted by Kirishima and Takayasu returning to Sekiwake and Ōhō earning his first Komusubi promotion. Aonishiki’s elevation to Ozeki after his Kyushu yūshō adds even more intrigue to the New Year tournament.

The JSA’s January 2026 banzuke: a san’yaku shake-up The Japan Sumo Association has published the January 2026 banzuke, and the headline is a clear san’yaku reshuffle that rewards strong late-2025 form and sets the table for a compelling New Year tournament. From the JSA’s official “Banzuke Topics” update, four names jump out immediately: Kirishima returns to Sekiwake Takayasu returns to Sekiwake Oho is promoted to Komusubi for the first time Wakamotoharu returns to Komusubi after a long absence from the rank Kirishima back at Sekiwake after a statement Kyushu Kirishima’s bounce back is one of the cleanest stories on the new ranking sheet. After posting an 11–4 record at the November 2025 Kyushu basho, he not only earned a promotion but also picked up the Fighting Spirit Prize. The JSA notes that Kirishima returns to Sekiwake, a rank he last held in September 2025, and that this move marks his return to san’yaku after two tournaments away. For fans, it’s a reminder of how quickly the…