This is a list of wrestlers who have won the top division (makuuchi) championship in professional sumo since 1909, when the current championship system was established. These official tournaments are held exclusively in Japan.
1958 to present
The first table below lists the champions (yūshō) in the top division (makuuchi) at official grand sumo tournaments (honbasho) since the system of holding six tournaments per year was instituted in 1958.[1] The championship is determined by the wrestler with the highest win–loss score after fifteen bouts, held at a rate of one per day over the duration of the 15-day tournament. In the event of a tie for first place, a play-off is held between the wrestlers concerned.[2]
Below a wrestler's ring name (shikona) their rank and win–loss score that tournament are given. –P indicates an additional bout fought in a yūshō playoff. Number of championships are given in parentheses. (x) marks a singular career championship. † marks a shikona before a name change. ‡ marks a shikona after a name change. Names in bold mark an undefeated tournament victory (zenshō-yūshō). Names in italics mark a victory by a maegashira, a wrestler ranked outside of the privileged san'yaku ranks.
| January | March | May | July | September | November | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| year in sumo |
Tokyo | Osaka | Tokyo | Nagoya | Tokyo | Kyushu |
| 2026 | Aonishiki Ow 12–3–P (2) | Kirishima II‡ Se 12–3 (3) | Wakatakakage Ke 12–3–P (2) | |||
| 2025 | Hōshōryū O1w 12–3–PP (2) | Ōnosato Oe 12–3–P (3) | Ōnosato Oe 14–1 (4) | Kotoshoho M15e 13–2 (x) | Ōnosato Ye 13–2–P (5) | Aonishiki Se 12–3–P (1) |
| 2024 | Terunofuji Y 13–2–P (9) | Takerufuji M17e 13–2 (x) | Ōnosato Kw 12–3 (1) | Terunofuji Y 12–3–P (10) | Ōnosato S1w 13–2–P (2) | Kotozakura II O1e 14–1–P (x) |
| 2023 | Takakeishō O 12–3 (3) | Kiribayama† S2e 12–3–P (1) | Terunofuji Y 14–1 (8) | Hōshōryū S1e 12–3–P (1) | Takakeishō O1w 11–4–P (4) | Kirishima II‡ O1w 13–2 (2) |
| 2022 | Mitakeumi Se 13–2 (3) | Wakatakakage Se 12–3–P (1) | Terunofuji Y 12–3 (7) | Ichinojō M2w 12–3 (x) | Tamawashi M3e 13–2 (2) | Abi M9w 12–3–PP (x) |
| 2021 | Daieishō M1w 13–2 (x) | Terunofuji[a] Se 12–3 (3) | Terunofuji O2w 12–3–P (4) | Hakuhō Y 15–0 (45) | Terunofuji Yw 13–2 (5) | Terunofuji Y 15–0 (6) |
| 2020 | Tokushōryū M17w 14–1 (x) | Hakuhō Ye 13–2 (44) | Not held[b] | Terunofuji[a] M17e 13–2 (2) | Shōdai S1e 13–2 (x) | Takakeishō[a] O1e 13–2 (2) |
| 2019 | Tamawashi Sw 13–2 (1) | Hakuhō Ye 15–0 (42) | Asanoyama M8w 12–3 (x) | Kakuryū Ye 14–1 (6) | Mitakeumi Se 12–3–P (2) | Hakuhō Yw 14–1 (43) |
| 2018 | Tochinoshin M3w 14–1 (x) | Kakuryū Y1e 13–2 (4) | Kakuryū Y1e 14–1 (5) | Mitakeumi Sw 13–2 (1) | Hakuhō Y1w 15–0 (41) | Takakeishō Ke 13–2 (1) |
| 2017 | Kisenosato O1e 14–1 (1) | Kisenosato Y2w 13–2–P (2) | Hakuhō Y2w 15–0 (38) | Hakuhō Y1e 14–1 (39) | Harumafuji Y1e 11–4 (9) | Hakuhō Y1w 14–1 (40) |
| 2016 | Kotoshōgiku O2e 14–1 (x) | Hakuhō Y1w 14–1 (36) | Hakuhō Y1e 15–0 (37) | Harumafuji Y2e 13–2 (8) | Gōeidō O2e 15–0 (x) | Kakuryū Y1w 14–1 (3) |
| 2015 | Hakuhō Y1e 15–0 (33) | Hakuhō Y1e 14–1 (34) | Terunofuji S1 12–3 (1) | Hakuhō Y1e 14–1 (35) | Kakuryū Y1w 12–3 (2) | Harumafuji Y2e 13–2 (7) |
| 2014 | Hakuhō Yw 14–1–P (28) | Kakuryū O1e 14–1 (1) | Hakuhō Y1e 14–1 (29) | Hakuhō Y1e 13–2 (30) | Hakuhō Y1e 14–1 (31) | Hakuhō Y1e 14–1 (32) |
| 2013 | Harumafuji Yw 15–0 (5) | Hakuhō Yw 15–0 (24) | Hakuhō Ye 15–0 (25) | Hakuhō Ye 12–3 (26) | Hakuhō Ye 14–1 (27) | Harumafuji Yw 14–1 (6) |
| 2012 | Baruto O1e 14–1 (x) | Hakuhō Y 13–2–P (22) | Kyokutenhō M7w 12–3–P (x) | Harumafuji O2w 15–0 (3) | Harumafuji O1e 15–0 (4) | Hakuhō Ye 14–1 (23) |
| 2011 | Hakuhō Y 14–1 (18) | Not held[c] | Hakuhō Y 13–2 (19) | Harumafuji O1w 14–1 (2) | Hakuhō Y 13–2 (20) | Hakuhō Y 14–1 (21) |
| 2010 | Asashōryū Yw 13–2 (25) | Hakuhō Y 15–0 (13) | Hakuhō Y 15–0 (14) | Hakuhō Y 15–0 (15) | Hakuhō Y 15–0 (16) | Hakuhō Y 14–1 (17) |
| 2009 | Asashōryū Yw 14–1–P (23) | Hakuhō Yw 15–0 (10) | Harumafuji O1w 14–1–P (1) | Hakuhō Ye 14–1 (11) | Asashōryū Yw 14–1–P (24) | Hakuhō Yw 15–0 (12) |
| 2008 | Hakuhō Ye 14–1 (6) | Asashōryū Yw 13–2 (22) | Kotoōshū O2w 14–1 (x) | Hakuhō Yw 15–0 (7) | Hakuhō Ye 14–1 (8) | Hakuhō Ye 13–2–P (9) |
| 2007 | Asashōryū Y 14–1 (20) | Hakuhō O1w 13–2–P (2) | Hakuhō O1e 15–0 (3) | Asashōryū Ye 14–1 (21) | Hakuhō Yw 13–2 (4) | Hakuhō Ye 12–3 (5) |
| 2006 | Tochiazuma II O2e 14–1 (3) | Asashōryū Y 13–2–P (16) | Hakuhō O3w 14–1–P (1) | Asashōryū Y 14–1 (17) | Asashōryū Y 13–2 (18) | Asashōryū Y 15–0 (19) |
| 2005 | Asashōryū Y 15–0 (10) | Asashōryū Y 14–1 (11) | Asashōryū Y 15–0 (12) | Asashōryū Y 13–2 (13) | Asashōryū Y 13–2–P (14) | Asashōryū Y 14–1 (15) |
| 2004 | Asashōryū Y 15–0 (5) | Asashōryū Y 15–0 (6) | Asashōryū Y 13–2–P (7) | Asashōryū Y 13–2 (8) | Kaiō O1e 13–2 (5) | Asashōryū Y 13–2 (9) |
| 2003 | Asashōryū O1e 14–1 (2) | Chiyotaikai O2e 13–2 (3) | Asashōryū Ye 13–2 (3) | Kaiō O1e 12–3 (4) | Asashōryū Ye 13–2 (4) | Tochiazuma II O1w 13–2 (2) |
| 2002 | Tochiazuma II O2w 13–2–P (1) | Musashimaru Ye 13–2 (10) | Musashimaru Ye 13–2 (11) | Chiyotaikai O1e 14–1 (2) | Musashimaru Ye 13–2 (12) | Asashōryū O2e 14–1 (1) |
| 2001 | Takanohana II‡ Y2e 14–1–P (21) | Kaiō O1e 13–2 (2) | Takanohana II‡ Ye 13–2–P (22) | Kaiō O3e 13–2 (3) | Kotomitsuki M2e 13–2 | Musashimaru Ye 13–2 (9) |
| 2000 | Musōyama S2e 13–2 (x) | Takatōriki M14e 13–2 (x) | Kaiō K1w 14–1 (1) | Akebono Y1e 13–2 (10) | Musashimaru Y1w 14–1 (8) | Akebono Y1w 14–1 (11) |
| 1999 | Chiyotaikai S1e 13–2–P (1) | Musashimaru O1e 13–2 (4) | Musashimaru O1e 13–2 (5) | Dejima S1w 13–2–P (x) | Musashimaru Y1w 12–3 (6) | Musashimaru Y1e 12–3 (7) |
| 1998 | Musashimaru O1w 12–3 (3) | Wakanohana III‡ O2e 14–1 (4) | Wakanohana III‡ O1e 12–3 (5) | Takanohana II‡ Y1w 14–1 (19) | Takanohana II‡ Y1e 13–2 (20) | Kotonishiki M12w 14–1 (2) |
| 1997 | Wakanohana III‡ O1e 14–1 (3) | Takanohana II‡ Ye 12–3–PP (16) | Akebono Yw 13–2 (9) | Takanohana II‡ Ye 13–2 (17) | Takanohana II‡ Ye 13–2–P (18) | Takanonami O1w 14–1 (2) |
| 1996 | Takanonami O2e 14–1–P (1) | Takanohana II‡ Ye 14–1 (12) | Takanohana II‡ Ye 14–1 (13) | Takanohana II‡ Ye 13–2 (14) | Takanohana II‡ Ye 15–0 (15) | Musashimaru O1w 11–4–PPP (2) |
| 1995 | Takanohana II‡ Ye 13–2–P (8) | Akebono Yw 14–1 (8) | Takanohana II‡ Yw 14–1 (9) | Takanohana II‡ Ye 13–2 (10) | Takanohana II‡ Ye 15–0 (11) | Wakanohana III‡ O1w 12–3–P (2) |
| 1994 | Takanohana II‡ Ow 14–1 (4) | Akebono Y 12–3–PP (7) | Takanohana II‡ Ow 14–1 (5) | Musashimaru O1w 15–0 (1) | Takanohana II‡ O2w 15–0 (6) | Takanohana II‡ O1e 15–0 (7) |
| 1993 | Akebono Oe 13–2 (3) | Wakahanada† K1e 14–1 (1) | Takanohana II‡ Oe 14–1 (3) | Akebono Y 13–2–PP (4) | Akebono Y 14–1 (5) | Akebono Y 13–2–P (6) |
| 1992 | Takahanada† M2e 14–1 (1) | Konishiki Oe 13–2 (3) | Akebono Sw 13–2 (1) | Mitoizumi M1w 13–2 (x) | Takahanada† K1w 14–1 (2) | Akebono O1w 14–1 (2) |
| 1991 | Kirishima I Oe 14–1 (x) | Hokutoumi‡ Y1e 13–2 –PPP (8) | Asahifuji Y2e 14–1–P (4) | Kotofuji M13e 14–1 (x) | Kotonishiki M5e 13–2 (1) | Konishiki Ow 13–2 (2) |
| 1990 | Chiyonofuji Y1e 14–1 (30) | Hokutoumi‡ Y1w 13–2–PPP (6) | Asahifuji O2w 14–1 (2) | Asahifuji O1e 14–1 (3) | Hokutoumi‡ Y2e 14–1 (7) | Chiyonofuji Y2e 13–2 (31) |
| 1989 | Hokutoumi‡ (4) | Chiyonofuji (27) | Hokutoumi‡ (5) | Chiyonofuji (28) | Chiyonofuji (29) | Konishiki (1) |
| 1988 | Asahifuji (1) | Ōnokuni (2) | Chiyonofuji (23) | Chiyonofuji (24) | Chiyonofuji (25) | Chiyonofuji (26) |
| 1987 | Chiyonofuji (20) | Hokutoumi‡ (2) | Ōnokuni (1) | Chiyonofuji (21) | Hokutoumi‡ (3) | Chiyonofuji (22) |
| 1986 | Chiyonofuji (15) | Hoshi† (1) | Chiyonofuji (16) | Chiyonofuji (17) | Chiyonofuji (18) | Chiyonofuji (19) |
| 1985 | Chiyonofuji (11) | Asashio IV | Chiyonofuji (12) | Hokuten'yū (2) | Chiyonofuji (13) | Chiyonofuji (14) |
| 1984 | Takanosato (4) | Wakashimazu (1) | Kitanoumi (24) | Wakashimazu (2) | Tagaryū | Chiyonofuji (10) |
| 1983 | Kotokaze (2) | Chiyonofuji (8) | Hokuten'yū (1) | Takanosato (2) | Takanosato (3) | Chiyonofuji (9) |
| 1982 | Kitanoumi (23) | Chiyonofuji (4) | Chiyonofuji (5) | Chiyonofuji (6) | Takanosato (1) | Chiyonofuji (7) |
| 1981 | Chiyonofuji (1) | Kitanoumi (21) | Kitanoumi (22) | Chiyonofuji (2) | Kotokaze (1) | Chiyonofuji (3) |
| 1980 | Mienoumi (3) | Kitanoumi (18) | Kitanoumi (19) | Kitanoumi (20) | Wakanohana II‡ (4) | Wajima (14) |
| 1979 | Kitanoumi (15) | Kitanoumi (16) | Wakanohana II‡ (3) | Wajima (13) | Kitanoumi (17) | Mienoumi (2) |
| 1978 | Kitanoumi (10) | Kitanoumi (11) | Kitanoumi (12) | Kitanoumi (13) | Kitanoumi (14) | Wakanohana II‡ (2) |
| 1977 | Wajima (10) | Kitanoumi (8) | Wakamisugi II† (1) | Wajima (11) | Kitanoumi (9) | Wajima (12) |
| 1976 | Kitanoumi (5) | Wajima (8) | Kitanoumi (6) | Wajima (9) | Kaiketsu (2) | Kitanoumi (7) |
| 1975 | Kitanoumi (3) | Takanohana I (1) | Kitanoumi (4) | Kongō (1) | Takanohana I (2) | Mienoumi (1) |
| 1974 | Kitanoumi (1) | Wajima (5) | Kitanoumi (2) | Wajima (6) | Wajima (7) | Kaiketsu (1) |
| 1973 | Kotozakura (4) | Kitanofuji (10) | Wajima (2) | Kotozakura (5) | Wajima (3) | Wajima (4) |
| 1972 | Tochiazuma I | Hasegawa | Wajima (1) | Takamiyama II | Kitanofuji (9) | Kotozakura (3) |
| 1971 | Taihō (32) | Tamanoumi II‡ (5) | Kitanofuji (6) | Tamanoumi II‡ (6) | Kitanofuji (7) | Kitanofuji (8) |
| 1970 | Kitanofuji (3) | Taihō (31) | Kitanofuji (4) | Kitanofuji (5) | Tamanoumi II‡ (3) | Tamanoumi II‡ (4) |
| 1969 | Taihō (29) | Kotozakura (2) | Taihō (30) | Kiyokuni | Tamanoshima† (2) | Kitanofuji (2) |
| 1968 | Sadanoyama (6) | Wakanami | Tamanoshima† (1) | Kotozakura (1) | Taihō (27) | Taihō (28) |
| 1967 | Taihō (24) | Kitanofuji (1) | Taihō (25) | Kashiwado (5) | Taihō (26) | Sadanoyama (5) |
| 1966 | Kashiwado (4) | Taihō (19) | Taihō (20) | Taihō (21) | Taihō (22) | Taihō (23) |
| 1965 | Sadanoyama (3) | Taihō (16) | Sadanoyama (4) | Taihō (17) | Kashiwado –PP (3) | Taihō (18) |
| 1964 | Taihō (12) | Taihō (13) | Tochinoumi (3) | Fujinishiki | Taihō (14) | Taihō (15) |
| 1963 | Taihō (9) | Taihō (10) | Taihō (11) | Kitabayama | Kashiwado (2) | Tochinoumi (2) |
| 1962 | Taihō (5) | Sadanoyama (2) | Tochinoumi (1) | Taihō (6) | Taihō (7) | Taihō (8) |
| 1961 | Kashiwado (1) | Asashio III (5) | Sadanoyama (1) | Taihō (2) | Taihō –PP (3) | Taihō (4) |
| 1960 | Tochinishiki (10) | Wakanohana I (8) | Wakamisugi I | Wakanohana I (9) | Wakanohana I (10) | Taihō (1) |
| 1959 | Wakanohana I (5) | Tochinishiki (8) | Wakanohana I (6) | Tochinishiki (9) | Wakanohana I (7) | Wakahaguro |
| 1958 | Wakanohana I (2) | Asashio III (3) | Tochinishiki (7) | Wakanohana I (3) | Wakanohana I (4) | Asashio III (4) |
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, the tournament was held in Tokyo to avoid unnecessary domestic travel.
- Tournament cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Tournament cancelled due to the match-fixing scandal
1909 to 1957
The following tables list the champions before the introduction of the current tournament system. The system was less regularized between years, with a different number of tournaments held at different times and in different venues, and often with a changing number of bouts fought in each tournament.
| January | March | May | September | November | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Osaka | Tokyo | Tokyo | Kyushu | |
| 1957 | Chiyonoyama (6) | Asashio III (2) | Annenyama | Tochinishiki (6) | Tamanoumi I (1) |
| New Year | Spring | Summer | Autumn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Osaka | Tokyo | Tokyo | |
| 1956 | Kagamisato (3) | Asashio III –PP (1) | Wakanohana I (1) | Kagamisato (4) |
| 1955 | Chiyonoyama (4) | Chiyonoyama (5) | Tochinishiki (5) | Kagamisato (2) |
| 1954 | Yoshibayama | Mitsuneyama | Tochinishiki (3) | Tochinishiki (4) |
| 1953 | Kagamisato (1) | Tochinishiki (2) | Tokitsuyama | Azumafuji (6) |
| Spring | Summer | Autumn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Tokyo | Tokyo | |
| 1952 | Haguroyama (7) | Azumafuji (5) | Tochinishiki (1) |
| 1951 | Terukuni (2) | Chiyonoyama (3) | Azumafuji (4) |
| 1950 | Chiyonoyama (2) | Azumafuji (3) | Terukuni (1) |
| 1949 | Azumafuji (2) | Masuiyama (2) | Chiyonoyama (1) |
| 1948 | no tournament | Azumafuji (1) | Masuiyama (1) |
| 1947 | no tournament | Haguroyama –PP (5) | Haguroyama (6) |
| 1946 | no tournament | no tournament | Haguroyama (4) |
| 1945 | no tournament | Bishūyama | Haguroyama (3) |
| 1944 | Saganohana | Haguroyama (2) | Maedayama |
| 1943 | Futabayama (11) | Futabayama (12) | no tournament |
| 1942 | Futabayama (9) | Futabayama (10) | no tournament |
| 1941 | Futabayama (8) | Haguroyama (1) | no tournament |
| 1940 | Futabayama (7) | Akinoumi | no tournament |
| 1939 | Dewaminato (1) | Futabayama (6) | no tournament |
| 1938 | Futabayama (4) | Futabayama (5) | no tournament |
| 1937 | Futabayama (2) | Futabayama (3) | no tournament |
| 1936 | Tamanishiki (9) | Futabayama (1) | no tournament |
| 1935 | Tamanishiki (7) | Tamanishiki (8) | no tournament |
| 1934 | Minanogawa‡ (2) | Shimizugawa (3) | no tournament |
| 1933 | Asashio† (1) | Tamanishiki (6) | no tournament |
| Spring | March | Summer | October | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | varied | Tokyo | varied | |
| 1932 | Shimizugawa (1) | Okitsuumi | Tamanishiki (5) | Shimizugawa (2) |
| 1931 | Tamanishiki (3) | Tamanishiki (4) | Musashiyama | Ayazakura |
| 1930 | Toyokuni (2) | Tsunenohana (10) | Yamanishiki | Tamanishiki (2) |
| 1929 | Tamanishiki (1) | Toyokuni (1) | Tsunenohana (8) | Tsunenohana* (9) |
| 1928 | Hitachiiwa | Noshirogata | Tsunenohana (7) | Miyagiyama (2) |
| 1927 | Miyagiyama (1) | Tsunenohana (4) | Tsunenohana (5) | Tsunenohana (6) |
*tournament held in September
| Spring | Summer | |
|---|---|---|
| 1926 | Tsunenohana (3) | Orochiyama |
| 1925 | Tochigiyama (9) | Nishinoumi III (1) |
| 1924 | Tochigiyama (7) | Tochigiyama (8) |
| 1923 | Tochigiyama (6) | Tsunenohana (2) |
| 1922 | Tsurugahama | Ōnishiki (5) |
| 1921 | Ōnishiki (4) | Tsunenohana (1) |
| 1920 | Ōnishiki (2) | Ōnishiki (3) |
| 1919 | Tochigiyama (4) | Tochigiyama (5) |
| 1918 | Tochigiyama (2) | Tochigiyama (3) |
| 1917 | Ōnishiki (1) | Tochigiyama (1) |
| 1916 | Nishinoumi II (1) | Tachiyama (9) |
| 1915 | Ōtori (2) | Tachiyama (8) |
| 1914 | Tachiyama (7) | Ryōgoku |
| 1913 | Ōtori (1) | Tachiyama (6) |
| 1912 | Tachiyama (4) | Tachiyama (5) |
| 1911 | Tachiyama (2) | Tachiyama (3) |
| 1910 | Hitachiyama (1) | Tachiyama (1) |
| 1909 | see below* | Takamiyama I |
*A yūshō system giving the wrestler with the best tournament record a prize was introduced by the Mainichi
newspaper in the second half of 1909, and this was officially integrated by the JSA
in 1926. All tournaments predating the second tournament of 1909 did not recognize or award a championship. As a consequence of this, yokozuna Hitachiyama
had seven pre-1909 mathematical "championship" equivalents that are uncounted here, and yokozuna Tachiyama
had two.
Most career championships
|
|
^Wrestler is currently active.
See also
References
- "List of successive champions(1956-1965)". Nihon Sumo Kyokai. Archived from the original on 2007-05-17. Retrieved 2007-06-05.
- "Rules of Sumo: Tournament". Nihon Sumo Kyokai. Archived from the original on 2007-06-01. Retrieved 2007-06-05.
- "The Sumo Record Book". Nihon Sumo Kyokai. Archived from the original on 2007-05-24. Retrieved 2007-06-05.
- "Sumo Reference Database". Sumo Reference Database. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
- "Sumo Records".
- Tachiyama
won two unofficial championships before 1909 and nine official, giving him a total of 11. - Tachiyama
won an official championship in 1910.