Beta

The predictions league is in a beta stage. It is theoretically functional but all rules, scoring, and features are subject to change before or during the season. Thank you for your patience while we refine it. Feedback and game ideas are very welcome — get in touch here.

Before each basho the predictions league opens for entries. Submit your picks across five mini-games, then follow the tournament knowing you have something personal at stake. The league runs across all six basho per year with a rolling overall standings tracking consistent performers.

Game 01 Yusho pick

Pick one wrestler from the full Makuuchi division to win the tournament. You earn points for every win your wrestler achieves during the fifteen days.

Pick fromFull Makuuchi division
Scoring1 point per win — replaced by a flat 15 points if your pick wins the yusho
Game 02 Best of the rest

Pick one wrestler ranked M11 or lower from the Makuuchi division. This game rewards attention to the lower half of the banzuke where surprises happen regularly.

Pick fromM11 and lower (Makuuchi only)
ScoringPoints per win
Game 03 Juryo yusho pick

Pick one wrestler from the Juryo division to win the Juryo tournament. The second division runs alongside Makuuchi and crowns its own champion each basho.

Pick fromFull Juryo division
Scoring1 point per win — replaced by a flat 15 points if your pick wins the Juryo yusho
Game 04 Kitchens and kinboshi

Guess a single number representing the combined total of two counts across the tournament: the number of kinboshi awarded, and the number of times NHK World's Grand Sumo Highlights commentary uses the phrase "up in his kitchen."

If the actual combined total meets or exceeds your guess, you score points equal to your guess. The higher you guess, the more you can earn — but if the total falls short you score nothing.

CountsKinboshi awarded + "up in his kitchen" mentions
SourceNHK World Grand Sumo Highlights only
ScoringYour guess value if met or exceeded — zero if not
Game 05 New kids on the block

For every wrestler entering Makuuchi this basho — whether debuting for the first time or returning from Juryo — predict whether they will achieve a winning record (kachi-koshi, 8 or more wins) or a losing record (make-koshi, 7 or fewer).

EligibleAny wrestler entering Makuuchi who was not there last basho
PredictKachi-koshi or make-koshi for each
ScoringPoints per correct prediction