JSA Approves Takakeisho to Take Over Tokiwazawa Stable, Renaming It Minatogawa After January Basho

Overview

• The Japan Sumo Association board confirmed on Nov. 27 that Minatogawa Oyakata, the 29-year-old former Ozeki Takakeisho (Sato Takanobu), will assume control of Tokiwazawa-beya on Jan. 26, 2026.
• The stable will be renamed Minatogawa-beya following the Hatsu tournament, which opens Jan. 11 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
• Current master Tokiwayama Oyakata, who turns 65 on Mar. 1, will remain attached to the new stable during the transition period.
• All eight wrestlers from Tokiwazawa-beya, including komusubi Takanosho and juryo Wakanokatsu, will continue under the new banner.
• Support staff moves were set: referee Kimura Hideshiro and yobidashi Hiro to Tamanoi-beya, tokoyama Tokosen to Kise-beya, and sewanin Tochinoyama to Yamahibiki-beya, with the banzuke announcement slated for Dec. 22.