Beginner's Guide
Never watched sumo? Never played fantasy sports? You're in the right place. This guide gets you draft-ready in 5 minutes.
Just have a quick question? Jump to the FAQ ↓What is Sumo?
Sumo is Japan's national sport — a martial art with over 1,500 years of history. Two wrestlers (rikishi) face off on a circular clay ring called a dohyo. The goal is simple:
- Force your opponent out of the ring, or
- Make them touch the ground with anything other than the soles of their feet
Matches are incredibly fast — most end in under 10 seconds. The sport is all about explosive power, balance, and technique. There are over 80 official winning techniques (kimarite), from hip throws to leg trips to straight-up bulldozing pushes.
There are six tournaments (basho) per year, each lasting 15 days. Every wrestler fights once per day. Win more than you lose (8+ wins) and you get promoted. Lose more than you win and you get demoted. It's a relentless meritocracy.
The Rank System
Ranks determine who fighters face — and how much they cost in your draft. Higher ranks = stronger competition = fewer cheap wins.
Yokozuna
The Grand Champion. Only 1-3 wrestlers ever hold this title. They are gods of the dohyo — expect 12-15 wins most basho. Very expensive to draft.
Ozeki
The second-highest rank. Consistently dominant wrestlers. Expect 10-13 wins. High price, high reward.
Sekiwake / Komusubi
Upper mid-card. Talented wrestlers fighting elite competition. Often produce 8-10 wins and great value picks.
Maegashira
The bulk of the division, ranked M1 to M17. Lower-ranked Maegashira face easier opponents and can be hidden gems. Great budget picks.
Within Maegashira, wrestlers are numbered M1 (hardest schedule) to M17 (easiest). Lower numbers = tougher matchups.
How Dohyo Draft Works
$140 Budget
You have $140 to spend. Prices are set by the commissioner before the basho based on each wrestler's recent performance.
Pick 6 Rikishi
Choose 6 wrestlers from the Makuuchi division. You can mix and match any combination — go all-in on stars, or find value in mid-card picks.
1 Win = 1 Point
Every win your rikishi earns during the 15-day basho is worth 1 point. Simple. A wrestler who goes 12-3 gives you 12 points.
Top 5 Count
Your worst-performing rikishi is dropped each basho. Only your top 5 scorers count. Your 6th pick is a safety valve — use it on a wildcard.
Special Rules
Hater Pick (Optional)
Designate one rikishi as your enemy. Instead of scoring their wins, you score 1 point for every loss they suffer. This is your villain pick — great for trolling someone else's star wrestler. Skip it if you want to keep things simple.
🌐 Universal Pick
Every team shares one Universal Rikishi chosen before the basho closes. You pick Love Em (score wins) or Hate Em (score losses). Everyone gets the same wrestler — the disagreement is about betting for or against them.
🏅 Bonus Prize Points
The commissioner can award bonus points for bold predictions, upsets, outstanding picks, or just for being entertaining. Keep an eye on the Standings page.
Tips for Your First Draft
Use the Research page
Every rikishi has a profile with recent basho records, win trends, and performance stats. Check it before you draft — past performance is your best signal.
Look for lower-ranked value
A Maegashira ranked M12 faces easier opponents than an M1. If they're hot right now, they can rack up wins at a bargain price.
The Hater Pick is a hedge
If everyone in your league is picking Hoshoryu, consider making him your Hater Pick. His losses become your points — and you won't feel bad when he drops a bout.
Your 6th pick is insurance
Only your top 5 scoring rikishi count. Your 6th slot is a free safety net — use it on someone volatile who might surprise or a backup in case someone gets injured.
Injuries happen
A rikishi can withdraw ("kyujo") mid-basho. If your top pick pulls out on day 3, having a strong bench pick in slot 6 can save your standings.
Sumo Glossary
Frequently Asked Questions
The quick answers to how the game actually runs. Tap any question to expand it.
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