The following are the events in professional
sumo
is a form of competitive full-contact wrestling where a ''rikishi'' (wrestler) attempts to force his opponent out of a circular ring (''dohyō'') or into touching the ground with any body part other than the soles of his feet (usually by thr ...
during 2010.
Tournaments
*Hatsu
basho,
Ryogoku Kokugikan,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, 10 January – 24 January
*Haru basho,
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium,
Osaka
is a designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the third most populous city in Japan, following Special wards of Tokyo and Yokohama. With a population of 2. ...
, 14 March – 28 March
*Natsu basho, Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 9 May – 23 May
*Nagoya basho,
Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium,
Nagoya
is the largest city in the Chūbu region, the fourth-most populous city and third most populous urban area in Japan, with a population of 2.3million in 2020. Located on the Pacific coast in central Honshu, it is the capital and the most pop ...
, 11 July – 25 July
*Aki basho, Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 12 September – 26 September
*Kyushu basho,
Fukuoka International Centre
in Hakata-ku, Fukuoka, Japan is a collection of three separate buildings operated by the Fukuoka Convention Center Foundation.
Fukuoka Kokusai Center
The Fukuoka Kokusai Center opened in . A Sumo Tournament is held here every November. Many ...
,
Kyushu
is the third-largest island of Japan's five main islands and the most southerly of the four largest islands ( i.e. excluding Okinawa). In the past, it has been known as , and . The historical regional name referred to Kyushu and its surroun ...
, 14 November – 28 November
News
January
*12: At the Hatsu basho in Tokyo,
ozeki Ozeki or Ōzeki may refer to:
* Ōzeki, a rank in ''Makuuchi'', the top division of professional sumo
** List of ōzeki
* Ōzeki station (disambiguation), the name of two railway stations in Japan
* Ōzeki Masutoshi (1849–1905), 16th daimyō o ...
Kaio wins his 808th top
makuuchi division bout by throwing down former ozeki
Chiyotaikai, breaking the record set by
Chiyonofuji
, born , was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler and the 58th ''yokozuna'' of the sport. Following his retirement as a wrestler, he was the stable master of Kokonoe stable until the time of his death.
Chiyonofuji was considered one of the gr ...
in
1991
File:1991 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: Boris Yeltsin, elected as Russia's first president, waves the new flag of Russia after the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt, orchestrated by Soviet hardliners; Mount Pinatubo erupts in the Phil ...
. It is Chiyotaikai's third defeat in the first three days, leaving his hopes of getting promoted back to ozeki by scoring 10–5 or better virtually gone.
*13: Chiyotaikai announces his retirement from sumo. He will stay in the sumo world as a coach at
Kokonoe stable
is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Takasago group of stables. It was formed in 1967 and until 2021 was located in Ishiwara, Sumida, Tokyo. As of November 2022 it had 27 sumo wrestlers, four of whom are of ''sekitori'' rank. It is the most s ...
, under the name Sanoyama Oyakata.
*19: The 65th
Yokozuna Takanohana is told to leave the Nishonoseki
ichimon or group of
stables after announcing that he will run for a position on the board of Directors of the
Japan Sumo Association against the two officially sanctioned candidates for the group. Six of Takanohana's supporters, Otake (the former
Takatoriki), Futagoyama (the former
Dairyu), Otowayama (the former
Takanonami
Takanonami Sadahiro (born Sadahiro Namioka October 27, 1971 – June 20, 2015) was a Japanese sumo wrestler and coach from Aomori. He held sumo's second highest rank of '' ōzeki'' from 1994 until 2000. He won two tournament championships, and wa ...
), Tokiwayama (the former
Takamisugi), Onomatsu (the former
Masurao) and Magaki (the former
Wakanohana II), are also kicked out of the ichimon.
*23: Yokozuna
Asashoryu wins his 25th
yūshō or championship by defeating ozeki
Harumafuji by shitatenage or underarm throw. His score of 13 wins against just one loss means he cannot be caught by any of his rivals. He is now alone in third place on the all-time list of top division championships, behind only
Taiho and Chiyonofuji.
*24: On the final day of competition,
Hakuho defeats Asashoryu to finish runner-up to his yokozuna rival on 12–3. Having lost only four regulation bouts in the whole of
2009
File:2009 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The vertical stabilizer of Air France Flight 447 is pulled out from the Atlantic Ocean; Barack Obama becomes the first African American to become President of the United States; 2009 Iran ...
, his three losses in this tournament (to
Baruto, Harumafuji and Kaio) are the most he has suffered since May 2008. Baruto also finishes on 12–3, and wins his first Outstanding Performance Award. Had he achieved
kachi-koshi,
maegashira Goeido would have received a share of that prize as he defeated Asashoryu earlier in the tournament, but he loses to
Aminishiki who receives the Technique Award. The third man on 12–3 is
Toyohibiki, who wins the Fighting Spirit Prize. The
jūryō
Professional sumo as administered by the Japan Sumo Association is divided into six ranked divisions. Wrestlers are promoted and demoted within and between these divisions based on the merit of their win–loss records in official tournaments. For ...
division championship is won by
Georgian
Georgian may refer to:
Common meanings
* Anything related to, or originating from Georgia (country)
** Georgians, an indigenous Caucasian ethnic group
** Georgian language, a Kartvelian language spoken by Georgians
**Georgian scripts, three scrip ...
Gagamaru. Two former maegashira who have been fighting in the third
makushita division for some time,
Tamarikido and
Daimanazuru, both announce their retirements. Tamarikido is staying in sumo as Araiso Oyakata, but Daimanazuru is leaving.
*25: Asashoryu is warned over his conduct by Sumo Association head
Musashigawa after reportedly punching one of his managers during a drunken night out after Day 6 of the basho.
*27: The promotions to the jūryō division for the Haru tournament in March are announced. There are three newcomers: (formerly Kurosawa, his new
shikona is based on that of his stablemaster, the former
Masurao) and
Daido (formerly Nakanishi), both from the
Onomatsu stable Ōnomatsu is the name of:
*the sixth yokozuna in the sport of sumo Ōnomatsu Midorinosuke
*the sumo stable Ōnomatsu stable currently run by former sekiwake Masurao
is a Japanese former sumo wrestler, born in Itoda, Fukuoka Prefecture. Maki ...
, and
Sadanofuji from the
Sakaigawa stable. In addition,
Tokushinho from
Kise stable returns to the jūryō division after two tournaments away.
*28: The weekly magazine ''
Shukan Shincho'' hits the newsstands and claims that the man allegedly assaulted by Asashoryu was not his manager but another acquaintance in charge of a dance club where Asashoryu was drinking, who received a broken nose. Amid suggestions of a cover-up, the Sumo Association demand an explanation.
*30: Musashigawa says that Asashoryu has reached an amicable settlement with the man he allegedly attacked, meaning the yokozuna will not face police charges, although the chairman has not seen written confirmation. He confirms that any punishment will not be decided on until the next board meeting on February 4.
*30: The
danpatsu-shiki or retirement ceremony of former maegashira
Otsukasa takes place at the Kokugikan.
*31: The retirement ceremony of former maegashira
Ushiomaru
Ushiomaru Motoyasu (born Motoyasu Sano; May 11, 1978 – December 13, 2019) was a sumo wrestler from Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan. He began his professional career in 1994 and first reached the top division in 2002. His highest rank was ''m ...
is held at the Kokugikan.
Asashoryu performs the dohyo-iri and takes a snip of Ushiomaru's hair.
February
*1: The first contested elections to the Sumo Association's board of Directors since 2002 are held. Independent candidate Takanohana is elected with the necessary ten votes, replacing the 62-year-old
Oshima who can only manage eight.
Michinoku and
Kagamiyama are the other new members of the ten man board.
Isenoumi did not run for re-election, as he is due to retire from the Association next year. Musashigawa retains his position as chairman.
*2: Ajigawa Oyakata, the former
Kobo
Kobo may refer to:
Places
* Kobo (woreda), a district in Ethiopia
** Kobo, Ethiopia, a town
* Kōbo Dam, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
* Mount Kōbō, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
People First name
* Kōbō Abe (1924–1993), pseudonym of Japanese w ...
, admits that he was one of the oyakata who switched his vote from Oshima to Takanohana, and says he will resign from the Sumo Association. He is however later persuaded to stay.
*2: Tomozuna Oyakata, the former
Kaiki, who is heading a committee looking into the Asashoryu affair, says he has spoken to the yokozuna's personal manager (who has said he is standing down to take responsibility for his misleading statement that he was the one attacked) and his driver, who denied reports that Asashoryu punched the man or made threats against him. "The driver did not see Asashoryu slug the man. He said it was nothing like what was reported."
*4: Following a meeting with the Directors of the Sumo Association, Asashoryu and his stablemaster Takasago announce the yokozuna's retirement from sumo. Asashoryu said, "I have caused a lot of trouble for so many people. I decided to step down to bring this to a closure." Musashigawa told reporters, "He felt compelled to resign for misconduct that was inexcusable, and the board accepted. I want to apologise to sumo fans and the injured person. We will work to ensure this kind of incident never happens again."
*4: Kataonami Oyakata (former sekiwake
Tamanofuji
Tamanofuji Shigeru (玉ノ富士茂, born Shigeru Akutsu, 24 November 1949 – 21 June 2021) was a Japanese sumo wrestler. He made his professional debut in 1967, reaching a highest rank of ''sekiwake'' in 1978. He won three special prizes and e ...
) swaps elder names with Tateyama Oyakata (former sekiwake
Tamakasuga), who takes over the running of
Kataonami stable
is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Nishonoseki ''ichimon'' or group of stables. It was founded in 1961 by former ''sekiwake'' Tamanoumi Daitarō, who branched off from Nishonoseki stable. Former ''sekiwake'' Tamanofuji took over the run ...
.
*7: The 34th Japan Ozumo one-day knockout exhibition tournament takes place at the Kokugikan.
Goeido wins the 2,500,000 yen prize, defeating
Baruto,
Harumafuji, Hakuho (in the semi-final) and
Kotooshu (in the final). He is the first Japanese winner since
Musoyama in 2003.
Masatsukasa takes the jūryō tournament.
*10: The 43rd
NHK charity sumo tournament takes place.
March
*1: The
banzuke
A , officially called is a document listing the rankings of professional sumo wrestlers published before each official tournament (''honbasho''). The term can also refer to the rankings themselves. The document is normally released about two w ...
for the upcoming Osaka tournament is released. Asashoryu does not appear in the rankings, and the West Yokozuna position is left blank. There are three newcomers to the top division:
Okinoumi
is a retired Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Okinoshima, Shimane. He joined professional sumo in 2005, reaching the top division in 2010. He was runner-up in ''makuuchi'' three times in the January 2011, March 2013, and November 2017 t ...
, the first wrestler from
Shimane Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. Shimane Prefecture is the second-least populous prefecture of Japan at 665,205 (February 1, 2021) and has a geographic area of 6,708.26 km2. Shimane Prefecture borders Yamaguc ...
to reach the top division in 88 years,
Tokusegawa
Tokusegawa Masano (德瀬川 正直, born August 6, 1983, as Badamsambuu Ganbold) is a former sumo wrestler from Ulan Bator, Mongolia. Joining the professional sport in 2003, he entered the top division for the first time in March 2010, and rose t ...
, the first wrestler from
Kiriyama stable to reach makuuchi, and
Sagatsukasa
is a retired Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Mishima, Shizuoka. A former amateur competitor at Toyo University, he made his professional debut in March 2004, reaching the top ''makuuchi'' division for the first time in March 2010. He w ...
, who has become the second wrestler after
Toyonoshima
Toyonoshima Daiki (born June 26, 1983 as Daiki Kajiwara) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Sukumo, Kōchi, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 2002, reaching the top ''makuuchi'' division in September 2004. He was a runner-u ...
to make the top division despite not meeting the Sumo Association's requirement to enter sumo of 173 cm in height.
*9: Former maegashira
Kitazakura announces his retirement at the age of 38. He becomes Onogawa Oyakata. The former
Yotsukasa switches to the Sendagawa name vacated by the retirement of former ozeki
Maenoyama, who has reached 65 years of age.
*28: Hakuho wins his thirteenth yūshō with his fifth perfect 15–0 record, defeating Harumafuji on the final day. Baruto finishes runner-up on 14–1, his only defeat being to Hakuho on Day 11. He is awarded Fighting Spirit and Technique Prizes, and is guaranteed promotion to ozeki.
Tochiozan is in third place on 11–4. Okinoumi wins his last three bouts to secure kachi-koshi in his debut. Tokusegawa also scores eight wins, but Sagatsukasa falls short with a 6–9, despite being at 5–3 after Day 8. In the jūryō division
Kimurayama
Kimurayama Mamoru (born 13 July 1981 as Mamoru Kimura) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was ''maegashira'' 7. He is now a coach at Kasugano stable. He was the only wrestler in the elite ran ...
wins his second yūshō following a three way play-off after he,
Koryu and
Tamaasuka
Tamaasuka Daisuke (born January 26, 1983 as Daisuke Takahashi) is a former sumo wrestler from Atsuta-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1998. His highest rank was ''maegashira'' 9. He was well known for m ...
all finish on 11–4.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria (; bg, България, Bǎlgariya), officially the Republic of Bulgaria,, ) is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern flank of the Balkans, and is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedon ...
n
Aoiyama wins the
makushita division title at his first attempt with an undefeated 7–0 record.
*31: Baruto's promotion to ozeki is officially confirmed. The decision by the executive board of the Sumo Association was unanimous. He becomes the second European, and eighth foreigner overall, to reach ozeki.
*31: Three promotions to jūryō for the next tournament are announced. The only newcomer to the division is
Komazawa University
, abbreviated as 駒大 ''Komadai'', is one of the oldest universities in Japan. Its history starts in 1592, when a seminary was established to be a center of learning for the young monks of the Sōtō sect, one of the two main Zen Buddhist trad ...
graduate
Yuya Matsutani of
Matsugane stable
, formerly known as Matsugane stable and Nishonoseki stable, is a Heya (sumo), stable of sumo wrestlers. It was founded in 1990 as Matsugane stable by Wakashimazu who branched out from the Futagoyama stable. It has produced five top ''makuuchi ...
. Returning to jūryō are
Oguruma stable's Mongolian rikishi and
Hakkaku stable's , formerly of
Kinki University. (Kanbayashi was last ranked in jūryō in November 2006.)
April
* The Spring tour or jungyo visits the following locations:
**4:
Ise Shrine,
Mie Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu. Mie Prefecture has a population of 1,781,948 () and has a geographic area of . Mie Prefecture is bordered by Gifu Prefecture to the north, Shiga Prefecture and Kyoto Prefecture to ...
**5:
Tsu, Mie Prefecture
**9:
Yasukuni Shrine
is a Shinto shrine located in Chiyoda, Tokyo. It was founded by Emperor Meiji in June 1869 and commemorates those who died in service of Empire of Japan, Japan, from the Boshin War of 1868–1869, to the two Sino-Japanese Wars, First Sino-Japane ...
,
Chiyoda-ku
is a special ward located in central Tokyo, Japan. It is known as Chiyoda City in English.[Profile< ...]
, Tokyo
**10:
Fujisawa,
Kanagawa Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of Honshu. Kanagawa Prefecture is the second-most populous prefecture of Japan at 9,221,129 (1 April 2022) and third-densest at . Its geographic area of makes it fifth-smallest. Kana ...
**18:
Iruma,
Saitama Prefecture
is a landlocked prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of Honshu. Saitama Prefecture has a population of 7,338,536 (1 January 2020) and has a geographic area of 3,797 km2 (1,466 sq mi). Saitama Prefecture borders Tochigi Prefecture ...
**24:
Hadano
is a Cities of Japan, city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 163,787 and a population density of 1600 persons per km². The total area of the city is .
Geography
Hadano is located in the foothills of the ...
,
Kanagawa Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of Honshu. Kanagawa Prefecture is the second-most populous prefecture of Japan at 9,221,129 (1 April 2022) and third-densest at . Its geographic area of makes it fifth-smallest. Kana ...
*19:
Roho and
Hakurozan's lawsuit contesting their dismissal from the Sumo Association over cannabis use is rejected by the
Tokyo District Court, which finds that the procedures followed and the punishments handed out were reasonable. The brothers' lawyer says they will appeal the ruling.
*26: The banzuke for the upcoming tournament in May is released. There are once again five ozeki, with Baruto in the Ozeki 3 West position. There are no newcomers to the top division but
Kimurayama
Kimurayama Mamoru (born 13 July 1981 as Mamoru Kimura) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was ''maegashira'' 7. He is now a coach at Kasugano stable. He was the only wrestler in the elite ran ...
,
Tochinonada
Tochinonada Taiichi (栃乃洋 泰一 born February 26, 1974 as Taiichi Gotō) is a former sumo wrestler from Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. An amateur sumo champion, he turned professional in 1996 and reached the top ''makuuchi'' division in 1997. ...
,
Koryu and
Wakakoyu all return. There are no rikishi making their sanyaku debuts for the sixth tournament in a row.
May
*9–23: At the Natsu basho in Tokyo, Hakuho wins his 14th championship, equalling the total won by
Wajima. It is his second consecutive perfect 15–0 score and he is now on a winning streak of 32 matches; his second best run after the 33 he won from January to March 2009. In second place is rank-and-filer
Aran on 12–3, who wins the Fighting Spirit prize. He shares the award with
Tochinoshin, who defeated four ozeki. Kaio wins his 1000th career match, becoming only the second man after Chiyonofuji to reach this total. New ozeki Baruto finishes on 10–5. The jūryō championship is won for the second time by
Bushuyama.
*20: Ozeki
Kotomitsuki is accused by the ''Shukan Shincho'' of betting on professional baseball, which is illegal in Japan. Kotomitsuki denies the claims.
Michinoku Oyakata, head of the Sumo Association's Daily Life Guidance department, launches an internal investigation into the matter.
*27: Two coaches, Kise Oyakata (the former
Higonoumi) and Kiyomigata Oyakata (the former
Dairyugawa), are punished for being implicated in the selling of tickets for last year's Nagoya basho to some 50
yakuza gang members of the
Yamaguchi-gumi crime syndicate
Organized crime (or organised crime) is a category of transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals to engage in illegal activity, most commonly for profit. While organized crime is generally th ...
. Kise is demoted two ranks in the Sumo Association's hierarchy and can no longer continue as the head of
Kise stable, which is to be closed. Kiyomigata escapes with a reprimand.
*29:Former Sumo Association chairman
Kitanoumi confirms that his
Kitanoumi stable will take charge of the 27 wrestlers formerly of Kise stable. This means his stable will now have 46 wrestlers, making it the largest in sumo.
*29: The retirement ceremony of former ozeki
Dejima is held at the Kokugikan.
June
*15: The results of a survey conducted by the Sumo Association following the gambling allegations against Kotomitsuki show that 65 people in the sumo world have engaged in some form of gambling over the last five years.
29 bet on baseball while the rest were involved in gambling on other activities such as golf,
mahjong
Mahjong or mah-jongg (English pronunciation: ) is a tile-based game that was developed in the 19th century in China and has spread throughout the world since the early 20th century. It is commonly played by four players (with some three-play ...
and
hanafuda games.
Kotomitsuki, who has reversed his previous denials and admitted to betting on baseball, is suspended from the forthcoming Nagoya tournament in July following a request from his stablemaster.
He was reportedly deep in debt and being blackmailed for "hush money" by members of the yakuza.
The Sumo Association, who have turned the results of their survey over to the
Japanese ministry of sport, have issued a warning to all 65 of their members involved and will wait for the results of the police investigation into the affair before deciding on any further punishments.
*17:
Otake Oyakata, head of the
Otake stable Otake may refer to:
* Ōtake, Hiroshima, a city in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
* Ōtake (surname), a Japanese surname
* Otake (Nakanoshima), a volcano on Nakanoshima in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
* Otake Dainichi Nyorai, a divine being in Japan ...
, admits that he too has gambled on baseball. He and maegashira
Toyonoshima
Toyonoshima Daiki (born June 26, 1983 as Daiki Kajiwara) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Sukumo, Kōchi, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 2002, reaching the top ''makuuchi'' division in September 2004. He was a runner-u ...
are named in another ''Shukan Shinko'' article and are questioned by the Sumo Association's investigative team.
*18:
Tokitsukaze Oyakata,
Goeido and
Toyohibiki are the latest to admit to involvement in illegal baseball gambling.
*19: The retirement ceremony of former maegashira Tamarikido is held at the Kokugikan.
*19: Former ozeki
Miyabiyama, who belongs to the head of the Sumo Association's stable, admits to gambling on mahjong and other games, but not baseball.
*20: Tokoike, a
tokoyama at the Onomatsu stable, is the first non wrestler or stablemaster to admit involvement in baseball gambling.
*21: The Sumo Association announces that it will decide on July 4 whether the Nagoya tournament should go ahead. The list of names mixed up in the scandal continues to grow with
Chiyohakuho now added, while Miyabiyama has reportedly admitted betting on baseball as well.
*22:
Kotoshogiku,
Futeno and
Kiyoseumi are latest sekitori to admit to gambling.
*22:
Nagatanien, a maker of noodles, rice mixes and soups, announces that it has cancelled its 12 million yen ($130,000) sponsorship for the Nagoya tournament due to the gambling scandal. A statement read, "We hope this traditional national sport will become clean."
*24: A former makushita level wrestler, Mitsutomo Furuichi (known as Wakaryusei while active) is arrested on suspicion of extorting 3.5 million yen from Kotomitsuki, who indicated to those close around him in March that Furuichi had links to organised crime.
*28: Ahead of an emergency board meeting, Otake Oyakata submits a letter of resignation to the Sumo Association. He now claims that the 5 million yen that Kotomitsuki attempted to collect from a gambling intermediary, that led to the extortion attempt, was in fact Otake's own winnings.
*28: The emergency meeting decides to accept the recommendations of a special oversight panel and go ahead with the Nagoya basho on July 11. It indicates that Kotomitsuki and Otake Oyakata will both be fired from the sport, although a formal vote will not be taken until July 4. In addition, Tokitsukaze Oyakata will face demotion, while six makuuchi wrestlers (Toyonoshima, Miyabiyama, Toyohibiki, Goeido,
Okinoumi
is a retired Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Okinoshima, Shimane. He joined professional sumo in 2005, reaching the top division in 2010. He was runner-up in ''makuuchi'' three times in the January 2011, March 2013, and November 2017 t ...
and
Wakakoyu), five from jūryō and two from makushita will be suspended for Nagoya. The panel has also recommended the suspension of Musashigawa and three other directors (Kokonoe, Michinoku and Dewanoumi) for the tournament, and the closure of the Otake and Tokitsukaze stables.
July
*1:
Fuji Xerox becomes the latest company to announce it is dropping kensho sponsorship at the Nayoga basho.
*2: Japanese TV network
NHK says it is considering the unprecedented step of refusing to broadcast the Nagoya basho in response to the gambling scandal.
*4: Kotomitsuki and Ōtake are dismissed from sumo and given life bans. Kotomitsuki receives retirement benefits but Otake does not.
Sumo Association head Musashigawa is suspended for the duration of the Nagoya basho and replaced by outsider Hiroyoshi Murayama.
Board member Takanohana offers his resignation, but it is not accepted. The Otake and Tokitsukaze stables are spared closure, but Tokitsukaze Oyakata is demoted to the lowest rung on the Sumo Association's hierarchy and must remain there for five years. Mass apologies for the scandal by nearly 80 wrestlers, led by Hakuho, follow at a press conference.
*5: The banzuke for the Nagoya tournament is finally released. It is the first time since 1946 that publication has been delayed. Kotomitsuki is still listed as ozeki as the Association did not have time to remove his name before the 400,000 copies were printed.
*6: NHK announces that it will not broadcast the basho live, although it will show nightly highlights. About 70 percent of viewers who contacted the broadcaster were in favour of the coverage being dropped. It is the first time this has occurred since live TV broadcasts began in 1953.
*7: Police raid the Onomatsu and Tokitsukaze stables as part of their ongoing investigations into the gambling scandal and its links to the yakuza underworld.
*10: At the dohyo-matsuri (a ceremony open to the public the day before a tournament when the
dohyo is sanctified) around 200 members of the Sumo Association, led by its temporary head, mount the ring bow heads and collectively apologise.
*11: The Nagoya basho begins, with eleven sekitori (not including the dismissed Kotomitsuki) ''
kyujo'' or absent, breaking the record of eight seen in May 2000 and July 2002.
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is an American Multinational corporation, multinational fast food chain store, chain, founded in 1940 as a restaurant operated by Richard and Maurice McDonald, in San Bernardino, California, United States. They rechri ...
is one of the few sponsors to continue providing prize money for bouts. For the first time since its introduction in 1926, the
Emperor's Cup
, commonly known as or also Japan FA Cup is a Japanese football competition. It has the longest tradition of any football match in Japan, dating back to 1921, before the formation of the J.League, Japan Football League and their predecessor, J ...
will not be awarded to the tournament winner.
*12: The former Kotomitsuki's home is searched by the police.
*13:Sanoyama Oyakata (the former Chiyotaikai) denies betting on baseball and visiting an online casino, as claimed by the latest issue of the ''
Shukan Shincho'' magazine, and says he intends to take legal action.
*21: Kaio is forced to withdraw with a shoulder injury, leaving no Japanese wrestlers fighting from the yokozuna or ozeki ranks.
*23:
Aminishiki pulls out with an injured knee, meaning more foreigners than Japanese are competing in the top division for the first time ever.
*24: Hakuho wraps up his fifteenth yūshō after rank-and-filer
Homasho is defeated by
Tokusegawa
Tokusegawa Masano (德瀬川 正直, born August 6, 1983, as Badamsambuu Ganbold) is a former sumo wrestler from Ulan Bator, Mongolia. Joining the professional sport in 2003, he entered the top division for the first time in March 2010, and rose t ...
. The yokozuna defeats
Harumafuji to extend his winning streak to 46 bouts, surpassing
Taiho to stand alone in third place in the
Shōwa and
Heisei eras.
*25: On the final day Hakuho beats
Baruto to become the first wrestler ever to win three consecutive tournaments with 15–0 records. Homasho,
Aran and
Kakuryu all finish runners-up on 11–4. Homasho and Aran share the Fighting Spirit prize while Kakuryu gets his fifth Technique award. The jūryō championship is won by
Masatsukasa while veteran
Jumonji wins the makushita yūshō.
*27: Minato Oyakata (former komusubi
Yutakayama), head of the
Minato stable
is a stable of sumo wrestlers, formerly part of the Tokitsukaze ''ichimon'' or group of stables. It was founded in 1982 by former ''komusubi'' Yutakayama, who branched off from Tokitsukaze stable. Minato-''oyakata'' studied at the Tokyo Univ ...
, swaps toshiyori names with Tatsutagawa Oyakata (former maegashira
Minatofuji
is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Annaka, Gunma. He made his professional debut in March 1984, and his highest rank was ''maegashira'' 2. He retired in 2002, and in 2010 became the head coach of Minato stable.
Career
At juni ...
), who takes control of the stable.
August
*2: Three members of the
Yamaguchi-gumi crime syndicate are arrested on suspicion of extorting 6 million yen from a former wrestler from the Onomatsu stable who acted as a middleman for Kotomitsuki and Otake. Another ex-wrestler, Mitsutomo Furuichi, is also rearrested for alleged extortion.
*6: The summer tour begins at
Minamiuonuma, Niigata.
*7: The next stop on the tour is
Niigata city.
*8: The tour moves on to
Fukushima
may refer to:
Japan
* Fukushima Prefecture, Japanese prefecture
** Fukushima, Fukushima, capital city of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan
***Fukushima University, national university in Japan
*** Fukushima Station (Fukushima) in Fukushima, Fukushim ...
.
*10: The tour visits
Akita city
'Autumn field' is the capital Cities of Japan, city of Akita Prefecture, Japan, and has been designated a Core cities of Japan, core city since 1 April 1997. , the city has an estimated population of 305,625, 136,628 households and a population d ...
.
*11: The tour stops at
Kitaakita, Akita.
*12: The head of the Sumo Association Musashigawa announces his resignation, citing both the recent scandals and his own health concerns.
He had been hospitalised for much of the previous month after receiving treatment for stomach cancer. He is replaced by
Hanaregoma.
*12: Two more wrestlers, jūryō ranked
Matsutani and
sandanme ranked Wakarikido, both of the
Matsugane stable
, formerly known as Matsugane stable and Nishonoseki stable, is a Heya (sumo), stable of sumo wrestlers. It was founded in 1990 as Matsugane stable by Wakashimazu who branched out from the Futagoyama stable. It has produced five top ''makuuchi ...
, are found to have gambled on baseball. Neither wrestler came forward during the Sumo Association's investigations and consequently they competed in the July tournament while others were suspended. The investigative committee will decide on disciplinary action on September 6.
*30: The banzuke for the Aki basho is released, showing many changes between divisions. All six suspended makuuchi wrestlers, plus
Tamaasuka
Tamaasuka Daisuke (born January 26, 1983 as Daisuke Takahashi) is a former sumo wrestler from Atsuta-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1998. His highest rank was ''maegashira'' 9. He was well known for m ...
and
Shotenro, drop to the jūryō division. Taking their places are the makuuchi veterans
Tochinonada
Tochinonada Taiichi (栃乃洋 泰一 born February 26, 1974 as Taiichi Gotō) is a former sumo wrestler from Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. An amateur sumo champion, he turned professional in 1996 and reached the top ''makuuchi'' division in 1997. ...
,
Tosanoumi
Tosanoumi Toshio (born February 16, 1972 as Toshio Yamamoto in Aki City, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan), is a former sumo wrestler. He first reached the top division of professional sumo in 1995, winning 13 special prizes and earning 11 ''kinboshi'' ...
,
Toyozakura
Toyozakura Toshiaki (born March 12, 1974 as Toshiaki Mukō) is a former sumo wrestler from Hiroshima, Japan. He made his debut in 1989, and after many years in the lower ranks he reached the top division for the first time in 2003. His highest ran ...
and
Kasugao, plus
Koryu,
Masatsukasa and
Kotokasuga
is a former sumo wrestler from Kasuga, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. He began his professional career in 1993, reaching the top ''makuuchi'' division some 15 years later in 2008. His highest rank was ''maegashira'' 7. He retired in April 2011 after ...
and debutants
Sokokurai and
Kyokunankai
Kyokunankai Hiromitsu (born 14 December 1977 as Hirokazu Ken) is a former sumo wrestler from Amagi, Kagoshima, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1993 and reached the top division in September 2010. The 17 years it took him to reac ...
. Tosanoumi becomes the oldest wrestler ever to earn promotion to the top division at 38 years eight months, while the 105 tournaments Kyokunankai took to reach makuuchi is the second slowest ever. All four suspended jūryō wrestlers lose their sekitori status along with and
Kanbayashi. They are replaced by former makuuchi wrestlers
Jumonji and
Ryuho, and four newcomers: Mongolian , Chinese , former collegiate competitor
Takarafuji
is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler. He completes in the ''makuuchi'' division. The highest rank he has reached is ''sekiwake''.
Early life and sumo background
From the third grade of elementary school, Sugiyama began practicing at a sumo ...
and the Korean born
Tochinowaka. There are two new sekiwake, Aran and Tochiozan.
September
*8: The investigative committee announces that Sadogatake and Matsugane have been demoted two ranks; Sadogatake for failing to supervise Kotomitsuki and Matsugane for accepting lodgings in Osaka for the March tournament from a company president connected to the yakuza.
Sandanme wrestler Furuichi and tokoyama Tokoike are formally dismissed, and Matsutani and Wakarikido are suspended for two tournaments.
*9: Mongolian wrestler
Kengo
''Kengo'' (剣豪) is a series of video games developed by Genki. ''Kengo'' is considered a spiritual successor to the '' Bushido Blade'' game series for the PlayStation.
Games
''Kengo: Master of Bushido''
''Kengo 2: Legacy of the Blade''
T ...
is found unconscious at his
Nishonoseki stable Nishonoseki stable may refer to:
* Nishonoseki stable (1911–2013)
(1911–2013) was a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Nishonoseki group of stables (''ichimon'') named after it. It first appeared in the late eighteenth century and was re-e ...
and rushed to hospital, two days after suffering a head injury in training. He is found to have a right acute
subdural hematoma and undergoes surgery. Kengo, who only joined sumo in March, never returns to active competition and retires in May 2011.
*18: At the Aki basho, Hakuho wins his 54th straight bout, surpassing Chiyonofuji's post-war record of 53 set in 1988. He is now behind only Futabayama in the modern era.
*24: Former ''
makushita'' wrestler , a Mongolian who has Japanese citizenship, sues his former stablemaster
Takashima Oyakata, alleging that he was forced to retire against his will the previous month. He claims that he was only kept on at
Takashima stable because he was the only active wrestler, and that as soon as his stablemaster got a new recruit, he was got rid of.
*26: Hakuho's dominance continues as he wraps up his sixteenth yūshō by defeating Harumafuji. His 62nd consecutive win gives him his fourth zensho-yūshō in a row and eighth overall, tying the record jointly held by Futabayama and Taiho. Runner-up is rank-and-filer
Takekaze on 12–3 who receives the Fighting Spirit prize, shared with stablemate
Yoshikaze who finishes on 11–4. Tochiozan also scores eleven on his sekiwake debut and receives his second Technique Award. The best performing ozeki is Kotooshu on 10–5; Kaio secures his kachi-koshi to keep his ozeki rank once again. The jūryō championship is won by Toyonoshima (14–1) on his return from suspension, while the makushita yūshō is won by the 20-year-old
Akira Takayasu who is certain to become the first sekitori born in the Heisei era.
October
*2: Chiyotakai's retirement ceremony takes place at the Kokugikan.
*3: Asashoryu's retirement ceremony is held, with around 10,000 fans in attendance. The Prime Minister of Mongolia and the former Prime Minister of Japan are among those taking their turn to snip Asashoryu's hair, along with former yokozuna Chiyonofuji, Asashoryu's stablemate
Asasekiryu and rivals Hakuho and Harumafuji. His stablemaster
Asashio makes the final cut of his
topknot.
*4: The 69th All Japan Rikishi one day tournament is won by Baruto, who defeats Tochinoshin in the final and receives 500,000 yen. Hakuho is defeated in the first round by
Aminishiki.
The Autumn Tour visits the following locations:
*15:
Tsuchiura,
Ibaraki Prefecture
is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of Honshu. Ibaraki Prefecture has a population of 2,871,199 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of . Ibaraki Prefecture borders Fukushima Prefecture to the north, ...
*17:
Yokohama
is the second-largest city in Japan by population and the most populous municipality of Japan. It is the capital city and the most populous city in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a 2020 population of 3.8 million. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of To ...
,
Kanagawa Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of Honshu. Kanagawa Prefecture is the second-most populous prefecture of Japan at 9,221,129 (1 April 2022) and third-densest at . Its geographic area of makes it fifth-smallest. Kana ...
*23:
Amagasaki
file:Amagasaki Castle Tenshu 20181125.jpg, 270px, Amagasaki Castle
file:Amagasaki city center area Aerial photograph.1985.jpg, 270px, Aerial view of Amagasaki city center
file:Amagasaki st03s3000.jpg, 270px, Amagasaki Station
is an industrial Citi ...
,
Hyogo Prefecture
*24–25:
Otsu,
Shiga Prefecture
*26–27:
Kagamino
is a town located in Tomata District, Okayama Prefecture, Japan.
On March 1, 2005, Kagamino absorbed the town of Okutsu, and the villages of Kamisaibara and Tomi, all from Tomata District, to form the new town of Kagamino, with a combined ...
,
Okayama Prefecture
is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. Okayama Prefecture has a population of 1,906,464 (1 February 2018) and has a geographic area of 7,114 Square kilometre, km2 (2,746 sq mi). Okayama Prefectur ...
*28:
Izumo Izumo (出雲) may refer to:
Locations
* Izumo Province, an old province of Japan
* Izumo, Shimane, a city located in Shimane Prefecture
** Izumo Airport
* Izumo-taisha, one of Japan's most ancient and important Shinto shrines
Ships
* ''Izumo ...
,
Shimane Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. Shimane Prefecture is the second-least populous prefecture of Japan at 665,205 (February 1, 2021) and has a geographic area of 6,708.26 km2. Shimane Prefecture borders Yamaguc ...
*29:
Shobara,
Hiroshima Prefecture
is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. Hiroshima Prefecture has a population of 2,811,410 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of 8,479 km² (3,274 sq mi). Hiroshima Prefecture borders Okayama ...
*30:
Hiroshima
is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 1,199,391. The gross domestic product (GDP) in Greater Hiroshima, Hiroshima Urban Employment Area, was US$61.3 billion as of 2010. Kazumi Matsui h ...
, Hiroshima Prefecture
November
*1: The banzuke for the upcoming Kyushu tournament is released. There are only two Japanese born wrestlers in sanyaku (Kaio and Tochiozan), the fewest ever, and the twenty foreign born wrestlers in ''makuuchi'' is the most in history. There are no newcomers to the top division, but five returnees: the gamblers Toyonoshima, Goeido, Miyabiyama and Okinoumi, plus Shotenro. There are however four newcomers to ''jūryō'': the Heisei born Takayasu and Masunoyama, plus
Akiseyama (formerly Fukao) and veteran
Tsurugidake, who becomes a ''sekitori'' at the age of 31 years 8 months. In addition, gambler Chiyohakuho returns to ''jūryō''.
*15: On the second day of the Kyushu tournament, ''maegashira''
Kisenosato defeats Hakuhō, stopping his winning run at 63. Despite falling short of Futabayama's all-time mark of 69, Sumo Association chairman Hanaregoma called Hakuho's streak "a very creditable record." Hakuho told reporters he "couldn't get any momentum today." He admitted that he may have "got too complacent. It's a shame but that's life."
*18: The
Tokyo High Court
is a high court in Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The is a special branch of Tokyo High Court.
Japan has eight high courts: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Sendai, Sapporo, and Takamatsu. Each court has jurisdiction over one of ...
upholds a lower court ruling that Roho and Hakurozan's dismissal from sumo due to alleged cannabis use was valid.
*21: Footage emerges on
YouTube
YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...
of a wrestler from the
Mihogaseki stable driving a car, defying the Sumo Association's ban. Chairman
Hanaregoma says he has issued a strict reprimand to the stablemaster.
*28: On the final day of the tournament, Hakuhō wins his seventeenth championship, and fifth in a row, by defeating maegashira Toyonoshima in a playoff. He also finishes the year on 86 wins out of a possible 90, equalling the record he set last year. Toyonoshima, who followed up his 14–1 jūryō yusho with the same number of wins this time out, receives special prizes for Technique and Fighting Spirit. Fellow returnee Goeido, who finished on 12–3, does not receive a prize. Instead Kisenosato who scored 10–5, gets the Outstanding Performance Award for his defeat of Hakuho. Kaio finishes on 12–3 (his best performance for six years), one win ahead of fellow ozeki Baruto. The jūryō championship is won by the
Brazil
Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...
ian
Kaisei in a four-way playoff after he, Toyohibiki, Tochinowaka and debutant Takayasu all finish on 11–4. The makushita championship is won by former jūryō man
Myogiryu in another playoff after six wrestlers finish on 6–1.
December
*16: Tosanoumi announces his retirement from sumo after scoring only 4–11 last tournament, ensuring his demotion to makushita. The
Doshisha University alumnus had more career wins and appearances than any other
makushita tsukedashi
The following words are terms used in sumo wrestling in Japan.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
...
entrant. He is staying in sumo as a coach at
Isenoumi stable
is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tokitsukaze ''ichimon'' or group of stables. Its current head coach is former ''maegashira'' Kitakachidoki. As of January 2022 it had 12 wrestlers.
History
The name of Isenoumi stable relates to one of ...
under the Tatekawa elder name. His retirement leaves Kaio as the oldest
sekitori.
*21: The banzuke for the January 2011 tournament in Tokyo is released. Kaio is the top ozeki for the first time since July 2007. Toyonoshima moves up to maegashira 1, but is the first maegashira ever to win fourteen bouts and not make the titled sanyaku ranks in the next basho.
Nionoumi and
Fujiazuma
is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Tokyo. He entered sumo in March 2003, reaching the top ''makuuchi'' division in July 2011. His highest rank to date has been ''maegashira'' 4, which he achieved in July 2013 after he put together fiv ...
make their jūryō debuts, while
Kiyoseumi and
Yoshiazuma return to the sekitori ranks.
*27: Miyagino Oyakata (the former jūryō wrestler
Kanechika
Kanechika Kazunori (born 12 November 1969 as Kazuyuki Kanechika, also known as Kasuyuki Yamamura) is a former sumo wrestler and coach from Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
Sumo career
He was fond of basketball while at junior high school. His father r ...
) is forced by the Sumo Association to give up control of the
Miyagino stable after a tape of him admitting involvement in alleged match-fixing in 2006 was obtained by a tabloid and played in a court case. The new head is Kumagatani Oyakata (former maegashira
Chikubayama
Chikubayama Masakuni (born August 21, 1957 as Makoto Tazaki) is a former sumo wrestler from Ukiha, Fukuoka, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1973, breaking into the top ''makuuchi'' division thirteen years later in 1986. His highest rank w ...
) who was previously in charge of the stable from 1989 to 2004 and has always been regarded as Hakuho's mentor.
Deaths
*30 March: Former maegashira
Dewaarashi, aged 39, of heart failure.
* 1 April: The 28th
Kimura Shonosuke, ''tate gyoji'' or chief referee from 1991 to 1993, real name Satoru Goto, aged 81.
*19 June: Former maegashira
Narutoumi (also former Takenawa Oyakata), aged 84, of heart failure.
*20 July: Former ozeki
Kitabayama (also former Edagawa Oyakata), aged 75, of liver cancer.
*6 August: Former ozeki
Daikirin
Daikirin Takayoshi (大麒麟 將能) (20 June 1942 – 4 August 2010), born Masakatsu Tsutsumi, was a sumo wrestler from Saga Prefecture, Japan. He began his professional career in 1958 and reached his highest rank of '' ōzeki'' twelve years l ...
(also former Oshiogawa Oyakata), aged 68, of pancreatic cancer.
See also
*
Gambling and yakuza ties in sumo
*
Glossary of sumo terms
*
List of active sumo wrestlers
*
List of past sumo wrestlers
This is a list of prominent past wrestlers (either retired or deceased) in the sport of professional sumo. They are listed in order of the year and tournament month that they made their professional debuts. The information listed below was gleaned ...
*
List of years in sumo
The following is a list of year in sumo articles listed in chronological order from the most recent. Each gives an overview of the happenings in sumo for each year listed. The highlights below refer only to top division championships.
2020s
* 202 ...
*
List of yokozuna
References
{{Years in sumo
Sumo by year
Sumo
is a form of competitive full-contact wrestling where a ''rikishi'' (wrestler) attempts to force his opponent out of a circular ring (''dohyō'') or into touching the ground with any body part other than the soles of his feet (usually by thr ...