2022 In Sumo

The following are the events in professional sumo during 2022.

Tournaments

Hatsu basho

Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 9 January – 23 January

Haru basho

Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, 13 March – 27 March

Natsu basho

Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 8 May – 22 May

Nagoya basho

Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Nagoya, 10 July – 24 July

Aki basho

Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 11 September – 25 September

Kyushu basho

Fukuoka Kokusai Center, Kyushu, 13 November – 27 November

News

January

*4: The Japan Sumo Association announces that Tagonoura stable will withdraw from the January 2022 tournament after four individuals at the stable, including the stablemaster (former ''maegashira'' Takanotsuru), test positive for COVID-19. The announcement means that ''makuuchi'' division competitor and former '' ōzeki'' Takayasu will be unable to participate.
*7: ''Maegashira'' Hidenoumi and ''jūryō'' are interviewed by Saitama Prefectural Police as part of an investigation into an illegal gambling establishment in Sōka that was raided in September 2021. Both wrestlers were withdrawn from the January 2022 tournament in December. Media reports later suggest that prosecutors will likely not press charges against either of them.
*9: Nishikido stable withdraws from the January 2022 tournament due to a COVID-19 case within the stable. A follow-up PCR test confirms that stablemaster Nishikido (former ''sekiwake'' Mitoizumi) has contracted the virus.
*12: ''Ōzeki'' Takakeishō withdraws from the January 2022 tournament after spraining his ankle in his Day 3 loss to Ura. It is the eighth time in his career that he has had to pull out of a ''basho''.
*15: Japanese media outlets report that the Sumo Association's compliance committee, after holding hearings, concluded that Hidenoumi and Shiden participated in illegal gambling. The association's board of directors is expected to take up the issue at their meeting on 27 January. The committee's report recommends a suspension of one tournament for Hidenoumi and no suspension for Shiden, but the board could determine otherwise.
*21: The Sumo Association announces the retirement of Mongolian former ''maegashira'' Kyokushūhō.
*22: The penultimate day of the January 2022 tournament ends with four wrestlers — ''yokozuna'' Terunofuji, ''sekiwake'' Mitakeumi and rank-and-filers Abi and Kotonowaka — all in contention for the Emperor's Cup.
*23: ''Sekiwake'' Mitakeumi (13–2) claims his third career ''yūshō'' in the top division after defeating ''yokozuna'' Terunofuji (11–4) in the final match and also receives his third ''Ginō-shō'' special prize for technique. With 33 victories in his last three tournaments, Mitakeumi meets the ''de facto'' requirement for promotion to the second-highest rank of '' ōzeki''. Refereeing department chairman Isegahama (the 63rd ''yokozuna'' Asahifuji) officially requested that the Sumo Association meet on 26 January to discuss Mitakeumi, making ''ōzeki'' promotion all but certain. Meanwhile both of the current ''ōzeki'', Shōdai (6–9) and Takakeishō (1–3–11), will enter the March ''basho'' at demotion-threatened '' kadoban'' status. Tournament runner-up Abi (12–3), who secured his sixth consecutive winning record since returning from suspension in March 2021 and picked up a ''kinboshi'' against Terunofuji on Day 14, is awarded his first ''Shukun-shō'' (Outstanding Performance prize). Kotonowaka (11–4), eliminated from Emperor's Cup contention when he was defeated by Abi on Day 15, is awarded his first ''Kantō-shō'' (Fighting Spirit prize). Former rank-and-filer Kotoshōhō (11–4) wins the ''jūryō'' division championship, eventually resulting in his return to ''maegashira'' after one year.
*26: Mitakeumi's ''ōzeki'' promotion is finalized by the Sumo Association. The 29-year-old is the sixth oldest ''ōzeki'' in sumo history, as well as the first ''ōzeki'' from Nagano Prefecture in 227 years (since Raiden Tameemon). In his customary acceptance speech, Mitakeumi said he would embrace gratitude, express his own style and devote himself to the way of sumo.
Four promotions to ''jūryō'' are announced. Newly promoted are 19-year-old and 25-year-old . Atamifuji made his professional debut in November 2020 and won the ''jonokuchi'' and ''jonidan'' championships in his first two tournaments. He advances to ''sekitori'' after just seven ''basho'', all with winning records. Shimazuumi entered sumo in 2012 and had been struggling in the lower divisions with various injuries. He is the first ''sekitori'' for the Hanaregoma stable under its new owner, former ''sekiwake'' Tamanoshima. Returning to ''jūryō'' is Ryūden, who had been suspended for violating COVID-19 protocols before returning to secure the November 2021 ''makushita'' championship. He has a combined record of 13-1 in his last two ''basho''. Takakentō also returns to sumo's second-highest division after two tournaments at ''makushita''.
51-year-old Hanakaze is among the retirements announced by the Sumo Association. Having debuted at the age of 15 in 1986, he is the final sumo wrestler to retire from the Shōwa Era. He competed in a total of 214 tournaments, but never rose above the third-lowest ''sandanme'' division.
The Sumo Association announces that Kakuryū (the 71st ''yokozuna'') and one ''gyōji'' have tested positive for COVID-19.
*27: The Sumo Association's Board of Directors accepts the committee's report regarding illegal gambling by ''maegashira'' Hidenoumi and ''jūryō'' . Hidenoumi is handed a one-tournament suspension retroactive to the January 2022 tournament along with a 20% salary cut for two months. Shiden is not issued any formal suspension, but his '' kyūjō'' from the January ''basho'' will likely result in his demotion from ''sekitori'' status and a loss of salary. Stablemaster Kise (former ''maegashira'' Higonoumi) is handed a warning.
Takekuma (former '' ōzeki'' Gōeidō), whose retirement ceremony is scheduled for 29 January, is approved to open a new stable, Takekuma stable.
Tomozuna (former ''sekiwake'' Kyokutenhō) and Ōshima (former ''sekiwake'' Kaiki) will swap elder names, resulting in Tomozuna stable being renamed Ōshima stable from 1 February.
The Sumo Association announces it plans to increase the daily spectator limit for the May 2022 tournament at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan to 9,265—or about 87% capacity—after submitting a COVID-19 infection control and safety plan to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
*30: The retirement ceremony of Kiyomigata (former ''sekiwake'' Tochiōzan) takes place at the Kokugikan, the day after the same ceremony was held for Takekuma (former ''ōzeki'' Gōeidō).
*31: Five days after his promotion was finalized, the Sumo Association announces that new ''ōzeki'' Mitakeumi has tested positive for COVID-19. Sumo Association spokesman Shibatayama (the 62nd ''yokozuna'' Ōnokuni) says that depending on the situation, members who participated in the retirement ceremonies of both Gōeidō and Tochiōzan on 29 and 30 January, respectively, will be tested for the coronavirus since Mitakeumi took part in snipping both of their topknots in the ''dohyo''.

February

*2: The Sumo Association announces that six more ''sekitori'' from three different stables have tested positive for COVID-19 – Daieishō, Tobizaru, Tsurugishō and Daiamami from Oitekaze stable, Aoiyama from Kasugano stable and Takanoshō from Tokiwayama stable.
*3: Takayasu and Okinoumi take part in the Setsubun bean-throwing ceremony at the Narita-san Shinshō-ji temple.
*4: ''Yokozuna'' Terunofuji, ''ōzeki'' Takakeishō and former ''ōzeki'' Tochinoshin are among 17 additional individuals from nine stables announced by the Sumo Association as testing positive for COVID-19. Those also testing positive from the ''sekitori'' ranks include Hōshōryū, Ichiyamamoto, Tokushōryū, Wakamotoharu and Wakatakakage. Spokesman Shibatayama says that the retirement ceremony for Nakamura (former ''sekiwake'' Yoshikaze) will be held as scheduled on 5 February, but additional sumo events scheduled at the Kokugikan—including the Fuji TV-sponsored Grand Sumo Tournament on 6 February and the NHK charity tournament on 11 February—are eventually cancelled.
*7: Oguruma stable closes, with Oshiogawa Oyakata (ex-''sekiwake'' Takekaze) taking six Oguruma wrestlers with him and establishing his own Oshiogawa stable. The remaining eight wrestlers are transferring along with the former Yoshikaze to Nishonoseki stable.
*9: The Sumo Association announces that ''ōzeki'' Shōdai is among 48 additional sumo personnel, including nine ''sekitori'' and eleven elders, testing positive for COVID-19. Since the start of the January 2022 tournament a total of 252 out of the association's approximately 900 members, including half of all of the wrestlers ranked in the ''makuuchi'' division, have tested positive for the virus. Spokesman Shibatayama told reporters that symptoms of sore throat and fever were reported, but there were also quite a few cases that were asymptomatic. He said that the Sumo Association would consult with infectious disease experts as it prepares for the next ''basho'' in Osaka.
*10: ''Maegashira'' Ura and ''jūryō'' test positive for COVID-19.
*14: Due to COVID concerns, the March ''maezumō'' for new sumo wrestlers is cancelled for the second year in a row. The new wrestler inspections scheduled for 25 February are also postponed. New wrestlers will be ranked for the May ''basho'' in Tokyo after their applications have been submitted and scrutinized by the Sumo Association.
*19: The retirement ceremony is held for Tateyama (former ''maegashira'' Homarefuji) at the Kokugikan.
*25: The Saitama Prefecture Public Prosecutor's Office announces that it will not prosecute wrestlers Hidenoumi and , who had been suspected of illegal gambling.
*26: The Sumo Association announces that three ''oyakata''—Nakamura (former ''sekiwake'' Yoshikaze), Nakagawa (former ''maegashira'' Asahisato) and Inagawa (former ''komusubi'' Futen'ō)—have tested positive for COVID-19. Additional tests will be made on approximately 570 members of the Sumo Association with the March ''basho'' in Osaka just two weeks away.
*28: The ''banzuke'' for the March 2022 tournament in Osaka is released by the Sumo Association. Mitakeumi is officially listed for the first time at sumo's second-highest rank of '' ōzeki'', while the two others at the rank— Shōdai and Takakeishō—fight to avoid demotion. Abi, who finished as the top division runner-up twice in a row, finds himself vaulted all the way from ''maegashira'' 6 to a new career high at sumo's third-highest rank of ''sekiwake''. It marks Abi's return to ''san'yaku'' since being ranked at ''komusubi'' for four tournaments in 2019 and 2020. Also making his ''sekiwake'' debut is Wakatakakage, who returns to ''san'yaku'' after being ranked at ''komusubi'' last July. Hōshōryū, the nephew of former ''yokozuna'' Asashōryū, makes his ''san'yaku'' debut at ''komusubi''. He joins Takanoshō, who was demoted from ''sekiwake'' after an eight-loss performance in January. Japanese-Filipino wrestler Kōtokuzan, who had double-digit wins in ''jūryō'' in the last two tournaments, is the only new promotion to the ''makuuchi'' division. Three wrestlers are promoted again to ''makuuchi'': Kotoshōhō, who returns after five tournaments (and securing the ''jūryō'' championship in the last tournament), Nishikigi, returning after nine tournaments, and Kagayaki, who returns after he had just been demoted.

March

*12: After stating the previous day that there were no positive tests for COVID-19 among those scheduled to participate in the March 2022 tournament, the Sumo Association announces that Onoe stable will miss the March ''basho'' after two lower-ranked wrestlers come down with the virus.
*18: ''Yokozuna'' Terunofuji withdraws on Day 6 of the March ''basho'' citing issues with his right heel and left knee, both of which he has injured in the past. The withdrawal comes after suffering defeats to Daieishō and, for the second straight tournament, Tamawashi. It is his first '' kyūjō'' since his promotion to sumo's highest rank.
*27: New ''sekiwake'' Wakatakakage (12–3) defeats ''maegashira'' and former '' ōzeki'' Takayasu (12–3) in a playoff to clinch the March 2022 top division championship. Both wrestlers entered the final day in Osaka with 12 wins and the chance to win their first ''yūshō'' along with a third competitor, ''maegashira'' Kotonowaka, who started the day with 11 wins and could only hope to participate in a two or three-way playoff. First up was Kotonowaka (11–4), who was taken out of the ''yūshō'' picture with a loss to new ''komusubi'' Hōshōryū (8–7); the nephew of the 68th ''yokozuna'' Asashōryū secured his much needed winning record to stay in the san'yaku ranks. Next was Takayasu, who was pushed out by new ''sekiwake'' Abi (8–7) in his match. Wakatakakage then had the chance to win the Emperor's Cup outright in the final bout of the tournament but was driven out of the ring by ''ōzeki'' Shōdai (9–6) who, like fellow ''ōzeki'' Takakeishō (8–7), secured enough wins to be taken out of '' kadoban'' status. This set up the playoff match in which Wakatakakage eventually avoided Takayasu's charge and used a pulling overarm throw to secure the victory. In addition to his maiden top division championship, Wakatakakage earns his third ''ginō-shō'' (Technique prize). The other two in contention for the Emperor's Cup both receive the ''kantō-shō'' (Fighting Spirit prize); it is the tenth overall '' sanshō'' prize for Takayasu and the third Fighting Spirit prize for Kotonowaka. The ''jūryō'' championship is won by former ''komusubi'' Ryūden (13–2), who has now won both a ''makushita'' and ''jūryō'' division title since he was suspended last year for violating COVID-19 protocols.
*28: The Japan Sumo Association conducts the biannual elections for its Board of Directors. Newly elected to the board are Sadogatake (former ''sekiwake'' Kotonowaka, whose son presently competes in the top division) and Isenoumi (former ''maegashira'' Kitakachidoki). The board then elects Hakkaku (the 61st ''yokozuna'' Hokutoumi) to a fourth full term as chairman of the Sumo Association.
*30: The Sumo Association announces two promotions to the second-highest ''jūryō'' division for May. Newly promoted is 29-year-old , an 11-year sumo veteran whose '' maezumo'' took place alongside such wrestlers as ''yokozuna'' Terunofuji and former ''sekiwake'' Meisei. returns to ''jūryō'' after one tournament at ''makushita''.
Former ''jūryō'' is among fifteen wrestler retirements announced by the Sumo Association.
The refereeing department of the Sumo Association appoints Nishonoseki (the 72nd ''yokozuna'' Kisenosato) and Naruto (former ''ōzeki'' Kotoōshū) as '' shimpan'' (ringside judges).
*31: At a board meeting in Tokyo, the refereeing department of the Sumo Association decides to reduce the number of total ''sandanme'' wrestlers from 100 on either side of the ''banzuke'' to 90 (180 total). Spokesperson Shibatayama (the 62nd ''yokozuna'' Ōnokuni) explained that the change was made because the number of participants had become unbalanced, suggesting that the number could be lowered further to 80 on each side in the future.
The Sumo Association also decides to open the July tournament in Nagoya to full capacity (7,448 per day) with same-day ticket sales, and to resume regional sumo tours following the Nagoya ''basho'' for the first time since the 2019 winter tour with COVID-19 prevention measures in place.

April

*15: Among the new recruits passing the entrance exam for the May 2022 tournament is 24-year-old Hotaka Suyama, the first ever student of the elite University of Tokyo to join professional sumo.
*25: The ''banzuke'' for the May tournament is released by the Sumo Association. There are few changes in ''san'yaku'', with January 2021 ''makuuchi'' champion Daieishō returning to ''komusubi'' after competing at that rank earlier this year. Former '' ōzeki'' Takayasu, who had been in contention for the March championship until losing to ''sekiwake'' Wakatakakage in a playoff, is promoted to the top ''maegashira'' rank. There are no new promotions from ''jūryō'' to ''makuuchi'', but three wrestlers return to the top division: Ōhō returns after just being demoted, Midorifuji returns after five tournaments, and Azumaryū returns after 11 tournaments.
Former ''ōzeki'' Asanoyama is ranked at ''makushita'' 42 for his final suspended tournament. He was handed a six-tournament ban in June 2021 for violating COVID-19 protocols and for covering up his violations to investigators.

May

*3: Top rank-and-filer and former ''sekiwake'' Ichinojō is withdrawn from the May 2022 tournament after testing positive for COVID-19.
*13: ''Maegashira'' Tamawashi defeats Terunofuji in their scheduled match, becoming the first sumo wrestler to earn three consecutive ''kinboshi'' against the same ''yokozuna'' since Daigō (ex- Wakamisugi) achieved the feat in 1965.
*22: Four wrestlers entered the final day of the May 2022 tournament with the chance to win the Emperor's Cup, but in the end it was sole ''yokozuna'' Terunofuji (12–3) who lifted the trophy for the seventh time in his career. The Mongolian clinched his first ''yūshō'' of the year with a win over '' ōzeki'' Mitakeumi in the tournament's final match. The co-leader entering the final day, rank-and-filer Takanoshō (11–4), was defeated in his bout by Sadanoumi (11–4); the two, along with ''komusubi'' Daieishō (11–4), would have participated in a four-way playoff if Terunofuji had lost. The three ''ōzeki'' had poor performances, with Takakeishō (8–7) the only one able to secure a winning record. The other two ''ōzeki'', Mitakeumi (6–9) and Shōdai (5–10), will enter the next tournament in Nagoya at demotion-threatened '' kadoban'' status. All three runners-up in the top division are awarded '' sanshō'' prizes, with both Daieishō and Takanoshō awarded the ''Shukun-shō'' (Outstanding Performance prize) and Sadanoumi awarded the ''Kantō-shō'' (Fighting Spirit prize). In the second-highest ''jūryō'' division the winner is Terunofuji's stablemate, 25-year-old (11–4), who secured his fourth championship in sumo with a playoff victory over former ''maegashira'' Daiamami.
*25: The Sumo Association announces three new promotions to the ''jūryō'' division. One is , who recently joined the stable run by former ''ōzeki'' Gōeidō and will take the new ''shikona'' of Gōnoyama (豪ノ山) in the next tournament. The other two new promotions are , who entered sumo in November 2021 as ''makushita tsukedashi'' and most recently won the ''makushita'' division championship, and 13-year sumo veteran . Hokuseihō will return to ''jūryō'' after competing in just one match at that rank in November 2021, suffering a ligament injury.
Former ''jūryō'' wrestlers and are among the retirements announced by the Sumo Association.

August

*The first '' jungyō'' (regional tours) since November 2019 are scheduled to be held on the following dates:
**5: Tachikawa, Tokyo
**6: Funabashi, Chiba
**7: Saitama, Saitama
**11: Koga, Ibaraki
**14: Kasukabe, Saitama

Deaths

*17 February: Former ''jūryō'' and youth leader , aged 64, of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

See also

*Glossary of sumo terms
*List of active sumo wrestlers
*List of years in sumo

References

{{Years in sumo

Sumo by year
Sumo
2022 sport-related lists