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Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 28, 2018

Quiet man Kakuryu on top after long struggle

Kakuryu won his fourth championship last Sunday. It was the yokozuna's first Emperor's Cup in eight tournaments and the relief on his face was visible as he accepted a stack of kensho (prize money) envelopes after downing Goeido on day 14 to take the title.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 1, 2017

Sumo needs to tackle cause of rising injuries

Yokozuna Harumafuji, who won his ninth championship in September, edged compatriot Hakuho for top spot in the newly released rankings for the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
Japan Times
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Apr 29, 2015

Hakuho out for No. 35, Henderson out just to survive

When the 2015 Summer Grand Sumo Tournament gets under way on May 10 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan, for the first time in just over three years, Hakuho's dominance over fellow yokozuna Harumafuji and Kakuryu will not be the hot topic on the lips of sumo fans the world over.
SUMO
Feb 20, 2013

Harumafuji dreaming big after overcoming early setback

Yokozuna Harumafuji insists the prospect of being forced to retire never once crossed his mind ahead of last month's dominating victory at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, but the Mongolian refuses to speculate on how much more success he can achieve before he calls it a day.
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Jul 9, 2011

Bringing the focus back to the rikishi and sumo

On July 25, yokozuna Hakuho, barring major injury, or another basho-cancelling scandal, will mount the dohyo at around 5:45pm to be presented with his 20th Emperor's Cup to date.
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Nov 10, 2009

Will two of sumo's top dogs retire at Kyushu 2009?

Kyushu 2009 will, if for nothing else, be remembered as the tournament in which the old warhorse ozeki Kaio breaks former sekiwake Takamiyama's long-standing record of 97 basho in the sport's top flight. For Kaio — Kyushu will be number 98.
Reader Mail
Nov 9, 2008

Friendlier sports may kill sumo

Regarding the Nov. 2 article "God forbid if sumo goes the way of pro wrestling": I doubt that sumo will ever be legally listed as an entertainment, because I think it's on the up and up most of the time. As for yaocho (match-fixing) and dekiyama (predetermined...
Reader Mail
Oct 16, 2008

International beginning for sumo

Three sumo wrestlers from Russia have been dismissed on allegations of marijuana use and are set to sue the Japan Sumo Association over their dismissal. I feel that JSA is making these Russian wrestlers suffer for the bad press it has received because of recent scandals, including violence against sumo...
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Mar 4, 2008

Poverty breeds sumo? Think again

The sport of sumo has been going through some rough times recently. Big case in point: the recent arrests of former Tokitsukaze Oyakata, (Junichi Yamamoto) and three of his rikishi. The four are currently being held by police in relation to the mid-2007 hazing death of former Tokitsukaze Beya rikishi,...
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Nov 28, 2006

For the sake of sumo, scrap the Fukuoka Basho

In the Fukuoka Basho's biggest surprise in years, the ozeki, despite their largely poor standards of late, didn't perform too badly. The aging trio of Kaio, Chiyotaikai and Tochiazuma were all well within range of Asashoryu as far in as the mid-way point.
SUMO
Nov 7, 2003

Akebono quits sumo, to be K-1 fighter

Former Yokozuna Akebono said Thursday he has resigned from the Japan Sumo Association and decided to become a K-1 martial arts fighter.
SUMO
Jul 16, 2003

Animosity toward Asashoryu intensifies

The Japan Sumo Association on Monday received a bomb threat and phone calls threatening an assault on Mongolian yokozuna Asashoryu, association sources said.
SUMO
Jan 18, 2023

Unstoppable Asanoyama well-positioned for return to top division

After serving a long suspension for violating the Japan Sumo Association's COVID-19 guidelines, the former ozeki is battling his way back to makuuchi with flair.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 30, 2022

Focused Abi completes redemption arc in Fukuoka

Two years after his infamous suspension for violating COVID-19 protocols, the Saitama native won his first Emperor's Cup after triumphing in a rare multi-way playoff at the Kyushu Basho.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 16, 2022

Younger wrestlers stepping up early at wild Kyushu Basho

With the top of the banzuke ratings struggling in Fukuoka, several rikishi are looking to capitalize on strong starts as they chase the last Emperor's Cup of 2022.
SUMO
Jan 7, 2022

Terunofuji enters New Year Basho with few serious challengers to throne

Anything other than a third straight championship for the Isegahama stable man at the upcoming January tournament would be a surprise.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 1, 2021

Much more to come from yokozuna Terunofuji after stunning 2021

Just years removed from the unpaid ranks, the 30-year-old is on the path to becoming one of the most successful foreign-born grand champions in the sport's history.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 31, 2021

Terunofuji redefines legacy with historic return to ozeki rank

The Mongolian, who just two years ago was fighting in sumo's second-lowest division, is now being hyped as the next potential yokozuna after his Spring Basho triumph.
SUMO
Nov 5, 2020

Healthy yokozuna Hakuho looks ready to reclaim throne

The Miyagino stable man is in position to extend his championship record and pick up an incredible 45th Emperor's Cup.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 6, 2020

Canceled Summer Basho's rankings will likely carry over to July

This month's tournament may have been called off, but the Japan Sumo Association will likely keep its banzuke sheet untouched for the next meet.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 31, 2019

Rikishi pulling their weight in buildup to RWC in Japan, but rugby's gain could be sumo's loss

The 2019 Rugby World Cup is less than two months away.
SUMO
Jul 4, 2019

Title appears up for grabs at upcoming Nagoya Basho

Commentators often divide sumo into eras, each defined by its outstanding rivalry.

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