Many people in the amateur sumo world were caught by surprise last week when it was announced that the 15th edition of the Hakuho Cup would take place in February next year.
While there had been no official cancellation, it was widely assumed that the tournament — one of the largest and most prestigious events on the junior sumo calendar — would be put on hiatus in the wake of an abuse scandal earlier this year that resulted in the retirement of Hakuho’s protege, Hokuseiho, and the shuttering of his Miyagino stable.
Indeed, in a statement released to the media, Miyagino, as he is now known, wrote that he also “thought that it might not be appropriate for me to continue with the Hakuho Cup at this point in time.”
As to what changed his mind, the 45-time Emperor’s Cup winner revealed that he had received messages from members of children’s sumo clubs asking him if the event will be held and saying that they were practicing every day with the Hakuho Cup as the goal.
The Mongolian-born sumo legend explained that the messages had encouraged him and that his “heart was warmed by the knowledge that there are people who have high expectations of someone like me.”
What also helped tip the balance was trusted mentors reminding the former stablemaster that, unlike for adults, each year in childhood contains experiences which can never be had again. Hakuho’s confidants told him “if there are children who want the event to be held, it would be irresponsible to abandon it.”
The 2025 edition of the Hakuho Cup, therefore, goes ahead, but with such short notice it will be difficult — if not impossible — for many international sumo organizations to send participants.
In addition to the normal fundraising and logistical challenges that come with arranging transport from around the world and finding accommodation for a large group of amateur athletes, the Hakuho Cup is a children’s tournament that takes place in the middle of the school year.
With competitors ranging in age from 5 to 15, parents and guardians not only need to give permission for their kids to go, but in many cases they also need to travel with the team. That requires arranging leave from companies and workplaces not long after the holiday season.
It’s a significant and difficult undertaking, and although sumo stables generally help out with practice facilities, and occasionally, meals, the overall costs are substantial and the scheduling roadblocks numerous.
After speaking with coaches in foreign sumo organizations which had brought children to Japan to take part in previous Hakuho Cups, it was clear most had received no advance notice that the tournament might still go ahead next year.
With teams normally taking part on an invitational basis — the Hakuho Cup is a private event — and many coaches in other countries revealing that they hadn’t yet been contacted, the 2025 edition may have less of an international flavor than past tournaments.
Not that it will be an entirely Japanese affair. As with previous tournaments, teams from Ukraine have been invited.
So too have those from the disaster-hit Noto Peninsula and Miyagino indicated he intends to put on a mawashi and get in the ring to personally help train the youngsters.
Creating positive life experiences for children from war-torn or earthquake-damaged areas is a noble goal, and the former yokozuna is to be commended for pushing ahead with his namesake tournament at a time when it would be much easier to stay out of the spotlight.
Which isn’t to say that the decision to proceed was entirely at Miyagino’s discretion.
In addition to permission from the Japan Sumo Association to use Tokyo’s iconic Kokugikan venue, Miyagino needed the sport’s governing body to sign off on holding the event altogether.
Given that he, and all his wrestlers, are still officially under the guidance of Isegahama stablemaster, Miyagino required that man’s approval as well.
Isegahama, a former collegiate wrestler, has a familiarity with amateur sumo and, in the aforementioned press release, was very positive about the tournament going ahead.
“I hear that this tournament, in which a team from my home region of Aomori also participates every year, is now a big goal for young sumo wrestlers across the country,” Isegahama explained. “I believe that continuing to hold the tournament is of great significance in expanding the base of the sport. On the day of the tournament, I plan to cheer on the young sumo wrestlers together with Miyagino oyakata (elder). I look forward to seeing you at the Kokugikan on Feb. 11 next year."
The tournament will be an all-day affair, starting at 9 a.m., with bouts, medal ceremonies, and speeches taking place at various points until roughly 6 p.m.
For fans it’s an opportunity to see the future stars of the sport in the very early stages of their sumo careers. The tournament is also free to attend and requires no prior registration. You can simply walk up to the Kokugikan entrance on the day and head inside at any point.
What shouldn’t be lost sight of is the fact that the Japan Sumo Association, and Isegahama stablemaster had no issue with granting (the still ostensibly in the doghouse) Miyagino permission to hold his namesake tournament.
It is, of course, in sumo’s best interests to ensure ways for young wrestlers to experience highlights in the sport, but even so, no one would have been surprised had the 2025 Hakuho Cup been postponed or even canceled.
Perhaps it’s a first step back into everyone’s good graces for Hakuho as he rebuilds his elder career following the scandal, or perhaps it’s just the JSA not taking away an opportunity from kids over something that had nothing to do with them.
Either way, the Hakuho Cup going ahead is a win-win for everyone involved.
As Isegahama said, “See you there.”
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