Return of Hakuho Cup a positive development for aspiring wrestlers
For more than a decade, the tournament for elementary school students has offered overseas teams a chance to compete against some of Japan's top programs and interact with the sport's stars.
Sumo's 2022 storylines promise spectacle, but persistent COVID measures loom
Terunofuji’s dominance is unlikely to be seriously challenged in 2022, but given his age and injury history it’s possible we could start to see pretenders to his throne.
Terunofuji's rise was among defining moments of eventful year in sumo
The past 12 months have been extremely challenging both inside and outside the ring, but sumo’s highest highs and lowest lows of 2021 all occurred on the clay.
Former yokozuna Hakuho recognized for five Guinness world records
Hakuho's achievements were first recognized by Guinness in 2015 when he surpassed the record of 33 championships set by Taiho, the Showa era's greatest yokozuna.
Yokozuna Terunofuji heading into Kyushu Basho with no equal in sight
With Hakuho retired, the Isegahama stable man has a golden chance to cement his own legacy.
One big name notably absent in November ranking of sumo wrestlers
For the first time in 14 years, the name of legend Hakuho Sho doesn’t head up one side or the other of the banzuke’s top row.
The 29-year-old Terunofuji won his debut tourney at sumo's highest rank and will now be alone in shouldering the extreme expectations placed on yokozuna.
Topknot-cutting ceremonies allow fans to participate in sumo history
With retirement ceremonies likely to resume in 2022, fans will have a chance to help send off a number of top wrestlers including former yokozuna Hakuho.
Sumo tegata hold intimate and unique place among sports memorabilia
For fans, there is an intimacy that comes with having the imprint of every line in a man’s hand alongside his personal calligraphy on your wall.
Early American sumo trailblazer earned rare honor at Miyagino stable
In the summer of 1976, high-school teacher John Jacques traveled to Japan in order to learn what he could and promote the sport's development in Hawaii.
Sumo fights hard to muzzle era-defining former yokozuna Hakuho
Having continuously attracted both positive and negative attention, Hakuho made waves once more with his exit from the ring — leaving the tradition-bound sport in a predicament.
Yokozuna Hakuho filled with relief after pulling down curtain on record-setting career
The Mongolian-born great said he made the decision to retire on the 10th day of the Nagoya Basho, which he won with a 15-0 record, in July.
