Sumo Sep 10, 2020
Autumn Basho shaping up to be another drama-filled affair
by John Gunning
Life as a sumo columnist in 2020 is akin to being a TV critic in 2019 writing about "Game of Thrones."
Sumo Mar 19, 2020
Tough training in high school forged Mongolian Ichinojo
by John Gunning
One of the strongest sumo high schools in Japan is Tottori Johoku. Located in western Japan, Johoku has been churning out professional talent over the past last few years, and is the alma mater of ozeki pair Terunofuji and Kotomitsuki, as well as top-division wrestlers ...
Sumo / Basho Reports Jul 16, 2019
Yokozuna Kakuryu survived a slight scare Tuesday to claim his 10th straight win of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, while Hakuho bounced back from his first loss of the 15-day meet to stay a win behind his fellow yokozuna. Kakuryu dodged a bullet against No. ...
Sumo / Basho Reports May 17, 2019
Sekiwake Tochinoshin survived a trial of endurance on Friday to remain in a tie with yokozuna Kakuryu after both men collected wins on Day 6 of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. The Georgian was put to the test for over a minute at Ryogoku Kokugikan ...
Sumo May 9, 2019
Kakuryu emerges as clear favorite to capture title
by John Gunning
Gambling on sumo, like most sports in Japan, is illegal. The Japan Sumo Association also takes a tough line with any of its members involved in such activities, even kicking an ozeki (Kotomitsuki) and stablemaster (Otake) out of the sport completely in 2010 over their ...
Sumo / Basho Reports Mar 24, 2019
Yokozuna Hakuho extended his career championship haul to 42 on Sunday after winning the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament with a record 15th undefeated run. Needing a win against fellow Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu to avoid a championship playoff, Hakuho was pushed to the limit in a ...
Sumo / Basho Reports Mar 23, 2019
The race for the Emperor's Cup at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament will go down to the final day with undefeated yokozuna Hakuho and fourth-ranked maegashira Ichinojo both winning on Saturday. In the penultimate day of the 15-day meet at Edion Arena Osaka, Hakuho, seeking ...
Sumo / Basho Reports Mar 22, 2019
Yokozuna Hakuho inched toward a record-extending 42nd career championship with a win over ozeki Goeido on Friday, the 13th day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. The victory left Hakuho with a perfect record and a one-win lead over his Mongolian compatriot Ichinojo with two ...
Sumo / Basho Reports Mar 21, 2019
Yokozuna Hakuho defeated ozeki Tochinoshin on Wednesday to retain his lead at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament with 12 straight wins. Hakuho faced little challenge from the struggling Tochinoshin (6-6), who has only beaten the 41-time top-division champion once in 28 matchups. Hakuho hemmed up Tochinoshin ...
Sumo / Basho Reports Mar 19, 2019
Yokozuna Hakuho improved to a perfect 10-0 Tuesday at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, but a pair of wrestlers remain just one win behind the all-time championship record holder on the leaderboard. Hakuho toppled Tamawashi on the 10th day of the 15-day meet at Edion ...
Sumo / Basho Reports Mar 18, 2019
Yokozuna Hakuho earned his ninth straight win on Monday and remained the only undefeated wrestler at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. In the final bout at Edion Arena Osaka, Hakuho took on komusubi Mitakeumi (3-6), who earned his first top-division title last July in Nagoya ...
Sumo / Basho Reports Mar 16, 2019
Yokozuna Hakuho continued his march toward a record-extending 42nd championship at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday, improving to a perfect 7-0 by beating Shodai. After a pair of tougher-than-expected bouts against rank-and-filers, the yokozuna showcased his phenomenal power on Day 7 at Edion ...