Sumo | INSIDE SUMO Jun 17, 2021
Asanoyama's suspension to impact upper reaches of banzuke rankings
by John Gunning
The ozeki will sit out six grand tournaments after repeatedly violating the Japan Sumo Association's COVID-19 protocols.
Sumo | INSIDE SUMO Jun 9, 2021
Asanoyama's likely suspension shows change in JSA's decision-making
by John Gunning
The ozeki's violation of COVID-19 protocols would easily have earned a forced retirement in the past.
Sumo May 20, 2021
Asanoyama out of Summer Basho after violating coronavirus safety rules
A report alleged Asanoyama had dined out with others prior to the tournament, when association members were under orders to stay home.
Sumo May 1, 2021
Sumo wrestler's death after head injury leads to criticism and calls for reform
Sumo association officials reportedly said he did not receive medical attention from trained professionals for several minutes.
Sumo Apr 26, 2021
Summer Grand Sumo Tournament to open behind closed doors amid state of emergency
The Japan Sumo Association announced Monday it will hold the first three days of the May 9 to 23 Summer Grand Sumo Tournament behind closed doors at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan as part of emergency measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus. A state of ...
Sumo | INSIDE SUMO Apr 21, 2021
Controversial report could deny Hakuho deserved elder stock
by John Gunning
Should the Japan Sumo Association adopt the recommendations of the external advisors, the all-time great yokozuna would be prevented from using his ring name after retiring.
Sumo | INSIDE SUMO Apr 7, 2021
Late Kototsurugi's illustrations captured sumo's essence
by John Gunning
The former rikishi's caricaturish style, a longtime fixture of sumo merchandise and media, is widely considered a definitive representation of the sport.
Sumo Mar 30, 2021
At a regular meeting in Tokyo, the Japan Sumo Association's yokozuna advisory body chose to uphold the warning it originally issued last November.
Sumo Mar 13, 2021
Twenty-eight lower-ranked wrestlers to miss Spring Basho due to virus
The Japan Sumo Association said Saturday a total of 28 wrestlers, all from outside the top two divisions, will miss the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament starting this weekend after a pair of coaches tested positive for the coronavirus. All of the wrestlers are from the ...
Sumo Mar 11, 2021
Yokozuna Kakuryu may miss fifth straight tournament due to injury
Injury-plagued yokozuna Kakuryu may have to withdraw from a fifth straight meet, this one being the upcoming Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, because of a left leg injury, his stablemaster Michinoku said Thursday. Kakuryu, who has long been dealing with elbow and lower back pain, said ...
Sumo Feb 22, 2021
Tokitsukaze asked to retire over violations of COVID-19 rules
The Japan Sumo Association imposed the second most severe punishment on stablemaster Tokitsukaze on Monday, recommending he retire for violating coronavirus protocols when he made non-urgent, nonessential outings during a basho. Tokitsukaze | KYODO The 47-year-old broke the rules during the New Year Grand Tournament in ...
Sumo Jan 29, 2021
The Spring Grand Sumo Tournament will be moved from its traditional Osaka venue to Tokyo to limit the mass travel of wrestlers and staff during the coronavirus pandemic, the Japan Sumo Association said Thursday. The 15-day tournament, starting March 14, will be the fifth straight ...