Japan's news outlets take one step backward before moving forward
Before going forward into the new year, an extra edition of Shukan Shincho (with a Jan. 27 publication date) flashed back in time to track down author Ben Goto. Now a spry 89 years old, Goto achieved instant fame with a 1973 publication titled ...
Former yokozuna Kitanoumi was imposing figure in sumo
Intimidation factor is something that cannot be discounted when it comes to finding reasons for success in sumo. Some of the greatest yokozuna of all time struck such fear into their opponents that many bouts seemed decided before they even stepped into the ring. For an ...
Muscular Chiyonofuji's career bloomed late
For a certain generation of fans there is only one name that comes to mind when discussing the greatest of all time and that name is Chiyonofuji. The muscular yokozuna dominated inside the ring and won hearts outside it during the 1980s. Known as "the Wolf," ...
Takanohana: The nail that sumo pounded down
In sumo's 2,000-year history, few men have been as steeped in the sport's traditions as Koji Hanada.
Dominant Hakuho continues to redefine greatness
Sumo columnist James Hardy once bemoaned the difficulty of doing daily tournament reports, saying, "There are only so many ways to write A pushed out B." With yokozuna Hakuho wrapping up his 42nd championship last Sunday, I'm beginning to feel the same way about describing ...
Normally, brothers in sumo can't fight one another. The only way siblings can meet on the dohyo is in a playoff for the championship. That has happened just once; in November 1995 when Wakanohana defeated younger brother Takanohana to win his second Emperor's Cup. The Hanada family ...
Heisei Era a bumpy ride for Japan's media organizations
The media is busy assessing the Heisei Era as it comes to a close. Although not as dramatic as the Showa Era, it's been a bumpy ride. Japan still hasn't gotten the hang of this democracy thing, and an engaged, objective press is essential ...
The violence and scandals that have plagued Japan's sumo world came full circle just after the year's sixth and final tournament, leaving maiden victories by the sport's young up-and-comers in the shadows. Revelations of violence, harassment and antiquated traditions dogged the country's once-venerable sport in ...
The Japan Sumo Association said Wednesday that rank-and-file wrestler Takanoiwa, whose beating by former yokozuna Harumafuji caused a scandal last year, assaulted an attendant of his stable during the ongoing regional tour. Just two months after the sport's governing body issued a "declaration to eradicate ...
Koji Hanada, who was yokozuna and stablemaster under the name Takanohana, has divorced former TV announcer Keiko Kono, sources said Monday. Hanada married Kono in 1995 after being promoted to yokozuna. The couple had three children. As Takanohana, the 46-year-old Hanada won 22 tournaments in the ...
Less than two months after suddenly moving to his new stable, Takakeisho gave the Chiganoura stable its first grand sumo tournament champion on Sunday. The 22-year-old had been forced to find a new home after his original stablemaster, controversial former yokozuna Takanohana, abruptly quit the ...
Fujio Kariya recalls memorable moments in announcing career
For Fujio Kariya, NHK's executive commentator (the broadcaster's top news commentator), the most impressive bout in his 31-year career as an NHK sumo announcer took place at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in 1988. That was when yokozuna Onokuni upset fellow yokozuna Chiyonofuji on the ...
