National | Heisei Icons Apr 4, 2019
Takanohana: The nail that sumo pounded down
by John Gunning
In sumo's 2,000-year history, few men have been as steeped in the sport's traditions as Koji Hanada.
Sumo | INSIDE SUMO Mar 27, 2019
Dominant Hakuho continues to redefine greatness
by John Gunning
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 ...
Sumo Mar 19, 2019
by John Gunning
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 ...
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Dec 29, 2018
Heisei Era a bumpy ride for Japan's media organizations
by Philip Brasor
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 ...
Sumo Dec 25, 2018
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 ...
Sumo Dec 5, 2018
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 ...
Sumo Nov 27, 2018
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 ...
Sumo Nov 25, 2018
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 ...
Sumo Nov 7, 2018
Fujio Kariya recalls memorable moments in announcing career
by Hiroshi Ikezawa
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 ...
Sumo | INSIDE SUMO Oct 31, 2018
Sumo dominance down to heart over matter
by John Gunning
The newly-released banzuke (rankings) for the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament see Hakuho back in his old familiar 'Yokozuna 1 East' position. It is the 48th time that the Mongolian veteran has occupied the top slot — a sumo record. Indeed at this stage in his ...
National / Crime & Legal Oct 4, 2018
Sumo wrestler Takanoiwa filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking ¥24 million ($210,000) in damages from Harumafuji, claiming the former yokozuna's assault last year forced him to miss matches due to injuries and caused him financial loss. Harumafuji faced a summary indictment in December for assaulting the ...
Sumo Oct 1, 2018
JSA officially accepts Takanohana's resignation during board meeting
The Japan Sumo Association held an extraordinary board meeting on Monday and officially recognized stablemaster Takanohana's resignation, along with the termination of his stable and the transfer of his wrestlers to the Chiganoura stable. Takanohana had submitted his resignation to the JSA last Tuesday, but ...