Sumo Dec 30, 2020
Plenty to unpack after eventful, unforgettable year in sumo
by John Gunning
Sumo somehow managed to keep going and provided much-needed distraction in a tough year.
Sumo / Basho Reports Mar 13, 2020
Hakuho maintained his pursuit of a record-extending 44th Emperor's Cup by beating Yutakayama and improving to a perfect 6-0 Friday at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. But the sailing was less smooth for fellow yokozuna Kakuryu, who dropped to 4-2 after losing to No. 2 ...
Sumo / Basho Reports Mar 12, 2020
Hakuho scraped out a victory to remain perfect in a four-way tie for the lead on Thursday, the fifth day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. A day after his 35th birthday, the yokozuna (5-0) took on January's surprise champion, No. 2 maegashira Tokushoryu at ...
Sumo Mar 5, 2020
Health risks in spotlight as Spring Basho nears start
by John Gunning
The Japan Sumo Association is proceeding with the upcoming Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, but has decided, in light of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, that it will be held behind closed doors. Calling off the event completely would undoubtedly have been a safer course of action, ...
Sumo | INSIDE SUMO Jan 29, 2020
Tokushoryu's unlikely run among sumo's best surprises
by John Gunning
January 2020 served up one of the best sumo tournaments of recent times. After both yokozuna pulled out in the first few days — having managed just a solitary win apiece — several lower rankers stepped into the breach and took fans on a rollercoaster ...
Sumo Jan 27, 2020
A day after a Cinderella story unfolded at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokushoryu spoke about his improbable victory at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament and the whirlwind of emotions that came with his newfound fame. "This is amazing. What have I done," said the 33-year-old ...
Sumo Jan 26, 2020
Amid tears and laughter, underdog Tokushoryu brings down house after winning maiden title
After a victory no one would have dared predict, Tokushoryu also proved to be a champion in the afterglow on Sunday. After spending 12 of sumo's previous 13 grand tournaments in the second-tier juryo division, the rotund 33-year-old energized the sumo world by winning his ...
Sumo / Basho Reports Jan 26, 2020
Rank-and-filer Tokushoryu overcame all odds at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament and beat ozeki Takakeisho in the final bout on Sunday to win his first top-division championship. The 33-year-old Nara native delivered the performance of his career at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan to cap off ...
Sumo / Basho Reports Jan 25, 2020
Tokushoryu pulls ahead of Shodai in New Year Basho title race
Unheralded Tokushoryu stands one win away from an improbable championship at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament after beating Shodai in a battle of the joint overnight leaders on Saturday. Occupying the lowest rung of sumo's top division, the No. 17 maegashira took the outright ...
Sumo / Basho Reports Jan 24, 2020
Rank-and-filers Tokushoryu and Shodai both won on Friday to stay in a tie for the lead at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. No. 17 maegashira Tokushoryu and No. 4 Shodai are the only wrestlers with a 12-1 record with two days remaining in the ...
Sumo / Basho Reports Jan 23, 2020
Shodai and Tokushoryu each retained their leading records at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Thursday, while ozeki Goeido suffered an eighth loss and faces a demotion from the sport's second-highest rank. Goeido (4-8) was beaten by new sekiwake Asanoyama (7-5) in the day's ...
Sumo / Basho Reports Jan 22, 2020
Rank-and-filers Shodai and Tokushoryu maintained their joint lead with one-loss records at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday, while ozeki Goeido staved off demotion by avoiding an eighth defeat. Shodai (10-1), the No. 4 maegashira on the east, was put to the test ...