2007 in sumo
Encyclopedia
Tournaments
- Hatsu bashoHonbashoA is an official professional sumo tournament. There are six held each year, a system established in 1958. Only honbasho results matter in determining promotion and relegation for rikishi ....
, Ryogoku KokugikanRyogoku Kokugikan, also known as Sumo Hall, is an indoor sporting arena located in the Ryōgoku neighborhood of Sumida, one of the 23 wards of Tokyo in Japan, next to the Edo-Tokyo Museum. It is the third building built in Tokyo associated with the name kokugikan. The current building was opened in 1985 and has a...
, TokyoTokyo, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, 7 - 21 January - Haru basho, Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, OsakaOsakais a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, 11 - 25 March - Natsu basho, Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 13 - 27 May
- Nagoya basho, Aichi Prefectural GymnasiumAichi Prefectural GymnasiumThe is an all purpose gymnasium in Aichi, Japan, built in 1964. Located on the site of the secondary enclosure of Nagoya Castle, it is host to numerous concerts and events...
, Nagoya, 8 - 22 July - Aki basho, Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 9 - 23 September
- Kyushu basho, Fukuoka International Centre, KyushuKyushuis the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
, 11 - 25 November
January
- 21: At the Hatsu basho in Tokyo, Yokozuna Asashoryu wins his fourth straight top makuuchiMakuuchior is the top division of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers , ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments....
division championship or yushoYushoA Yūshō is a tournament championship in sumo. It is awarded in each of the six annual honbasho or official tournaments, to the wrestler who wins the most number of bouts. Yūshō are awarded in all six professional sumo divisions...
, and 20th overall, with a 14-1 record. His only defeat is to veteran former ozeki DejimaDejima TakeharuDejima Takeharu is a former sumo wrestler from Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan. A former amateur champion, he made his professional debut in 1996, reaching the top makuuchi division the following year...
on Day 3. Maegashira Toyonoshima finishes as runner-up with a 12-3 score and wins two special prizesSansho (Sumo)Sanshō are the three special prizes awarded to top division sumo wrestlers for exceptional performance during a sumo honbasho or tournament. The prizes were first awarded in November 1947.-Criteria:...
, for Fighting Spirit and Technique. In the second highest juryo division, newcomer Toyohibiki wins the yusho after a three-way playoff with Tochiozan and Shimotori, who both earn promotion to the top division for the following tournament.
March
- 25: Ozeki Hakuho comes into the final day of the Haru basho in Osaka level with fellow Mongolian Asashoryu. He defeats fellow ozeki Kotooshu while Asashoryu sidesteps Chiyotaikai. Both men finish on 13-2 and in the subsequent playoff Hakuho sidesteps Asashoryu to win his second championship. Tochiozan is rewarded for his fine 11-4 score in his top division debut with the Fighting Spirit Award, while Homasho also wins eleven and receives his second Technique Prize. Ozeki Tochiazuma withdraws from the tournament after suffering headaches and dizziness. SatoyamaSatoyama KosakuSatoyama Kōsaku is a professional sumo wrestler from Oshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank has been maegashira 12...
wins the juryo championship.
April
- 30: Toyonoshima, newly promoted to komusubi, is injured whilst training with Asashoryu at Tokitsukaze stable, damaging his ankle and knee ligamaments. He is taken to hospital. Toyonoshima's stablemaster criticises the yokozuna.
May
- 7: Tochiazuma announces his retirement from sumo, as he has been diagnosed with a cerebral infarctionCerebral infarctionA cerebral infarction is the ischemic kind of stroke due to a disturbance in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. It can be atherothrombotic or embolic. Stroke caused by cerebral infarction should be distinguished from two other kinds of stroke: cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid...
and been told it would be dangerous to continue as an active wrestler. He will work as a coach at his father's Tamanoi stableTamanoi stableis a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Dewanoumi ichimon or group of stables. It was set up in 1990 by former sekiwake Tochiazuma Tomoyori, who branched off from Kasugano stable. He coached his son, who also wrestled under the name Tochiazuma, to ozeki rank. He reached retirement age in...
and is in line to succeed him in 20092009 in sumo-Tournaments:*Hatsu basho, Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 11 January - 25 January*Haru basho, Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, 15 March - 29 March*Natsu basho, Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 10 May - 24 May...
. - 7 :The Sumo Association suspend maegashira Kyokutenho for one tournament after he caused an accident whilst driving in April (wrestlers are forbidden from driving). He will drop to the juryo division as a result.
- 27: Hakuho wins his second successive championship at the Natsu basho in Tokyo with a perfect 15-0 record (zensho-yusho). Asashoryu manages only a 10-5 score. Three wrestlers finish as runner-up on 12-3: sekiwake Kotomitsuki, Asashoryu's stablemate Asasekiryu, and fellow maegashira Dejima. Asasekiryu wins the Technique Award while Dejima is awarded the Fighting Spirit Prize. The Outstanding Performance Prize is handed out for the first time this year, to maegashira Aminishiki for his defeat of Asashoryu. Estonian Baruto, who has fallen to the juryo division through injury, wins the championship and immediate promotion back to the top division. Former juryo wrestler Wakakirin wins the makushita division championship with an unbeaten 7-0 score. OgaOga AtsushiOga Atsushi is a former sumo wrestler from Nogata, Fukuoka, Japan. His highest rank was jūryō 6. He was well known to sumo audiences for his performance of the bow twirling ceremony which takes place at the end of every tournament day,a role he began in 2004...
retires. - 30: Hakuho's promotion to yokozuna is officially confirmed. He becomes the 69th grand champion in sumo history, and is the third youngest after Kitanoumi and TaihoTaiho KokiTaihō Kōki is the 48th Yokozuna in the Japanese sport of sumo wrestling. He is generally regarded as the greatest sumo wrestler of the post-war period. He became a yokozuna in 1961 at the age of 21, the youngest ever at the time, and he won a record 32 tournaments between 1960 and 1971...
to hold the rank.
June
- 1: Hakuho performs the yokozuna dohyo-iri or ring-entering ceremony at the Meiji ShrineMeiji Shrine', located in Shibuya, Tokyo, is the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken.-History:...
. - 7-11: A tour and exhibition tournament are held in HawaiiHawaiiHawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, with 38 sekitoriSekitoriA sekitori is a sumo wrestler who is ranked in one of the top two professional divisions: makuuchi and juryo.Currently there are 70 rikishi in these divisions...
ranked wrestlers participating. It is the first time the Sumo Association has visited Hawaii in fourteen years. - 26: Tokitaizan, an apprentice at the Tokitsukaze stableTokitsukaze stableThe is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Tokitsukaze group of stables. It was originally founded in 1769 and was dominant during the Taishō period. In its modern form it dates from 1941 when it was established by Futabayama, who was still an active wrestler at the time. Initially known as...
, dies after a practice session.
July
- 7: Baruto is injured in his opening match in Nagoya and withdraws from the tournament, meaning he will again fall to juryo.
- 22: Asashoryu wins his 21st championship with a 14-1 record. Kotomitsuki, competing for a modern record 22nd time as a sekiwake, is runner-up with 13-2. He seals promotion to ozeki and also wins the Technique and Fighting Sprit prizes. Toyohibiki also wins the Fighting Spirit Prize for his 11-4 record. Komusubi Aminishiki, who defeated Asashoryu on the opening day, receives his second Outstanding Performance Award in a row. Hakuho finishes his debut tournament as a yokozuna with a respectable 11-4 record. Chiyotaikai competes in his 51st tournament as an ozeki, breaking the record held by TakanohanaTakanohana KenshiTakanohana Kenshi 貴ノ花健士 was a sumo wrestler from Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was ozeki, which he held for fifty tournaments. As an active rikishi he was extremely popular and was nicknamed the "prince of sumo" due to his good looks and relatively slim build...
since 1981. Former komusubi Iwakiyama wins the juryo championship with a 12-3 score, defeating Kyokutenho and Goeido in a three-way playoff. All three wrestlers are promoted to makuuchi for the next tournament. - 25: Kotomitsuki's promotion to ozeki is officially confirmed. At 31, he is the oldest man to reach sumo's second highest rank since the modern era of six tournaments a year began in 1958. Sadogatake stableSadogatake stableis a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Nishonoseki group of stables. In its modern form it dates from September 1955, when it was set up by former komusubi Kotonishiki Noboru. Former yokozuna Kotozakura took over the running of the stable in 1974 following Kotonishiki's death. Over the next...
becomes the first stableHeyaIn sumo wrestling, a heya , usually translated into English as stable, is an organization of sumo wrestlers where they train and live. All wrestlers in professional sumo must belong to one. There are currently 49 heya , all but four of which belong to one of five ichimon...
to have two ozeki simultaneously since Musashigawa stableMusashigawa stableFujishima stable is a heya or stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Dewanoumi group of stables. It was set up on 29 August 1981 by Musashigawa Oyakata, the former yokozuna Mienoumi, who branched off from Dewanoumi stable...
in 2001. Attending the ceremony is Kotomitsuki's former stablemaster and mentor, the ex-yokozuna Kotozakura, who retired as Sadogatake head in 2005. He dies just three weeks later. - 25: Asashoryu excuses himself from the forthcoming regional tour after submitting a medical certificate to the Sumo Association citing an elbow injury which requires six weeks of rest.
- 26: Asashoryu energetically participates in a charity soccer match in his native Mongolia with Japanese football star Hidetoshi NakataHidetoshi Nakata, is a retired Japanese football player. He was one of the most famous Asian footballers of his generation.Nakata began his professional career in 1995 and won the Asian Football Confederation Player of the Year award in 1997 and 1998, the Scudetto with A.S...
. - 27: The elders in charge of the regional tour criticise Asashoryu for neglecting his duties as a yokozuna, with TakadagawaMaenoyama TaroMaenoyama Tarō is a former sumo wrestler from Osaka Prefecture, Japan. He began his career in 1961, reaching the top makuuchi division in 1966. His highest rank was ozeki which he held from 1970 until 1972. He retired in 1974 and became head coach of the Takadagawa stable...
saying, "In the 200 year history of sumo, exhibition events have been just as important as hon-basho... we will not stand for selfishness on the Yokozuna's part where he comes and goes as he pleases." - 30: The Sumo Association orders Asashoryu to return to Japan.
- 31 Asashoryu receives another examination of his elbow at a Tokyo hospitial. The Mongolian government apologises to the Sumo Association through the Mongolian embassy, for requesting Asashoryu's participation in the charity event.
August
- 1: The Sumo Association elders meet and decide to suspend Asashoryu from the next two honbasho in September and November, marking the first time that an active yokozuna has been suspended from competition. Asashoryu and his stablemaster TakasagoAsashio Taro IVAsashio Tarō IV is a former sumo wrestler from Muroto, Kochi, Japan. His highest rank was ozeki...
are also given a 30 percent pay cut for the next four months. He is ordered to restrict his movements to his home, his stable and hospital. - 3:The summer regional tour of Tohoku and HokkaidoHokkaido, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
begins. - 6: Takasago finally meets with his deshi Asashoryu, who has not left his home since his suspension.
- 7: At a press conference, Takasago announces that a psychiatrist has examined Asashoryu and diagnosed him as suffering from acute stress disorder. The head of the Sumo Association's clinic says that he should either be hospitalised or be allowed to return to Mongolia.
- 15: The Ministry of Education criticises the Sumo Association for its handling of the Asashoryu affair.
- 20: Asashoryu is re-examined by another Sumo Association doctor who diagnoses dissociative disorder.
- 21: The regional tour ends.
- 23: Asashoryu leaves his home for the first time since his suspension was announced on the 1st.
- 28: The Sumo Association decide to allow Asashoryu to depart to Mongolia for treatment, accompanied by his stablemaster.
- 30: Asashoryu arrives in Mongolia, dodging the waiting media and fans.
September
- 9: The Aki basho opens, with Asashoryu absent from the beginning of a tournament for the first time. Hakuho is defeated by komusubi AmaAma KoheiHarumafuji Kōhei , previously known as Ama Kōhei, is a sumo wrestler. He began his professional career in 2001 and reached the top makuuchi division in 2004. A relative lightweight noted for his technical skill, he has won ten special prizes for his achievements in tournaments...
. - 19: Hakuho is defeated by maegashira Toyonoshima.
- 23: Hakuho wins his first yusho as a yokozuna with a 13-2 record. He finishes one win ahead of Kyokutenho, who receives his fifth Fighting Spirit Award on his return to the top division. Goeido scores 11-4 in his makuuchi debut and also wins the Fighting Spirit Award. Ama and Toyonoshima share the Outstanding Performance Prize for their wins over Hakuho, the first time either man has won the Shukun-sho. In the juryo division Baruto wins his third championship with a 13-2 record and returns to the top division once again. Wakakirin and RussianRussiansThe Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
Wakanoho score 9-6 and 10-5 respectively and are promoted to makuuchi for the first time for the November tournament. Former sekiwake Takanowaka, who has fallen to the makushita division, announces his retirement. Former maegashira Wakatoba also retires. - 26: It is reported that police in Nagoya are building a criminal case over the death of Tokitaizan in June. The head of the Tokitsukaze stable, and three of his wrestlers, are alleged to have struck the boy with an aluminium bat and kicked him after an intense 30 minute training session, as punishment for running away from the stable the day before.
- 27: Tokitaizan's father holds a press conference and says he wants to know the truth about his son's death. He says he was "shocked" when he saw he extent of the bruises, cuts and burns on his son's body.
October
- 1: The head coach of the Tokitsukaze stable, the former Futatsuryu, is summoned to meet Sumo Association chairman Kitanoumi. Kitanoumi comments afterwards that Futatsuryu had initially claimed that Tokitaizan had died of a pre-existing medical condition.
- 5: Following a meeting of elders, Futatsuryu is dismissed from the Sumo Association for his part in the death of Tokitaizan. It is the first time a head of a stable has been dismissed. Tokitsuumi, a long serving and well respected maegashira in the stable, retires and immediately takes over as the new head. In addition, Kitanoumi cuts his own pay in half and the pay of all the other directors of the Sumo Association by 30 percent, for the next six months.
- 11: The newly installed Tokitsukaze Oyataka visits the family of Tokitaizan in NiigataNiigata Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Honshū on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The capital is the city of Niigata. The name "Niigata" literally means "new lagoon".- History :...
.
November
- 25: Hakuho wins the championship in Kyushu with a 12-3 record. His final day loss to Kotomitsuki does not affect the result as his only challenger, ozeki Chiyotaikai withdraws from the tournament after injuring his elbow in a defeat to Hakuho on Day 14. He nonetheless finishes runner-up on 11-4, his best result for two years. Baruto also finishes on 11-4, coming unscathed through a top division tournament for the first time in a year, and wins his second Fighting Spirit Prize. Ama wins his second successive Outstanding Performance Award, and fellow komusubi Kotoshogiku receives his second Technique Award. Ichihara, in his debut tournament in the juryo division, loses a playoff to Sakaizawa after both men finish on 13-2 but is immediately promoted to the top division for January 20082008 in sumo-Tournaments:*Hatsu basho, Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 13 January - 27 January*Haru basho, Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, 9 March - 23 March*Natsu basho, Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 11 May - 25 May...
, the first time since 1991 that a wrestler has reached makuuchi after spending only one tournament in juryo. Tosayutaka, who has not lost a bout since he was in the jonokuchi division in May, brings a little cheer to the beleaguered Tokitsukaze stable by winning the makushita championship with a perfect 7-0 record. - 25: The 46 year old jonidan wrestler IchinoyaIchinoya MitsuruIchinoya Mitsuru is a former sumo wrestler from Tokunoshima, Ōshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was sandanme 6.-Career:...
, the oldest man in modern professional sumo, announces his retirement. Also retiring is Kyokutenzan, one of the original group of Mongolians to join sumo in 1992. - 30: Asashoryu returns to Japan from Mongolia where he has been receiving onsen treatmentOnsenAn is a term for hot springs in the Japanese language, though the term is often used to describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsen scattered along its length and breadth...
for his elbow, and apologises for his actions at a press conference. He says he is "dedicated to continuing to fulfil my duties as a yokozuna to the best of my ability." - 30: Former yokozuna Asahifuji changes his toshiyoriToshiyoriA toshiyori is a sumo elder of the Japan Sumo Association. Also known as oyakata, former wrestlers who reached a sufficiently high rank are the only people eligible...
name from Ajigawa to the more prestigious Isegahama, and renames his Ajigawa stable Isegahama stable.
Deaths
- April 17: Former komusubi Wakanami, aged 66, dies of pneumoniaPneumoniaPneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
. - June 26: Tokitaizan, a new recruit, dies in an incident at his stable aged 17.
- August 14: the former Kotozakura, who was sumo's 53rd Yokozuna from 1973 to 1974 and the head of the Sadogatake stable from 1974 until his retirement in 2005, dies during surgery after diabetes complications, aged 66.