JAN 28, 2019

Tamawashi vows to keep up with young challengers

KYODO

Late-blooming sekiwake Tamawashi, who won his first title at the age of 34 in the just-concluded New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, said Monday he does not intend to slow down despite taking his time to claim the Emperor’s Cup ...

JAN 27, 2019

Tamawashi secures first title by beating Endo on final day

KYODO

Sekiwake Tamawashi became the second-oldest wrestler in sumo’s current format to secure his maiden championship, winning the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday, the tourney’s 15th and final day ...

JAN 26, 2019

Hakuho withdraws from New Year Basho on penultimate day

KYODO

New Year Basho Yokozuna Hakuho has withdrawn from the ongoing New Year Grand Sumo Tournament due to injuries, ending his bid for a record-extending 42nd top division championship, his stablemaster announced Saturday ...

JAN 26, 2019

Tamawashi maintains lead heading into final day in quest for first title

KYODO

Sekiwake Tamawashi maintained his lead by beating No. 5 maegashira Aoiyama with one day remaining in the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday. Tamawashi picked up his 12th...

JAN 25, 2019

Tamawashi pulls ahead after Hakuho drops third straight

KYODO

Newly promoted sekiwake Takakeisho handed yokozuna Hakuho his third straight loss on Friday at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. Hakuho gave up his share of the lead, falling one win behind Tamawashi (11-2) with two days remaining in the 15-day tournament at...

JAN 24, 2019

Tamawashi defeats Hakuho for first time, grabs share of tournament lead

KYODO

Mongolian sekiwake Tamawashi grabbed a share of the lead with his first career win over yokozuna Hakuho on Thursday, the 12th day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. On the verge of beating Tamawashi for the...

JAN 23, 2019

Hakuho's winning streak snapped by Mitakeumi

KYODO

Komusubi Mitakeumi handed yokozuna Hakuho his first loss on Wednesday, returning from injury to pull off the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament’s biggest surprise so far. Mitakeumi (6-2-3), who missed three days...

JAN 22, 2019

Unbeaten Hakuho secures 10th victory with ease

KYODO

Yokozuna Hakuho claimed his 10th straight win on Tuesday to take a two-bout lead at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in his quest for a record-extending 42nd top division championship.On the 10th day of the 15-day tournament, Hakuho calmly ...

JAN 21, 2019

Hakuho stays spotless on ninth day

KYODO

Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho maintained his lead after beating former ozeki Kotoshogiku on Monday, the ninth day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.The 33-year-old Hakuho, the only yokozuna still in action, beat Kotoshogiku to keep a perfect record at the ...

JAN 20, 2019

Hakuho maintains edge with 26th straight victory

KYODO

Yokozuna Hakuho improved to a perfect 8-0 to maintain a one-win lead as the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament reached its midpoint on Sunday.The sole remaining yokozuna in action, Hakuho has now won 26 straight bouts, excluding his forfeit on Day 4 of July’s grand ...

JAN 19, 2019

Title race heating up

KYODO

Yokozuna Hakuho continued his drive for a 42nd top-level title at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday, staying undefeated to take the outright lead after rank-and-file grappler Onosho suffered his ...

JAN 18, 2019

Hakuho, Onosho remain unbeaten, tied for top spot

KYODO

Yokozuna Hakuho stayed undefeated to remain in a tie for the lead with rank-and-file wrestler Onosho at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday.The sole competing yokozuna following the retirement of Kisenosato and injury withdrawal of Kakuryu, Hakuho continued his quest for an ...

JAN 18, 2019

Kakuryu pulls out of New Year Basho with ankle injury

KYODO

Grand champion Kakuryu has pulled out of the ongoing New Year Grand Sumo Tournament because of pain in his right ankle, his stablemaster Izutsu said Friday, ...

JAN 17, 2019

Hakuho beats Nishikigi in rematch, tied for lead

KYODO

Hakuho continued his run of narrow escapes in the first week of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, surviving two more close calls Thursday to retain his share of the ...

JAN 16, 2019

Despite injuries, Kisenosato embodied rikishi ideals

BY JOHN GUNNING

Kisenosato's retirement, while both inevitable and expected, casts a pall over the ongoing tournament. The veteran yokozuna has been one of sumo's most popular wrestlers over the past decade and a ...

JAN 16, 2019

Remaining yokozuna post wins on fourth day of New Year Basho

KYODO

Yokozuna Hakuho survived a scare against rank-and-file opponent Hokutofuji to remain perfect at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan on Wednesday. With headlines on the fourth day of ...

JAN 16, 2019

Yokozuna Kisenosato retires, citing injury struggles, leaving no Japanese at top sumo rank

KYODO

Injury-plagued yokozuna Kisenosato confirmed Wednesday his decision to retire from sumo, making the announcement a day after suffering his third loss of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. The news sent ...

JAN 16, 2019

Yokozuna Kisenosato to retire after eighth straight defeat

KYODO

Yokozuna Kisenosato has decided to retire as a sumo wrestler after suffering his third loss of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, his stablemaster said Wednesday. The 32-year-old, who went into ...

JAN 15, 2019

Kisenosato still without a win

KYODO

A 7-second bout may have decided the fate of yokozuna Kisenosato, who suffered his third straight loss of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday...

JAN 14, 2019

Kisenosato's stablemaster says embattled yokozuna will keep fighting

KYODO

Despite equaling the record for the worst losing streak by a yokozuna, Kisenosato will compete on Day 3 of the current New Year Grand Sumo Tournament according to his stablemaster. Asked ...

JAN 14, 2019

Kisenosato's woes continue on Day 2

KYODO

Kisenosato inched closer to the professional precipice with his second straight loss at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday. The 32-year-old yokozuna, who has been tasked with wrestling well ...

JAN 13, 2019

Doubts continue to cloud Kisenosato's future after another opening-day defeat

KYODO

Members of the Japan Sumo Association’s Yokozuna Council expressed hope Sunday that embattled Kisenosato can turn around his fortunes, but optimism was in short supply after his defeat on the opening day of the New Year ...

JAN 13, 2019

Kisenosato goes down on first day

KYODO

Yokozuna Kisenosato did nothing to dispel fears Sunday that his career may be over, as he looked powerless in his opening-day loss at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

JAN 10, 2019

Hakuho, rivals seeking to taste success in opening tournament of new season

BY JOHN GUNNING

After one of the best years in the ring the past couple of decades, sumo heads into the final January tournament of the Heisei Era poised on the edge of its own era ...

JAN 10, 2019

In-arena experience provides thrills for fans

BY JOHN GUNNING

Why do people attend sumo tournaments? To watch the bouts and see their favorite rikishi in action? Sure.Those aren’t the only reasons though, and for ...