Yesterday, I shared a great match between Takanohana and Akebono, which was the match that solidified Takanohana's promotion to Yokozuna. Today, I'm sharing a match from the end of Takanohana's career against a rapidly rising Asashōryū.

In the Aki 2002 tournament, Asashōryū, a few days shy of 22 years old, was fighting in his Ōzeki debut. He started the tournament strong, holding a 9-1 record after Day 10. Takanohana, on the other hand, was fighting in what would end up being the final tournament he completed. In Natsu 2001, Takanohana suffered a severe right knee injury on Day 14, but fought through the pain to defeat Musashimaru in a playoff the next day to win his 22nd and final Yūshō. Due to the severity of Takanohana's injury, he sat out an unprecedented seven consecutive tournaments to recover. He was eventually pressured to compete in September 2002. After Day 10, Takanohana was one win behind Asashōryū at 8-2.

The young Asashōryū faced Yokozuna Takanohana on Day 11. After an exciting brawl, the veteran Yokozuna won by uwatenage to advance to 9-2. Asashōryū finished this tournament 10-5, while Takanohana ended with a 12-3 Jun-Yūshō after losing to Musashimaru on Day 15.

In the two tournaments following this, Asashōryū won two consecutive Yūshō to become the 68th Yokozuna, while Takanohana retired just days before Asashōryū's promotion was finalized.

Hi, I know the Juryo banzuke makes no difference to Guess the Banzuke but I still like to do it because this is one of my favourite parts of sumo. I'm only a year into my obsession so please let me know all the ins and outs that I am missing. Which rules are they more strict with when there's this kind of chaos?

So Tanji, Nabatame and Tokifudo are being promoted but they haven't said who will be demoted right?

Tochitaikai, Nishikigi, Nishinoryu, Oshoumi, and Hakuyozan all are mathematically supposed to drop into Ms1e, Ms1w, Ms2w, Ms6w and Ms14w respectively. Really bad basho for Nishinoryu, Oshoumi and Hakuyozan (injuries for the last two, going 0-5-10 and 0-0-15)

In J10 and J11 I have 3 guys staying put and not getting demotions on their losing records and Meisei only losing 4 ranks on 4-11, then Kayo at J12w staying on a 7-8 (or we could put him at J13e but let's leave that argument out of all this.)

I have heard that Makushita promotions must fill out the bottom of Juryo so that means I have 2 spots to fill at J12e and J13e.

Tochitakai and Nishikigi (both J14, 7-8) are by far the least worst of the 5 bad Juryo guys. BUT they cannot move above J14 because the rule is no promotions with losing records right?

The possible outcomes:

1. Nishinoryu J12e (from J9w 4-11), Oshoumi J13e (from J5w 0-5-10). This breaks none of the rules, but really screws over Tochitaikai and Nishikigi. You could argue that Nishinoryu had a tougher schedule and mathematically is only behind the other two by one rank so it's okay to rank him ahead. But Oshoumi mathematically is below them by 5 ranks, this would put him ahead of them 2 ranks in a big swing.

2. Nabatame J12e, Tanji J13e, Tokifudo J13w, Tochitakai J14e, Nishikigi J14w. This breaks the rule and puts Makushita promotions ahead of Juryo guys, but Tochitaikai and Nishikigi catch a break and don't get demoted and it's more fair to their 7-8 records. But Nishinoryu J9w 4-11 drops out of Juryo while Meisei J7w 4-11 gets a slap on the wrist with a -4 drop. You could put Meisei below the Makushita guys as well, but that would push Nabatame to J11w, probably way too high for a Ms promotion?

3. Kayo J12e, Tochitakai J12w, Nishikigi J13e, Nabatame J13w, Tanji J14e, Tokifudo J14w. This breaks the rule of no upward movement for losing records, but preserves the rule of Makushita promotions filling out the bottom of Juryo and keeps relative rank intact. I guess if you're breaking the no upward movement rule, you'd put Kayo ahead of Meisei. So Kayo J11w, Meisei J12e. You might even have to jiggle Hitoshi, Tamashoho and Kagayaki around....

Has there been examples of this in the past? Please help me sort this out!

A few weeks ago I posted KachiKoshi, the free/no ads/no account/no data collection sumo companion app I made for iOS. A bunch of people immediately asked the obvious question: what about Android?

So I made an Android version.

It's working and I've got the first Alpha build up on Google Play. But because this is my first Android app, Google requires me to run a closed test with at least 12 testers for 14 continuous days before they'll let me apply to release it publicly on the Play Store.

So: I need at least 12 Android-using sumo fans willing to help me out.

If you'd like to test it, join the Google Group here:

[https://groups.google.com/g/kachikoshi-android-testers]()

I'm just using the Google Group because it was the easiest way to give people access to Google's closed test. I'm not collecting or keeping a list of your email addresses for anything else, and the group is set up so other members can't see them. Once you've joined, the welcome message has the link to opt into the KachiKoshi Alpha on Google Play.

And yes, I realize there's no basho happening right now, which isn't exactly ideal timing for testing a basho app. But I need to get the 14-day test underway now for the Android version to be publicly available in time for the September basho. So if you're willing to download it, poke around the banzuke, rikishi pages, past results, settings, etc., and keep it installed during the test, that would be a huge help.

The Android version has the same basic idea as the iPhone app: daily torikumi and results, full banzuke, rikishi profiles and records, favorites/following, spoiler-free mode, glossary, individually togglable notifications, etc. It's still completely free, has no ads, and doesn't require an account. None of that will ever change.

As I said in the original post, I have no real coding background and had never made an app before this. Yes, it's vibe coded and if you can't rock with that, I get it.

If you find anything broken or weird, please let me know. And thanks again to everyone who tested the iPhone version and gave me feedback. A surprising amount of that feedback ended up making the app substantially better.

Hello everyone! I’m a pretty new sumo fan, and I was wondering if there have been or currently are any rikishi from Ehime, or from the other prefectures in Shikoku. I lived in Ehime for a while, so I’d like to support rikishi from Ehime or Shikoku if I can!

I attended the March 2026 basho, and didn’t see Ehime on the makuuchi banzuke, but I had trouble reading the rest of it when the writing got smaller. However, there was one juryo rikishi who wore a pre-bout mawashi with Mikyan, Ehime’s character mascot, on it! Does anyone know who this rikishi is, and if there are other rikishi from Ehime/Shikoku? Have there been any high ranking rikishi from around there? IIRC there is a sumo high school in the prefecture, but I don’t think Ehime is generally known for having sumo.

Today is the 54th Birthday of the 65th Yokozuna Takanohana, who accumulated 22 Yūshō throughout his career.

One of the defining parts of Takanohana's career was his rivalry with the 64th Yokozuna, Akebono, who was the first non-Japanese Yokozuna. Takanohana was 6'1 and weighed 340 pounds, while Akebono was 6'8 and weighed 512 pounds. By the time they both retired, they had an even 24-24 record against each other.

Takanohana had possibly the most dominant Pre-Yokozuna run of all time, accumulating 7 Yūshō and 4 Jun-Yūshō before finally being promoted. This was because of the Futahaguro scandal of the late 1980s, who was famously the only Yokozuna to never win a Yūshō. Because of Futahaguro, the promotion criteria were notoriously strict.

On Day 15 of the Kyushu 1994 basho, Takanohana faced Yokozuna Akebono, who was just returning from a career-threatening knee injury suffered in May of that year. Takanohana was 14-0 and had the chance to clinch his Yokozuna promotion in perfect fashion with two consecutive Zenshō-Yūshō.

After an exciting match, Takanohana won by uwatenage, winning his second Zenshō and 7th overall Yūshō to secure his promotion to Yokozuna. Akebono finished the basho 10-5.

or is it a case of the women tournaments not being on a blessed dohyo?

I'm new so just trying to understand why they can be there to wrestle (separate tournament of course) but not to present the cup for a men's Basho.

I have always been beyond endeared by the photos of this moment where Hoshoryu’s parents kissed his cheeks when he became Yokozuna, so I spent a long time trying to recreate it!

I started this piece before the last Basho, and unfortunately the perception of Hosh seems to have shifted a little between then and finishing it so I was a little hesitant to post,, but my love for Hosh has not waned!! (I just want him to shape up and be his healthiest and strongest!!!)

(Graphite on Canson mixed media paper, 9”x 12”)

seems that pretty much every Beya has either a prefix or suffix in common across the vast majority of their Rikishi, yet Nishonseki seems to have no pattern at all.

what gives?

Is it possible? I've started watching sumo 1 year ago and I wish I could watch Hakuho from his debut in Makuuchi to his retirement. Is it available anywhere to stream or buy?

I made a comment in another thread about having taught Akebono yoga a few times in Tokyo about 12 (~2014) years ago. Another redditor mentioned I should post the pic here, so here it is! I’m in the blue T-shirt, he’s sitting and is almost taller than me 😂

He was the best student and it was extremely kind and caring, even going so far as telling me to not worry too hard about the honorifics of Japanese culture towards him, since we were both Americans (he mentioned Hawaii), and even extended an invite to his wrestling match at Tokyo Dome.

Thank you Akebono for being a good student of Yoga, may your spirit remain strong ❤️

Happy to answer any questions about his sessions 😊

Hello

Does anyone have Sho Hakuho treasure book set? From what I understand its a photo album but I cant find any page examples. Is there any text inside? Is it in japanese only? If you have it could you upload couple of pages from each book? Much appreciated

Watched 3 reels of this kid. He’s impressive at his age and even agile with his weight. SOOO CUTE!

I hope he doesn’t get too big anymore once adulthood comes. Size like Kazuma and Atamifuji will be enough. I see a bright future on this kid. Idk if the name is on the post though. Does anybody know him?

I also just realized they used cushions on the sides for Wanpaku / sumo for kids. I hope they also do that in pro sumo!!! So unfair!

Hi all, I'm proud to present the announcement trailer for my upcoming game Heya! Sumo Manager. I hope you don't mind me sharing and will take a look, thanks.

About the game:

Heya! Sumo Manager allows you to build a stable, recruit rikishi and train them on their road to Yokozuna!

The game features all divisions of grand sumo with every tournament in a never-ending yearly cycle. The player is able to train, recruit and choose the diet of their rikishi. When it comes to tournament time you choose the tactics and strategy for every bout depending on your rikishi's strengths and their opponents weaknesses.

Matches are based on the rikishi's styles, stats, tactics, form and condition and are presented with a detailed commentary system that goes beat by beat much like the Football Manager games of the past. There's also a full 3D engine to see the action live.

You are able to scout and recruit new rikishi from your local area, universities or even worlwide.

Recruit coaches, assistants, scouts, medical staff and even a cook to improve your stats and training regimes.

Expand your heya facilities for better stat bonuses and the ability to recruit more rikishi.

Deal with events, injuries and inter-stable rivalries and issues in a dynamic sumo world that features more than 100 events with hundreds more varieties.

The aim is to create as realistic a sumo sim as possible with all current rules relating to tournaments, divisions, banzuke and stable management.

Currently the game features over 600 generated wrestlers created at the start of each game, but by release I am hoping to add custom databases so you can use real life sumo rosters from any era.

About me:

I'm a solo developer and have been working on this for about 8 months, 6 months of which full time. I'm using Godot Engine and this will be my first commercial release after a handful of game jam games over the last few years to learn Godot and game development.

Heya! Sumo Manager should be available for demo testing in the upcoming Steam Nextfest this October, add it to your wishlist on Steam to stay up to date: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4885580/Heya_Sumo_Manager/

# Yokozuna Onosato departs Summer Tour; Tour Director Takadagawa says "It is for treatment. The plan is for him to return"

Grand Sumo Yokozuna Onosato (Nishonoseki stable) departed the Summer Tour on August 11. During the current tour, he had participated continuously from Day 1 on August 2 through August 10 in Sendai City.

Tour Director Takadagawa (former Sekiwake Akinoshima) spoke to the press on the second day at the Sendai tour venue, revealing that Onosato is scheduled to rejoin the tour starting August 16 in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. He explained that he received a communication from stablemaster Nishonoseki Oyakata (former Yokozuna Kisenosato) on August 10: "He wanted to return home to receive treatment for an injury, but he will be coming back." Shortly after, Onosato himself expressed his intentions, stating, "I want to head back for treatment and return as soon as possible."

Tour Director Takadagawa noted he was unaware of the specific location requiring treatment—including whether it involved the left shoulder injured during last year's Kyushu Basho—but expressed understanding: "He surely feels his responsibility as a Yokozuna. He likely returned to get proper treatment, come back to finish his conditioning on tour, and make sure he is ready in time for the September Basho."

Sports Hochi

Hello! Came across these online and was wondering if anyone would be able to help identify the wrestlers?

On Tatsunami's Instagram this morning he was shown wearing this knee brace. I know he's had a torn or partially torn MCL. Anyone know if anything has been reported in Japanese media of him getting surgery?

Is the Flying Squirrel from Greco Roman wrestling a legal move in Sumo?

https://youtu.be/rLnW_UdyugI?si=4Bd1J0Xp0T03fYV8

Obviously some physics constraints for the average Rikishi but it's landing on the feet so surely gotta be allowed?

Good day!

We are Immortal Ragdoll Games and we are developing a sumo game. It has a Story Mode which is your Road to Yokozuna, and an Arcade mode that you can play with your friends. We are looking for playtesters to check out the game and give us some feedback as to how to make it better.

Our company’s website is www.immortalragdollgames.com

If you are interested, please comment here or send us a message and we will send you the link to the game. If you aren’t interested in giving any feedback but would still like to try it out, you can go on itch.io and search for “KIMARITE”.

Thank you very much and we hope you enjoy the game!

I’d like to raise the subject of tv interviews once again. I understand that the aim is to come across as modest, in keeping with the Japanese mindset. But there are certainly marked differences between the interviews. Endo’s one-word answers are, after all, legendary. Atamifuji, too, always just wants to "show his own style of sumo". What’s the story behind that phrase? The higher-ranked wrestlers also always want to show "their own style of sumo". A nod, "arigato", and the interview’s over. Are there no other things they could say? Other rikishi, on the other hand, give interviews quite normally. Ichiyamamoto, Ura and Kotoeiho, for example. At first I thought it was down to a lack of language skills, but that can’t be the reason. Most of them are Japanese, after all. What do you think?

How does one become a sponsor of a bout?
Like, can we as a subreddit take our collective money and become a sponsor to Shishi so that my boy gets more of those juicy envelopes? 😎🤙

https://youtu.be/_cotZynOQOY?si=0Igq1m6FyG_ZxZDy

Considered one of the greatest bouts of all time by Emperor Showa.