TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Grand champion 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 the 15-day tournament with his career in jeopardy, decided to close the curtain on his career after he was unable to post a single win in the first three days at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
The Tagonoura-stable wrestler was promoted to sumo's highest rank in March 2017, and won his second straight championship on his yokozuna debut at the following tournament.
Source: Mainichi
It's been a crazy first three days. Hakuho is undefeated at 3-0, but the combined records of the other two Yokozuna and three Ozeki is 2-13. :crazy:
Day 8, over halfway. In addition to Kisenosato retiring, Kakuryu, Tochinoshin, and Mitakeumi have dropped out with injuries. Hakuho still undefeated but he's had to dodge a couple bullets, could just as easily be 6-2 or 5-3. Here's the leaderboard:
Neither of the ozekis that finished the basho got double digit wins. Takayasu and Goeido both finishing 9-6. :shakehead:
Speaking of not finishing, has something changed in the way wrestlers train? There seem to be more dropping out than ever before. Just this basho, in addition to Kisenosato retiring, Tochinoshin, Kakuryu, Hakuho, Kotoyuki, Chiyonokuni, all failed to finish and Mitakeumi missed four days with an injury as well. That's 7 out of 40 wrestlers almost 20% of all the wrestlers. :headscratch:
shin2 wrote:
Who knew Ichinojo could be consistently excellent throughout an entire basho. Very impressive sumo by the big guy.
Yeah, he surprised me. Seems like usually he just relies on his bulk and so ends up right around 8-7. But this time for a guy weighing close to 500 lbs. he showed some pretty good moves.
I thought the dohyo was sacred, I would consider this guy setting foot in the ring as defiling it.
Trump may present trophy at Tokyo Sumo tournament
Japan and the United States are considering a plan for U.S. President Donald Trump to present a trophy to the winner of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo in May, Japanese government sources have said.
Trump is scheduled to visit Japan as a state guest for three days starting on May 26, which coincides with the final day of the 15-day Summer Basho at the Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Under the plan, Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would enter the sumo ring together after watching the matches. Trump would then present the 40-kilogram Prime Minister’s Cup or another special trophy to the winner.
A major challenge is security at the venue. The ring is surrounded by rows of seats, making security more difficult than in locations with no seats behind the stage.
“It is very hard to guard. Some people may throw seat cushions,” a Japanese government source said.
If I were there I'd be throwing more than just a seat cushion. :mad:
Yokozuna Hakuho, who was diagnosed with a torn biceps tendon after winning his 42nd title in March, has withdrawn from the upcoming Summer Grand Sumo Tournament, his stablemaster Miyagino said Thursday.
According to Miyagino, the yokozuna told him Wednesday evening that he has not fully recovered from his right arm injury and has decided to pull out of the tournament, which begins on Sunday, at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
“He should be well in a month or so. He said yesterday he is at the 70-percent recovery point. It’s not a long-term injury,” Miyagino said.
First basho of the Reiwa era, not without some controversy.
M8w Asanoyama 12 - 3
Y1w Kakuryu 11 - 4
S1w Tochinoshin 10 - 5
M3w Tamawashi 10 - 5
M4w Abi 10 - 5
M5w Ryuden 10 - 5
M7e Shodai 10 - 5
M7w Meisei 10 - 5
M12e Shimanoumi 10 - 5
Hopefully, Asanoyama will win another one somewhere down the line because this win will always have a cloud over it.
Don't blame Tochinoshin for the henka he pulled on Kakuryu on day 14. His way of saying "Up yours!" to the Sumo Association.
Two new guys this basho, Enho, another little guy, started out a house afire at 7-2 but just couldn't get that 8th win, and Shimanoumi, started out 1-3 but went on to finish 10-5.