2016 in sumo: Difference between revisions

*===Hatsu [[honbasho|basho]], ===
[[Ryōgoku Kokugikan]], [[Tokyo]], 10 January – 24 January<ref name="tournaments">{{cite web|url=http://www.sumo.or.jp/en/ticketEnTicket/year_schedule|title=Grand Tournament Schedule |publisher=[[Japan Sumo Association]]}}</ref>

[[File:大相撲.JPG|thumb|right|[[Kotoshōgiku Kazuhiro|Kotoshōgiku]] receives the [[Emperor'sGlossary Cupof (sumo) terms|Emperor's Cup]] in January 2016.]]

*7: [[Makuuchi|Yokozuna]] [[Hakuhō Shō|Hakuhō]], [[Harumafuji Kōhei|Harumafuji]] and [[Kakuryū Rikisaburō|Kakuryū]] perform the ''hono dohyo-iri'' or New Year ring-entering ceremony before crowds at the [[Meiji Shrine]] in Tokyo.<ref>{{cite web|url=httphttps://www.reuters.com/article/us-newyear-japan-sumo-idUSKBN0UL1MF20160107|title=Top sumo wrestlers stomp in new year|date=7 January 2016|publisher=Reuters|accessdateaccess-date=8 January 2016}}</ref>

*10: [[Emperor Akihito]] and [[Empress Michiko]] attend the first day of the New Year tournament in Tokyo, and express their sadness over the recent death of the [[Sumo Association]] chairman, [[Kitanoumi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201601110027|title=Imperial couple in the audience on Day 1 of New Year sumo tournament|date=11 January 2016|publisher=AJW/Asahi Shimbun|accessdateaccess-date=28 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125232255/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201601110027|archive-date=25 January 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

*24: [[Kotoshōgiku]] defeats all three yokozuna to win his first top division championship, becoming the first Japanese born wrestler to win the top division championship since [[Tochiazuma Daisuke|Tochiazuma]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/sports/AJ201601240032|title=SUMO/ Kotoshogiku triumphs on Day 15 to become first Japan-born champion in 10 years|date=24 January 2016|publisher=AJW/Asahi Shimbun|accessdateaccess-date=28 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126151705/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/sports/AJ201601240032|archive-date=26 January 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He finishes with a 14-114–1 record. His only defeat is to maegashira [[Toyonoshima]]. Toyonoshima is the runner-up on 12-312–3, shared with Hakuhō and Harumafuji. Toyonoshima is also given the Outstanding Performance award. The Fighting Spirit Award goes to [[Shōdai Naoya|Shōdai]], who scores 10-510–5 on his top division debut. Yoshikaze achieves an 8-78–7 record in his ''sekiwake'' debut. [[Hidenoumi]], two tournaments after being demoted to ''jūryō'', gets his first ''[[sekitori]]'' championship with an 11-411–4 record and will be promoted back to the top division next tournament. Two promising young Japanese wrestlers, [[Jokoryu]] (2-4-92–4–9) and [[Endo Shota|Endo]] (1-6-81–6–8), both pull out through injury and will be demoted to the second division. Ōzeki [[Terunofuji]] also withdraws and will be ''[[Glossary of sumo terms#kadoban|kadoban]]'' in March, alongside [[Gōeidō Gōtarō|Gōeidō]] who scores only 4-114–11.

*7: The 40th [[Fuji TV]] GransGrand Sumo exhibition tournament takes place at the Kokugikan. In addition to the usual knock-out tournament featuring active wrestlers (won by Hakuho who defeats Harumafuji in the final), there are three matches featuring ''oyakata'': [[Takamisakari Seiken|Takamisakari]] (Furiwake Oyakata) vs [[HomashoHōmashō Noriyuki|Hōmashō]] (Tatsutagawa), [[KyokutenhoKyokutenhō Masaru|Kyokutenhō]] (Oshima) vs [[Tokitsuumi Masahiro|Tokitsuumi]] (Tokitsukaze), and [[KotooshuKotoōshū Katsunori|Kotoōshū]] (Naruto) vs [[Kotonishiki Katsuhiro|Kotonishiki]] (Asahiyama).

*29 The ''[[banzuke]]'' for the upcoming tournament in [[Osaka]] is released. Toyonoshima returns to the ''sekiwake'' rank for the first time since 2012. There are two ''makuuchi'' debutants, amateur champion [[DaishomaruDaishōmaru Shōgo|Daishōmaru]] and journeyman [[Akiseyama]], while [[Satoyama Kōsaku|Satoyama]], [[DaieishoDaieishō Hayato|Daieishō]] and [[Hidenoumi Takuya|Hidenoumi]] return to the top division. [[OsunaarashiŌsunaarashi Kintarō|Ōsunaarashi]], Jokoryu and Endo lose ''makuuchi'' status due to absence through injury, as do [[Homarefuji Yoshiyuki|Homarefuji]] and [[Kagayaki Taishi|Kagayaki]]. There are no new sekitori, but [[ShotenroShōtenrō Taishi|Shōtenrō]] returns to ''juryo'' at the expense of [[TokitenkuTokitenkū Yoshiaki|Tokitenkū]], who is having treatment for [[lymphoma]].

*24: [[OnokuniŌnokuni Yasushi|Shibatayama Oyakata]] and one of his wrestlers are ordered by the [[Tokyo District Court]] to pay 32.4 million [[Japanese yen|yen]] (287,500 [[United States dollar|USD]]) in compensation to a former wrestler who the court ruled had faced "daily abuse" since joining in 2008 and had to undergo four surgeries for a [[Retinal detachment|detached retina]], eventually losing sight in the eye in 2013.<ref name="abuse">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-3507461/Sumo-wrestler-stable-master-pay-damages-abuse.html|title=Sumo wrestler and stable master 'to pay damages over abuse'|date=24 March 2016|publisher=Daily Mail|accessdate=4 April 2016}}</ref> Shibatayama says he will appeal the ruling.<ref name{{cn|date="abuse"/>March 2020}}

*26: On the final day of the Osaka tournament, Hakuho wins his 36th yusho, and first since July 2015 in Nagoya, by [[henkaGlossary of sumo terms|sidestepping]] Harumafuji at the [[tachi-ai|initial charge]]. Having won fourteen straight matches after an opening day defeat to [[Takarafuji Daisuke|Takarafuji]], he finishes on 14–1, one win ahead of ozeki [[Kisenosato Yutaka|Kisenosato]] on 13-213–2. [[GoeidoGōeidō Gōtarō|Gōeidō]] has his best tournament as an ozeki, with a 12–3 score. Kotoshogiku, by contrast, finishes on 8–7, his yokozuna hopes dashed. The Outstanding Performance Award goes to [[Kotoyuki]] who scores 12-312–3 and has defeated a yokozuna and two ozeki. [[Ikioi Shōta|Ikioi]] scores 10-510–5 but fails to win on the final day and so misses out on the Fighting Spirit Prize. Osunaarashi wins the juryo division championship with a 13-213–2 record, ensuring his immediate return to makuuchi. The [[Professional sumo divisions|makushita]] champion is won by [[SatōTakakeishō TakanobuMitsunobu|Satō]] with a perfect 7–0 record, guaranteeing his promotion to juryo next time.

*28: The results of elections to the [[Japan Sumo Association|Sumo Association]]'s board of directors are announced. [[Hokutoumi Nobuyoshi|Hakkaku Oyakata]] is confirmed as chairman, a position he has already been in since the death of the previous incumbent [[Kitanoumi Toshimitsu|Kitanoumi]] in November last year. His only rival for the post, [[Takanohana KojiKōji|Takanohana]], receives the backing of only two directors, with Hakkaku winning the support of six.

**3: [[Ise Grand Shrine|Ise Shrine]] (Honozumo ceremonial tournament held in the shine’s precincts), [[Mie Prefecture]]

*25: The ''banzuke'' for the May tournament is released. Ikioi and Kotoyuki both make their debuts at ''[[sekiwake]].<ref name="sekiwake">{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/04/25/sumo/kotoyuki-ikioi-named-new-sekiwake-for-summer-sumo-tournament/#.VzSCn032aUk|title=Kotoyuki, Ikioi reach sekiwake rank|date=25 April 2016|publisher=Japan Times|accessdateaccess-date=12 May 2016}}</ref>'' [[Kaisei Ichirō|Kaisei]] becomes the first wrestler from [[Brazil]] to reach [[komusubi]].<ref name="sekiwake"/> [[Nishikigi]] will make his top division debut, while Osunaarashi, Endo and [[Seirō Takeshi|Seiro]] all return.<ref name="sekiwake"/>

*22: Hakuho wins his 37th championship with a perfect 15–0 record, his twelfth ''zensho-yusho'' (and first since January 2015). Kisenosato is once again runner-up, with a 13–2 score. He is the first ''ozeki'' to win at least thirteen bouts in two consecutive tournaments and not get promoted to ''yokozuna'' since Hakuho in 2006.<ref name="topics">{{cite web|url=http://www.sumo.or.jp/en/honbasho/topics/banzuke_topics |title=2016 July Grand Sumo Tournament Banzuke Topics |date=July 2016 |publisher=Japan Sumo Association |accessdateaccess-date=7 July 2016 |archiveurlarchive-url=httphttps://wwwweb.webcitationarchive.org/6ipC2B3Uu?url=web/20160707122919/http%3A%2F%2Fwww://www.sumo.or.jp%2Fen%2Fhonbasho%2Ftopics%2Fbanzuke_topics/en/honbasho/topics/banzuke_topics |archivedatearchive-date=July 7, 2016 |deadurl=no |dfurl-status=dead }}</ref> [[Tochinoshin]] wins his first Technique Prize, while the Fighting Spirit Award goes to [[Mitakeumi]]. Terunofuji, struggling with injuries, loses 13 consecutive matches from Day 3 onwards and finishes on 2–13, equal to the worst ever record for an ''ozeki''. The juryo division championship is won by [[Chiyonokuni]].

*27: The rankings for the upcoming July tournament in Nagoya are released. As in May there are two wrestlers making their debuts at sekiwake, Tochinoshin and Kaisei. This is the first time since 1943/44 that there have been two consecutive tournaments featuring two sekiwake debuts.<ref name="topics"/> [[Kitaharima Seiya|Kitaharima]] makes his top division debut 85 tournaments after his professional debut, the ninth -slowest in history.<ref name="tables">{{cite web|url=http://www.sumo.or.jp/pdf/honbasho/betsuhyo201607en.pdf|title=2016 July Grand Sumo Tournament Banzuke Topics -– Tables|date=July 2016|publisher=Japan Sumo Association|accessdateaccess-date=7 July 2016}}</ref> Chiyonokuni returns to the top division for the first time in 13 tournaments, having at one point dropped to the rank of [[sandanme]] 28 – the second lowest rank that a wrestler making a successful makuuchi return has fallen since [[World War II]].<ref name="tables"/> [[Toyohibiki]], Kagayaki, [[Sadanofuji Akihiro|Sadanofuji]] and [[Arawashi Tsuyoshi|Arawashi]] also return to the top division. Making their juryo debuts are [[Hokutofuji Daiki Nakamura (sumo wrestler)|Daiki]] and [[Shimanoumi Koyo|Shimanoumi]] (formerly Hamaguchi), while [[Onosho Fumiya|Onosho]], [[Kyokutaisei Takuya|Kyokutaisei]] and [[Kotoeko Mitsunori|Kotoeko]] return.

[[File:Kokonoe.jpg|thumb|left|Chiyonofuji died in July]]{{-}}

*24: onOn the final day of the Nagoya tournament, Harumafuji wins his eighth career championship by defeating Hakuho (10–5) to finish on 13–2, avoiding the need for a playoff with maegashira Takanoiwa and yokozuna candidate Kisenosato, who are runners-up on 12–3.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201607240033.html|title=SUMO/ Harumafuji beats Hakuho to claim 8th title|date=24 July 2016|publisher=Asahi Shimbun|accessdateaccess-date=9 August 2016}}</ref> With 38 wins over the last three tournaments, Kisenosato will be in contention for promotion once again next time if he wins the championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/07/24/sumo/basho-reports/harumafuji-captures-title-nagoya-basho/#.V6orG032Yy8|title=Harumafuji captures title at Nagoya Basho|date=24 July 2016|publisher=Japan Times|accessdateaccess-date=9 August 2016}}</ref> The Fighting Spirit Award is shared between Takanoiwa and Takarafuji, who scores 10–5 and also brought to an end Hakuho's winning streak on Day 5. Both are first time winners. Yoshikaze, who defeated Harumafuji, wins his second Outstanding Performance Prize. [[Takayasu Akira|Takayasu]] wins his first Technique Award.

*31: The 58th Yokozuna [[Chiyonofuji Mitsugu|Chiyonofuji]], Kokonoe Oyakata, dies of [[pancreatic cancer]] at the age of 61.<ref name="asahi">{{cite web|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201608010042.html|title=Sumo great former yokozuna Chiyonofuji dies at age 61|date=1 August 2016|publisher=Asahi Shimbun|accessdateaccess-date=10 August 2016}}</ref> He won 31 career championships, third on the all-time list behind Hakuho's 37 and Taiho's 32. 19 of his championships were won after the age of 30, and he also set records for longest post-war winning streak (53 bouts) and most career wins (1045).<ref name="asahi"/>

*3: Former ''ozeki'' [[Chiyotaikai]] takes over as stablemaster of [[Kokonoe stable]] following the death of Chiyonofuji, changing his name from Sanoyama to Kokonoe Oyakata.<ref name="chiyotaikai">{{cite web|url=http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20160803/p2g/00m/0sp/065000c|title=Sumo: Former ozeki Chiyotaikai takes over as stablemaster Kokonoe|date=3 August 2016|publisher=The Mainichi|accessdateaccess-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819155536/http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20160803/p2g/00m/0sp/065000c|archive-date=2016-08-19|url-status=dead}}</ref>

*7: The funeral of Chiyonofuji is held at Kokonoe stable, with around 1000 guests attending.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/08/07/sumo/hundreds-gather-pay-final-respects-late-yokozuna-chiyonofuji/#.V6sgBk32Yy8|title=Hundreds gather to pay final respects to late yokozuna Chiyonofuji|date=7 August 2016|publisher=Japan Times|accessdateaccess-date=10 August 2016}}</ref>

*26: Tokitenkū, who has been absent from the [[dohyo]] since November 2015 because of ongoing treatment for malignant lymphoma, announces his retirement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/08/29/sumo/tokitenku-accepts-retirement-due-cancer-battle/#.WJNJb00zUy8|title=Tokitenku accepts retirement due to cancer battle|date=29 August 2016|publisher=Japan Times|accessdateaccess-date=2 February 2017}}</ref> He is staying in sumo as a coach at [[Tokitsukaze stable]], under the name Magaki Oyakata. After acquiring Japanese citizenship he had purchased the [[toshiyori]] or elder stock from former yokozuna [[Wakanohana Kanji II]] in May 2014, the first Mongolian born wrestler to do this ([[Kyokutenho]] had made arrangements with his stablemaster [[Asahikuni|Oshima Oyakata]] to inherit the Oshima stock and so had no need to make a purchase.).

*29: The banzuke for the September 2016 tournament is released. Both Goeido and Kotoshogiku are kadoban, or in danger of demotion from ozeki rank. There are two new sekiwake (Takayasu and Takarafuji) for the third straight tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoTopics/banzuke_topics|title=2016 September Grand Sumo Tournament Banzuke Topics|publisher=Japan Sumo Association|accessdateaccess-date=9 September 2016|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903224641/http://www.sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoTopics/banzuke_topics|archivedatearchive-date=3 September 2016|dead-url-status=nolive}}</ref> [[Chiyoshoma]] and [[Amakaze]] make their top division debuts, while Homarefuji, [[Gagamaru]], and [[Kyokushuho]] return. There are no juryo debuts, but [[Kizenryu]] and [[Wakanoshima]] return to the paid ranks. Makuuchi veterans Toyonoshima and Aminishiki drop to juryo through injury, as does Osunaarashi.

*9: Hakuho announces that he will undergo surgery on the toe injury that hampered him from the ninth day of the Nagoya basho and led to his withdrawal from the forthcoming Aki tournament.<ref name="surgery">{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/09/09/sumo/hakuho-to-undergo-toe-surgery/#.V9Lr9032Yy9|title=Hakuho to undergo toe surgery|date=9 September 2016|publisher=Japan Times|access-date=9 September 2016}}</ref> He was carrying a number of other injuries that he aggravated on the summer tour – a damaged tendon, inflammation to his right ankle, and left knee joint derangement according to a medical certificate released by the Sumo Association.<ref name="surgery"/>
*25: Goeido, who clinched his first top division championship with victory over [[Tamawashi]] on the 14th day, defeats Kotoshogiku to finish with a perfect 15–0 record or ''zensho yusho''. He is the first ''ozeki'' who was ''kadoban'', or in danger of demotion, to take the ''yusho'' with an undefeated record and the first since [[Musashimaru]] in 1994 to claim his first championship 15–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=httphttps://www.reuters.com/article/us-sumo-japan-goeido-idUSKCN11V0DL|title=Goeido makes history with unbeaten record in tournament win|date=25 September 2016|publisher=Reuters|accessdateaccess-date=26 September 2016}}</ref> He is also the first Japanese wrestler in exactly 20 years to ''zensho-yusho'', the last being [[Takanohana Koji|Takanohana]]. Runner-up on 13–2 is [[Endo Shota|Endo]], who is awarded the Technique Prize. Okinoumi, who defeated both ''yokozuna'' and three ''ozeki'', gets the Outstanding Performance Award, while Takayasu is rewarded for a 10–5 performance in his ''sekiwake'' debut with the Fighting Spirit Prize. In the ''juryo'' division, [[Daiki Akimichi|Daiki]] takes the ''yusho'' with a 12-312–3 record. Kizenryu will be demoted back to the ''makushita'' division after he can score only 5–10 at ''Juryo'' 11 – this is the fifth time out of five that he has lasted only one tournament in ''juryo'', a record.

*28: The wrestlers promoted to the ''juryo'' division for November are announced. There are three newcomers: [[OyanagiYutakayama Ryota|Oyanagi]] of [[Tokitsukaze stable]], [[Daishoho Kiyohiro|Daishoho]] ([[Oitekaze stable|Oitekaze]]) and [[Meisei Chikara|Meisei]] ([[Tatsunami stable|Tatsunami]]). Also, former ''maegashira'' [[Yamaguchi Masahiro|Yamaguchi]] (who fell to [[sandanme]]) and former Juryo 12 [[Ryuden Goshi|Ryuden]] (who fell to [[jonokuchi]]) return.

*31: The banzuke for the Kyushu tournament is released. Mitakeumi makes his ''[[sanyaku]]'' debut at ''[[komusubi]].'' [[Hokutōfuji Daiki|Hokutōfuji]] (formerly known as Daiki) and [[Ishiura Masakatsu|Ishiura]] make their makuuchi debuts, while [[Hidenoumi]] and [[Chiyotairyu]] return. Hokutofuji reached ''makuuchi'' ten tournaments after his professional debut, which is the equal second fastest rise since the six tournaments a year system was established in 1958. Former ''maegashira'' {{Interlanguage link multi|Yamaguchi Masahiro|ja|3=大喜鵬将大|lt=Yamaguchi}} returns to the ''juryo'' division after 15 tournaments having fallen to ''[[Sandanme]]'' 65, but he is outdone by {{Interlanguage link multi|[[Ryūden Gōshi|ja|3=竜電剛至|lt=Ryūden}}]], who returns to ''juryo'' after 24 tournaments having fallen to ''[[Jonokuchi]]'' 17, the third lowest rank ever before a successful ''juryo'' return. [[Oyanagi Ryota|Oyanagi]], [[Meisei Chikara|Meisei]] and the Mongolian [[Daishoho Kiyohiro|Daishoho]] make their ''juryo'' debuts. Oyanagi is the first ''[[Glossary of sumo terms#sandanme tsukedashi|sandanme tsukedashi]]'' entrant to reach ''juryo''.

*26:[[Kakuryu]] wins the Kyushu tournament, defeating ''ozeki'' Goeido to move to an unassailable two-win lead, having seen his closest rival Harumafuji lose to Hakuhō in the match immediately preceding his.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/AJ201611260047.html|title=SUMO/ Yokozuna Kakuryu wins Kyushu tourney on 14th day|date=26 November 2016|publisher=Asahi Shimbun|accessdateaccess-date=28 November 2016}}</ref> He hands Goeido, who had been looking for yokozuna promotion at the start of the tournament, his fifth defeat.

*27: Kakuryu defeats Harumafuji to finish with a 14-114–1 record. He wins his third Emperor's Cup, and second from the ''yokozuna'' rank. The runner-up is Kisenosato for the 12th time, which is a record for someone who has never won a ''yusho''. Kisenosato also finishes with the highest number of wins for the calendar year with 69; no one else has achieved this without winning a tournament in the six ''basho'' a year era. Third place is shared by a number of wrestlers on 11-411–4, including Harumafuji, Hakuhō, and Shōdai, who shares the Fighting Spirit Prize with [[Ishiura Masakatsu|Ishiura]]. Isihiura had a ten bout winning streak on his top division debut, and finishes on 10-510–5.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/11/27/sumo/basho-reports/yokozuna-kakuryu-caps-kyushu-title-final-day-win/#.WDw4Dk0zUy8|title=Yokozuna Kakuryu caps Kyushu title with final-day win|date=27 November 2016|publisher=Japan Times|accessdateaccess-date=28 November 2016}}</ref> The Technique Award goes to Tamawashi; it is his first ever special prize after 44 top division tournaments. He also denies Endō, who had beaten a ''yokozuna'' and three ''ozeki'', the Outstanding Performance Award by sending him to his eighth defeat. Goeido, the winner of the previous tournament, finishes on a mediocre 9-69–6 while Kotoshogiku will be ''kadoban'' in January after scoring only 5-105–10. The ''juryo'' division championship is won by [[Satō Takanobu|Satō]]. In the ''[[sandanme]]'' division former ''komusubi'' [[Jōkōryū Takayuki|Jōkōryū]] begins his comeback from injury by taking the championship with a perfect 7-07–0 record.

**17-1817–18: [[Ginowan, Okinawa]]

**20-2120–21: [[Miyakojima, Okinawa]]

[[Category:YearsSumo inby sumoyear]]