2017 Aki Basho banzuke released.

[Swami]

Hakuho again king of sumo's mountain

Hoping his recent knee trouble is a thing of the past, yokozuna Hakuho will be gunning for his third straight championship when the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament opens on Sept. 10 at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

For the second straight meet, the 32-year-old Mongolian was named king of the sumo world's hill on Monday, when the rankings for the September tourney were released by the Japan Sumo Association.

Hakuho owns the record for most championships with 39 and most career victories with his 1,050th win last month in Nagoya.

At the other end of the rankings, 23-year-old Asanoyama will make his debut in the makuuchi division wrestling as a No. 16 maegashira.

The first wrestler to debut from Toyama Prefecture since 1989, Asanoyama sealed his promotion by going 11-4 in July's second-tier juryo division.

Unfortunately, one of the lasting images of the Nagoya basho was the withdrawal of numerous top wrestlers, including popular Japanese yokozuna Kisenosato and his Mongolian counterpart Kakuryu.

Things are looking up, however, as Hakuho and his three yokozuna colleagues all eventually joined sumo's summer regional tour.

Among the ozeki, relative newcomer Takayasu has pride of place despite an awkward start in sumo's second-highest rank. Takayasu went 9-6 in his ozeki debut, but that was more than Goeido and Terunofuji could manage.

Terunofuji sat out for nine days and managed just one win, while Goeido finished 7-8.

By failing to post a winning record, both men enter next month's battles as "kadoban ozeki" with their ranking on the line. Anything less than eight wins in Tokyo will see them relegated to sekiwake.

Their former comrade, Kotoshogiku, will compete as a rank-and-file maegashira in Tokyo, having failed to post winning records as sekikwake in May or komusubi in July.

Swami

 

[Swami]

2017 September Grand Sumo Tournament Banzuke Topics
OzekiGoeido

• Once again after the May Grand Sumo Tournament 2017 and personally for the 6th time, Goeido is Ozeki Kadoban and faces a possible demotion.

OzekiTerunofuji

• Once again after the March Grand Sumo Tournament 2017 and personally for the 5th time, Terunofuji is Ozeki Kadoban and faces a possible demotion.

< Goeido & Terunofuji >

• After Goeido in May, this means that both are Ozeki Kadoban no.141 and 142 since the July tournament 1969.
• For the 17th time since the July Tournament 1969 we have 2 Ozeki being Kadoban at the same time. Previously it was Goeido and Kotoshogiku exactly one year ago.

SekiwakeMitakeumi

• Mitakeumi holds the Sekiwake Rank for the 2nd tournament in a row and stays in Sanyaku for the 4th.

Sekiwake ReturnYoshikaze

• Yoshikaze has been re-promoted to Sekiwake after 9 tournaments, the rank he has previously held in March 2016. He is in Sanyaku for the 3rd consecutive time.
• Being 35 years and 5 months of age, this is the 5th oldest promotion to Sekiwake post WWII.

KomusubiTamawashi

• Tamawashi is demoted to the Komusubi Rank after 5 tournaments. He is in Sanyaku for the 6th consecutive time.

Komusubi ReturnTochiozan

• Tochiozan is re-promoted to the Komusubi Rank after 6 tournaments.
• Holding this rank for 14 tournaments in all makes him tie the 3rd position since Showa period.

Makuuchi DebutAsanoyama

• He is the first Rikishi from Takasago Beya to be promoted since Asasekiryu in March 2003.
• Asanoyama is the 5th Rikishi from Toyama Prefecture post WWII, following Komafudo's promotion in September 1989, the previous active Makuuchi Rikishi being Kotogaume in January 1995.
• Asanoyama is the 9th former student of Kindai University as well as the 91st former Japanese student sumo amateur following Yutakayama promoted in May of this year.
• He is the 2nd ever Sandanme Tsukedashi following the previosly mentioned Yutakayama.

Makuuchi ReturnKaisei

• Kaisei returns after 2 tournaments.

Makuuchi ReturnYutakayama

• Yutakayama returns after 2 tournaments.

Juryo DebutYago

• Yago is the 9th Rikishi from Oguruma Beya to make his Juryo debut since the present Shisho founded it on the 23rd of March 1987. The previous one was Amakaze in the March Grand Sumo Tournament 2015.
• He is the 77th Rikishi post WWII from Hokkaido Prefecture following Kyokutaisei, who had been promoted in July 2014.
• He is the 8th former student of Chuo University after Kaido promoted in May 2003. Of Rikishi who were successful in Amateur Sumo as students, Yago is the 123rd to achieve this after Tobizaru in the previous tournament.
• For a Makushita Tsukedashi taking only 2 tournaments until reaching Juyo, Yago has tied the first rank.

Juryo DebutDaiseido

• Daiseido is the 11th Rikishi from Kise Beya to make his Juryo Debut since the present Shisho founded it on the first of December 2003. The previous one was Shimaoumi in July 2016.
• He is the 64th Rikishi from Aomori Prefecture to be promoted toJuryo post WWII, the previous one was Onosho.

Juryo ReturnKitaharima

• Kitaharima returns after 3 basho. He previously had been in Juryou this March.

Juryo ReturnKizenryu

• Kizenryu returns after 4 basho. He previously had been in Juryo this January.

< Kitaharima & Kizenryu >

• Both tie the 2nd rank in history by being promoted to Juryo for the 7th time each.

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

Is the 72nd Yokozuna Kisenosato Yutaka to be at the event? I knew he was nursing injuries from earlier this year.

 

[Swami]

Is the 72nd Yokozuna Kisenosato Yutaka to be at the event? I knew he was nursing injuries from earlier this year.

All being well, he is set to compete. He needs a decent showing after two consecutive withdrawals.

Swami

 

[Swami]

With recurring knee pain, Hakuho maintains cautious outlook for Autumn Basho
Details
Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 02 September 2017
Hits: 19

Hakuho © Kyodo

Yokozuna Hakuho said Tuesday he will take it one step at a time in next month’s Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo as he seeks his third straight Emperor’s Cup and an unprecedented 40th title overall.

“I will tackle it one bout at a time. People might think it’s something easy for me, but winning a championship is a lot of hard work,” the Mongolian yokozuna told reporters. “My goals right now are the 40th championship and getting 1,000 wins in makuuchi.”

At the previous tourney in Nagoya in July, Hakuho captured a record 39th career title while surpassing the late former yokozuna Chiyonofuji and former ozeki Kaio to climb atop the all-time bout wins list with 1,050 career wins, 956 of them in sumo’s elite makuuchi division.

But the 32-year-old expressed anxiety over recurring pain in his left knee that forced him to sit out part of the monthlong summer regional tour that ended Sunday.

“It hurts when I practice and it hurts when I rest too much. It’s intricate,” said Hakuho, who sat out most of the Autumn Basho two years ago due to a left knee injury.

He is scheduled to resume training on Wednesday to prepare for the the tourney at Ryogoku Kokugikan, which begins on Sept. 10. “I will just do what I’m able to do for now until the first day of the tournament.”

Meanwhile, fellow yokozuna Kisenosato, who missed part of the previous two meets in May and July due to injuries, said he will take his time to get himself fit enough to wrestle again.

“I’m not going to rush myself but will steadily prepare myself by doing what I have to do,” said the 31-year-old who injured his upper left arm and chest muscles toward the end of the Spring Basho in Osaka in March.

Two months later, he started the Summer Basho without fully recovering and sat out the last several days of the 15-day tourney, then withdrew on the sixth day of the Nagoya meet after injuring his left ankle.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Kisenosato resumes practice but still in doubt for Autumn Basho
Details
Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 06 September 2017
Hits: 16

Kisenosato © Kyodo

Injury-plagued yokozuna Kisenosato resumed full-fledged practice bouts Monday, performing 13 matches with Yago, who was promoted to the second-highest juryo division for the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament starting Sunday.

“I prepared myself physically before entering the dohyo ring,” the 31-year-old yokozuna said after a training session at the Nishonoseki stable in Chiba Prefecture. “I have a long way to go. I can’t say I’m in good condition or bad condition.”

Kisenosato, who missed part of the previous two meets in May and July due to injuries to his upper left arm, chest and left ankle, won all his bouts against Yago but did not show some of his trademark moves.

Sumo elders who watched the session expressed worries over Kisenosato’s condition and preparedness for the upcoming 15-day tourney at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

“He still looks uneasy,” said Nishonoseki, the Japan Sumo Association’s judging director. “If he’s going to take part (in the Autumn tourney) I want him to be in line to compete for the championship.”

Stablemaster Shibatayama said the yokozuna is not ready for competition.

“He is not in a condition to engage in bouts at a sumo tournament. I felt that he was just testing how much he has recovered from his injuries,” he said.

Kisenosato’s Tagonoura stablemate ozeki Takayasu had 18 practice bouts with grapplers, including komusubi Tamawashi and Kotoshogiku, and ended with a 13-5 record.

“I tried a wide variety of moves,” said the 27-year-old wrestler. “I confirmed that I need to thrust myself forward (to win). I will continue powerful training.”

Meanwhile, Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu, who withdrew from the Nagoya meet in July after injuring his right ankle, told reporters in Tokyo that he will decide in the next several days whether or not he will compete in the Autumn Basho.

“There’s no doubt that it’s getting better overall,” said Kakuryu, who said he is now able to do some of sumo’s basic training moves such as the leg stomps and sliding forward in a squatting position.

“But the part where I had a chip fracture still hurts so I can’t step hard,” the 32-year-old said.

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

Maybe Kisenosato should sit this one out. He doesn't sound 100%. Rest and heal for November's Kyūshū basho.

 

[Swami]

Maybe Kisenosato should sit this one out. He doesn't sound 100%. Rest and heal for November's Kyūshū basho.

True, but another withdrawal starts putting pressure on him to retire - and he was only promoted after the January tournament.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Yokozuna Kisenosato and Kakuryu pull out of autumn tourney
Details
Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 07 September 2017
Hits: 34

Yokozuna Kisenosato and Kakuryu have pulled out of the upcoming Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament due to injuries, their respective stablemasters said Thursday.

The announcement of their withdrawal, which came three days before the start of the meet at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, once again dashed fans' hopes of seeing all four grand champions compete from the start to end of a single basho.

The autumn tournament is the fourth since the top-ranked slots, two each on the east and west sides, were filled at the spring tournament for the first time in 17 years, but in none of the four tournaments have all four yokozuna lasted all 15 days.

The last time two grand champions were absent from the first day of the tournament was in 1999, when Wakanohana and Akebono missed their opening-day bouts.

Unable to shake off nagging injuries to his left ankle and left upper arm, the 31-year-old Kisenosato, the only Japan-born yokozuna of the four, is sure to miss the entire tournament, the first time he will do so since his first career basho in 2002.

"He hasn't recovered in some areas including physical strength, and he's not in any condition for sumo," said Kisenosato's stablemaster Tagonoura.

"It takes courage to rest, and I hope this break will turn things in the right direction. He'll just have to keep working to return to the basho as soon as possible."

It is the third straight meet from which Kisenosato has withdrawn, and the fourth of his career.

Meanwhile, Kakuryu's stablemaster Izutsu revealed that the Mongolian yokozuna has yet to recover from a right foot injury sustained at the Nagoya tournament in July and knows any decision to return to the dohyo could have career-threatening ramifications.

Izutsu said he hopes Kakuryu will turn his focus to the Kyushu tournament in Fukuoka in November and will train against lower-ranked wrestlers at the fall regional tour in the lead-up.

It is the third straight tournament Kakuryu is missing, and eighth overall. In sumo, it is possible for a competitor to enter a tournament mid-way, and there is a very slim chance the 32-year-old may fight if his condition improves.

"It's frustrating when you're in fighting mode and you have to withdraw. As a yokozuna you have to win (as many bouts) as possible. I have the confidence (to win if I'm fit). If I didn't have that confidence I wouldn't be here," said Kakuryu.

Worryingly, yokozuna Hakuho is also rumored to be facing health concerns, with a left knee injury lingering, potentially leaving Harumafuji as the only yokozuna competing in Tokyo.

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

Wow, only one Yokozuna for this tournament. Sad to hear that Kisenosato and Kakuryu pulled out of the autumn tourney. No need in extending their injuries. I'm sure the pressure is intense to compete so as it was quoted, it takes great courage to rest. November will come quick though.

 

[Swami]

Hakuho also withdraws from Autumn tourney, 3rd yokozuna out
Details
Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 08 September 2017
Hits: 36

Hakuho © Kyodo

Hakuho on Friday pulled out of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament getting under way Sunday due to pain in his left knee, becoming the third yokozuna to withdraw from the meet after Kisenosato and Kakuryu.

Based on official records kept by the Japan Sumo Association since the Showa era (1926-1989), it is the first time for three grand champions to miss the opening day of a tourney.

Harumafuji is now the only yokozuna set to compete on the first day of the 15-day meet at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

Hakuho, who was seeking his third straight Emperor's Cup and an unprecedented 40th title overall, will sit out a tourney for the first time since the March basho in Osaka where he pulled out on the fifth day due to injuries to his right toe and thigh, and sixth time in all.

The 32-year-old Mongolian also missed part or all of the Autumn tourney the past two years.

"I think (Hakuho) felt until the last minute that he wanted to compete but his knee was not healed," his stablemaster Miyagino said. "He shouldn't strain himself and perform poor sumo. We have no choice but to have him recover promptly."

At the previous meet two months ago in Nagoya, Hakuho captured a record 39th career title while surpassing the late former yokozuna Chiyonofuji and former ozeki Kaio to climb atop the all-time bout wins list with 1,050 career wins.

The sumo world got four yokozuna for the first time in 17 years at the Spring tourney in March, but there have not been any meet since in which all four lasted the entire duration.

Swami