Former Yokozuna Akebono and former Sekiwake Takamiyama said their good-byes to the late Ushiomaru (Azumazeki-oyakata). Both Hawai’ian greats have strong connections to Azumazeki-beya. Takamiyama fought under Takasago beya but upon retirement received the Azumazeki kabu, opening the stable which would be home to Akebono. Takamiyama reached retirement age in 2009, passing the baton to Ushiomaru.
Since being hospitalized from his own health issues, updates on Akebono’s condition have been rare but we are very happy to see him. Judging from the comments and tweets I’ve seen about this news the sentiment is shared throughout the sumo fan community.
None other than the former Yokozuna Akebono turned up at Azumazeki beya to pay his respects.
He stayed a long time before the casket, and spoke of the time the deceased oyakata was his own tsukebito. (1/2)https://t.co/rzdRgxiUP7
It is wonderful to see Akebono, especially since there is rarely any news on his condition. On a personal note, a very little known fact: Akebono was one of our very first Twitter followers and I still remember freaking out, and the startled look on my wife’s face when I realized it was actually him. This fanboy got into this awesome sport to begin with by watching Akebono highlights on ESPN. (Long before gigabit streams in HD.) Hosted by Larry Biel, they would show half-hour digests of a whole tournament…and with that taste, I was hooked. We extend our best wishes and all hope to hear more good news on his recovery.
Whoa. The circumstances are extremely sad, but hearing news of Akebono being able to leave his home and conduct meaningful conversation is the happiest news I've heard for a while.
Last week’s series on winners of most bouts during a calendar years have raise debates upon readers – many thanks for that. Apart from the topic, many questions where about yokozuna or yokozuna wanna-be performances, which broadened our views and enriched the discussion. It was largely helped by the first part, which was dedicated to Hakuho – the GOAT’s aura really shines at every corner, doesn’t it ?
Anyway, thanks to our readers, a new topic is opened, about yokozuna performances. To entertain you, we will publish first a series of questions. Answer, as well as more detailed information will be brought after.
Unless said otherwise, our questions refer to the modern era only (starting from 1958). Enjoy our quiz !
1. Let’s start with a reasonable warm up: who is the only yokozuna who never won a single basho during his entire career ?
a. Futahaguro
b. Wajima
c. Kirishima
d. Kotokaze
2. We have to look before the modern era to find the last ozeki to be promoted to yokozuna without having won a tournament. Who was it ?
Tip : unlike Futagahuro, he won yushos after his promotion.
a. Terukuni
b. Tochinishiki
c. Azumafuji
d. Chiyonoyama
3. Speaking about yushos, how many wrestlers have not won a single yusho during their yokozuna careers ?
Note : the yushos may have been won before 1958. We’re looking at the whole careers of yokozuna who have been active since 1958.
The correct answer of the first question is, of course, included !
a. Two
b. Three
c. Four
d. Five
4. How many yokozuna have been make-koshi despite competing all fifteen days ?
a. One
b. Two
c. Three
d. Four
5. What happened to him / them ?
a. It caused huge scandal and he was / they were expelled from sumo
b. He was / they were allowed to continue, due to the fact that he / they won the previous basho
c. He / they retired from their duties
d. The Yokozuna Deliberation Council did not consider resignation
6. And how many yushos has he / have they won, combined, afterwards ?
a. None
b. One
c. Six
d. Twelve
7. Of the ten last yokozuna, how many have earned promotion without winning two yushos in a row as ozeki ?
a. Two
b. Three
c. Four
d. Five
Yokozuna Deliberation Committee Soken. Moshiai. Ryogoku Kokugikan. Kisenosato vs Kakuryu. 3 May 2018. Photo by Nicola Hetherington for Tachiai.
8. How many dai yokozuna were active during the modern era ?
a. Nine
b. Ten
c. Twelve
d. Fifteen
9. Sumo year 2017 saw a quartet of yokozuna, composed of Hakuho, Harumafuji, Kakuryu and Kisenosato. Which year saw the creation of the previous quartet ?
a. 1990
b. 1992
c. 1995
d. 2000
10. The four yokozuna were…
a. Chiyotaikai, Musashimaru, Hokutoumi, Asashifuji
b. Onokuni, Hokutoumi, Akebono, Kirishima
c. Chiyonofuji, Onokuni, Hokutoumi, Asashifuji
d. Chiyonofuji, Chiyotaikai, Takanohana, Onokuni
11. What can we say about the situation that happened after eleven bashos ?
a. Each tournament has been won by a yokozuna
b. Each tournament has been won by a non yokozuna
c. Each yokozuna won at least one yusho
d. There were no more yokozuna
e. There was a fifth yokozuna
12. By the way, what is the highest combination of yokozuna seen at the same time ? The question covers the period from 1909 to 2019
a. Four active yokozuna
b. Four active yokozuna and a fifth awaiting retirement ceremony
c. Five active yokozuna
d. Five active yokozuna and a sixth awaiting retirement ceremony
Yokozuna Deliberation Committee Soken. Butsukari. Ryogoku Kokugikan. Hakuho & Endo. 3 May 2018. Photo by Nicola Hetherington for Tachiai.
13. Back to the modern era, the three yokozuna to have won six yusho in a row are…
a. Chiyonofuji, Takanohana II, Asashoryu
b. Chiyonofuji, Taiho, Hakuho
c. Taiho, Asashoryu, Takanohana II
d. Taiho, Asashoryu, Hakuho
14. The feat of winning seven yusho in a row has been accumplished by…
a. Taiho
b. Takanohana II
c. Asashoryu
d. Hakuho
e. No one
15. And many foreigners have been promoted to yokozuna ?
a. Four
b. Five
c. Six
d. Seven
Good luck, don’t hesitate to drop a comment with your answers!
We can’t precisely speak of road to the top, since Asanoyama has not been higher ranked than komosubi – but no doubt he will quickly climb more ranks.
His name’s appearance on that list is already exceptional by itself, since he is the first wrestler of the modern era to earn more victories during a calendar year than anyone else, without being either ozeki or yokozuna – not even a sekiwake ! He shares his place on the list, alongside the greatest names (Chiyonofuji, Takanohana, Asashoryu, Hakuho, etc.).
It took Asanoyama just nine tournaments from his sumo debut to reach makuuchi in September of 2017. He was a makushita champion and lost twice to a playoff in juryo. He was quickly tooted as a possible future star by Hakuho himself.
Asanoyama adjusted to life in makuuchi in 2018, being make kochi three times despite a strong 11-4 result in Nagoya – he chased eventual winner Mitakeumi until late in the tournament.
After more tournaments as a mid maegashira, Asanoyama unexpectedly rose his level, pipping favorite Kakuryu for the yusho in May 2019 – receiving the Emperor’s Cup from the US president’s hands. Again, a maegashira accumplished the feat of lifting the cup.
Expectations rose, too. Asanoyama set lights on him, and, although it’s still early on, he has not disappointed so far. After a honorable 7-8 the next tournament as a maegashira 1, he produced back to back double digits, finishing 10-5 in Aki, and runner up with a 11-4 record in November.
One may argue that Asanoyama beneffited from many absences during a much troubled 2019 year. This is undoubtly true. His total of 55 wins, a makuuchi best, is the lowest ever obtained. Still, Asanoyama’s performances impressed, and can not be described as a mere winner by default.
Asanoyama’s win against yokozuna Kakuryu in Aki 2019
What to expect next ?
Officially, Asanoyama is not on an ozeki run. He has not reached the rank of sekiwake yet – although he’ll probably get one spot in January of 2020. The last wrestler to be promoted from that « far » was Tochihikari, back in 1962.
However, a strong performance, perhaps couple with a second yusho, could already cement his rise to ozeki. If not, no doubt 2020 will provide Asanoyama more chances to rise through the ranks. Everyone would love seeing him following his illustriate predecessors’ steps.
After the most recent tempest in a chawan (teacup 茶碗), sumo wrestlers pulled back from social media. I was happy to see a few have returned to social media. The posts so far have been quite tame…which is a good thing. An active, non-controversial social media presence is more than a way to connect with fans; it would be a great source of income for a heya, rikishi, or the Kyokai itself. Quick and subtle advertising for supporting restaurants and businesses will hopefully allow us another glimpse into the life of rikishi with some lesson learned regarding appropriate content.
