Hakuho Resignation Accepted by Sumo Association

Andy Hakuho (白鵬)

It is a dark day in the world of sumo. Hakuho is out.

In the aftermath of the Hokuseiho bullying scandal, Hakuho was punished for his inability to address the situation properly when it was brought to his attention. He was demoted, had his salary docked, had his stable shuttered and he, Ishiura, and his remaining deshi were folded into Isegahama-beya.

While under Isegahama’s supervision, Isegahama was required to file regular reports on the status of Hakuho’s progress. (If the contents of any of those reports become public, I will share them.) Isegahama’s upcoming retirement forced the issue of, “what to do with Hakuho?” The Kyokai planned a board meeting for today to discuss the matter.

Late last week, the rumor mill indicated Hakuho had already decided to resign despite making a public denial — which was dismissed by sources as not wanting to spoil Onosato’s Yokozuna promotion. According to those sources, the decision was reportedly made because Hakuho could not accept Terunofuji essentially becoming his supervisor, in a signal of the Kyokai’s desire to continue the status quo, rather than reopening Miyagino beya.

Well, the Kyokai went ahead with its scheduled board meeting and decided to accept Hakuho’s resignation. We will provide updates after Hakuho has his press conference.

Kotoeko Retirement Ceremony

Andy Retirement, Yokozuna (横綱)

On Saturday, the Kokugikan hosted the retirement ceremony of Kotoeko as he shifts to becoming Oguruma-oyakata. Kotoeko always occupied a special place in my mind as a sumo fan. It’s no mean feat to come from the great Sadogatake beya and establish yourself as a solid member of the rank and file in the top division at roughly 5 foot 10, 260 lbs. After all, this was the same stable which gave us the 400 lb gaburi-yotsu master, Kotoshogiku.

Kotoeko’s success came when the sport and the division seemed to get bigger and bigger, heavier and heavier. I feel his success portended a surge of smaller tacticians. Now, there seems to be a real surge in dynamic, solid grapplers like him. So, I am glad that Kotoeko has traded in his trademark lilac shimekomi for one of those fancy new Uniqlo navy jackets of the Kyokai oyakata to welcome a new crop of talented grapplers.

Speaking of lilac, Mrs. Oguruma wore it very well with her beautiful kimono.

Kotoeko’s retirement event included the usual hanazumo as well as hair-dressing, where Kotoshoho and Kotoeiho got to model together.

This event also featured Hyuga Hyottoko dancing which is particularly popular from Miyazaki Prefecture’s Hyuga Hyottoko Summer Festival. I am sure you’ve seen the masks of the dude with the puckered lips and the mug only a mother could love, as well as the cats’ face, okame, etc.

Whatever its origin, it looks like the face of a dude who got kneed in the nuts when he tried to steal a kiss from his apparently unrequited sweetheart. Come to think of it, I’ve got a few of these. Because of course I do. Right next to my pair of geta and fundoshi.

Andy knows what gets the ladies hot.

Back to the sumo. Kotoeko’s retirement ceremony was auspicious because it was the first public performance of Onosato’s Yokozuna dohyo-iri at the Kokugikan. Interestingly, there was a bit of a switch here. Takayasu was the sword-bearer but for dew-sweeper, we have Takanosho! I wonder if that’s a sign that Ryuden has been demoted to Juryo. There’s surely a whole host of guys from the Ichimon who would be eligible. Congratulations, Takanosho.

Onosato Promoted to Yokozuna

Andy promotion

Onosato was officially promoted to Yokozuna today. Kotoshogiku paid a visit to his former rival’s heya to represent the Kyokai and deliver the news, along with Dewanoumi-oyakata. Hat tip to Herouth for noticing that Kotoeko’s retirement ceremony this weekend will likely be our first glimpse of his dohyo-iri.

Juryo Promotions

The banzuke committee also announced promotions to Juryo, yusho winner Otsuji and Kotokuzan. While the other promotions and demotions have not been announced, you can review Leonid’s analysis of the likely banzuke movements here.

Some sad news to report as a list of retirements was shared. Along with Satonofuji, several of his heyamates retired, including Raiho, Hayatefuji, and Ono. Sawaisamu also called it a career. Others who joined them in the next chapter of their lives are Ryusei, Masuminato, and Kaitoma.

Lastly, there is a scandal brewing that necessitated an update of the scandal-meter. A gyoji has reportedly embezzeled hundreds of thousands of dollars from charitable donations and using the money for gambling. I’m sure more information will come out soon as this sounds like a criminal matter, rather than a civil one. I will bring more details when I have them.

Natsu Makushita Review

lksumo Aki Basho 2022

Before the basho, I took a brief and highly selective look at some of the players in the Makushita promotion and yusho races. Now that the results are in, how did they fare?

Promotion Zone

Former sekitori and new bow twirler Ms1w Akua finished 2-5 and will drop out of the promotion zone. March champion Ms2e Oshoryu (2-5) didn’t fare any better, but Ms3e Otsuji won the yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and will return to Juryo, where he will try to improve on his 5-10 debut in March. Asakoryu’s little bro Ms4e Ishizaki (4-3) has now lost a final bout which would have clinched promotion for 3 consecutive basho, and will have to try again in July, probably from Ms1. Mongolian prospect Ms5e Kyokukaiyu (5-2) looks set to go up alongside Otsuji, although this isn’t a certainty. We’ll find out in a day or two.

Extended Promotion Zone

Fan favorite Ms10w Enho (3-4) posted the first losing record of his comeback. He looked so emotional after winning his final bout that it made me wonder whether it might have been the last of his career. Former Ozeki Ms14w Asanoyama failed to go 7-0, dropping a single bout (to Toseiryu), and will therefore spend at least one more basho in the third division, though at a high enough rank that a simple winning record in July may be sufficient for a sekitori re-promotion.

Other Yusho Contenders

Of the three Makushita 60 tsukedashi debutants, Gyotoku fared the best, going 6-1 and making it to the yusho semifinals. Interestingly, he is a college graduate, but did not participate in collegiate sumo, preferring to train with his high school sumo club and earning Ms60TD via corporate sumo. The other newcomers, Uruyama and Hanaoka, earned 4-3 winning records by the skin of their teeth. Our two successful Ms60TD March debutants from Fujishima beya continued to thrive, both finishing 6-1. Ms28e Goshima got to the quarterfinals of the yusho race, while his heya-mate Ms39w Fukuzaki made it all the way to the final. Fukuzaki is the first-ever high school graduate Makushita tsukedashi. Former sekitori Ms16e Kawazoe injured his ankle and picked up only one win. Promising division newcomers Ms45e Ikarigata (Wakaikari’s little bro) and Ms46e Goseizan both went 3-4, which ought to just keep them in the division.

My preview included half of the 8 quarterfinalists. I missed Ms8e Nishinoryu (4-3), who knocked Enho out of the race but lost his final 3 bouts, albeit to Otsuji, Asanoyama, and Kyokukaiyu. Let’s see how the 24-year-old fares in the promotion zone (I think) in Nagoya. I also missed low-ranked Chiyooga and Kototsubasa, but I am not expecting much from either in the future. A more notable miss is semifinalist Ms16w Gojinyu (5-2), who should be ranked either in or just outside the promotion zone. Gojinyu debuted at Sd100TD under his real name Kanzaki three years ago and promptly won the Sandanme yusho. He’s been in Makushita ever since, rising as high as Ms8 but so far failing to live up to his early potential. After his May performance though, I’ll be watching him closely, starting in July at what should be his highest career rank.