1996 in sumo explained

In 1996, the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament set a record for the number of wrestlers in a playoff, after Musashimaru, Akebono, Wakanohana, Takanonami, and Kaio, all tied at 11–4.^[1] Musashimaru won the historic five-way playoff, taking his second tournament title since July 1994.

The following are the events in professional sumo during 1996.

Tournaments

Hatsu basho

Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 7 January – 21 January

1996 Hatsu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East			Rank	West			Result
14	align=center	-	1	align=center	-	0			Takanohana	Y	ø		Akebono	0	align=center	-	3	align=center	-	12
0	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	11	ø		Wakanohana	O			Musashimaru	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
14	align=center	-	1	align=center	-	0			Takanonami	O	ø
10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0			Kaiō	S			Kotonishiki	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Tosanoumi	K			Musōyama	10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0
12	align=center	-	3	align=center	-	0			Takatōriki	M1			Mitoizumi	3	align=center	-	12	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0			Kotonowaka	M2			Kotoinazuma	2	align=center	-	13	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Misugisato	M3			Minatofuji	4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Akinoshima	M4			Asahiyutaka	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Kenkō	M5			Kotobeppu	4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Tochinowaka	M6			Kitakachidoki	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Terao	M7			Asanosho	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0			Konishiki	M8			Daishōhō	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Naminohana	M9			Hamanoshima	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
0	align=center	-	0	align=center	-	15	ø		Wakashoyo	M10			Kasugafuji	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Oginohana	M11			Aogiyama	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Oginishiki	M12			Asanowaka	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0			Kirishima	M13			Daishi	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Higonoumi	M14			Tomonohana	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Mainoumi	M15			Kyokudōzan	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0			Tamakasuga	M16	ø

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner *Won Playoff

Haru basho

Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, 10 March – 24 March

1996 Haru basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East		Rank	West			Result
14	align=center	-	1	align=center	-	0		Takanohana	Y	ø		Akebono	0	align=center	-	0	align=center	-	15
11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0		Takanonami	O			Musashimaru	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
12	align=center	-	3	align=center	-	0		Wakanohana	O	ø
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Kaiō	S			Kotonishiki	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
12	align=center	-	3	align=center	-	0		Musōyama	S			Takatōriki	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0		Tosanoumi	K			Akinoshima	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0		Kenkō	M1			Naminohana	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
3	align=center	-	12	align=center	-	0		Oginohana	M2			Aogiyama	4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0
4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0		Higonoumi	M3			Oginishiki	2	align=center	-	13	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0		Misugisato	M4			Kotonowaka	11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0
4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0		Asanowaka	M5			Tamakasuga	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Asahiyutaka	M6			Mainoumi	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0		Kyokudōzan	M7			Daishi	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0		Mitoizumi	M8			Tochinowaka	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Minatofuji	M9			Konishiki	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0		Wakashoyo	M10			Daishōhō	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Terao	M11			Asanosho	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Kitakachidoki	M12			Kotobeppu	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Kotoinazuma	M13			Hamanoshima	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0		Kasugafuji	M14			Kirishima	3	align=center	-	12	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Ganyū	M15	ø

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner

Natsu basho

Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 12 May – 26 May

1996 Natsu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East		Rank	West			Result
14	align=center	-	1	align=center	-	0		Takanohana	Y			Akebono	10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0
12	align=center	-	3	align=center	-	0		Wakanohana	O			Takanonami	12	align=center	-	3	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Musashimaru	O	ø
10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0		Musōyama	S			Kaiō	11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0
4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0		Kotonishiki	S			Takatōriki	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0		Kotonowaka	K			Asahiyutaka	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0		Misugisato	M1			Tosanoumi	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0		Akinoshima	M2			Minatofuji	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0		Terao	M3			Naminohana	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0		Kitakachidoki	M4			Daishōhō	10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0		Asanosho	M5			Kenkō	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Tamakasuga	M6			Kotoinazuma	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0		Kotobeppu	M7			Aogiyama	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0		Ganyū	M8			Hamanoshima	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0		Higonoumi	M9			Mainoumi	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Mitoizumi	M10			Kasugafuji	2	align=center	-	13	align=center	-	0
10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0		Daishi	M11			Oginohana	4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Asanowaka	M12			Tochinowaka	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0		Oginishiki	M13			Kyokudōzan	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0		Konishiki	M14			Wakashoyo	4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0
10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0		Shikishima	M15	ø

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner

Nagoya basho

Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Nagoya, 7 July – 21 July

1996 Natsu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East		Rank	West			Result
13	align=center	-	2	align=center	-	0		Takanohana	Y			Akebono	12	align=center	-	3	align=center	-	0
10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0		Wakanohana	O			Takanonami	12	align=center	-	3	align=center	-	0
10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0		Musashimaru	O	ø
10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0		Kaiō	S			Musōyama	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0		Asahiyutaka	K			Takatōriki	10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0
					ø		K			Daishōhō	2	align=center	-	13	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0		Tamakasuga	M1			Aogiyama	3	align=center	-	12	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Kotonowaka	M2			Kotonishiki	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0		Daishi	M3			Mitoizumi	4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0
3	align=center	-	12	align=center	-	0		Naminohana	M4			Minatofuji	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0		Tosanoumi	M5			Akinoshima	10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0
4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0		Misugisato	M6			Terao	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0		Kotoinazuma	M7			Asanosho	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Kenkō	M8			Konishiki	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0		Kitakachidoki	M9			Asanowaka	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Kotobeppu	M10			Tochinowaka	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0		Shikishima	M11	ø		Mainoumi	2	align=center	-	1	align=center	-	12
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0		Kyokudōzan	M12			Oginishiki	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0		Ganyū	M13			Hamanoshima	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Higonoumi	M14			Rikiō	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0		Kotoryū	M15			Kushimaumi	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner

Aki basho

Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 8 September – 22 September

1996 Aki basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East		Rank	West			Result
15	align=center	-	0	align=center	-	0		Takanohana	Y			Akebono	10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Takanonami	O			Wakanohana	11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0
11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0		Musashimaru	O	ø
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Kaiō	S			Takatōriki	11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0		Musōyama	K			Kotonowaka	4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0
					ø		K			Kotonishiki	10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Asahiyutaka	M1			Akinoshima	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0		Kenkō	M2			Kotoinazuma	4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0		Tamakasuga	M3			Kotobeppu	3	align=center	-	12	align=center	-	0
4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0		Konishiki	M4			Kitakachidoki	4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0
4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0		Asanowaka	M5			Daishōhō	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0		Aogiyama	M6			Tosanoumi	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0		Minatofuji	M7			Daishi	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0		Mitoizumi	M8			Higonoumi	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0		Kyokudōzan	M9			Rikiō	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0		Asanosho	M10			Terao	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Oginishiki	M11			Naminohana	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0		Ganyū	M12			Hamanoshima	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0		Tochinowaka	M13			Kotoryū	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0		Misugisato	M14			Shikishima	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0		Kyokushūzan	M15			Daihishō	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner

Kyushu basho

Fukuoka International Centre, Kyushu, 10 November – 24 November

1996 Aki basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East			Rank	West			Result
0	align=center	-	0	align=center	-	15	ø		Takanohana	Y			Akebono	11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0
11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0			Wakanohana	O			Musashimaru	11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0
11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0			Takanonami	O	ø
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Takatōriki	S			Kaiō	11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0
					ø			S			Kotonishiki	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0			Asahiyutaka	K			Musōyama	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
1	align=center	-	14	align=center	-	0			Daishōhō	M1			Tosanoumi	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Akinoshima	M2			Mitoizumi	4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0
4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0			Terao	M3			Kotonowaka	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Oginishiki	M4			Asanosho	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Tamakasuga	M5			Hamanoshima	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Kenkō	M6			Kotoinazuma	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Ganyū	M7			Kyokushūzan	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Tochinowaka	M8			Kotoryū	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Konishiki	M9			Kitakachidoki	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Aogiyama	M10			Higonoumi	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Asanowaka	M11			Shikishima	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0			Kotobeppu	M12			Minatofuji	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Daihishō	M13			Daishi	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0			Naminohana	M14	ø		Kyokudōzan	0	align=center	-	0	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Rikiō	M15			Tochiazuma	10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner *Won 5-Way Playoff

Playoff

(Lots are drawn. Four rikishi face in semifinals, and one is a reserve. The reserve and the two winners face in a 3-Way Playoff, where two consecutive victories are required to win the Playoff and the yūshō)

Match 1: Musashimaru defeated Wakanohana
Match 2: Takanonami defeated Kaiō
Match 3: Musashimaru defeated Akebono
Match 4: Musashimaru defeated Takanonami

News

January

Ozeki Takanonami wins his first top division yusho, defeating his yokozuna stablemate Takanohana in a playoff after both record 14–1 scores. Takatoriki is third on 11–4 and wins the Fighting Spirit Prize, shared with Kenko and newcomer Tamakasuga. Sekiwake Kaio gets the Outstanding Performance Award. Rikio wins the juryo championship after a playoff with Wakahayato. Saganobori, a former maegashira who has been fighting in the unsalaried ranks for three years, retires.

March

Takanohana wins his 12th championship, finishing on 14–1, two wins ahead of his stablemate and brother Wakanohana and sekiwake Musoyama, who gets the Technique Award. Asahiyutaka is the only man to beat Takanohana and wins the Outstanding Performance Award. Kotonowaka wins eleven and the Fighting Spirit Award. Kyokushuzan wins the juryo yusho after a playoff with Saigo. Former ozeki Kirishima retires, as do former maegashira Owakamatsu and Tamakairiki (who has fallen to the jonidan division).

May

Takanohana wins with a 14–1 record again, two wins ahead of Wakanohana and Takanonami, underlining the dominance of Futagoyama stable. Yokozuna Akebono returns from three tournaments sidelined by injury to score 10–5. Tamakasuga wins the Technique Prize and Kaio the Outstanding Performance Award. Veteran former ozeki Konishiki avoids demotion and certain retirement by winning ten bouts from maegashira 14. Rikio wins his second juryo championship. The makushita yusho is won by Dejima.

July

At the Nagoya basho, Takanonami is eliminated from the yusho race on the final day when he is defeated by Kaio. The championship is decided in the final bout between Takanohana and Akebono, tied on 12–2. Takanohana wins to claim his 14th championship, while Akebono has his first runner-up performance since September 1995. Takatoriki wins his eighth Fighting Spirit Prize. Kaio and Kotonowaka share the Outstanding Performance Prize. The 95 kg Mainoumi is injured when the 275 kg Konishiki falls on his leg. He has to withdraw from the tournament, meaning he will fall to juryo. Daizen wins his second juryo championship. Former maegashira Kiraiho retires. Kyokushuzan becomes the first wrestler from Mongolia to earn promotion to the top division.

September

Takanohana wins four consecutive championships for the first time. He finishes with an unbeaten 15–0 score (zensho-yusho), his fourth. Wakanohana, Takatoriki and Musashimaru all finish four wins behind on 11–4. Takatoriki shares the Fighting Spirit Prize with Asahiyutaka. Kotonishiki wins ten bouts from the komusubi rank and receives his sixth Technique Prize. Tochiazuma wins the juryo championship, his fifth yusho in five different divisions. Former maegashira Kasugafuji, Hitachiryu and Kyokugozan all retire.

November

Takanohana misses the first tournament of his career after injuring his back on tour. In his absence Musashimaru wins his second championship in a five-way playoff after he, Wakanohana, Akebono, Takanonami, and Kaio all finish on 11–4. Kaio receives the Fighting Spirit Prize alongside newcomer Tochiazuma. Tosanoumi wins the Outstanding Performance Award. Tochinonada wins the juryo title in his debut. Former komusubi Kyokudozan retires to become a politician in the Diet of Japan.

Deaths

4 Jan: Former maegashira Oedo, former Irumagawa Oyakata, aged 73.
14 Jan: Former komusubi Ohikari, former Onomatsu Oyakata, aged 68.
14 April: Former sekiwake Kotetsuyama, former Onaruto Oyakata, aged 53.
8 Dec: Kagamiyama Oyakata, the former yokozuna Kashiwado, aged 58.

Notes and References

News: November 25, 1996 . Musashimaru wins in five-man playoff . 2024-02-29 . Hawaii Tribune-Herald . . Associated Press.