1999 in sumo explained

In 1999, Musashimaru firmly established his position as the dominant sumo wrestler of the year.^[1] ^[2] Born in American Samoa and raised in Hawaii, Musashimaru became only the second foreign-born wrestler in history to achieve the highest rank of yokozuna or grand champion, in May 1999.^[3] ^[4] He finished the year having won four tournaments, a rare accomplishment.

The following are the events in professional sumo in Japan during 1999.

Tournaments

Hatsu basho

Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 10 January – 24 January

1999 Hatsu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East			Rank	West			Result
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Takanohana	Y			Wakanohana	13	align=center	-	2	align=center	-	0
0	align=center	-	0	align=center	-	15	ø		Akebono	Y	ø
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Musashimaru	O			Takanonami	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
13	align=center	-	2	align=center	-	0			Chiyotaikai	S			Kotonowaka	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
					ø			S			Musōyama	10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Dejima	K			Tochiazuma	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Kotonishiki	K	ø
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Kaiō	M1			Tosanoumi	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Takatōriki	M2			Tamakasuga	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0			Akinoshima	M3			Aogiyama	4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0			Minatofuji	M4			Tōki	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0			Tokitsuumi	M5			Kotoryū	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Tochinowaka	M6	ø		Wakanosato	0	align=center	-	0	align=center	-	15
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Terao	M7			Higonoumi	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Shikishima	M8			Kyokushūzan	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Tochinonada	M9			Kaihō	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0			Gojōrō	M10			Ganyū	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Wakanojō	M11			Mitoizumi	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Oginishiki	M12			Hamanoshima	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
4	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0	ø		Asahiyutaka	M13			Asanosho	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0			Chiyotenzan	M14			Kinkaiyama	4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0
4	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	3			Dewaarashi	M15	ø

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

Haru basho

Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, 14 March – 28 March

1999 Haru basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East			Rank	West			Result
5	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	5	ø		Takanohana	Y	ø		Wakanohana	8	align=center	-	3	align=center	-	4
0	align=center	-	0	align=center	-	15	ø		Akebono	Y	ø
13	align=center	-	2	align=center	-	0			Musashimaru	O	ø		Chiyotaikai	3	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	4
					ø			O			Takanonami	12	align=center	-	3	align=center	-	0
1	align=center	-	2	align=center	-	12			Musōyama	S			Kotonowaka	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Tochiazuma	K			Dejima	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0			Akinoshima	K			Kaiō	10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Takatōriki	M1			Kotonishiki	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Tosanoumi	M2			Shikishima	1	align=center	-	14	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0			Kyokushūzan	M3			Terao	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Higonoumi	M4			Tamakasuga	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Tōki	M5			Tochinonada	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Minatofuji	M6			Wakanosato	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Miyabiyama	M7			Ganyū	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Aogiyama	M8			Tochinowaka	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Chiyotenzan	M9			Hamanoshima	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0			Mitoizumi	M10			Kotoryū	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0			Oginishiki	M11			Tokitsuumi	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Gojōrō	M12			Kaihō	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Asanowaka	M13			Ōhinode	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Wakanojō	M14			Asanosho	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0

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

Natsu basho

Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 9 May – 23 May

1999 Natsu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East			Rank	West			Result
0	align=center	-	0	align=center	-	15	ø		Takanohana	Y	ø		Wakanohana	3	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	7
11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0			Akebono	Y	ø
13	align=center	-	2	align=center	-	0			Musashimaru	O			Takanonami	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
					ø			O	ø		Chiyotaikai	0	align=center	-	0	align=center	-	15
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Akinoshima	S			Kaiō	12	align=center	-	3	align=center	-	0
11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0			Dejima	S	ø
10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0			Tochiazuma	K			Takatōriki	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Tosanoumi	M1			Kotonowaka	2	align=center	-	13	align=center	-	0
3	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	3	ø		Tochinonada	M2			Miyabiyama	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Chiyotenzan	M3			Kotonishiki	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0			Kyokushūzan	M4			Aogiyama	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0			Tochinowaka	M5			Tamakasuga	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
0	align=center	-	0	align=center	-	15	ø		Musōyama	M6			Tokitsuumi	4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Higonoumi	M7			Terao	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Tōki	M8			Kotoryū	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Minatofuji	M9			Ōhinode	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Kaihō	M10			Wakanosato	11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0			Daizen	M11			Shikishima	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	1			Ganyū	M12			Wakanojō	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Asanosho	M13			Hamanoshima	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0			Oginishiki	M14			Kyokutenhō	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Yōtsukasa	M15	ø

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

Nagoya basho

Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Nagoya, 9 July – 23 July

1999 Nagoya basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East			Rank	West			Result
13	align=center	-	2	align=center	-	0			Akebono	Y			Musashimaru	12	align=center	-	3	align=center	-	0
0	align=center	-	0	align=center	-	15	ø		Wakanohana	Y			Takanohana	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Takanonami	O			Chiyotaikai	10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Kaiō	S			Dejima	13	align=center	-	2	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Tochiazuma	S	ø
11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0			Tosanoumi	K			Chiyotenzan	3	align=center	-	12	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Kotonishiki	M1			Akinoshima	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0			Wakanosato	M2			Tōki	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0			Takatōriki	M3			Higonoumi	2	align=center	-	13	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0			Miyabiyama	M4			Minatofuji	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0			Aogiyama	M5			Kaihō	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0			Musōyama	M6			Tamakasuga	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Kyokushūzan	M7			Shikishima	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
0	align=center	-	0	align=center	-	15	ø		Tochinonada	M8			Asanosho	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Hamanoshima	M9	ø		Tochinowaka	2	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	5
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Kotonowaka	M10			Kyokutenhō	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
3	align=center	-	12	align=center	-	0			Wakanojō	M11			Terao	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0			Yōtsukasa	M12			Daizen	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Tokitsuumi	M13			Wakanoyama	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0			Ōhinode	M14			Ganyū	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Kotoryū	M15	ø

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

Aki basho

Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 12 September – 26 September

1999 Aki basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East			Rank	West			Result
2	align=center	-	2	align=center	-	11	ø		Akebono	Y			Musashimaru	12	align=center	-	3	align=center	-	0
0	align=center	-	3	align=center	-	12	ø		Takanohana	Y			Wakanohana	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0			Chiyotaikai	O	ø		Takanonami	3	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	8
10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0			Dejima	O	ø
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Kaiō	S			Tosanoumi	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0			Kotonishiki	K			Musōyama	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0			Tochiazuma	M1			Tamakasuga	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0			Kyokushūzan	M2			Asanosho	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Tōki	M3			Akinoshima	11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0
3	align=center	-	12	align=center	-	0			Shikishima	M4			Kotonowaka	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0			Miyabiyama	M5			Minatofuji	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Chiyotenzan	M6			Wakanosato	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Takatōriki	M7			Terao	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0			Tochinonada	M8			Aogiyama	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0			Kaihō	M9			Ganyū	5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0			Tokitsuumi	M10			Kotoryū	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Wakanoyama	M11			Higonoumi	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Kyokutenhō	M12			Hamanoshima	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Kinkaiyama	M13	ø		Yōtsukasa	0	align=center	-	3	align=center	-	12
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Ōtsukasa	M14			Asanowaka	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Ōhinode	M15	ø

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

Kyushu basho

Fukuoka International Centre, Kyushu, 7 November – 21 November

1999 Kyushu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East			Rank	West			Result
12	align=center	-	3	align=center	-	0			Musashimaru	Y	ø		Wakanohana	0	align=center	-	0	align=center	-	15
0	align=center	-	0	align=center	-	15	ø		Akebono	Y			Takanohana	11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Chiyotaikai	O			Dejima	10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Takanonami	O	ø
11	align=center	-	4	align=center	-	0			Kaiō	S			Tochiazuma	10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0
10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0			Musōyama	K			Akinoshima	3	align=center	-	12	align=center	-	0
					ø			K			Tosanoumi	10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0
3	align=center	-	12	align=center	-	0			Tamakasuga	M1			Miyabiyama	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
2	align=center	-	13	align=center	-	0			Takatōriki	M2			Kotonishiki	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0			Kyokushūzan	M3			Asanosho	4	align=center	-	11	align=center	-	0
5	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	0			Terao	M4			Aogiyama	6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Kotonowaka	M5			Tōki	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0			Wakanoyama	M6			Kotoryū	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0
7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0			Minatofuji	M7			Higonoumi	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
6	align=center	-	9	align=center	-	0			Kyokutenhō	M8			Chiyotenzan	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0			Asanowaka	M9	ø		Wakanosato	5	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	3
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Hamanoshima	M10			Shikishima	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Kaihō	M11			Ōtsukasa	8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Tokitsuumi	M12			Tochinonada	10	align=center	-	5	align=center	-	0
8	align=center	-	7	align=center	-	0			Ōhinode	M13			Daizen	7	align=center	-	8	align=center	-	0
0	align=center	-	10	align=center	-	5	ø		Ganyū	M14			Takanowaka	9	align=center	-	6	align=center	-	0

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

News

January

At the Hatsu basho, the yusho or tournament championship is decided in a final day showdown between Wakanohana, still searching for his first yusho as a yokozuna, and sekiwake Chiyotaikai, who is one win behind him on 12–2. Chiyotaikai defeats Wakanohana in their regulation match, and in the subsequent playoff for the championship he wins a rematch after the first bout is judged too close to call, despite the referee originally awarding the bout to Wakanohana. Shortly after the tournament Chiyotaikai is promoted to ozeki, the first new holder of sumo's second highest rank since Musashimaru and Takanonami were promoted five years earlier. Akebono misses his second tournament in a row with a herniated disk in his lower back. His fellow yokozuna Takanohana turns in a mediocre 8–7 score. Special prizes are awarded to Chiyotaikai for Outstanding Performance and Fighting Spirit (shared with colleague Chiyotenzan) and Akinoshima for Technique. The juryo championship is won for the second time in a row by Miyabiyama. Former komusubi Asahiyutaka retires.

February

Asahiyutaka takes over the running of Tatsunami stable from his father-in-law, former sekiwake Annenyama, who has reached the mandatory elder retirement age of 65.
Akebono has his first practice session since November 1998.

March

Musashimaru wins his fourth top division championship with a 13–2 score. He has little competition from his top ranked rivals, as Takanohana, Wakanohana and Chiyotaikai all withdraw midway through injury, while Akebono is missing altogether. Takanonami is runner-up on 12–3. Makuuchi debutant Miyabiyama wins the fighting spirit prize, as does Chiyotenzan for the second time in just his second top division tournament. Veteran Akinoshima wins eleven bouts and the Outstanding Performance Prize. Mitoizumi is demoted from makuuchi for the first time since 1987. Daizen wins the juryo yusho with a 12–3 score and returns to the top division at the age of 34. Towanoyama wins the makushita championship. Former maegashira Toyonoumi and Tatsuhikari retire.

May

Musashimaru wins his second championship in a row with a 13–2 record, to become the second foreign yokozuna. He defeats fellow Hawaiian Akebono on the final day, who after losing his first two bouts comes through with a respectable 11–4 score on his comeback. Runner-up to Musashimaru is Kaio on 12–3, who wins the Fighting Spirit Prize. Chiyotenzan wins his third straight sansho, for Outstanding Performance, shared with Tosanoumi. Wakanosato wins the Technique prize. Takanohana sits the tournament out, recovering from an injured shoulder, while his brother Wakanohana is forced to withdraw for the second tournament in a row with a leg sprain. Otsukasa wins the juryo championship.
Musashimaru's promotion is confirmed, although he embarrasses himself by being unable to phrase his official acceptance correctly. It is the first time since May 1991 that four yokozuna are active at the same time.

July

The Nagoya basho fails to attract a sell-out crowd for the first time in ten years on the second day.
Sekiwake Dejima wins his first yusho, defeating Akebono in a playoff after both men finish on 13–2. Akebono is denied his first championship in over two years. Dejima's Musashigawa stablemate Musashimaru finishes on 12–3 in his debut tournament as a yokozuna. Wakanohana is out injured, while Takanohana can only manage 9–6 in his comeback. Dejima is awarded all three special prizes and after the tournament is promoted to ozeki. Tosanoumi also receives a share of the Fighting Spirit prize for his eleven wins at komusubi rank. Kinkaiyama wins the juryo title. Veteran Tochinowaka, at 37 the oldest man in the top division, announces his retirement. Former komusubi Kotoinazuma also retires. In makushita, Daishoho retires to seek treatment for pancreatic cancer.

September

Musashimaru needs only twelve wins to secure his first championship as a yokozuna. Takanohana, Takanonami and Akebono all withdraw early, while Wakanohana, clearly unfit, becomes the first yokozuna since Onokuni in 1989 to fight a full 15 days and fail to make his majority of wins. Thirty-two-year-old Akinoshima is runner-up on 11–4 and wins his fourth Technique Prize and eighth Fighting Spirit Award. This gives him a total of 19 special prizes, one more than the record of 18 previously held by Kotonishiki. Tochiazuma receives the Outstanding Performance Award. Hayateumi wins the juryo yusho. Former maegashira Tokitsunada, and juryo veteran Zenshinyama, announce their retirements.

November

Musashimaru wins his fourth yusho of the year by defeating Takanohana on the final day to finish on 12–3. Takanohana is runner-up with Kaio on 11–4. Kaio receives the Fighting Spirit prize. Sekiwake Tochiazuma and komusubi Tosanoumi each score ten and win special prizes, for Technique and Outstanding Performance respectively. Takanonami is demoted from the ozeki rank after managing only a 6–9 score on his comeback. In the juryo division, the lightweight Mainoumi, known as the "Department Store of Techniques", announces his retirement. Oginishiki wins the yusho.

Deaths

28 July: Former juryo Dairyu, aged 54, of cirrhosis of the liver.
3 Oct: Former juryo Haji (also known as Saganoumi), aged 53, in a car accident. He was also a professional baseball player.
11 Nov: Former maegashira Otayama, aged 75.
4 Dec: Former komusubi Daishoho, aged 32, of cancer.

Notes and References

News: Kattoulas . Vesilarios . November 22, 1999 . Hawaiian Wins Again And Cements Dominance . 2024-02-20 . New York Times . International Herald Tribune.
News: November 22, 1999 . Musashimaru wins fourth sumo tournament of year . 2024-02-20 . . Newspapers.com.
News: Lewis . Ferd . May 26, 1999 . Musashimaru earns place in sumo history . 2024-02-20 . . C1, C4 . Newspapers.com.
Web site: Fiamalu "Musashimaru" Penitani . 2024-02-20 . Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame.