2013 in sumo explained

The following are the events in professional sumo during 2013.

Tournaments

• Hatsu basho, Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 13 January – 27 January^[1]
• Haru basho, Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, 10 March – 24 March^[2]
• Natsu basho, Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 12 May – 26 May^[3]
• Nagoya basho, Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Nagoya, 7 July – 21 July^[4]
• Aki basho, Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 15 September – 29 September^[5]
• Kyushu basho, Fukuoka Kokusai Center, Kyushu, 10 November – 24 November^[6]

News

January

• 10: The Nishonoseki stable is reported to close after the Hatsu basho due to the poor health of incumbent stablemaster Nishonoseki (ex-komusubi Kongō). The stable produced the yokozuna Taihō as well as former sekiwake Rikidōzan, who later turned to professional wrestling.^[7]
• 19: The 48th yokozuna Taihō, winner of a record 32 tournament championships, dies aged 72.^{[8] [9]} He is generally regarded as the greatest sumo wrestler of the post-war period.^[10]
• 27:
  • Yokozuna Harumafuji takes his fifth top division championship with a perfect 15–0 record, defeating fellow yokozuna Hakuhō who finishes on 12–3, having also lost to maegashira Myōgiryū and ōzeki Kotoōshū.^[11]
  • Former maegashira Bushūyama and former komusubi Takamisakari announce their retirements. Takamisakari will stay in sumo as a coach at his Azumazeki stable under the name "Furiwake".^{[12] [13]}
• 28: The Japan Sumo Association announces the Nishonoseki stable's closure. Coaches Kitajin and Minatogawa transfer to the Matsugane stable, while coach Fujigane transfers to the Kasugano stable, and Nishonoseki's remaining three wrestlers retire.^[14]
• 30: The spring tournament banzuke organization meeting is held. Tochihiryū makes his jūryō debut, while Oniarashi and Senshō return to the same rank from makushita.^[15]

February

• 14: Endō Shōta, an amateur yokozuna from Nihon University, joins the Oitekaze stable.^[16]
• 15: Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announces that Taihō will receive the 21st People's Honour Award. He is the second sumo wrestler to receive the award after Chiyonofuji in 1989.^[17]
• 25: The People's Honour Award ceremony for Taihō is held in the Prime Minister's Official Residence.^[18]

March

• 22: On the 13th day of the spring tournament, yokozuna Hakuhō defeats Gōeidō to earn a 13–0 record, and his championship victory is assured when Okinoumi is defeated. It is the fourth time that he has won a top division championship by the 13th day, a record for the 15-day tournament era that he shares with Chiyonofuji.^[19]
• 24:
  • Hakuhō, already determined to be the championship victor, defeats Harumafuji and wins a record ninth perfect victory.^[20]
  • Former ōzeki Miyabiyama retires after facing demotion to makushita. He will remain in sumo as a coach at his Fujishima stable, under the name "Futagoyama".^[21]
• 25: The Tokyo District Court rules that the former wrestler Sōkokurai was wrongly dismissed in April 2011 over match fixing allegations. Sōkokurai says, “Let me return to the sumo ring.” The Sumo Association is considering whether to appeal the ruling.^[22]

April

• 1: The Japan Sumo Federation transitions into a public juridical foundation.^[23]
• 3: The Sumo Association announce that they will accept Sōkokurai's return, and that he will appear on the July banzuke at maegashira #15, his last rank before he was thrown out of sumo.^[24]
• 25: The banzuke for the forthcoming May basho is released. Daikihō, Chiyoōtori, Homarefuji and Azumaryū make their makuuchi debut, with Kyokushūhō returning. Okinoumi is promoted to komusubi, becoming the first new san'yaku wrestler from Shimane Prefecture in 121 years.^[25]

May

• 21: On the 10th day of the summer tournament, Hakuhō defeats Gōeidō and sets a record for the highest amount of consecutive double-digit winning records at 38.^[26]
• 26: Hakuhō's 25th championship victory is claimed when Kisenosato is defeated by Kotoshōgiku. Hakuhō then defeats Harumafuji and wins his tenth perfect championship.^[27]
• 29:
  • The Japan Sumo Association announces the retirement of 14 wrestlers, including former jūryō Kotoyutaka, and Yotsuguruma.^[28]
  • A banzuke meeting is held in Nagoya. Seirō, Kotomisen, Endō and Ōsunaarashi make their jūryō debut. Endō reached this division in two tournaments, while Kotomisen reached it in 86, the fourth slowest climb in history. Egyptian Ōsunaarashi is the first African sumo wrestler.^{[29] [30] [31] [32]}

June

• 8: The Musashigawa stable, which was revived in April, opens.^[33]
• 9: Former yokozuna Kitanoumi performs his kanreki dohyō-iri at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan. He is the ninth person to perform the kanreki dohyō-iri, and the fourth to do so while serving as the Japan Sumo Association's chairman.^[34]
• 20: The Japan Sumo Association announces the retirement of stablemaster Nishonoseki, who was hospitalized in October 2012 following a stroke, and would have reached the mandatory retirement age in the upcoming November.^[35]

July

• 13: Hakuhō defeats Chiyotairyū on the 7th day of the Nagoya basho, becoming the first wrestler since the Showa era to obtain a consecutive winning streak of 37.^[36]
• 19: Hakuhō defeats Kotoōshū on the Nagoya basho's 13th day, and with a winning record of 13–0, Hakuhō's 26th championship victory is assured. This 26th victory is the third highest amount in sumo, and the highest for a foreign-born wrestler. It is also the first time since the introduction of 15-day tournaments that the victors of all divisions were decided on the 13th day.^[37]
• 20:
  • Hakuhō loses to Kisenosato on the Nagoya basho's 14th day, ending his winning streak at 43.^[38]
  • Former jūryō Mutetsuyama, director of Toyo University's Ushiku High School Sumo Club, dies of heart failure in his home at 42.^[39]
• 24: Terunofuji (formerly Wakamishō) and Chiyomaru are promoted to jūryō. Chiyomaru is the brother of Chiyoōtori, becoming the 17th pair of sekitori brothers.^[40]

August

• 4: In the final match of the sumo division in the Inter-High School Championships, Saitama Sakae defeats Tottori Jōhoku with a score of 3–2.^[41]
• 24: The first sumo tour outside of Japan in five years is held in Jakarta.^[42]

September

• 2: The banzuke for the autumn tournament is released. Endō makes his makuuchi debut in three tournaments, the fastest climb since the Showa era. Takayasu is promoted to komusubi, becoming the first new san'yaku wrestler to have been born in the Heisei era.^[43]
• 11: Former ōzeki Baruto announces his retirement after missing the last two tournaments due to injury.^[44]
• 12: The Tokyo District Court dismisses Kotomitsuki's lawsuit against the Sumo Association for wrongful dismissal relating to his involvement in a baseball gambling ring.^[45]
• 27: On the 13th day of the autumn tournament, Tenitsu is deemed the victor of the sandanme division. At 35 years and 10 months old, he is the oldest post-war wrestler to win a tournament under the makushita division.^[46]
• 28:
  • On the 14th day of the autumn tournament, Hakuhō defeats Kisenosato and claims his 27th championship victory.^[47]
  • Former jūryō Toyonokuni announces his retirement.^[48]
• 29: Terunofuji claims the jūryō title with a score of 12–3 in his division debut.

October

• 2: A banzuke meeting is held in Kyūshū. Higonojō makes his jūryō debut, while Kotomisen and Kimurayama return to the rank from makushita.^[49]
• 3: The Mihogaseki stable closes due to the mandatory retirement of its stablemaster, former ōzeki Masuiyama II, and its six wrestlers transfer to the Kasugano stable.^[50]
• 8: Former sekiwake Aran, who had transferred from the Mihogaseki stable to the Kasugano stable on the 3rd, announces his retirement due to his poor physical condition, and returns to Russia to become a businessman.^[51]
• 31: A new discipleship inspection is conducted in Kyūshū, and five people, including Mongolian Altankhuyag Ichinnorov, pass. Ichinnorov, taking on the name Ichinojō, becomes the first foreign wrestler to debut at an elevated rank in the makushita division due to his success in amateur sumo.^[52]

November

• 2: The National Student Sumo Championship is held. Kohei Ichinose of Nippon Sport Science University defeats Ryota Koyanagi of Tokyo University of Agriculture in the final match.^[53]
• 3: A team competition of the National Student Sumo Championship is held, and Toyo University defeats Kindai University with 3 wins and 2 losses in the final match, achieving their third victory in 11 years.^[54]
• 8: The concurrent stablemaster of Kasugayama stable, former maegashira Hamanishiki, announces that he will file a proceeding against the preceding stablemaster, former maegashira Kasugafuji, to hand over control of the elder stock.^[55]
• 11: On the second day of the Kyūshū tournament, Hakuhō defeats Aminishiki, becoming the fourth wrestler to achieve 500 wins as yokozuna. Within 38 tournaments, he achieved this milestone in the shortest time. He also achieves the most wins for a wrestler in 2013.^[56]
• 13: Former yokozuna Takanohana steps in as acting director of the Isegahama stable due to the hospitalization of its stablemaster, former yokozuna Asahifuji.^[57]
• 17: On the 8th day of the Kyūshū tournament, Hakuhō defeats Takekaze, achieving 700 total wins in the fastest time.^[58]
• 19: On the 10th day of the Kyūshū tournament, Hakuhō defeats Tochinowaka and achieves 38 consecutive double-digit winning records as yokozuna, the highest in history.^[59]
• 20: On the 11th day of the Kyūshū tournament, Hakuhō defeats Tochiōzan and achieves 80 wins in a year for the third time in history.^[60]
• 24:
  • Harumafuji defeats Hakuhō and wins his sixth makuuchi tournament with a 14–1 record.^[61] Hakuhō's consecutive championship-winning streak is ended at four, and his consecutive Kyūshū championship-winning streak is ended at six.^[62]
  • The Yokozuna Deliberation Council indicate that Kisenosato will have to capture the title with at least 13 wins in the next basho to earn promotion to sumo's highest rank.^[63]
• 27: The banzuke meeting for the New Year tournament is held. Mongolian Sakigake makes his jūryō debut after 62 tournaments, the third slowest climb for a foreign wrestler, and four other wrestlers return to the rank from makushita.^[64]

December

• 19: Magaki stablemaster, former yokozuna Wakanohana Kanji II, retires for health reasons.^[65]
• 20: Former maegashira Hōchiyama announces his retirement and adopts the elder name Kimigahama.^[66]

Deaths

• 16 January: Former sekiwake Hōō, aged 56, of heart disease.
• 19 January: The 48th yokozuna Taihō, aged 72 (see January entry).
• 24 April: Former maegashira Ōko, aged 56, after a short illness.
• 20 July: Former juryo 11 Mutetsuyama, also known as Kurimoto and an amateur champion at Chuo University, aged 42, of heart failure.
• 25 July: Former makushita 13 Ozora, born Troy Talaimatai from Hawaii, aged 41, of a heart attack.

See also

• Glossary of sumo terms
• List of active sumo wrestlers
• List of years in sumo
• List of yokozuna

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hatsu 2013 Banzuke . Sumo Reference. 23 February 2014.
2. Web site: Haru 2013 Banzuke . Sumo Reference. 23 February 2014.
3. Web site: Natsu 2013 Banzuke . Sumo Reference. 23 February 2014.
4. Web site: Nagoya 2013 Banzuke . Sumo Reference. 23 February 2014.
5. Web site: Aki 2013 Banzuke . Sumo Reference. 23 February 2014.
6. Web site: Kyushu 2013 Banzuke . Sumo Reference. 23 February 2014.
7. Web site: Legend Taiho's stable set to close. 11 January 2013. Japan Times. 30 January 2013.
8. Web site: Ex-Sumo Grand Champion dies. January 19, 2013. The Times of Malta. January 19, 2013.
9. News: Taiho dies at 72 after legendary sumo career . Japan Times . January 19, 2013 . January 19, 2013 . Kyodo.
10. Web site: Whether crisis or not, sumo's show must go on. Japan Times. January 26, 2003. 2008-06-12.
11. Web site: Harumafuji claims perfect record. 28 January 2013. Japan Times. 30 January 2013.
12. Web site: 武州山も現役引退 高見盛のライバル 年寄「小野川」襲名 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 28 January 2013 . 14 January 2021.
13. Web site: 体「ボロボロ」の高見盛 引退決断は「正直、数時間前」 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130130160812/https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2013/01/28/kiji/K20130128005072850.html . Sponichi Annex . ja . 28 January 2013 . 30 January 2013 . 14 January 2021.
14. Web site: 二所ノ関部屋、完全に消滅…日本相撲協会が閉鎖を発表 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 29 January 2013 . 14 January 2021.
15. Web site: 栃飛龍十両昇進 春日野部屋からは１０年秋場所以来 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 31 January 2013 . 27 January 2021.
16. Web site: アマ横綱の日大・遠藤 追手風部屋入門「輪島先輩が目標」 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 14 February 2013 . 14 January 2021.
17. Web site: 大鵬さんに国民栄誉賞「本人も天国で良かったと…」 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 16 February 2013 . 14 January 2021.
18. Web site: 大鵬さんに国民栄誉賞表彰式 白鵬も出席「自分のことのよう」 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 26 February 2013 . 14 January 2021.
19. Web site: 白鵬、独走Ｖ 大鵬さんのひつぎの"重さ"胸に刻み… . Sponichi Annex . ja . 23 March 2013 . 27 January 2021.
20. Web site: 白鵬 大鵬さんにささげる９度目全勝Ｖ！会場全員と黙とう . Sponichi Annex . ja . 25 March 2013 . 27 January 2021.
21. Web site: 雅山 涙の現役引退…年寄「二子山」襲名へ . Sponichi Annex . ja . 25 March 2013 . 27 January 2021.
22. Web site: Court nullifies sumo association's dismissal of Sokokurai. 26 March 2013. Japan Times. 27 March 2013.
23. Web site: アマ統括の日本相撲連盟が公益法人に、プロは申請大幅遅れ . Sponichi Annex . ja . 2 April 2013 . 14 January 2021.
24. Web site: JSA won't appeal court ruling to reinstate Sokukurai. 4 April 2013. Japan Times. 15 April 2013.
25. Web site: 隠岐の海 島根県出身１２１年ぶり新三役「気持ちいい」 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 26 April 2013 . 27 January 2021.
26. Web site: 白鵬 北の湖超え！史上最多の３８場所連続２桁 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 22 May 2013 . 27 January 2021.
27. Web site: 白鵬 １０度目の全勝Ｖ！朝青龍に並ぶ２５度目賜杯 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 27 May 2013 . 27 January 2021.
28. Web site: 元十両の琴禮ら１４人引退発表 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 30 May 2013 . 27 January 2021.
29. Web site: 琴弥山８５場所で十両昇進 史上４位タイのスロー出世 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 30 May 2013 . 27 January 2021.
30. Web site: 青狼 錣山部屋から２人目の関取「８年は長かった」 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 30 May 2013 . 27 January 2021.
31. Web site: 新十両・遠藤 初の関取＆相撲教習所生 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 31 May 2013 . 27 January 2021.
32. Web site: 大砂嵐"ラマダンの壁"越える 深夜に食事で対策 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 30 May 2013 . 27 January 2021.
33. Web site: 再興武蔵川部屋 土俵開きに岡田彰布氏ら２００人 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 9 June 2013 . 14 January 2021.
34. Web site: 北の湖理事長が還暦土俵入り ２８年ぶり雲竜型で決意新た . Sponichi Annex . ja . 10 June 2013 . 14 January 2021.
35. Web site: 二所ノ関親方が退職 手術後リハビリも職務復帰難しく . Sponichi Annex . ja . 21 June 2013 . 14 January 2021.
36. Web site: 白鵬 ２度目の３７連勝！瞬殺で史上初の快挙 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 14 July 2013 . 15 January 2021.
37. Web site: 白鵬 朝青超え外国出身最多の２６度目優勝 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 20 July 2013 . 15 January 2021.
38. Web site: 白鵬"鬼門"突破できず…また稀勢に敗れ４３連勝でストップ . Sponichi Annex . ja . 21 July 2013 . 15 January 2021.
39. Web site: 元十両・武哲山の栗本剛氏が急死 ４２歳…東洋大牛久監督 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 21 July 2013 . 14 January 2021.
40. Web site: 千代丸が新十両に昇進 史上１７組目の兄弟関取誕生 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 25 July 2013 . 14 January 2021.
41. Web site: 豪栄道先輩やりました！埼玉栄、４年ぶりの団体Ｖ . Sponichi Annex . ja . 5 August 2013 . 14 January 2021.
42. Web site: 稀勢 準決勝で白鵬破りＶ！大相撲ジャカルタ巡業初日 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 25 August 2013 . 14 January 2021.
43. Web site: 遠藤 新入幕で６年ぶり横綱戦に意欲「結びの一番で…」 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 3 September 2013 . 27 January 2021.
44. Web site: Baruto retires from sumo at age 28 . . 16 September 2013 . 11 September 2013.
45. Web site: 東京地裁「解雇は妥当」…元琴光喜の請求を棄却 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 13 September 2013 . 27 January 2021.
46. Web site: 天一 ３５歳１０カ月、幕下以下の戦後最年長Ｖ . Sponichi Annex . ja . 28 September 2013 . 27 January 2021.
47. Web site: マゲつかんだ？物言いもセーフで白鵬が流血Ｖ４ . Sponichi Annex . ja . 29 September 2013 . 27 January 2021.
48. Web site: 豊乃国引退表明「悔いはないです」１０・６断髪式 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 29 September 2013 . 27 January 2021.
49. Web site: 苦節６年…肥後ノ城、史上５番目の十両スロー昇進 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 3 October 2013 . 27 January 2021.
50. Web site: 三保ケ関部屋が閉鎖 北の湖理事長「残念だし寂しい」 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 4 October 2013 . 27 January 2021.
51. Web site: 阿覧が引退…数年前から病気患い「気持ちも力もあまりない」 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 9 October 2013 . 27 January 2021.
52. Web site: 外国人初の付け出し資格 イチンノロブ「将来は横綱に」 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 1 November 2013 . 27 January 2021.
53. Web site: 一ノ瀬 父に届け！初の学生横綱に 進路は未定 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 3 November 2013 . 27 January 2021.
54. Web site: 東洋大 決勝で近大破り１１年ぶり３度目Ｖ . Sponichi Annex . ja . 4 November 2013 . 27 January 2021.
55. Web site: 年寄名跡証書の返還訴訟 春日山親方「苦渋の選択」 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 9 November 2013 . 27 January 2021.
56. Web site: 白鵬 史上４人目の横綱通算５００勝目！最速達成 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 12 November 2013 . 27 January 2021.
57. Web site: 伊勢ケ浜審判部長 体調不良で緊急入院、一部で脳梗塞疑い . Sponichi Annex . ja . 14 November 2013 . 27 January 2021.
58. Web site: 白鵬 史上最速幕内７００勝、３０回目ストレート給金 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 18 November 2013 . 27 January 2021.
59. Web site: 白鵬 横綱連続２桁３８場所＆初日から１０連勝 単独１位に . Sponichi Annex . ja . 20 November 2013 . 27 January 2021.
60. Web site: 白鵬 単独最多３度目の年間８０勝「その人しか分からない」 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 21 November 2013 . 27 January 2021.
61. Web site: 日馬あっけない幕切れに「自分の足が出たのかと」 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 25 November 2013 . 27 January 2021.
62. Web site: 白鵬 蛇の目の砂をはいちゃった「何とも言えない」 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 25 November 2013 . 27 January 2021.
63. Web site: Kisenosato primed for yokozuna promotion bid. November 25, 2013. Japan Times. 16 February 2014.
64. Web site: 魁 新十両に！外国出身で３番目のスロー出世 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 28 November 2013 . 27 January 2021.
65. Web site: 年寄名跡証書３親方が提出できず 今後厳罰も . Sponichi Annex . ja . 21 December 2013 . 27 January 2021.
66. Web site: ３１歳宝千山引退 年寄「君ケ浜」襲名 . Sponichi Annex . ja . 21 December 2013 . 27 January 2021.