"He has a heart condition," said Isegahama Oyakata when asked about Midorfuji who has been absent from the stable's Osaka training camp. "He's in Tokyo undergoing medical treatment." The 29-year-old has been wrestling below his customary expectation-- suffering three consecutive tournament losses.

TYPICAL Hakkaku has announced the JSA will "discuss" the possibility of punishment in the Isegahama/Hakunofuji assault AFTER Haru (March 22)--when he hopes you've forgotten about it. Japanese social media is enraged about there being no action taken in protecting deshi nor expulsion of Isegahama.

I don't have much hope for a responsible outcome from the JSA's investigation of Terunofuji's brutal attack upon Hakunofuji--not with the JSA allowing Teru to bring (force) his deshi Nishikifuji and the victim himself, Hakunofuji, to his formal questioning--to speak in support of him ?!. ...

ENHO. Ranked at Ms4 for Osaka, he's clearly on the brink of re-promotion to Juryo. BUT, he fractured both the inner and outer side of his ankle during the Jan tourney, is still has pain and unable to practice, but will never quit. He tells the press, "I still believe in my heart that I can do it."

More on the Terunofuji beating of Hakunofuji. It happened at a drinks party with supporters. Apparently, Terunofuji flew into a rage about something completely unrelated to sumo that was opined by Hakunofuji. Teru grabbed a bottle and attacked the 22-yr-old Hakunofuji who, according to Japanese ...

Former Yokozuna Terunofuji, Isegahama Oyakata, is being questioned for committing violent acts upon his deshi, Hakunofuji (originally Hakuoho), say multiple sources. Isegahama was called back to Tokyo for questioning by the JSA's Compliance Committee instead of remaining in Osaka for ...

Sumo wrestlers aren't just impassive brutes; some of them are tender and intropective as Wakamotoharu and Yokozuna Hoshoryu revealed on "Dosukoi! Sanma Goten 2-Hour Special: Yokozuna & Popular Wrestlers." When asked of having any conflict with being a rikishi, Wakamotoharu spoke of...

This is Chiyomaru at his weekend wedding reception. I don't know about you, but if I ever remarry, I'd expect my groom to at least wear pants, but Chiyomaru's wife loves him and his near 400-lb physique so much, she prepares eight Spam musubi (his fave) before all of his tournaments. That's amore.

It's February so those rikishi not attending a wedding are on TV--either being interviewed on a Sunday sports show, or as a participant in a game or musical review. At the NHK charity sumo tournament, Atamifuji shows us what he does second best. "Hey hey hey!" To view: x.com/jasmine_tea_... (1/3)

It's a first for Tatsunami Beya--a wedding! Former Sekiwake and, due to injuries, current Juryo Meisei has married his darling, Konastu, whom he met by chance at a coffee shop some 18 months ago. Exclaimed Tatsunami Oyakata at the reception for 700 at a Tokyo hotel, ...

A panel discussion at the Asakusa Toyokan (a 200-seat, cultural and art events theater in Tokyo) on "The Utchari" was held Sunday featuring former Ozeki Asanoyama and the off-and-on Sekiwake Wakamotoharu. The intended subject however fascinating and serious, quickly devolved from the playfulness...

In sumodom, February is the month of weddings and celebrational parties as the rikishi are not touring and are in town. Yesterday, Nishonoseki Beya hosted its Yokozuna Promotion Party for Onosato who achieved the rank last May... Pic 1, The beaming yok; 2, A live polar bear worked as receptionist.

There's no jungyo in Feb but most rikishi stay near their heya to train for March as does Ozeki Aonishiki--winner of sumo's last two tournaments. Still a bit uncomfortable with the spotlight, he's at ease with his ambition of not just winning Haru, but each of ther year's (4) remaining honbasho. ❗

The 16th Hakuho Cup concluded on the 8th at the Toyota Arena in Tokyo. It's continued growth and unbroken existence are testament to Hakuho's singular determination. Because of the distain for Hakuho by JSA Chairman Hakkaku, last weekend's Cup lacked the starpower from the presence of numerous ...

Sans any involvement or support from the JSA, former yokozuna Hakuho has successfuly organized and opened his 16th Annual Hakuho Cup--February 7 and 8-- at its new home, The Toyota Arena in Tokyo. For the first time, women will be allowed to compete in existing categories, and in new divisions--

This is Ryuta Yoshino from Shizuoka who, while still in junior high, is joining professional sumo. Says his soon-to-be stablemaster Sadogatake, "Although he's only 5'2", he has real talent especially with clashing at the initial charge." Wishing classmates good luck on taking their high school ...

Distancing himself from the hot tabloid row between his mum Posh and elder brother Brooklyn, ROMEO BECKHAM and girlfriend visited Tatsunami Beya in Tokyo where they took this funny photo with a very short yokozuna. You'd never guess, but of these three people, Romeo is the professional model. (1/2)

Aonishiki's starmaker oyakata, Ajigawa (Sekiwake Aminishiki), has a new nova in his promising stable--one he's been carefully eyeing since he completed his Master's program at Waseda University's Sports Science School, at which time Ajigawa zealously pledged, "My goal now is to produce ...

Asakayama Oyakata (Ozeki Kaio) paid tribute on his IG page to his ex-tsukebito, junior assistant, Tomozuna stablemate and lifelong friend, Henry Armstrong Miller, better known as Sentoryu who died on January 29 in Tokyo. Wrote Kaio: Henry. The more trouble he cause, the more adorable he became.

As a magnificent honor, the JSA elected our two yokozuna--Hoshoryu and Onosato-- as attendants in Terunofuji's last dohyo iri. Said his rookie sword bearer, Hoshoryu, "This sword is heavy! It takes effort to keep it smoothly upright. I now have more appreciation for the men who do this ...

As Yokozuna, Teru knows the match is lost should his opponent come from behind, so when Hakuho finally arrived minutes after his name was announced--drama, drama--and maybe an upstage?--sumo's 73rd yokozuna looked dubious. In his glorious, golden silk Mongolian jacket, all eyes were on the Hak.

With his new du that flaunts his wavy black hair, Terunofuji looks more like your high school middle linebacker than the master of Isegahama-beya, but he's still the bruiser who refused to shed a tear as his chonmage was cut. "Why should I cry? There's no reason!," he shouted. Okay, okay tough guy.

Having battled a serious lung disease for many years, former Maegashira SENTORYU (Henry Armstrong Miller) succumbed and has died in Tokyo hospital on January 29. Born on July 16, 1969, at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo to an American father and Japanese mother, Miller, whose middle name was in honor ...

Tamawashi has finally gotten his mitts on his official Guinness Book of World Records certificate stating his achievement for the "Most Consecutive Appearances in Grand Sumo." The recognition of his accomplishment is so meaningful to him, he asked that his parents and his sister from

In his first yusho, Aonishiki chose Yoshinofuji to be the flagbearer in his victory parade, but because the budding sumo star from Iseghama-beya is a stablemate of runner-up Atamifuji, a selection from another heya was necessary. A call went out to Wakatakakage who Aonishiki says has helped and...

Three years ago, Danylo Yavhusishyn escaped his war ravaged country of Ukraine just shy of his 18th birthday when he would be conscribed in his country's existential battle versus Russia--and arrived in Japan, not knowing the language or any person except for Arata Yamanaka an amateur ...

Oh the pain of coming so close to winning the yusho on his second try (the first was in Aki 2023 versus Ozeki Takakeisho) which would have made ATAMIFUJI the first rikishi from Shizuoka to achieve the championship. He'd also make the record books by being the first rikishi to win ... (1/ 4)

Day 14. Sekiwake-going-for-ozeki, Kirishima (at 10 wins so far in Hatsu and 11 in Kyushu), suffered a painful loss--both in the yusho race AND by being pancaked by a 450-pound Atamifuji. With Kirishima's right leg extended as Atamifuji landed with full force on on his knee, there are concerns 1/3

On Day 14, Tamawashi broke his three-day losing streak by blasting Tomokaze off the dohyo. "I smashed him and it felt good," the 41-year-old said. With this win, Tamawashi has 707 career Makuuchi wins, surpassing former Yokozuna Musashimaru to stand alone in 9th place on the all-time list. 1/2

Tim Sumo gives us the possible scenarios for the final day of Hatsu. He's spot on about the line up--about which he writes: "If they do that every man in the yusho race will face either another yusho contender or their opposite Ozeki or Yokozuna. "Could result in a 2, 4 or 5 man playoff."

"Ao" means blue in Japanese--and as such, Aonishiki has always worn the blue mawashi but not so on Day 13 as he mounted the dohyo in his master Ajikawa's vintage black silken belt. It is believed that changing a mawashi in the middle of a good run is bad luck, to which Aonishiki replied,

Ms 11 Enho was defeated by Ms 54 Nobehara for the Makushita yusho. No promotion Enho this time, but he moves up the ranks for another chance in March. He needs one more tournament as a Sekitori (Juryo or Makuuchi) to qualify for elder stock and career retirement. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngj6...

Says Takakeisho about Enho. "His was an injury that 99 out of 100 people would have given up on. Amid endless pressure for him to retire, he followed the faintest glimmer of hope, was the only one who believed in himself, and never gave up." On Day 13, he's one win away from a miraculous comeback.

It's sunny and 45-degrees F in Tokyo today, but only rikishi in the top three divisions are permitted to wear haori (short jackets), with Juryo and Makuuchi men given the privilege of overcoats. Kirishima's lower division tsukebito here are resigned to thin cotton yukata regardless of the cold.

What's with these guys who definitely know better? On Day 11, Kirishima folds like a cheap suit with his half-hearted tachiai versus (what we assume is) a wounded Onosato. On Day 12, Abi forgets all about his best initial attack--the double-hand thrust, which results in his falling into the

Beginning on Day 10, the torikumi guys begin to thin the rankings by pairing up evenly-scored rikishi. One such matchup was on Day 11--and resulted in M12 Abi defeating M16 Shishi by a classic henka. Before the tachiai, Abi saw Shishi touch down with both hands and then withdraw his right. (1/5)

Kirishima has never come close to defeating Onosato, but yesterday was his best chance. As Day 9's sole leader and still tied for second place, Kirishima's biggest obstacle was not Onosato but his lost confidence and self-doubt brought about by a neck injury on which, while not healed, he (1/3)

When I first saw this photo of the colossal Atamifuji and his just as jumbo oyakata, what came to my mind was the jingle: ARBY's. WE GOT THE MEATS! Anyway, here's Atamifuji gifting the sum total of his kensho award money to his oyakata Terunofuji on the event of Atami's first kinboshi.

Winner of a fierce Day 11 tsuppari battle vs M1 Yoshinofuji, former Ozeki and current Sekiwake Takayasu is determined to give it his all for a chance to fight for the yusho on senshuraku. And, with Hatsu going as it has, his goal is not inconceivable. (1/2)

From Moti Dichne. Makushita 11 ENHO is undefeated at 5-0. As the caption reads, "Two more wins and he's back in Juryo." Incredible, a near miracle, and absolutely marvelous. I was one of those naysayers who honestly believed he should have quit in 2023. See his Day 9 match: youtu.be/wSiNSMNN9FI

Hatsu has evolved into a most interesting basho. With Onosato's wrestling a shadow of its usual self, and Hoshoryu plainly goofing up (a lack of concentration that is costing him), the Makuuchi sallies forth into Week 2 with only two san'yaku men remaining in striking position for the yusho: (1/5)

Both of our yokozuna are said to be injured. Clearly, Onosato's left shoulder is causing him grief, and Hoshoryu's injured knee has stuck a spoke in the wheel to his first yusho as a yokozuna. In an exquisitely polite and measured conversation with Their Royal Majesties, Emperor Naruhito ...

Day 8. With Hoshoryu and Onosato proving yokozunae can produce horrible sumo, the probability for a No-kozuna yusho is greater than ever. Hoshoryu never looked more wretched than he did vs Daieisho w both his body and feet out of position throughout the match. Ka-ching. Yet another kinboshi.

I'm rushing off to have lunch with my sister, so I'll be brief. About Kirishima's splendid Day 8 victory vs Aonishiki, Hochi Sports writes: OZEKI AONISHIKI FAILS TO SECURE A WIN What? Where's Kirishima? Anyway, more about Aonishiki: He was thrown by Kirishima in a match of excellent sumo ...

Guess who's coming to the honbasho tonight (Jan 18), Nakabi Sunday? His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako (perhaps with their daughter Princess Aiko) who haven't attended a sumo tournament in six years, that's who. It's not easy being the Emperor or family ...

Look what they did to my Golden Boy. In his first bout versus the hot with two consecutive big wins (Kotozakura & Tamwashi) HAKUNOFUJI, HOSHORYU suffered a cut on his right forehead about which in his dressing room he muttered, "It hurts and worse yet, my hair got thinner." Reporters liked that.

Hoshoryu is sumo's Joe Cool--for now. Without breaking a sweat, the yokozuna swiftly knocked down the strong but inconsistent Takanosho to remain at one loss off the leader M12 Abi. The Golden Boy says he's concentrating well which he believes allows his body to react more naturally. ...

It's not just us. 私たちは盗まれた！(We was robbed!) is heard throughout the streets of Japan.

Day 5. Yokozuna Onosato survived a scare from a forceful Takanosho who lifted and rushed the yokozuna from the tachiai to the tawara's edge. Onosato managed to hold his ground just before being thrown out of the ring, and pushed his opponent down to the clay. In his dressing room, he conceded, ...

On Day 5, only one san'yaku man remains unbeaten. Sekiwake Kirishima at 4-0 is flawless after clinching a tightly contested battle vs Komusubi Wakamotoharu. Fans of the former ozeki have kept the faith for nearly three years for the return of Kirishima's confidence. That day just might be now.