2009 in sumo

Tournaments

• Hatsu basho
  Honbasho
  A is an official professional sumo tournament. There are six held each year, a system established in 1958. Only honbasho results matter in determining promotion and relegation for rikishi ....
  
  , Ryogoku Kokugikan
  Ryogoku Kokugikan
  , also known as Sumo Hall, is an indoor sporting arena located in the Ryōgoku neighborhood of Sumida, one of the 23 wards of Tokyo in Japan, next to the Edo-Tokyo Museum. It is the third building built in Tokyo associated with the name kokugikan. The current building was opened in 1985 and has a...
  
  , Tokyo
  Tokyo
  , ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
  
  , 11 January - 25 January
• Haru basho, Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka
  Osaka
  is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
  
  , 15 March - 29 March
• Natsu basho, Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 10 May - 24 May
• Nagoya basho, Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium
  Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium
  The is an all purpose gymnasium in Aichi, Japan, built in 1964. Located on the site of the secondary enclosure of Nagoya Castle, it is host to numerous concerts and events...
  
  , Nagoya, 12 July - 26 July
• Aki basho, Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 13 September - 27 September
• Kyushu basho, Fukuoka International Centre, Kyushu
  Kyushu
  is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
  
  , 15 November - 29 November

January

• 11-25: At the Hatsu-basho, yokozuna Asashoryu comes back from three tournaments out injured to defeat his fellow yokozuna Hakuho in a playoff on the final day to claim his 23rd tournament championship with a 14-1 record, putting him in sole possession of fourth place on the all time list. His only defeat in the tournament is to Hakuho in their regular match. Hakuho is denied his fourth straight championship and has to settle for the runner-up position. New ozeki Harumafuji barely makes his kachi-koshi with eight wins. Goeido wins ten bouts and receives the Ginosho or Technique Prize
  Sansho (Sumo)
  Sanshō are the three special prizes awarded to top division sumo wrestlers for exceptional performance during a sumo honbasho or tournament. The prizes were first awarded in November 1947.-Criteria:...
  
  . Homasho, who has fallen to maegashira 16 in the rankings, scores an impressive 11-4 and is awarded the Fighting Spirit Prize. Shotenro wins his second straight juryo division championship and promotion to the top makuuchi
  Makuuchi
  or is the top division of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers , ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments....
  
   division. Former maegashira Katayama
  Katayama Shinji
  Katayama Shinji is a former sumo wrestler from Yaizu, Shizuoka, Japan. His highest rank was maegashira 13.-Career:...
  
   announces his retirement, and leaves the sumo world.
• 29: Japan Sumo Association
  Japan Sumo Association
  The is the body that operates and controls professional sumo wrestling in Japan under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Rikishi , gyōji , tokoyama , and yobidashi , are all on the Association's payroll, but the organisation is run...
  
   chairman Musashigawa criticises Asashoryu for raising his arms above his head whilst still on the dohyo
  Dohyo
  thumb|A dohyōThe dohyō is the ring in which sumo wrestling bouts are held. A modern dohyo is a circle of rice-straw bales 4.55 meters in diameter, mounted on a square platform of clay 6.7m on a side, and 34 to 60 cm high. The surface is covered by sand.A new dohyō is built prior to each...
  
   in the aftermath of his playoff win.
• 30: Juryo and former maegashira wrestler Wakakirin is arrested for cannabis
  Cannabis (drug)
  Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or for medicinal purposes. The English term marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word marihuana...
  
   possession at a CD store in Tokyo's Roppongi
  Roppongi
  is a district of Minato, Tokyo, Japan, famous as home to the rich Roppongi Hills area and an active night club scene. Many foreign embassies are located in Roppongi, and the night life is popular with locals and foreigners alike...
  
   district that had been monitored by police for some time. He is the fourth wrestler after Wakanoho, Roho and Hakurozan, to be caught up in a drug scandal, but the first Japanese. At the drug tests in September 2008 that led to the dismissals of Roho and Hakurozan, Wakakirin's sample was borderline before eventually being declared negative.
• 31: The retirement ceremonies of Tochisakae and Tochinohana take place at the Kokugikan.

February

• 1: At a meeting of the elders
  Toshiyori
  A toshiyori is a sumo elder of the Japan Sumo Association. Also known as oyakata, former wrestlers who reached a sufficiently high rank are the only people eligible...
  
   of the Japan Sumo Association, Wakakirin is dismissed from sumo. His stablemaster Oguruma, who had already submitted Wakakirin's retirement papers, is given a pay cut for three months and demoted.
• 8: Hakuho wins the one-day Japan Ozumo Tournament held at the Kokugikan in Tokyo. Although unofficial, the tournament is sponsored by Fuji Television
  Fuji Television
  is a Japanese television station based in Daiba, Minato, Tokyo, Japan, also known as or CX, based on the station's callsign "JOCX-DTV". It is the flagship station of the Fuji News Network and the ....
  
   and the Sankei
  Sankei Shimbun
  is a daily newspaper in Japan published by the . It has the sixth highest circulation for a newspaper in Japan, and is considered as one of the five "national" newspapers...
  
   newspaper and offers a large amount of prize money (3 million yen for the victor). Asashoryu, the winner of the tournament for the last three years, is defeated in the semi-finals by Kotoōshū.
• 12: Junichi Yamamoto, the former head of the Tokitsukaze stable
  Tokitsukaze stable
  The is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Tokitsukaze group of stables. It was originally founded in 1769 and was dominant during the Taishō period. In its modern form it dates from 1941 when it was established by Futabayama, who was still an active wrestler at the time. Initially known as...
  
  , goes on trial at the District Court in Nagoya for his involvement in the death in June 2007 of one of his junior wrestlers, Takashi Saito
  Takashi Saito (sumo wrestler)
  The Tokitsukaze stable hazing scandal occurred on June 26, 2007, when a seventeen-year old junior sumo wrestler who fought under the shikona of Tokitaizan, collapsed and died after a training session at the Tokitsukaze stable. It subsequently emerged that he was beaten with a beer bottle and a...
  
  . He denies ordering three of his wrestlers to beat Saito.

March

• 2: The banzuke
  Banzuke
  This article is about the banzuke document, for a list of wrestlers as ranked on an actual banzuke see List of active sumo wrestlersA , officially called is a document listing the rankings of professional sumo wrestlers published before each official tournament or honbasho. The term can also...
  
   for the upcoming tournament in Osaka
  Osaka
  is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
  
   is released. Due to his playoff victory, Asashoryu is listed as the East Yokozuna, with Hakuho moved to the West side. Kisenosato makes his debut at sekiwake, and Shotenro is ranked at maegashira 12. Hakkaku stable's Okinoumi, previously known as Fukuoka, makes his debut in the juryo division halfway up the ranks at no.7 after a 7-0 yusho at makushita 1 the previous tourney.
• 5: The Tokyo District Court
  Tokyo District Court
  is a district court located at 1-1-4 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. -References:...
  
   awards Kitanoumi and the Sumo Association 15.4 million yen (154,000 USD) in damages after ruling against Kodansha
  Kodansha
  , the largest Japanese publisher, produces the manga magazines Nakayoshi, Afternoon, Evening, and Weekly Shonen Magazine, as well as more literary magazines such as Gunzō, Shūkan Gendai, and the Japanese dictionary Nihongo Daijiten. The company has its headquarters in Bunkyō, Tokyo...
  
  , the publishers of Shukan Gendai
  Shukan Gendai
  is a Japanese weekly magazine published since 1959 by Kodansha. Published simultaneously with Weekly Post , it includes articles about political scandals, sports and celebrities; nude photos; movie information; book reviews; and other articles of interest to middle-aged salarymen...
  
  , who alleged that he threw a bout for the championship in 1975.
• 17: Roho and Hakurozan's lawsuit against the Sumo Association claiming unfair dismissal is rejected.
• 26: A second ruling by the court awards Asashoryu and 29 other wrestlers representing the Association 42.9 million yen for another article in the Shukan Gendai alleging that Asashoryu had thrown bouts in November 2006.
• 29: At the Haru basho in Osaka, Hakuho wins his tenth championship with an unbeaten 15-0 score. Asashoryu finishes four wins behind on 11-4. Homasho also wins eleven and is rewarded with his second successive Fighting Spirit Prize. Kakuryu gets the Technique Award. Ozeki Chiyotaikai finishes on 2-13, the worst score ever recorded by an ozeki fighting the full 15 days. Toyohibiki wins his second juryo championship with a 12-3 score and earns promotion back to the top division. Former maegashira Otsukasa, who at 38 years is the oldest active sekitori
  Sekitori
  A sekitori is a sumo wrestler who is ranked in one of the top two professional divisions: makuuchi and juryo.Currently there are 70 rikishi in these divisions...
  
  , announces his retirement. He will stay in the sumo world as Wakafuji Oyakata.

April

• 5: The Spring tour begins with a ceremonial tournament in the Ise Shrine
  Ise Shrine
  is a Shinto shrine dedicated to goddess Amaterasu-ōmikami, located in the city of Ise in Mie prefecture, Japan. Officially known simply as , Ise Jingū is in fact a shrine complex composed of a large number of Shinto shrines centered on two main shrines, and ....
  
  , Mie Prefecture
  Mie Prefecture
  is a prefecture of Japan which is part of the Kansai regions on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Tsu.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, Mie prefecture was known as Ise Province and Iga Province....
  
  .
• 10: A ceremonial tournament is held at the Yasukuni Shrine
  Yasukuni Shrine
  is a Shinto shrine located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. It is dedicated to the soldiers and others who died fighting on behalf of the Emperor of Japan. Currently, its Symbolic Registry of Divinities lists the names of over 2,466,000 enshrined men and women whose lives were dedicated to the service of...
  
   in Chiyoda
  Chiyoda, Tokyo
  is one of the 23 special wards in central Tokyo, Japan. In English, it is called Chiyoda ward. As of October 2007, the ward has an estimated population of 45,543 and a population density of 3,912 people per km², making it by far the least populated of the special wards...
  
  , Tokyo
  Tokyo
  , ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
  
  .
• 11: The tour visits Fujisawa
  Fujisawa, Kanagawa
  is a city located in Kanagawa, Japan. As of 2010, the city had an estimated population of 407,731 and a population density of 5,870 people per km². The total area is 69.51 km²-Geography:...
  
  , Kanagawa Prefecture
  Kanagawa Prefecture
  is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Japan. The capital is Yokohama. Kanagawa is part of the Greater Tokyo Area.-History:The prefecture has some archaeological sites going back to the Jōmon period...
  
  .
• 13: The former Wakakirin appears at the Yokohama
  Yokohama
  is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
  
   District Court and pleads guilty to cannabis possession.
• 18: The regional tour goes to Nagano
  Nagano, Nagano
  , the capital city of Nagano Prefecture, is located in the northern part of the prefecture near the confluence of the Chikuma and the Sai rivers, on the main Japanese island of Honshū.As of April 1, 2011 the city has a population of 387,146...
  
  , Nagano Prefecture
  Nagano Prefecture
  is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Nagano.- History :Nagano was formerly known as the province of Shinano...
  
  .
• 19: The tour concludes at Tochigi
  Tochigi, Tochigi
  is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Despite its name, it is not the capital of Tochigi Prefecture; the capital is Utsunomiya.The city took its current form on March 29, 2010 when the old city of Tochigi merged with the towns of Fujioka, Ōhira and Tsuga from Shimotsuga District to form...
  
  , Tochigi Prefecture
  Tochigi Prefecture
  is a prefecture located in the Kantō region on the island of Honshū, Japan. The capital is the city of Utsunomiya.Nikkō, whose ancient Shintō shrines and Buddhist temples UNESCO has recognized by naming them a World Heritage Site, is in this prefecture...
  
  .
• 22: Wakakirin is sentenced to ten months in prison, but suspended
  Suspended sentence
  A suspended sentence is a legal term for a judge's delaying of a defendant's serving of a sentence after they have been found guilty, in order to allow the defendant to perform a period of probation...
  
   for three years.
• 22: The Sumo Association carries out random drug tests on 104 wrestlers and coaches from the Musashigawa
  Musashigawa stable
  Fujishima stable is a heya or stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Dewanoumi group of stables. It was set up on 29 August 1981 by Musashigawa Oyakata, the former yokozuna Mienoumi, who branched off from Dewanoumi stable...
  
  , Tokitsukaze, Ōshima
  Oshima stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tatsunami ichimon or group of stables. It was set up in 1980 by former ozeki Asahikuni, who branched off from Tatsunami stable. The head of Tatsunami stable opposed the setting up of the new stable, and did not speak to Oshima Oyakata until Asahifuji was...
  
  , Ōnomatsu
  Onomatsu stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, formerly one of the Nishonoseki ichimon or group of stables. It was founded in its modern form on 1 October 1994 by Masurao Hiroo, who branched off from the now defunct Oshiogawa stable. His first wrestler to reach the top makuuchi division was Katayama in 2005....
  
   and Takasago
  Takasago stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Takasago group of stables.It is correctly written in Japanese as "髙砂部屋", but the first of these kanji is rare, and is more commonly written as "高砂部屋"....
  
   stables at the Kokugikan. The tests (for recreational drugs only) were conducted by the WADA
  World Anti-Doping Agency
  The World Anti-Doping Agency , , is an independent foundation created through a collective initiative led by the International Olympic Committee . It was set up on November 10, 1999 in Lausanne, Switzerland, as a result of what was called the "Declaration of Lausanne", to promote, coordinate and...
  
  -certified Mitsubishi Chemical Medience Corp. All test negative.
• 27: The banzuke for the May tournament is released, showing Goeido at sekiwake and Kakuryu and Tochiozan at komusubi for the first time. There are no wrestlers making their makuuchi or juryo debuts for the first time since July 2003.
• 29: The Yokozuna Deliberation Council joint practice session, attended by the sekitori
  Sekitori
  A sekitori is a sumo wrestler who is ranked in one of the top two professional divisions: makuuchi and juryo.Currently there are 70 rikishi in these divisions...
  
   ranked wrestlers, is held in public for the first time, with around 5000 spectators in the Kokugikan. Asashoryu and Hakuho participate but do not fight each other. Instead, Hakuho fights eleven matches against the ozeki, losing twice to Kotoōshū, while Asashoryu goes undefeated in eight bouts against Kakuryu and other maegashira.

May

• 8: A group of Mongolian rikishi, including both yokozuna, play golf
  Golf
  Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
  
   together in Chiba Prefecture
  Chiba Prefecture
  is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture...
  
   two days before the start of the Natsu basho, attracting criticism from elders within the Sumo Association.
• 10-24: At the Natsu basho in Tokyo, Hakuho's 33 bout winning streak in regulation matches is brought to an end by Kotoōshū on Day 14. Hakuho and Harumafuji enter the final day tied on 13-1, Harumafuji's only loss thus far being to Hakuho. Harumafuji defeats Kotoōshū while Hakuho beats Asashoryu. The subsequent playoff is won by Harumafuji who becomes the eighth foreigner to win a top division championship. Third place goes to Kisenosato, who rebounds from losing his sekiwake rank in the previous tournament by compiling a superb 13-2 score and is awarded the Fighting Spirit Prize. The Technique award goes to Kakuryu, who holds his rank in his komusubi debut with a 9-6 record. Kadoban ozeki Chiyotaikai, who has been struggling with diabetes and has dropped to 144 kg in weight, wins his last three matches to stave off demotion with an 8-7 mark. The juryo division championship goes to Tamaasuka with a 12-3 record. He finishes one win ahead of Mokonami who, at Juryo 1, is guaranteed promotion to makuuchi for the first time. The makushita championship is won by Mongolian Tokusegawa with a perfect 7-0 record. Former maegashira Ushiomaru retires.
• 29: Junichi Yamamoto is sentenced to six years in prison, with the judge saying his "immeasurable power" as head of the Tokitsukaze stable led to abuse which "grossly disrespected the victim's human dignity." Yamamoto appeals against the ruling.
• 30: Tamakasuga's retirement ceremony or danpatsu-shiki takes place at the Kokugikan.

June

• 5-6: The Sadogatake stable
  Sadogatake stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Nishonoseki group of stables. In its modern form it dates from September 1955, when it was set up by former komusubi Kotonishiki Noboru. Former yokozuna Kotozakura took over the running of the stable in 1974 following Kotonishiki's death. Over the next...
  
   travel to Amsterdam
  Amsterdam
  Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
  
   for a two day exhibition tournament at the Heineken Music Hall
  Heineken Music Hall
  Heineken Music Hall is a concert hall in Amsterdam, Netherlands, near the Amsterdam ArenA .The big hall is used for concerts, has a capacity of 5500 and is 3000 m²...
  
  , to celebrate 400 years of trade relationships between the Netherlands
  Netherlands
  The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
  
   and Japan
  Japan
  Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
  
  .
• 8: 103 wrestlers and other members of the Kokonoe
  Kokonoe stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Takasago group of stables. It was formed in 1967 and is located in Ishiwara, Sumida, Tokyo. As of April 2008 it had 16 sumo wrestlers.-History:...
  
  , Miyagino
  Miyagino stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tatsunami ichimon or group of stables. It was founded by the 43rd Yokozuna Yoshibayama as Yoshibayama dōjō while he was still an active wrestler, before changing to its current name in 1960....
  
  , Dewanoumi
  Dewanoumi stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers. It has a long, prestigious history. Its current head coach is former sekiwake Washuyama. As of November 2007 it had 21 wrestlers....
  
  , Hanaregoma
  Hanaregoma stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Nishonoseki ichimon or group of stables. As of September 2010 it had eight active wrestlers.The stable was established in 1981 by former ōzeki Kaiketsu Masateru, as a breakaway from Hanakago stable. Among the wrestlers who went with him was Onokuni, who...
  
   and Kataonami
  Kataonami Stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Nishonoseki group of stables. It was founded in 1961 by former sekiwake Tamanoumi Daitaro of the Nishonoseki Stable. Former sekiwake Tamanofuji took over the running of the stable upon Tamanoumi's death in 1987. In February 2010 he passed control over to...
  
   stables are given doping tests for recreational drugs.
• 10: Testing is carried out on 111 personnel from the Sadogatake, Oguruma
  Oguruma Stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Nishonoseki group of stables. In its modern form it dates from 1987 when it was founded by Kotokaze, a former Sadogatake stable wrestler. He gives all his new recruits shikona with the suffix "kaze" , taken from his own fighting name. The first wrestler...
  
  , Isegahama
  Isegahama stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Tatsunami ichimon or group of stables. It was re-established by the 63rd Yokozuna Asahifuji Seiya in November 2007, who re-named his Ajigawa stable when he acquired the Isegahama toshiyori name....
  
  , Nishikido
  Nishikido Stable
  Nishikido stable is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Takasago group of stables. It was founded in 2002 by Mitoizumi of the Takasago stable. It uses Takasago stable's old facilities, which became available when Takasago merged with Wakamatsu stable...
  
   and Irumagawa
  Irumagawa stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Dewanoumi ichimon or group of stables. It was set up in 1992 by former sekiwake Tochitsukasa, who branched out from Kasugano stable. As of November 2007, the stable had 13 wrestlers...
  
   stables.
• 16: The head of the Azumazeki stable
  Azumazeki Stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Takasago group of stables. It is located at Higashi–Komagata, Sumida, Tokyo. It was founded in April 1986 by the Hawaiian born Takamiyama of the Takasago stable. Azumazeki's first sekitori was Akebono, also from Hawaii, in 1990, who subsequently reached the...
  
  , former sekiwake Takamiyama, reaches the mandatory retirement age of 65 and retires. He is replaced by Ushiomaru.
• 19: 110 people from the Azumazeki
  Azumazeki Stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Takasago group of stables. It is located at Higashi–Komagata, Sumida, Tokyo. It was founded in April 1986 by the Hawaiian born Takamiyama of the Takasago stable. Azumazeki's first sekitori was Akebono, also from Hawaii, in 1990, who subsequently reached the...
  
  , Asahiyama
  Asahiyama stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tatsunami ichimon or group of stables. It has a long history. As of April 2008 it had 11 sumo wrestlers.-History:...
  
  , Arashio
  Arashio stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tokitsukaze ichimon or group of stables. It was set up in June 2002 by former komusubi Oyutaka, who branched off from Tokitsukaze stable. As of November 2009 it has eleven wrestlers. In the same month the stable produced its first sekitori, the Chinese...
  
  , Hanakago
  Hanakago stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Nishonoseki group of stables. In its current form it dates from 1992 when it was revived by Daijuyama of the Futagoyama stable. The previous version of the stable had been wound up in 1985 when former yokozuna Wajima was forced to leave the Japan Sumo...
  
  , Kasugayama
  Kasugayama stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tatsunami ichimon or group of stables. In its modern form it dates from 1954 when it was re-established by former ozeki Nayoroiwa who led it until his death in 1971...
  
  , Shikoroyama
  Shikoroyama stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tokitsukaze ichimon or group of stables. It was established in its current form in February 2004 by former sekiwake Terao, who branched off from Izutsu stable. He did not take any established rikishi with him, recruiting all his rikishi himself instead. As...
  
   and Tagonoura
  Tagonoura stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Dewanoumi ichimon or group of stables. It was established in February 2000 by former maegashira Kushimaumi, who branched off from Dewanoumi stable. It is located in the Koto ward of Tokyo...
  
   stables are drug tested.
• 29: The banzuke for the Nayoga tournament is released. Kakuryu makes his debut at sekiwake. Three wrestlers make their makuuchi debuts: Tatsunami stable
  Tatsunami stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, and the head stable of the Tatsunami ichimon or group.-History:The stable is one of the most prestigious in sumo. It was originally founded in 1876 by Onigazaki, but the current incarnation dates from 1915...
  
  's Mōkonami, Tosayutaka of the Tokitsukaze stable and Wakakoyu of the Onomatsu stable. Kasugao returns to the top division. Kitazakura becomes, at 37, the second oldest man since World War II to return to the jūryō division.

July

• 20: Hidenoyama Oyakata, the former sekiwake Hasegawa
  Hasegawa Katsutoshi
  Hasegawa Katsutoshi is a former sumo wrestler from Sorachi, Hokkaidō, Japan. He began his professional career in 1960, reaching the top division in 1965. He won eight special prizes for his achievements in tournaments and earned nine gold stars for defeating yokozuna. He won a tournament...
  
  , turns 65 and retires.
• 26: At the Nagoya basho, Hakuho defeats Asashoryu on the final day for the fourth time in a row to claim his eleventh yusho with a 14-1 record. Kotoōshū is runner-up on 13-2, one win ahead of stablemate and Nagoya native Kotomitsuki on 12-3. Asashoryu is well out of the running on 10-5, and Harumafuji finishes with a disappointing 9-6. Aminishiki gets his fourth Technique Award after a fine 11-4 score. Shotenro also wins eleven and receives the Fighting Spirit prize in his third makuuchi tournament. The juryo championship is won by veteran Wakanosato for the fourth time. Former ozeki Dejima
  Dejima Takeharu
  Dejima Takeharu is a former sumo wrestler from Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan. A former amateur champion, he made his professional debut in 1996, reaching the top makuuchi division the following year...
  
   announces his retirement after suffering nine losses in eleven days. He will stay in sumo as Onaruto Oyakata.

August

• 5: Sendagawa Oyakata, the former sekiwake Akinoshima, swaps toshiyori
  Toshiyori
  A toshiyori is a sumo elder of the Japan Sumo Association. Also known as oyakata, former wrestlers who reached a sufficiently high rank are the only people eligible...
  
   names with former ozeki Maenoyama, who is close to retirement age, and becomes head coach of the Takadagawa stable
  Takadagawa Stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Nishonoseki ichimon or group of stables. It was formed in 1974 by former ozeki Maenoyama, and was originally in the Takasago group of stables, but was excommunicated from that group in 1998 due to disagreement over group nominations to the Japan Sumo...
  
  .
• The summer tour takes place at the following locations:

7: Sukagawa, Fukushima Prefecture

Fukushima Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region on the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Fukushima.-History:Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Fukushima prefecture was known as Mutsu Province....

8: Soma

Soma, Fukushima

is a coastal city located in Fukushima, Japan, approximately 30 kilometers South of Sendai. Japan National Route 6 runs through Sōma, since 2001 augmented by the Route 6 Sōma Bypass, which runs up to 2 km East of the original route, around the city center....

, Fukushima Prefecture

9: Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture

10: Asahikawa, Hokkaido Prefecture

12: Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture

Aomori Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region. The capital is the city of Aomori.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Aomori prefecture was known as Mutsu Province....

13: Akita

Akita, Akita

is the capital city of Akita Prefecture in the Tohoku region of Japan.As of June 11, 2005, with the merger of the former Kawabe District , the city has an estimated population of 323,310 and density of...

, Akita Prefecture

Akita Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region of northern Honshu, the main island of Japan. The capital is the city of Akita.- History :The area of Akita has been created from the ancient provinces of Dewa and Mutsu....

15: Hachimantai, Iwate Prefecture

Iwate Prefecture

is the second largest prefecture of Japan after Hokkaido. It is located in the Tōhoku region of Honshū island and contains the island's easternmost point. The capital is Morioka. Iwate has the lowest population density of any prefecture outside Hokkaido...

. Some wrestlers come down with the H1N1 flu, and masks are distributed to spectators while the children's sumo event is cancelled.

22: Honjo

Honjo, Saitama

is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.As of May 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 81,267, with 32,685 households and a population density of 905.89 persons per km²...

, Saitama Prefecture

Saitama Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Saitama.This prefecture is part of the Greater Tokyo Area, and most of Saitama's cities can be described as suburbs of Tokyo, to which a large amount of residents commute each day.- History...

23: Yamanakako, Yamanashi Prefecture

Yamanashi Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Kōfu.-Pre-history to the 14th century:People have been living in the Yamanashi area for about 30,000 years...

• 24: Asashoryu is criticised for refusing to board a bus transporting wrestlers to training on the summer tour for fear of catching the H1N1 flu strain.
• 26: Drug tests are carried out on 104 personnel of the Minato
  Minato stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tokitsukaze ichimon or group of stables. It was founded in 1982 by former komusubi Yutakayama, who branched off from Tokitsukaze stable. Minato Oyakata studied at the Tokyo University of Agriculture, and due to his interest in academia his stable was the...
  
  , Sakaigawa
  Sakaigawa stable
  Sakaigawa stable is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Dewanoumi group of stables. It was established in its modern form on 25 May 1998 by former komusubi Ryogoku, who branched off from Dewanoumi stable...
  
  , Naruto
  Naruto stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Nishonoseki group of stables.The stable was established on 1 February 1989 by former yokozuna Takanosato Toshihide. The stable's first sekitori was Rikio in 1994. Three more, Wakanosato, Takanowaka and Kisenosato, have reached sekiwake rank...
  
  , Tatsunami
  Tatsunami stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, and the head stable of the Tatsunami ichimon or group.-History:The stable is one of the most prestigious in sumo. It was originally founded in 1876 by Onigazaki, but the current incarnation dates from 1915...
  
  , Magaki
  Magaki Stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, formerly one of the Nishonoseki group of stables. Wakanohana Kanji II, the 56th Yokozuna in sumo history, re-established the stable in 1983 and is its current oyakata. Its first wrestler to reach the top division was the Hawaiian born Yamato in 1997...
  
   and Tamanoi
  Tamanoi stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Dewanoumi ichimon or group of stables. It was set up in 1990 by former sekiwake Tochiazuma Tomoyori, who branched off from Kasugano stable. He coached his son, who also wrestled under the name Tochiazuma, to ozeki rank. He reached retirement age in...
  
   stables.
• 31: The banzuke for the September tournament is issued. Kotoshogiku, Baruto
  Baruto Kaito
  Baruto Kaito is a professional sumo wrestler from Estonia. Making his debut in May 2004, he is one of only two Estonians ever to join the sport in Japan, and the first to reach the top division, in May 2006...
  
   and Aminishiki return to the sanyaku ranks. Tamaasuka returns to the top division for the first time in 23 tournaments. Sotairyu, from Tokitsukaze stable, Kise stable's Tokushinho and Oguruma stable's Mongolian Hoshikaze make their juryo debuts.

September

• 3: The head of the Tamanoi stable
  Tamanoi stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Dewanoumi ichimon or group of stables. It was set up in 1990 by former sekiwake Tochiazuma Tomoyori, who branched off from Kasugano stable. He coached his son, who also wrestled under the name Tochiazuma, to ozeki rank. He reached retirement age in...
  
  , the former sekiwake Tochiazuma Tomoyori
  Tochiazuma Tomoyori
  Tochiazuma Tomoyori is a former sumo wrestler from Sōma, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was sekiwake, which he held for one tournament in 1970. He won the top division championship in January 1972. After retirement he worked as a coach at his stable, Kasugano, until 1990 when he...
  
  , turns 65 and retires. His son, the former ozeki Tochiazuma Daisuke
  Tochiazuma Daisuke
  Tochiazuma Daisuke is a retired sumo wrestler. He began his professional career in 1994, reaching the top division just two years later after winning a tournament championship in each of the lower divisions...
  
  , takes over.
• 7: 96 personnel from the Takanohana
  Takanohana stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, formerly one of the Nishonoseki group of stables. It was known as Futagoyama stable until 2004.-History:Futagoyama stable was established in 1962 by former Yokozuna Wakanohana Kanji I, who branched off from Hanakago stable and converted his home near the Minami...
  
  , Michinoku
  Michinoku stable
  The is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tokitsukaze ichimon or group of stables. It was established in 1974 by former maegashira Hoshikabuto, who branched off from Izutsu stable. Former ozeki Kirishima became the current head coach in December 1997. It absorbed Tatsutagawa stable in...
  
  , Kasugano
  Kasugano stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Dewanoumi group of stables. As of November 2007 it had 24 wrestlers. It is currently one of the most successful stables, with five sekitori wrestlers, including the Georgian Tochinoshin and the Korean born Tochinowaka, who uses the current head coach's...
  
  , Mihogaseki
  Mihogaseki stable
  The is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Dewanoumi ichimon or group of stables. Its current head coach, former ozeki Masuiyama Daishiro II took charge in November 1984. He is the son of the previous head, also an ozeki under the name Masuiyama, making it one of only three current stables...
  
  , Takashima, and Kagamiyama stables are drug tested.
• 27: At the Aki basho, Asashoryu's run of 14 consecutive victories is ended by Hakuho, who was one win behind having surprisingly lost to Shotenro earlier in the tournament. Asashoryu wins the playoff to claim his 24th championship, bringing him level with Kitanoumi in third place on the all-time list. It is Hakuho's third successive playoff defeat, and despite scoring 14-1 or better in five consecutive tournaments (an unprecedented feat), he has only two yusho to show for it. Baruto, who has defeated all five ozeki this tournament, finishes on 12-3 and receives his fourth Fighting Spirit prize. The Technique Award goes to Kakuryu who scores 11-4. Bushuyama (10-5) would have received a share of the Fighting Spirit prize had he not been henkaed by Aran
  Aran Hakutora
  Aran Hakutora is a Russian sumo wrestler. He began his professional career in January 2007 and made the top division in a record eleven tournaments. The highest rank he has reached is sekiwake...
  
   in his final bout. Ozeki Kaio
  Kaio Hiroyuki
  Kaiō Hiroyuki is a former professional sumo wrestler from Nōgata, Fukuoka, Japan.He made his debut in 1988, reaching the top makuuchi division in 1993. He held the second highest rank of ōzeki or champion for eleven years from 2000 to 2011, and is the longest-serving ozeki of all time in terms of...
  
   secures his kachi-koshi in his record-equalling 97th top division tournament, having earlier surpassed Oshio
  Oshio Kenji
  Ōshio Kenji is a former sumo wrestler from Kitakyushu, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi. His career lasted twenty six years, from 1962 until 1988, and he holds the record for the most bouts contested in professional sumo.-Career:He was born in Yahata Higashi ward...
  
  's 964 career wins to move into second place all-time. His fellow ozeki Chiyotaikai had already withdrawn on Day 11 having lost eight matches. The juryo championship is won by Tamawashi with an 11-4 score, who secures an immediate return to the top division. Georgian
  Georgian people
  The Georgians are an ethnic group that have originated in Georgia, where they constitute a majority of the population. Large Georgian communities are also present throughout Russia, European Union, United States, and South America....
  
   Gagamaru wins the makushita championship.
• 27: Asashoryu and his stablemaster apologise after the yokozuna once again raises his arms in victory (the so-called "guts pose") while still on the dohyo after defeating Hakuho.

October

• 2: Harumafuji wins the 68th All Japan Rikishi 1 Day tournament held at the Kokugikan. He defeats Takamisakari in the semifinals and Iwakiyama in the final, and receives 500,000 yen in prize money. Hakuho is eliminated in the first round by Tokitenku, and Asashoryu in the second by Bushuyama.
• 7: 110 personnel from the Hakkaku
  Hakkaku stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Takasago group of stables.The stable was established on 27 September 1993 by former yokozuna Hokutoumi Nobuyoshi, who took with him four wrestlers from Kokonoe stable. The stable has so far produced nine sekitori, and three makuuchi wrestlers...
  
  , Chiganoura, Takadagawa
  Takadagawa Stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Nishonoseki ichimon or group of stables. It was formed in 1974 by former ozeki Maenoyama, and was originally in the Takasago group of stables, but was excommunicated from that group in 1998 due to disagreement over group nominations to the Japan Sumo...
  
  , Kiriyama
  Kiriyama stable
  was a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tatsunami ichimon of group of stables. It was set up in January 1995 by the former komusubi Kurosegawa, who branched out from the now defunct Isegahama stable and took with him the remaining members of the Onaruto stable which closed at the end of 1994....
  
   and Matsugane
  Matsugane Stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Nishonoseki group of stables. It was founded in 1990 by Wakashimazu of the Futagoyama stable. It has produced three top makuuchi division wrestlers in that time; Wakakosho , Wakatsutomu and Harunoyama...
  
   stables are drug tested.
• 15: Drug tests are carried out on 104 people from the Otake
  Otake stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers.It was set up in 1971, as Taihō stable, by yokozuna Taihō Kōki on his retirement from wrestling. It passed on to his son-in-law Ōtake on his retirement...
  
  , Kise
  Kise stable
  Kise stable was a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Dewanoumi ichimon or group of stables. It established in December 2003 by former maegashira Higonoumi, who branched off from Mihogaseki stable. The stable's first top division wrestler was Ichihara , a former amateur champion, in January 2008...
  
  , Isenoumi
  Isenoumi stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers. Part of the Tokitsukaze group of stables, it is one of the oldest active stables in sumo, dating back to the mid-eighteenth century. The legendary Tanikaze, one of the first Yokozuna, and his protégé Raiden, arguably the greatest rikishi ever, were both members of...
  
  , Izutsu
  Izutsu stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tokitsukaze group of stables.The stable was established in the Meiji era by former yokozuna Nishinoumi Kajirō I, the 16th yokozuna, who became the 7th Izutsu-oyakata. He was succeeded by Nishinoumi Kajirō II, the 25th yokozuna...
  
  , Minezaki
  Minezaki Stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Nishonoseki ichimon or group of stables. It was founded in December 1988 by Misugiiso, who branched off from the Hanaregoma stable and enrolled his younger brother as a wrestler. The stable has yet to produce a sekitori. As of January 2010 it had six...
  
  , Onoe
  Onoe stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Dewanoumi group of stables. It was established in August 2006 by former komusubi Hamanoshima, who branched off from Mihogaseki stable and took several of its leading wrestlers with him...
  
   and Oitekaze
  Oitekaze stable
  The is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tatsunami ichimon or group of stables. It was established in its modern incarnation on 1 October 1998 by former maegashira Daishoyama, who is the stable's current head coach...
  
   stables.
• 17: The ninth and final batch of drug tests comprises 97 members of the Kitanoumi
  Kitanoumi stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Dewanoumi ichimon or group of stables. It was set up in 1985 by former yokozuna Kitanoumi, who branched off from Mihogaseki stable. It absorbed Hatachiyama stable in 2006, following the death of its head coach, former ozeki Hokuten'yū...
  
  , Nishonoseki
  Nishonoseki Stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Nishonoseki group of stables named after it. It first appeared in the late eighteenth century and was re-established in its current form in 1935 by the 32nd Yokozuna Tamanishiki while still active...
  
  , Shibatayama
  Shibatayama Stable
  Shibatayama Stable is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Nishonoseki group of stables. It was founded in 1999 by former yokozuna Onokuni. It is a small stable, with six wrestlers as of February 2008...
  
  , Nakamura
  Nakamura Stable
  is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Takasago group of stables. It was established in its modern incarnation in May 1986 by Fujizakura of the Takasago stable. The stable's first sekitori was Saigo in November 1995. It has yet to produce any makuuchi wrestlers. As of December 2007 had 14 sumo...
  
  , Shikihide and Tomozuna
  Tomozuna stable
  The is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tatsunami ichimon or group of stables. It has a long and prestigious history. Its current head coach is former sekiwake Kaiki, who is also a director of the Japan Sumo Association...
  
   stables.
• The autumn regional tour visits the following locations:

18: Yokohama

Yokohama

is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...

, Kanagawa Prefecture

Kanagawa Prefecture

is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Japan. The capital is Yokohama. Kanagawa is part of the Greater Tokyo Area.-History:The prefecture has some archaeological sites going back to the Jōmon period...

23: Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture

Hyogo Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :...

24-25: Uji, Kyoto Prefecture

Kyoto Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Kyoto.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Kyoto prefecture was known as Yamashiro....

26: Takahashi

Takahashi, Okayama

is a city located in Okayama, Japan.As of April 30, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 34,119, with a household number of 13,990 and the density of 62.37 persons per km². The total area is 547.01 km².The city was founded on May 1, 1954....

, Okayama Prefecture

Okayama Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Okayama.- History :During the Meiji Restoration, the area of Okayama Prefecture was known as Bitchū Province, Bizen Province and Mimasaka Province.- Geography :...

29: Sukumo, Kochi Prefecture

Kochi Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located on the south coast of Shikoku. The capital is the city of Kōchi.- History :Prior to the Meiji Restoration, Kōchi was known as Tosa Province and was controlled by the Chosokabe clan in the Sengoku period and the Yamauchi family during the Edo period.- Geography...

30-31: Hiroshima

Hiroshima

is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on it at 8:15 A.M...

November

• 1: The tour concludes at Shunan, Yamaguchi Prefecture
  Yamaguchi Prefecture
  is a prefecture of Japan in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Yamaguchi, in the center of the prefecture. The largest city, however, is Shimonoseki.- History :...
  
  .
• 2: The banzuke for the Kyushu tournament is released. Asashoryu returns to the prestigious East Yokozuna position following his playoff win, and Kaio is listed in the makuuchi division for a record 98th time. Chiyotaikai is kadoban for a record 14th time. For the first time since 2003, there are no rikishi making their sanyaku or makuuchi debuts for the second tournament in a row.
• 9:The Tokyo District Court awards Kitanoumi and the Sumo Association 3.85 million yen in damages over an article published in the Shukan Gendai in June 2007, alleging that the ex-chairman had ordered Hakuho's stablemaster Miyagino to mediate in the fixing of a bout between Hakuho and Asashoryu on the final day of the July 2006 tournament.
• 22:The Sumo association announces that all those involved in the latest rounds of drug tests are clean. This means that all those tested since the process began in April have come back negative.
• 29: At the Kyushu basho Hakuho wins his third championship of the year, with a perfect 15-0 record. He also breaks Asashoryu's record set in 2005 of most wins in a calendar year, by establishing a new mark of 86 wins out of 90 regulation bouts. Runners up on 12-3 are two maegashira, Tochinoshin and Miyabiyama, who share the Fighting Spirit prize. Toyonoshima wins eleven and receives the Technique Award. Chiyotaikai is demoted from ozeki after a record 65 consecutive tournaments after suffering his eighth defeat against Asashoryu on Day 10. Asashoryu himself gets to 11-0 before losing his last four bouts to Harumafuji, Kotomitsuki, Kotoōshū and (for the sixth time in a row) Hakuho. The juryo championship is won by former maegashira Kitataiki who wins a three way playoff after a 10-5 score.

December

• The winter regional tour visits the following locations:
  • 6-7: Kumamoto
    Kumamoto, Kumamoto
    is the capital city of Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Greater Kumamoto has a population of 1,460,000, as of the 2000 census...
    
    , Kumamoto Prefecture
    Kumamoto Prefecture
    is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyushu Island. The capital is the city of Kumamoto.- History :Historically the area was called Higo Province; and the province was renamed Kumamoto during the Meiji Restoration. The creation of prefectures was part of the abolition of the feudal system...
    
    
  • 9: Nogata, Fukuoka Prefecture
    Fukuoka Prefecture
    is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyūshū Island. The capital is the city of Fukuoka.- History :Fukuoka Prefecture includes the former provinces of Chikugo, Chikuzen, and Buzen....
    
    
  • 12: Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture
  • 13: Yamaga, Kumamoto Prefecture
  • 15-16: Urasoe
    Urasoe, Okinawa
    is a city located in Okinawa, Japan. The neighboring municipalities are Naha to the south, Ginowan to the north, and Nishihara to the east.Urasoe was the original capital of the Okinawan kingdom of Chūzan for several centuries until it was supplanted by Shuri in the late 14th or early 15th century...
    
    , Okinawa Prefecture
    Okinawa Prefecture
    is one of Japan's southern prefectures. It consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū to Taiwan. Okinawa's capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island...
    
    

• The Tokyo High Court upholds the March 26 ruling against Kodansha, but reduces the damages to 39.6 million yen from 42.9 million, with Asashoryu's original amount being reduced to 7.7 million from 11 million. The judge calls the articles "sloppy journalism."
• 21:The banzuke for the forthcoming Hatsu basho in January 2010 is released. For the first time in 66 tournaments, Chiyotaikai is listed as a sekiwake. Two wrestlers are making their juryo debuts - a Chinese citizen from Inner Mongolia
  Inner Mongolia
  Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China, located in the northern region of the country. Inner Mongolia shares an international border with the countries of Mongolia and the Russian Federation...
  
  , Sokokurai, and former college champion Myogiryu.

Deaths

• 1 March: Former maegashira Onobori, aged 83.
• 7 June: Former maegashira Daikiko, the first sekitori
  Sekitori
  A sekitori is a sumo wrestler who is ranked in one of the top two professional divisions: makuuchi and juryo.Currently there are 70 rikishi in these divisions...
  
   from Musashigawa stable
  Musashigawa stable
  Fujishima stable is a heya or stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Dewanoumi group of stables. It was set up on 29 August 1981 by Musashigawa Oyakata, the former yokozuna Mienoumi, who branched off from Dewanoumi stable...
  
  , aged 41, of a cerebral haemorrhage.