Hakuhō Shō

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
In this Japanese name, the surname is Hakuhō.

Hakuhō Shō
白鵬 翔
Asashōryū
)
* Up to date as of 28 January 2023.

Hakuhō Shō (

yokozuna
.

In 2009, he broke the record for the most wins in a calendar year, winning 86 out of 90 bouts, and repeated this feat with the same record again in 2010 when he established the second longest winning streak in sumo history. He also holds the record for the most undefeated tournament championships at sixteen, which is eight more than any other sumo wrestler in history.

He was the only active yokozuna from 2010, following the retirement of his rival and fellow Mongolian Asashōryū, until 2012 with the promotion of fellow Mongolian Harumafuji. In March 2021, he became the only active yokozuna once again following the retirement of his rival and fellow Mongolian Kakuryū until the promotion of fellow Mongolian Terunofuji four months later.[1][2]

In January 2015, he broke

Japanese citizenship
in 2019.

Hakuhō retired from professional sumo at the end of September 2021, closing out a 20-year career in the sport.

Washington Post called him the "greatest figure in sports, maybe ever."[8]

Early life and sumo background

Like many of his countrymen in professional sumo, Hakuhō belongs to a family in the Mongolian wrestling tradition. His father Jigjidiin Mönkhbat won a silver medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1968 Summer Olympics,[9] his country's first ever Olympic medal,[10] and held the highest ranking in Mongolian wrestling, "Darkhan Avarga" (meaning "Undisputed Champion"), which is the Mongolian equivalent of yokozuna. Davaajargal did not however have any formal training in Mongolian wrestling himself, as his father wished him to try other sports, and he concentrated on basketball as a child instead.[9] However, at an early age he would be seen reading sumo magazines, and when his father asked him why he liked sumo so much, he responded by saying he wanted to be as big as a sumo wrestler one day. At that time he was considered below average in size.

He went to Japan in October 2000 when he was fifteen years old, invited by pioneering Mongolian wrestler Kyokushūzan.[11] Because he weighed only 62 kg (137 lb), no sumo training stable (heya) was prepared to accept him. Hearing this, Kyokushūzan asked heya master Miyagino-oyakata to intercede, and Davaajargal was accepted to Miyagino stable on the last day of his two-month stay in Japan, 24 December 2000. He was given the ring name (shikona) Hakuhō, with haku meaning "white" and hō, meaning the Chinese mythological bird Peng. His shikona also emulates that of former yokozuna Taihō.[12]

Hakuhō made his professional debut at the March tournament (honbasho) in Osaka in 2001[13] despite having no previous wrestling experience. His weight increased steadily as he rose in the ranks reaching the second highest jūryō division in January 2004, and the top makuuchi division in May of the same year.[13] In his very first top-division tournament, he scored twelve wins against three losses and was awarded a special prize (sanshō) for Fighting Spirit.[13] He also enjoyed great success in subsequent tournaments, winning a gold star (kinboshi) for defeating yokozuna Asashōryū in November 2004 while still at the lowest makuuchi rank of maegashira.[13] This tournament also saw him finish as runner-up for the first time.[13] He achieved a rapid promotion to the rank of komusubi in January 2005 and sekiwake only one tournament later.[13] His progress was delayed by an injury which forced him to take leave (zen-kyu) from the Nagoya tournament in 2005.[13]

His ōzeki promotion came in March 2006 after a 13–2 record, which included a playoff for the championship (which he lost to Asashōryū) and also earned him two special prizes for Outstanding Performance and Technique.[14] This gave him a three tournament record of 35 wins against ten losses. His promotion was confirmed just a few weeks after his twenty-first birthday, making him the fourth youngest wrestler to reach ōzeki in modern sumo history.[15]

Ōzeki

At his first tournament as ōzeki in May 2006, with Asashōryū absent, Hakuhō won his first championship (

kadoban) in January 2007, when he scored a respectable ten wins on his return to the ring.[13]

Promotion to yokozuna

dohyō-iri
.

In March 2007 Hakuhō won his second championship in

danpatsu-shiki) on 2 June.[24]

Yokozuna

2007

Hakuhō's first tournament as a yokozuna was in July 2007.[13] His 25 match winning streak was brought to an end by Kotomitsuki on the 10th day, and further losses to Kotoōshū and Chiyotaikai put him out of contention for the title. He finished the tournament with an 11–4 record.[13]

Hakuhō's first tournament championship as a yokozuna came in September 2007 with a 13–2 record, triumphing over Chiyotaikai on the last day.[13] His second title as a yokozuna, and fifth overall, came in the following tournament in November with a 12–3 score.[13] He lost to Kotomitsuki on the final day but the championship had already been decided earlier in the day when his only challenger Chiyotaikai pulled out through injury.[25] His yokozuna rival Asashōryū missed both these tournaments through suspension.[26]

Hakuhō throws Dejima in the January 2008 tournament

2008

In the January 2008 tournament, he faced the returning Asashōryū on the final day with both wrestlers having a 13–1 score. In a bout lasting nearly a minute, Hakuhō defeated Asashōryū, winning his 6th championship with a 14–1 record. In the March 2008 tournament the two yokozuna met once again to decide the title and this time Asashōryū got his revenge, with Hakuhō finishing as runner-up.

In the May 2008 tournament, he won his first nine consecutive bouts.[13] On the 10th day, however, he lost to Ama for the fourth time in their last five meetings, injuring his ankle in the process. Subsequent losses to Kotoōshū (the eventual winner of the tournament) and Kotomitsuki put him out of contention for the championship. He finished on 11–4, losing to Asashōryū on the final day in a match that sparked scandal after the two yokozuna nearly came to blows when Asashōryū gave Hakuhō an extra shove after the bout was over.[27] Both wrestlers were given a warning over their conduct by the Japan Sumo Association.[27]

In July 2008, with Asashōryū pulling out through injury he won his seventh championship without a serious challenge, securing victory by the 13th day: the first time this had been achieved since January 2005.[28] He finished the tournament unbeaten; his second zenshō-yūshō. Although he lost on day five of the September tournament, he still dominated all other opponents and secured another championship on the 14th day.[29] He finished the tournament with a 14–1 record.

In the November tournament Hakuhō was once again the sole yokozuna participating. He lost his opening bout to Aminishiki and his 12th day bout to Ama. Both Hakuhō and Ama finished with a 13–2 record and the eventual play-off was won by Hakuhō, handing him his fourth yūshō of the season and ninth in total.[13]

2009

Hakuhō fights Asashōryū in an exhibition bout on 10 April 2009.

In the January 2009 tournament Hakuhō defeated Asashōryū on the final day in their first meeting since May, handing his fellow yokozuna his first defeat of the tournament and leaving both men with identical 14–1 records. Hakuhō was however beaten in the subsequent playoff.[30] Hakuhō defeated Asashōryū again in the March tournament, this time capping off an undefeated 15–0 championship, his third zenshō-yūshō and his tenth championship overall.[31]

In May he extended his winning run to 33 regulation bouts, the best since Asashōryū's 35 in 2004, until he was defeated by Kotoōshū on Day 14. He recovered to beat Asashōryū on Day 15 to finish at 14–1, but he lost the playoff bout to

Harumafuji who claimed his first championship.[13]

In July he won his eleventh championship, finishing one win ahead of

Kotoōshū with another 14–1 score.[13] He almost pulled off his twelfth championship in the following September tournament. One win behind Asashōryū for most of the tournament after giving away his first kinboshi in a year (to Shōtenrō) he forced a playoff by beating his rival on the final day, but then lost in the succeeding playoff bout. This was a very similar scenario to his loss to Asashōryū in the preceding January tournament. Regardless of this loss, he still managed to become the first makuuchi wrestler ever to win fourteen or more bouts in five consecutive tournaments. He also became the first wrestler ever to lose three makuuchi playoffs in one year.[32] After the tournament he was diagnosed with ligament damage in his left elbow; however surgery was not required.[33]

On 28 November, the fourteenth day of the Kyushu basho, he clinched his twelfth tournament championship and broke Asashōryū's 2005 record for most bouts won in a calendar year, which had stood at 84.[34] He defeated Asashōryū the following day to secure his fourth career zenshō-yūshō and set his 2009 record total at 86 wins.[35] This was also his fourteenth consecutive yūshō or jun-yūshō (winner or runner-up) performance, another record.[13]

2010

In the opening tournament of the year Hakuhō's 30 bout winning streak was ended by Baruto on Day 7, and he suffered consecutive losses to ozeki Harumafuji and Kaiō on Days 12 and 13 to concede the title to Asashōryū by Day 14. He gained some consolation by beating his yokozuna rival for the seventh straight time in regulation bouts on the final day to finish the tournament on 12–3.[13]

Hakuhō expressed his shock at the retirement of Asashōryū in February, following allegations his fellow yokozuna had assaulted a man in a drunken brawl outside a nightclub during the previous tournament. Fighting back tears he said, "I don't want to believe it. I was honoured to wrestle in the same era as him."[36] After getting regularly beaten by Asashōryū earlier in his career, Hakuhō came to completely dominate him, winning all of their last seven regulation matches (excluding two tournament-playoff defeats) and finishing with a 14–13 record over his greatest rival.[37]

He won the Osaka tournament in March with a perfect 15–0 record, his fifth undefeated score and thirteenth championship overall. After his victory he spoke of the extra pressure now that he was sumo's lone yokozuna and his relief at the win.[38]

Hakuhō wrapped up his fourteenth championship in May by Day 13 (his earliest yūshō win since July 2008) and went on to record his sixth zenshō-yūshō, the first time he has achieved this in consecutive tournaments. With the win, he equalled the number of yūshō won by yokozuna

Wajima, and to commemorate this he switched to wearing Wajima's trademark gold coloured mawashi.[39]

In July 2010 a special committee reviewing the extent of illegal gambling within sumo revealed that Hakuhō had bet several tens of thousands of yen on hanafuda Japanese card games with his fellow wrestlers twice a year or so. However, the committee said that he would not be punished as it was not considered a serious offence.[40] He nonetheless appeared along with nearly 80 other wrestlers at a press conference and apologised to sumo fans for his actions.[41] On the 14th day of the Nagoya tournament he won his 46th consecutive bout, surpassing Taihō's 45, behind only Chiyonofuji's 53 and Futabayama's 69 as the longest winning run since the beginning of the Shōwa era. He clinched his fifteenth yūshō on the same day, and on the final day he secured his third consecutive 15–0 record, the first wrestler ever to achieve this.[42] However, he did not receive the Emperor's Cup or any other trophy, as the Sumo Association decided to withdraw them in response to the gambling scandal.[43] Hakuhō commented, "I hope we will not have a tournament like this ever again."[43]

On Day 6 of the Aki basho in September he equalled the 53-bout

Kitanoumi estimated that Hakuhō had a possibility of "about 80 percent" of breaking the record, which he would achieve on the eighth day of the November tournament.[46] Hakuhō wrapped up the Aki basho by defeating Harumafuji to achieve his fourth perfect record in a row. This was also his eighth zenshō-yūshō overall, equalling the record held jointly Futabayama and Taihō.[47]

On the first day of the November 2010 tournament, Hakuhō defeated

Toyonoshima in a playoff to win the championship. He finished the year on 86 wins in regulation matches, equalling the record he set in 2009. At a press conference following his victory, he revealed that having his winning run halted before breaking Futabayama's record affected him so badly that he considered withdrawing from the tournament.[50]

On 21 December he was awarded the Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize, receiving the Prime Minister's Trophy from Naoto Kan.[51]

Yokozuna Hakuho original tegata (handprint & signature)

2011

In the January 2011 tournament in Tokyo he was surprisingly beaten by Kisenosato for the second time in a row but he secured his eighteenth championship on the fourteenth day. In doing so Hakuhō became only the third man after Taihō and Asashōryū to win six consecutive tournaments.[52]

During the May "technical examination tournament" Hakuhō notched up his 500th win in the top division, with a victory over

Kitataiki on Day 5.[53] He achieved this total with the loss of just 99 top division bouts since his debut in May 2004 – a winning percentage of 83%.[53] He was defeated by Harumafuji on Day 13 but went on to win his seventh straight championship, equalling Asashōryū's record, despite losing to Kaiō on the final day.[54]

Hakuhō was defeated on the eleventh day of the July 2011 tournament by sekiwake

Kotoshōgiku and his quest for a record eighth straight yūshō ended on Day 14 when he was beaten by Harumafuji to drop two wins behind.[55] He also lost his final day match to Baruto to finish on 12–3, his poorest result since January 2010. Nevertheless, it was still enough for runner-up honours, his twelfth.[13]

He was defeated by Kisenosato for the third time in five meetings on Day 12 of the September tournament and then lost to Kotoshōgiku for the second time in a row the following day. However he rallied to beat Baruto on Day 14 and then Harumafuji on the final day to clinch his twentieth tournament championship.[56] On 25 November 2011, he won his 21st tournament title in Fukuoka, moving to 13–0 with none of his rivals scoring better than 10–3.[57] He finished the tournament on 14–1, his only loss coming to Baruto on the final day.[58]

2012

Hakuhō finished second to

Hokutōriki in a playoff in May 2004.[60] With this victory Hakuhō drew level with Takanohana in fifth place on the all–time list of most top division tournament championships.[60]

In the May 2012 tournament Hakuhō fractured his left index finger in an opening day loss to Aminishiki, and he dropped further matches to

Tochiōzan an automatic twelfth win. Hakuhō's defeat by Harumafuji on Day 15 meant he finished on 10–5, his worst ever score as a yokozuna and the first time since his debut at the rank, 29 tournaments ago, that he failed to be at least the runner–up.[13]

After losing to Harumafuji on the last day in both the July and September tournaments (as well as maegashira Tochiōzan in September) and seeing his fellow Mongolian claim the yūshō in both and earn promotion to yokozuna himself,

Chiyonofuji
's record eight in a row from 1981 to 1988.

2013

Hakuhō finished joint runner up on 12–3 in the opening tournament of 2013, giving up a

Kitanoumi in fourth place on the list of most career championships,[64] behind only Asashōryū with 25, Chiyonofuji with 31 and Taihō with 32. Hakuhō also recorded his 650th win in the top division in this tournament, moving him into eighth place all-time. In the May tournament he won his 25th championship, equaling Asashōryū's mark. By again recording an undefeated tournament record, his final two victories coming over Kisenosato and Harumafuji, he increased his winning streak to 30 bouts.[65]

Hakuhō extended his streak to 43 bouts by winning his first 13 matches in the Nagoya tournament in July, assuring himself of his 26th tournament victory with two days to spare.[66] He was finally defeated by Kisenosato on Day 14,[67] and also lost to Harumafuji on the final day. He won his fourth tournament in a row, and the 27th of his career, in the Aki basho in September, losing only one bout to Gōeidō.[68] In November he went into a final day showdown with his fellow yokozuna Harumafuji, with both men tied on 13–1. Harumafuji won this bout to claim his sixth championship, with Hakuhō having to settle for his 17th second-place result.[69] He finished the year with 82 wins out of 90 bouts, a record that has only been bettered by himself (twice) and Asashōryū.

2014

Gōeidō
, May 2014

Hakuhō won the first tournament of 2014. After going undefeated in his first 14 matches, Hakuhō lost to Kakuryū on the final day. As Kakuryū had a 14–1 record, this prompted the two to again meet in a tie-breaking bout. After losing 20 minutes prior, Hakuhō won his twenty-eighth yūshō by defeating Kakuryū in this tie breaker.[70]

In the March tournament, Hakuhō was bested by Kakuryū and finished runner-up, tied with Gōeidō at 12–3.[71] He returned in May to win his twenty-ninth yūshō with a record of 14–1, only losing once to Gōeidō.[72] He then won his thirtieth yūshō with a 13–2 record in July, becoming only the third man in history to have 30 or more top division championships.[73]

On Day 14 of the September tournament, he defeated the up-and-coming Ichinojō, who he was tied with at 12–1.[74] The following day, Hakuhō clinched the championship, winning his third tournament in a row, and the 31st of his career, having lost only one bout, to Gōeidō.[75] It also drew him level with Chiyonofuji in second place on the list of most career championships.[75]

In the next tournament in Fukuoka, he continued his dominance, again losing only one bout (against Takayasu on day six[76]) and taking the championship to tie him with Taihō for the most championships in sumo history, defeating fellow yokozuna Kakuryū with a yorikiri push-out, for a 14–1 record and his 32nd Emperor's Cup.[77] Hakuhō finally was able to fulfill a promise he had made during a visit to Taihō just two days before his death in January 2013 and equal the record,[78] which had stood for over 40 years. After an emotional presentation ceremony Hakuhō remarked, "I could achieve this accomplishment because the soul of the Japanese and the god of sumo gave a mandate to my efforts".[78]

2015

Hakuhō broke Taihō's record in the opening tournament of 2015, clinching the championship on the 13th day by defeating

Kitanoumi commented, "Nobody can touch Hakuho... I’d like to see him go for 40 titles. If he keeps going the way he is, that’s a possibility."[80] He was however criticized for turning up an hour late to his press conference the next day, having reportedly been out drinking until 7am celebrating his victory.[81]

In Osaka in March Hakuhō won his sixth consecutive championship, a feat only achieved four times previously (twice by Taihō, once by Asashōryū and once by himself). His 36 bout winning streak was brought to an end by

Ichinojo.[83] He ended up finishing runner-up to Terunofuji on 11–4, thus ending his hopes of equalling his and Asashōryū's record of seven straight championships.[84] However, he won his 35th title in Nagoya in July, finishing two wins ahead of the rest of the field on 14–1.[85]

In September Hakuhō lost to

Tochiōzan.[90]

2016

In January 2016 Hakuhō won his first ten matches but then lost to Kotoshōgiku, the eventual winner of the tournament, on Day 11.

Takarafuji on the first day,[93] but won his remaining fourteen matches to take his 36th championship. His win was poorly received as he employed a henka (sidestep at the initial charge) to defeat Harumafuji on the final day and clinch the title.[94] Speaking after the match Hakuhō said that he had never planned to win with a henka "and I feel really bad about that."[95]

On the opening day of the May tournament in Tokyo he equalled Kaiō's record of 879 top division wins, and surpassed it the next day by gaining revenge over Takarafuji who had defeated him in the previous tournament.[4] He secured his 37th championship on the fourteenth day when his only challenger Kisenosato fell to his second loss, and he rounded off the tournament by defeating Kakuryū with a rare backward pivot throw (utchari) to ensure a 29th consecutive victory and a perfect 15–0 record.[96] His winning streak of 33 bouts was brought to an end on the 5th day of the July 2016 tournament when he lost once again to Takarafuji.[97] He finished the tournament with a mediocre 10–5 record, hampered by an injury to his right big toe.[98] He struggled to recover from his injuries and on 8 September he announced that he would miss the whole of the upcoming tournament explaining "I’m sorry to the fans. I want to work on healing in time for the autumn regional tour and the Kyushu Basho".[99]

After undergoing surgery on his toe injury Hakuhō returned to action at the November tournament. On the third day he became only the third wrestler, after Chiyonofuji and Kaiō, to reach 1000 career wins.[100] Afterwards he admitted to nerves having fallen short of his target with a 10–5 record in July and then having to sit out the September tournament, and expressed relief that he was "finally able to do it."[100] Hakuhō went on to get an 11–4 record in November.[13]

2017

In the opening tournament of 2017 Hakuhō lost on Day 8 to maegashira

Kisenosato, he finished in a share for third place. This marked the first time in Hakuhō's yokozuna career that he had gone four tournaments without winning the championship.[103] He pulled out of the March tournament on the fifth day because of toe and thigh injuries.[104]

The May 2017 tournament saw Hakuhō ranked as a yokozuna on the

Aoiyama and clinched his 39th title with a win over Harumafuji. After receiving his trophy he said "I lost on the 11th day, but the way I turned back the tide after that was in my head so I was able to get on the ring relaxed today. To be able to break Kaio's 1,047 record and Chiyonofuji's 1,045 mark at the same tournament is gratifying. I'd like to go back to my hometown and rest up tomorrow but the thing in my head right now is 1,000 wins in makuuchi."[108]

Hakuhō missed the September 2017 tournament because of a knee injury, meaning three yokozuna were absent from the start of a tournament for the first time since the beginning of the

Tottori the previous month, saying "I want Harumafuji and Takanoiwa back in the dohyō."[113] Hakuhō, who was present at the alleged assault, promised to investigators to "tell them exactly what I saw."[113] On 20 December 2017 the Sumo Association announced that he was being docked all of his salary for January 2018, and half for February, for failing to act when Takanoiwa was attacked.[114] Fellow yokozuna Kakuryū was docked just his January pay. The chairman of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council said, "Hakuho and Kakuryu were not able to stop the incident from happening and being taken too far. Their responsibility should not be taken lightly. They should be given a strong warning."[114]

2018

Hakuhō pulled out of the January 2018 tournament on Day 5 after injuring his left big toe in a defeat to

maegashira ranked wrestlers on consecutive days since his promotion to yokozuna.[115] He was ranked as a yokozuna for the 64th time on the March 2018 banzuke, breaking the previous record of 63 tournaments as a yokozuna held by Kitanoumi.[116] However, his stablemaster announced that he would sit out the tournament because ligament damage in the left big toe required three weeks of recovery time.[117] On 9 April 2018 his father Jigjidiin Mönkhbat died.[118] He returned to competition at the Natsu tournament in May, finishing with an 11–4 record.[119]

He withdrew on Day 4 of the July tournament at the beginning of the day's bouts, due to a right knee injury.[120]

On 22 September 2018, the 14th day of the Aki Basho, Hakuhō created history by winning his 41st Emperor's Cup and scoring his 1000th victory in sumo's top makuuchi division.[121] The following day he completed the tournament undefeated, the 14th time he had achieved a zensho-yusho, extending his own record.[122] His victory also meant he had won at least one top division championship for 13 consecutive years, beating the previous record of 12 held by Taihō.[123]

He withdrew from the regional tour following the September tournament because of a recurrence of his right knee injury and underwent surgery on 18 October.[124] He confirmed on 8 November that he was withdrawing from the November tournament because of persistent pain in the knee. This is the first year since 2006 that he has won only one tournament in a calendar year.[125]

2019

Hakuhō won his first ten matches in January 2019, but then lost three in a row to

Takakeishō. He withdrew from the tournament on Day 14, with his stablemaster revealing that Hakuhō injured his right knee on Day 4 and his left ankle on Day 5.[126]
It was his 11th career withdrawal, and his fifth in the last seven tournaments.

At the March 2019 tournament, which was the last in the

Kakuryū on the final day. Interviewed after his triumph he said "I entered sumo at the tournament in Osaka, and now I’m here as we ring out the end of the Heisei era, so Osaka has a special place in my heart. I am a creature of this era. Nine years ago in Nagoya, I received a letter from the emperor. This Heisei era means everything to me." Despite appearing to be in pain from an arm injury he then led the crowd in a tejime, a clapping ceremony to mark the end of the era.[127] This was seen as a breach of etiquette as the tournament ceremonies had not yet concluded, and after criticism by the Yokozuna Deliberation Council Hakuhō and his stablemaster apologized to the Sumo Association.[128] Hakuho was issued an official reprimand by the Sumo Association the following month for his actions.[129]

Hakuhō revealed on 31 March that the injury suffered in the March tournament was a muscle tear in his upper right arm, and that he had opted for rest rather than surgery.

dohyo-iri ceremony during the spring tour, and on 9 May his stablemaster confirmed that he would be sitting out the Natsu tournament as he had only begun basic training routines.[131] He resumed full training at the beginning of June, and shortly before the Nagoya tournament declared himself fit to enter.[132]

In the July tournament Hakuhō was defeated by

Terutsuyoshi.[133] It was his first runner-up performance since January 2016. He withdrew from the September 2019 tournament on the second day with a fractured finger.[134] He returned in November 2019 and won the tournament with a 14–1 record, three wins ahead of the rest of the field.[135] He told reporters after the tournament that he had feared he might never win another title, as his doctor had warned his March arm injury might never completely heal.[136] He also said he was aiming for 50 championships before retiring.[136]

In December Hakuhō was nominated by Sumida, one of Tokyo's wards, to be a torchbearer for the 2020 Olympics.[137]

2020

Hakuhō withdrew from Day 4 of the January 2020 tournament, with his stablemaster citing a fever and inflammation of his lower back. He had suffered consecutive defeats to maegashira Endō and Myōgiryū.[138] Having pulled out of four tournaments in 2018 and three in 2019, he had not completed two tournaments in a row since May and July 2017.

At the March 2020 tournament, Hakuhō won his 44th top division yūshō with a 13–2 record.

Kakuryū with both having a 12–2 score, the first time in seven years that two yokozuna had faced each other in the final match of the tournament with an identical record.[139] His victory took place in a virtually empty arena due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first time since 1945 that a tournament had been held without paying spectators.[139]

Hakuho withdrew from the July tournament due to an injury sustained to his right knee late in the tournament; he subsequently had endoscopic surgery on the knee and missed both the September and November tournaments as a result, the first time since his debut that he had missed two consecutive tournaments.[140][141]

Following the November 2020 basho, Hakuhō - along with fellow yokozuna Kakuryū - were issued warnings by the Sumo Association's Yokozuna Deliberation Council due to lack of participation in recent sumo tournaments.[142] This is the middle of three notices that the council can issue between a letter of encouragement and a recommendation for retirement.[143] It is the first time in history that warning notices have been issued.[142]

2021

The Sumo Association announced on 5 January 2021 that Hakuhō tested positive for

COVID-19. He had reported a loss of the sense of smell the day before. The news broke with just five days until the scheduled start of the January 2021 Tournament.[144][145] Therefore he was absent from the tournament. Hakuhō left hospital on 14 January to continue his recovery at home.[146] The whole of the Miyagino stable also sat out the tournament.[147]

Upon the release of the March 2021 banzuke Hakuhō became the first wrestler to spend 100 straight tournaments in makuuchi from his top division debut (without ever falling to jūryō).[148]

After winning his first two bouts of the March tournament, Hakuhō withdrew after doctors informed him that he needed surgery on his right kneecap requiring approximately two months of rehabilitation, meaning that Hakuhō would miss the May 2021 basho. Miyagino Oyakata said that Hakuhō would decide whether or not to continue competing based on his results in the July tournament.[149] He underwent endoscopic surgery on 19 March. This was same knee that had also been operated on in August of the previous year.[150]

On 29 March, the Yokozuna Deliberation Council upheld the warning that was first issued to Hakuhō following the November 2020 tournament. The council announced it would revisit the issue at the end of the July 2021 tournament, which Hakuho referred to as "make or break" for his continued participation in active competition.[151]

Following the retirement of Kakuryū, Hakuho was the sole yokozuna listed on the May 2021 banzuke. This marked the first time since September 2012 that there was only one active yokozuna, and uniquely, Hakuhō was also the sole yokozuna on that occasion.[152] He formally withdrew from the May tournament on May 7, due to his knee surgery, making it the sixth straight tournament he would fail to complete.[153]

Mounting a comeback in July 2021, Hakuhō went undefeated for the first 14 days of the competition and faced ōzeki

Chiyonofuji, who won his final championship at 35 years and five months.[155] Speaking to reporters the next day, Hakuhō said, "The prospect for retirement was looming large, right before me, so I fired myself up more than before."[156]

Hakuhō did not take part in practice sessions for the September 2021 tournament and gave no indication that he was ready to compete.[157] In the event he was withdrawn from the tournament along with the rest of Miyagino stable after two wrestlers tested positive for COVID-19. It was the second time in 2021 that the stable had to withdraw from a basho because of a coronavirus outbreak.[158]

Retirement

Reports emerged after the September 2021 tournament that Hakuhō intended to retire, with his long-standing knee injuries leading him to believe he could no longer complete a 15 day tournament.[159][160] Japan Sumo Association board member Shibatayama confirmed that Hakuhō's retirement papers had been received on 27 September, and that a meeting would be scheduled to approve Hakuhō's acquisition of the Magaki elder stock,[161] which Hakuhō had discussed his hopes to acquire back in March 2021.[162] In April 2021 a committee outside of the Sumo Association had declared that the ichidai-toshiyori system, in which exceptional yokozuna are given special one-generation elder status and allowed them to keep their shikona after retirement, did not in fact exist.[163] This was controversial as it was seen to be aimed at Hakuhō, who would have been the first wrestler since Takanohana in 2003 to be given the honour.[164]

The Sumo Association's Board of Directors officially finalized Hakuhō's retirement on 30 September.[6] Unusually, before approving Hakuhō's acquisition of the Magaki stock the Sumo Association required him to sign a pledge that he would carry out the duties of an elder and that he would not act in ways that went against the "spirit of the way of sumo."[165] At a press conference held the following day, Hakuhō told reporters that he was filled with a sense of relief. He said that he had made the decision to retire after achieving double-digit wins at the July tournament in Nagoya, and waited for the right time because of several factors, including Terunofuji's promotion to yokozuna, the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the COVID-19 outbreak that prevented his stable from competing in the September basho.[166] He was assigned to the Guidance and Promotion Department of the Sumo Association, until the division of duties was decided again in February 2022.[167] When the banzuke for the November 2021 tournament in Fukuoaka was released, there were only 41 wrestlers in the top division instead of the usual 42. Hakuhō's retirement announcement on September 30 had come after the banzuke committee meeting to draw up the new rankings, but an extra wrestler from jūryō was not promoted and instead Hakuhō's name was effectively blanked out from the yokozuna spot he would have occupied.[168] Hakuhō was seen at this tournament in the Sumo Association's blue security uniform, as it is customary for new oyakata to start out as a tournament security guard.[169]

Miyagino in February 2023.

Hakuhō's

dohyō-iri, or ring entering ceremony.[171] About 300 people took turns to cut the ōichōmage bun, with former Miyagino stablemaster Chikubayama making the final cut.[172] The ceremony was also marked by the performance of a sanbasō (三番叟), a ceremonial dance for good omens, by the leading actor of kabuki's Ichikawa house, Ichikawa Danjūrō XIII.[173] Prior to the ceremony, there had been speculation that Hakuhō was intending to open a stable of his own in Tokyo,[174]
but he decided to remain at Miyagino stable.

Career as stablemaster

On 28 July 2022 the

Enhō and Ishiura, and the 2 m (6 ft 6+1⁄2 in) high Mongolian-born Hokuseihō.[176] Miyagino continued to recruit high-potential wrestlers, particularly in amateur circles. In September 2022, former amateur-yokozuna Kihō became the first wrestler recruited by Hakuhō since taking over the Miyagino name.[177] In December of the same year, Miyagino recruited one of the stars of amateur competitions, two-time high school titleholder and corporate champion Hakuōhō. Nicknamed 'Reiwa Monster', Hakuōhō achieved record-breaking promotions and achievements in the space of just 7 months since his official debut as a professional wrestler.[178]
With Tenshōhō [ja]'s promotion to jūryō after the July 2023 tournament, Miyagino successfully raised three new sekitori after only a little over a year at the head of his stable.[179] At a career conference in September 2023, Miyagino made no secret of his hopes to train two yokozuna himself during his coaching career.[180]

Hokuseihō's violence scandal and Miyagino stable's closure

In February 2024, it was announced by the Sumo Association that Hokuseihō, the protégé of Hakuhō, had assaulted several stablemates and that an investigation had been launched after one of them made a formal complaint to the association. Hakuhō was summoned to inform him that disciplinary proceedings had been launched against both of them, risking a salary deduction and a demotion in the toshiyori hierarchy (the elders in charge of running the association).[181][182] On 23 February, the Sumo Association met and accepted their Compliance Committee's report. The board accepted the resignation of Hokuseihō, who had submitted his retirement papers the previous day.[183] Hakuhō told reporters after the board meeting "I'm so sorry for causing concern to the sumo association, fans and those who support me."[184]

Disciplinary decisions also targeted Hakuhō, because the Sumo Association found that he had learned about an assault committed by Hokuseihō that took place during the July 2020 tournament, but did not confirm the incident with either party involved nor reported it to the association.[185] Hakuhō was demoted from iin (committee member) to the lowest ranking of toshiyori (elder) and received a salary cut of 20 percent for three months.[186][187] In the comments to the report submitted to the association, the auditors wrote that had he acted as a stablemaster, it could have possibly prevented the further acts of violence that later occurred over the span of a year.[185] The Sumo Association commented after the affair that more serious disciplinary sanctions could be applied in the event of a new scandal; with spokesman Shibatayama (the 62nd yokozuna Ōnokuni) telling reporters that a suggestion had been made at the Compliance Committee meeting to remove Hakuhō from the association entirely.[184]

Following publication of the association's investigation, the association decided to apply additional disciplinary sanctions with Hakuhō effectively removed as stablemaster of Miyagino stable in all but name for an indefinite period; the Sumo Association commenting at the time that he "lacks a great deal of knowledge and awareness as a master."[187] In practice, the board decision led to the temporary appointment of Tamagaki (the former Tomonohana), a member of the Isegahama ichimon, to supervise Miyagino stable during the March 2024 tournament.[188] After that tournament, the Sumo Association formally announced the closure of Miyagino stable and the transfer of all the wrestlers and coaches (including Hakuhō) to Isegahama stable.[189] After a meeting with Isegahama on 3 April—a few days before Miyagino stable's move in date—Hakuhō said he had been advised to visit the families of all of the Miyagino wrestlers to apologize to them and to alleviate their concerns.[190]

Fighting style

Hakuhō had a straightforward but effective style, reminiscent of yokozuna Takanohana.[191] He has been called the "quintessential all-round sumo wrestler" because of his strength in both grappling and pushing techniques, and his ability to read and respond to his opponent's intentions.[192] However, he said he did not have a special or favourite kimarite, and that "the only thing I am very good at is yorikiri (force-out)".[9] This technique, the most common kimarite in sumo, was used by Hakuhō to win 28% of his matches.[193] He favoured the migi-yotsu position, meaning his right hand was inside and his left hand outside his opponent's arms, and he became famous for his left hand outside grip.[194] He also regularly employed uwate-nage, or outer-arm throw. While meeting foreign journalists in April 2009, Hakuhō said he was studying the techniques of the 35th yokozuna Futabayama, a wrestler whom he greatly admires, in particular his go-no-sen approach to the tachi-ai or initial charge.[9][7] He also tried to use Wakanohana I's trademark move of yobimodoshi, or pulling body slam, in his own bouts.[7]

Hakuhō was criticized for giving his opponents an unnecessary final shove after the bout was already over (dameoshi).

Yoshikaze crashing into the ring side judge Izutzu Oyakata, fracturing Izutzu's left femur and putting him out of action for three months.[197] Hakuhō was warned by the head of the judging committee, Isegahama Oyakata, who said, "he has to understand completely that (such) redundant finishing blows are dangerous."[197] Hakuhō apologized, calling his actions "inexcusable... Even I have weaknesses in the ring that I want to correct."[197] Speaking after his tournament victory in May 2016 he commented, "I don’t know why but when I get into the ring, I turn into a different Hakuho. I think there are two Hakuhos. I'm gentler when I'm not in the ring."[96]

The

Shōdai, in which he stood far back at the tachi-ai and kept his distance throughout the match, by saying he was trying to protect his weak right knee.[198]

Personal life

In February 2007 Hakuhō married Sayoko Wada, then 22 years old, a Japanese university student and

glamour model,[199] after a three-year relationship. The wedding ceremony took place at Meiji Shrine.[200] The couple have four children.[201]

In July 2017 he was reported to be considering taking

Japanese citizenship, which is required to stay in the Japan Sumo Association as an elder after retirement.[202] This would involve giving up Mongolian citizenship, which Hakuhō was reportedly reluctant to do while his father Jigjidiin Mönkhbat was still living.[203] After Mönkhbat's death in April 2018 Hakuhō's mother denied that her husband had been opposed to the idea and said she felt Hakuhō's change in nationality was inevitable.[203] It was reported in April 2019 that Hakuhō had begun the process by applying for renunciation of his Mongolian citizenship,[204] and he announced in September 2019 that he had acquired Japanese citizenship. He chose to change his legal name to his shikona, Hakuhō Shō.[205]

Other activities

Since 2010 Hakuhō has hosted the Hakuhō Cup, an annual amateur sumo event for elementary to middle school children, from both inside and outside Japan, and held at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan.[206] In January 2024 he also announced that he would be the sponsor of the first Dream Girls Cup, a sumo competition open to girls from first grade of elementary school to third grade of high school. The tournament, held in February, is also promoted by Shōko Kanazawa and aims to promote women's sumo.[207]

List of records

Main article: List of sumo record holders

On 4 December 2021 Hakuhō was recognized by Guinness World Records for the following records:

  • Most top division championships: 45
  • Most career wins: 1187
  • Most top division wins: 1093
  • Most undefeated championships: 16
  • Most tournaments ranked as yokozuna: 84[208]

Hakuhō also holds a number of other records, such as most wins as yokozuna (899), most consecutive wins in the 6 tournaments per year era (63, absolute record is 69) and most wins in a calendar year (86, achieved twice).[160] In October 2022 he set the Guinness World Record for creating 104 tegata hand prints in one minute.[209]

Career record

Hakuhō Shō[13]
Year January
Hatsu basho, Tokyo		 March
Haru basho, Osaka		 May
Natsu basho, Tokyo		 July
Nagoya basho, Nagoya		 September
Aki basho, Tokyo		 November
Kyūshū basho, Fukuoka
2001 x (Maezumo) East Jonokuchi #16
3–4
 		 East Jonokuchi #18
5–2
 		 East Jonidan #97
5–2
 		 West Jonidan #55
4–3
 
2002 East Jonidan #33
5–2
 		 East Sandanme #98
6–1
 		 East Sandanme #38
4–3
 		 West Sandanme #23
3–4
 		 West Sandanme #44
4–3
 		 West Sandanme #28
4–3
 
2003 East Sandanme #16
5–2
 		 West Makushita #54
4–3
 		 West Makushita #44
5–2
 		 East Makushita #30
4–3
 		 East Makushita #23
6–1
 		 East Makushita #9
6–1
 
2004 East Jūryō #12
9–6
 		 West Jūryō #8
12–3–P
Champion
 		 East Maegashira #16
12–3
F		 East Maegashira #8
11–4
 		 East Maegashira #3
8–7
 		 West Maegashira #1
12–3
O★
2005 West Komusubi #1
11–4
T		 West Sekiwake #1
8–7
 		 East Sekiwake #1
9–6
 		 East Sekiwake #1
6–3–6
 		 West Maegashira #1
9–6
 		 West Komusubi #1
9–6
 
2006 West Sekiwake #1
13–2
O		 East Sekiwake #1
13–2–P
OT		 West Ōzeki #3
14–1–P
 		 East Ōzeki #1
13–2
 		 East Ōzeki #1
8–7
 		 West Ōzeki #2
Sat out due to injury
0–0–15
2007 West Ōzeki #3
10–5
 		 West Ōzeki #1
13–2–P
 		 East Ōzeki #1
15–0
 		 West Yokozuna #1
11–4
 		 West Yokozuna #1
13–2
 		 East Yokozuna #1
12–3
 
2008 East Yokozuna #1
14–1
 		 East Yokozuna #1
12–3
 		 West Yokozuna #1
11–4
 		 West Yokozuna #1
15–0
 		 East Yokozuna #1
14–1
 		 East Yokozuna #1
13–2–P
 
2009 East Yokozuna #1
14–1–P
 		 West Yokozuna #1
15–0
 		 East Yokozuna #1
14–1–P
 		 East Yokozuna #1
14–1
 		 East Yokozuna #1
14–1–P
 		 West Yokozuna #1
15–0
 
2010 East Yokozuna #1
12–3
 		 East Yokozuna #1
15–0
 		 East Yokozuna #1
15–0
 		 East Yokozuna #1
15–0
 		 East Yokozuna #1
15–0
 		 East Yokozuna #1
14–1–P
 
2011 East Yokozuna #1
14–1
 		 East Yokozuna #1
Tournament Cancelled
0–0–0		 East Yokozuna #1
13–2
 		 East Yokozuna #1
12–3
 		 East Yokozuna #1
13–2
 		 East Yokozuna #1
14–1
 
2012 East Yokozuna #1
12–3
 		 East Yokozuna #1
13–2–P
 		 East Yokozuna #1
10–5
 		 East Yokozuna #1
14–1
 		 East Yokozuna #1
13–2
 		 East Yokozuna #1
14–1
 
2013 East Yokozuna #1
12–3
 		 West Yokozuna #1
15–0
 		 East Yokozuna #1
15–0
 		 East Yokozuna #1
13–2
 		 East Yokozuna #1
14–1
 		 East Yokozuna #1
13–2
 
2014 West Yokozuna #1
14–1–P
 		 East Yokozuna #1
12–3
 		 East Yokozuna #1
14–1
 		 East Yokozuna #1
13–2
 		 East Yokozuna #1
14–1
 		 East Yokozuna #1
14–1
 
2015 East Yokozuna #1
15–0
 		 East Yokozuna #1
14–1
 		 East Yokozuna #1
11–4
 		 East Yokozuna #1
14–1
 		 East Yokozuna #1
0–3–12
 		 West Yokozuna #1
12–3
 
2016 West Yokozuna #1
12–3
 		 West Yokozuna #1
14–1
 		 East Yokozuna #1
15–0
 		 East Yokozuna #1
10–5
 		 West Yokozuna #1
Sat out due to injury
0–0–15		 East Yokozuna #2
11–4
 
2017 East Yokozuna #2
11–4
 		 East Yokozuna #1
2–3–10
 		 West Yokozuna #2
15–0
 		 East Yokozuna #1
14–1
 		 East Yokozuna #1
Sat out due to injury
0–0–15		 West Yokozuna #1
14–1
 
2018 East Yokozuna #1
2–3–10
 		 West Yokozuna #1
Sat out due to injury
0–0–15		 West Yokozuna #1
11–4
 		 West Yokozuna #1
3–1–11
 		 West Yokozuna #1
15–0
 		 East Yokozuna #1
Sat out due to injury
0–0–15
2019 West Yokozuna #1
10–4–1
 		 East Yokozuna #1
15–0
 		 East Yokozuna #1
Sat out due to injury
0–0–15		 West Yokozuna #1
12–3
 		 West Yokozuna #1
0–2–13
 		 West Yokozuna #1
14–1
 
2020 East Yokozuna #1
1–3–11
 		 East Yokozuna #1
13–2
 		 East Yokozuna #1
Tournament Cancelled
0–0–0		 East Yokozuna #1
10–3–2
 		 East Yokozuna #1
Sat out due to injury
0–0–15		 East Yokozuna #1
Sat out due to injury
0–0–15
2021 East Yokozuna #1
Sat out due to COVID rules
0–0–15		 East Yokozuna #1
2–1–12
 		 East Yokozuna #1
Sat out due to injury
0–0–15		 East Yokozuna #1
15–0
 		 East Yokozuna #1
Sat out due to COVID rules
0–0–15
Retired
0–0
Record given as wins–losses–absencies    Top division champion Top division runner-up Retired Lower divisions Non-participation

Playoff
(s)
Divisions:
Jonokuchi

Makuuchi ranks: 
Maegashira

See also

References

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External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hakuhō Shō.


Preceded by 69th Yokozuna
2007 – 2021 		Succeeded by
Yokozuna
 is not a successive rank, and more than one wrestler can hold the title at once
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hakuhō_Shō&oldid=1219009388"