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INSIDE SUMO

Hakuoho's (left) impressive performance at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament saw him nearly win the Emperor's Cup in his top-division debut.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 4, 2023
JSA on right track with new rules to increase pro sumo participation
Revisions to the tsukedashi system will see more spots reserved for top amateur performers in the third and fourth divisions.
Takakeisho's (right) henka against Atamifuji in Sunday's Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament title playoff drew significant ire from sumo fans.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 27, 2023
Frustrating September tournament contained silver linings
The worst possible outcome for a playoff has set up an even more intriguing storyline for the final grand tournament of the year in November.
Atamifuji is declared the winner following his bout against Mitakeumi at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Day 6 of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.
SUMO / Inside Sumo
Sep 21, 2023
Eyes on Atamifuji for possible record at autumn sumo tournament
The 21-year-old wrestler enters Day 12 of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament having won 10 of his first 11 bouts.
Hokutofuji (right) grapples with Kirishima during Day 3 of the Autumn Basho at Ryogoku Kokugikan on Tuesday.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 13, 2023
Hokutofuji shines early as sumo's English streaming era begins
The Day 2 presentation by YouTube channel Sumo Prime Time was a welcome development for international fans.
Daieisho (left) and Kirishima take part in a practice session at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Saturday.
SUMO / Inside Sumo
Sep 6, 2023
Power of ozeki trio on display in muted return of open practice session
The first Yokozuna Deliberation Council sōken training session open to the public in four years has taken place at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
Kotonowaka surely has his eyes on eventually emulating his grandfather, former grand champion Kotozakura.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 30, 2023
New sumo ranks highlight rise of next generation
Ahead of the autumn tournament in Tokyo, it's the up-and-coming wrestlers who are making waves.
Hoshoryu (left) beats rank-and-file wrestler Hokutofuji in a playoff on the final day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Dolphins Arena last month.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 23, 2023
A closer look at sumo's 'hot hand' after Hokutofuji's Nagoya run
Hokutofuji’s career best 12-win outing in July not only came out of the blue, but was his first winning record of any kind since the previous September.
Concerns over brain injuries could one day see wrestlers return to a standing tachiai (initial charge) rather than crouching.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 16, 2023
Future of sumo could feature bigger rings — and better care
Though notoriously slow to change, the next 50-100 years could see a number of major developments that alter how sumo is contested and enjoyed.
Sandanme-division wrestler Hibikiryu (center), who suffered a head injury during the 2021 March Grand Sumo Tournament, died one month later from acute respiratory failure.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 9, 2023
Sumo still failing to provide adequate medical care for wrestlers
An incident involving maegashira Tobizaru at the ongoing regional tour shows that sumo lags behind other sports, including rugby, in emergency treatment.
Hakuoho displayed power, grit and technique on the way to 11 wins in his top-division debut last month at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 2, 2023
Hakuoho hints at what's to come with breakout makuuchi debut
Last month's Nagoya Basho may have just been the coming out party for sumo’s newest superstar.
Hoshoryu (right), joined by Tatsunami stablemaster, participates in a news conference following his promotion to ozeki in Nagoya on Wednesday.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 27, 2023
Hoshoryu's Nagoya triumph shows enduring power of Mongolian rikishi
Kirishima and Hoshoryu’s promotions to ozeki have shown that the Mongolian era of sumo dominance isn’t close to concluding just yet.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 19, 2023
Amateur sumo star embarks on journey made for Hollywood with NCAA football move
Hidetora Hanada will be joining the Colorado State Rams, marking another huge step in what has been a whirlwind 16 months for the university sumo superstar.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 12, 2023
Nagoya Basho roars back with early thrills and rocking atmosphere
With Terunofuji out, various promotion challenges figure to monopolize the headlines over the next 10 days.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 5, 2023
Heat is on for most anticipated Nagoya tournament in years
High temperatures combined with oppressive humidity and constant thunderstorms create a challenging environment for both rikishi and fans alike at the July Basho.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 28, 2023
Latest sumo rankings showcase sport's up and coming stars
Hakuoho, 19, is just the latest in a long line of young Japanese athletes to receive massive media attention. Can he live up to the hype?
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 21, 2023
Sumo needs to control its narrative as its popularity rises abroad
As awareness of the sport increases internationally and its global fanbase continues to expand, it’s important that sumo works hard to counter false information.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 14, 2023
Give overworked sumo wrestlers a break — literally
A mid-summer pause would allow rikishi to heal up ahead of the two most arduous and punishing months on the schedule.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 7, 2023
Sumo's 'flat circle' keeps turning as upstarts replace iconic veterans
As Tochinoshin, Ichinojo, and Ishiura exit the stage, new talents are rising to take their places.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 31, 2023
Summer Basho offered excitement and a streamlined experience for sumo fans
The sport has emerged from three years of pandemic-era restrictions into a rapidly changing landscape that requires better delivery of content and a more attractive in-arena experience.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 24, 2023
Ex-ozeki Tochinoshin's retirement a heavy blow for European sumo
In addition to being a fan favorite and a well-liked rikishi inside the sport, Tochinoshin’s presence ensured sumo’s continued popularity in the Caucasus region.

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