# Nabatame, whose mother hails from Thailand, finds fresh motivation for next June's Bangkok tour: "I want to work hard so I can rank up to Makuuchi and make my return"

The Japan Sumo Association (JSA) held a press conference in Tokyo on October 17 regarding the Grand Sumo Bangkok Tour scheduled for next June, commemorating the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Thailand.

This marks the JSA's third consecutive year hosting an overseas tour following London and Paris, with the event set for three days from June 11 to 13. Eligibility to participate in overseas tours is generally restricted to top-division Makuuchi wrestlers. Juryo wrestler Nabatame (24, Futagoyama stable), whose mother is from Thailand, expressed intense motivation: "When the tour was officially decided, it really fired me up. I want to give it everything I've got to reach Makuuchi so I can return there."

Source: Sponichi Annex

https://www.instagram.com/p/DelbFSYEzkp/

[Sumo Wrestlers' Day Off] A Group Trip to Thailand! Isegahama Stable Tries Muay Thai Abroad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djAygefbIhI

# Hakunofuji returns at Osaka Maishima Jungyo after 8-day absence due to Achilles tendon pain

The Grand Sumo Autumn regional tour made its stop in Maishima, Osaka City on October 17, marking the return of Komusubi Hakunofuji (23, Isegahama stable).

Having joined the tour when it began on October 6, he had been forced to step away since October 9 due to flare-ups in a chronic left Achilles tendon injury. Because intense pain typically leaves him unable to walk for two to three days, he focused strictly on treatment.

On the day of his return, he participated in an exhibition bout (torikumi) against Sekiwake Fujinokawa (21, Isenoumi stable). Starting with the Himeji event on October 18, he plans to monitor his condition and evaluate resuming full practice: "I want to adjust my body starting around tomorrow and see how it goes."

The 19-day Autumn tour has reached its 12th day. Fewer than 10 days remain until the official banzuke release on October 26 for the upcoming Kyushu Basho (starting November 8 at the Fukuoka International Center). In his San'yaku debut at the September Autumn Basho, Hakunofuji defeated two Ozeki—Aonishiki and Kotozakura—yet stalled at just 5 wins. Relinquishing his San'yaku spot, he aims to use the Kyushu Basho, where he will reset from the maegashira ranks, as a launchpad for a counteroffensive.

Source: Sponichi Annex

Record-holding former yokozuna Hakuhō has taken over leadership of the International Sumo Federation from Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, continuing his push to bring sumo to the Olympics

The International Sumo Federation announced on October 16 that former yokozuna Hakuhō (Shō Hakuhō, 41) has taken office as its new president. He was elected at a meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, succeeding Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda. Toyoda had assumed the federation's presidency in September 2025 for a two-year term, but has now passed the role to Hakuhō, who had been serving as an advisor to the federation.

“To me, sumo is life itself. Through sumo, I learned to work hard, respect opponents, show gratitude, and confront difficulties. Now, I believe it is my turn to give back to sumo.”

— Hakuhō Shō

Hakuhō, who won a record 45 championships in grand sumo, retired from active competition in 2021 and assumed the elder name Miyagino, training disciples before resigning from the Japan Sumo Association in June 2025. Since then, he has promoted sumo internationally through initiatives like his "World Grand Slam" concept, organises the Hakuhō Cup international youth tournament, and campaigns to make sumo an Olympic sport.

“While cherishing the traditions, spirit, and values of sumo, I want to share its appeal with more countries and regions across the globe and pass it on to children and the younger generation. Furthermore, by joining hands with everyone involved in sumo worldwide, I consider it my mission to 'unite the world through sumo,' transcending differences in nations, cultures, and languages.”

— Hakuhō Shō

In an inaugural statement on the federation's website, Hakuhō said: "To me, sumo is life itself. Through sumo, I learned to work hard, respect opponents, show gratitude, and confront difficulties. Now, I believe it is my turn to give back to sumo." He added that while preserving the traditions, spirit, and values of sumo, he aims to share its appeal with more countries, pass it on to future generations, and join hands worldwide to unite the world through sumo.

Source: Sumostats

Hi folks, file this under the usual “want to get other people interested in sumo / did not realize NHK deleted the sumo highlights reels” bucket. I know JSA has a channel with all the matches; which were your favorites from this last tournament? Curating a playlist, would love your recommendations. Thanks!

I think this is great. The digital world allows us to get deeper insight on the things that interest us. More interesting topics can be explored and learned about than ever before. It broadens the aperture.

For a short but deep and memorable period of my life I lived in Japan. I had some bouts of homesickness but one of the things that gave me focus and interest was Osumo. Especially because my friend Percy was a rikishi in Azumazeki Oyokata's (Jesse Kuhaulua) stable. This was the time when Akebono (Chad Rowan, whose mother I knew; she was a health aide at my high school) and Musashimaru (Fiamalu Penitani) were dominating along with the brother Takanohana and Wakanohana. Percy's shikona (wrestling name) was Daiki.

I would call Azumazeki stable from my land line to the one hallway landline in the building.  Usually one of the lower ranked wrestlers would answer with a grunt. He would call Percy to that one phone they all shared. Percy would ask Oyokatta if i could come over. I would hear a grunt and then I would catch the train for an hour or so to get there. Today this sounds like such an inconvenience but for me it was not. I was pumped. I was having a once in a lifetime experience.

I got to sit in the stable with the rikishi when I had the time during training and off hours. I got to sit next to Azumazeki Oyokatta and watch them train in the morning, cook and eat brunch together. Play video games and celebrate birthdays. I even had breakfast with Akebono and the Oyokatta-s wife as his topknot was made up with bintsuke.

Sitting with Akebono amd Daiki, Akebono would tell us to eat. His chauffeur would eat with us as his hair was treated.  On the floor between us was a low and large table with more than 30mor platters of all.londs of.pickled vegetables and meats. I remember Alebono telling me he had to rent the building behind the stable to hold all his winnings. Not only dod he get paid he got cars.and many delicacies given to him and the stable.

Other then Percy,  key people, and good friends to Percy, I spent some time with were George Kalima (Yamato) and Tyler Hopkin (Sunahama). I remember one night the 4 of us sitting in a childrens park, sitting on swings if you can believe that. I played music from home some eyes teared up. But the next day thet all got up and beat the crap out of each other.

Tyler's son Masahiro Sunahama Hopkins is featured in this unique series of videos put out by Musahigawa Oyokatta's (Yokozuna Musashimaru) stable. 

At that time I was in Japan I was consuming all I could on Osumo culture but I had limited time and  resources. Percy, George and Tyler would teach me what they could. I would have loved to just walk along and vicariously see Masahiro get immersed in his new life of Osumo like this video shows.

I always wondered where do giant people shop in a country where most people are small. This video shows some of that world once hidden to most.

https://youtu.be/4BhspQiFzW0?is=lGgm4DZnZJ3lLrVA

I saw a new documentary film about sumo last night at the Chicago International Film Festival https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/film/sumo-spirit-weighs-nothing/.

I cannot praise this film highly enough! A+ work and congrats to Erik Shirai, who spent years cultivating a relationship with Sakaigawa-beya to make this film and with the cooperation of the Kyokai has captured a lot of behind-the-scenes moments I haven’t seen in other documentaries or on the heya socials.

The film follows several wrestlers over the course of 2024-2025. We get to see: * Terunofuji during the final year of his wrestling career * Hiradoumi as he rises (& struggles) * Kosei as he does maezumo and trains with his stablemaster the former Kotoshogiku * Yonezawa (now Yonezaryu) as he does maezumo

I have watched a lot of sumo documentaries over the years, and the Japanese ones tend to focus on sumo as a sport and the rikishi purely as athletes, while the docs aimed at overseas viewers spend a lot of time explaining the sport and dallying with/dismissing the “fat man freakshow” stereotypes and generally speaking down to their audience. This film is 100% not that. The filmmaker’s own interest in the world of sumo is focused on the spiritual/ritual/religious aspects of sumo and most importantly, the mindset rikishi have to develop in order to make sacrificing their bodies and years of their lives for sumo worth it—which again, is not something I’ve seen a lot of docs focus on!

I found the interviews particularly sensitive and revealing, because the filmmaker allows the wrestlers to speak freely, at their own pace, and gets to hear some very personal hopes and fears of new wrestlers as well as the reflections of the more seasoned ones.

Did I mention the film is gorgeous?

This film was coproduced by ESPN, so will hopefully it will come to streaming somewhere sometime in the next year. Just wanted to get it on folks’ radar and maybe on your to-watch list!

TIL. So, I just searched Nomi no Sukune Shrine, a Shinto shrine in Tokyo dedicated to the deity of sumo, on Google Maps. Impressively, all the heya then light up on that map.
Clapping twice and wishing to visit!

From Sponichi and Hochi News:

- On the 16th, the autumn sumo tour was held in Kyoto, and Yokozuna Hoshoryu (27, Tatsunami stable), who underwent surgery on his right knee in late July, had a total of 19 bouts against Yokozuna Onosato (26, Nishonoseki stable) and others, with a record of 8 wins and 11 losses. Of these, 14 were against Onosato, with a record of 6 wins and 8 losses. The two also had 10 bouts on the 14th during the tour in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, with Hoshoryu winning 7 wins and 3 losses. After missing the entire Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, he has made good progress in resuming training in the sumo ring in preparation for his return to the tournament at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament (starting November 8th at Fukuoka International Center), his first tournament in two tournaments.

Hoshoryu said, "Winning or losing doesn't matter. I just recovered from an injury. I've only been doing basic exercises up until now, so it should be fine."

On this day, Chairman Hakkaku (former Yokozuna Hokutoumi), who was observing, criticized the training, on Hoshoryu he said "He is still in the rehabilitation stage, but I told him to get in some practice bouts. You won't develop substance unless you do a lot of bouts. If you want to compete in the next tournament, you have to get in some practice bouts."

During the training, he called over Hoshoryu and instructed him to do more bouts. The practice match began with four Yokozuna and Ozeki in a knockout format, when Hoshoryu lost and stepped off the dohyo to let others take his turn, Chairman Hakkaku remarked, “Once a Yokozuna steps onto the dohyo, he doesn’t step down. He’s supposed to keep going. The younger wrestlers are watching. You have to become a wrestler who serves as a role model,” urging him to adopt a higher level of commitment.

On Yokozuna Onosato he said,"Onosato needs sparring practice. He has to do it now. He can't just do it lazily; he has to get up immediately and put all his strength into it." Onosato had been in poor form due to a left shoulder injury, and had been urged to increase the amount of sparring practice in order to regain his power.

"Neither of them seems to understand what it means to be a Yokozuna. They are wrestlers to look up to, and the younger wrestlers (those in the lower ranks) are watching their attitude." He strictly ordered Onosato and Hoshoryu to increase their training volume.

Hoshoryu said, “I need to regain my stamina so I don’t end up like I did in the second half of our practice bouts (when I suffered a string of losses). As the chairman said, I need to increase the number of bouts.” The two yokozuna, who were promoted last year, are working hard to hone their skills so they can become leaders in the sumo world. It's the 11th day of the 19-day autumn tour. We're past the halfway point, and there are only 10 days left until the Kyushu tournament rankings are announced. "I intend to participate, so I'll train hard," Hoshoryu said, looking ahead. -

Recorded this myself, includes skits and all the main bouts. Sometimes wobble cause people were walking, feet were hurting and stabilizing attempts but really minor amount. Have fun.

Our sumo cat Archie loves our Atamifuji tegata.

Hello guys.

I would really like to know what you guys think will be in the cards for Kirishima?

What is his strengths?

What is his weaknesses?

And will he become Yokozuna?

Let me know what you think.

Source ( x )

Bonjour je pratique le sumo amateur sur marseille dans ma propre association, je vais faire mon voyage de noce de 3 semaine en chine en Mars 202u et j'aimerais savoir si il y a des clubs de sumo là bas ? Si oui les qu'elles pour que je puisse essayer de les contacter pour tenter de m'entraîner avec eux.

Merci pour vos réponses

I found myself with my family giving our own nicknames for sumo wrestlers out of nowhere for example

Asakoryu: Little (short) muscle

Abi: Csabi (Hungarian male name)

Fujinokawa: The other little one with muscle

Meisei: Messi (😭)

Hiradoumi: híradó ( news broadcast) We later found out he's from Hirado so it kinda makes sense after all.

Ect ect.

What are your nicknames you made for sumo wrestlers?

Note:. These names are not mockeries and we respect everyone.

10 days until the Kyushu banzuke so I figured I'd start the guessing early.

My two are Roga and Nabatame so that's where my head goes first. Roga had that 5-2 start at Aki and then lost six straight, ended 6-9 at M5e. I'm guessing he drops to somewhere around M8 or M9. Nabatame won his last four for 9-6 at J10e, so maybe J6 or J7? Would love him to keep climbing.

Also really hoping Tamawashi gets back into makuuchi after 10-5 at J3. Feels like it's right on the edge.

Who are you watching for on the list? Anyone you think is going up or down more than people expect?

I found this cool photograph of a sumo wrestler probably dated back in the 90s. He maybe was a salaried wrestler (due to the white mawashi) and im just curious on who he is

# Sunamusashi, Hawaii-born son of former Juryo Sunahama, visits Nomi no Sukune Shrine; vows before historical Yokozuna monument: "I want my shikona carved here"

New recruits attending the Japan Sumo Association's Training School (Sumo Kyoshujo) visited Nomi no Sukune Shrine in Sumida Ward, Tokyo on October 14 as part of their sumo history curriculum. They also performed volunteer cleaning duties, with Hawaii-born Sunamusashi (Musashigawa stable), whose father is former Juryo wrestler Sunahama, taking part in the activities.

Visiting the shrine dedicated to the god of sumo for the first time, Sunamusashi looked upon the stone monuments within the grounds where the shikona of historical Yokozuna are engraved. Spotting the name of his stablemaster, Musashigawa Oyakata (67th Yokozuna Musashimaru), his eyes lit up: "It looks so cool. I want to have my shikona carved here someday."

He handled the cleanup along the route with familiarity: "I used to pick up trash in Hawaii, too. My classmates and I would pick up plastic waste on the beach, and once we finished, we'd jump into the ocean to play." Mentioning that he also enjoys walking, he fully soaked in the outing, even interacting warmly with local preschool children he passed along the way.

At the upcoming November Kyushu Basho, his shikona will appear on the official banzuke rank sheet for the first time. It will be his first time visiting Fukuoka: "I'm really looking forward to it. I've heard so many stories from my dad. I really want to try horse meat (basashi)," he shared eagerly. Stating his goal for the Kyushu Basho, he showed strong resolve: "I want to win the divisional yusho. I'm going to give it my all."

Sunamusashi was born to a Japanese mother and a Hawaiian father, former Juryo Sunahama. Raised in Hawaii, he graduated from high school last May. Following graduation, he resolved to enter professional sumo and arrived in Japan about four months ago. Having begun attending the training school this month, he is enjoying fulfilling days: "There are people from all kinds of places, and chatting with everyone is really fun. I'm working hard every day." He is also diligently studying Japanese, sharing that the most recent phrase he learned is "hisashiburi" (long time no see).

◆ **Nomi no Sukune Shrine**: Nomi no Sukune is the deity of sumo who appears in the *Nihon Shoki* (Chronicles of Japan), originating from Izumo Province (now Shimane Prefecture). Revered as the "god of victory" after defeating Taima no Kehaya in a sumo contest, the shrine was established in Sumida Ward in 1884. Although completely destroyed during the Great Tokyo Air Raid, it was rebuilt in 1953, at which time the historical Yokozuna memorial monuments were erected. Prior to the start of Tokyo basho, a formal ritual ceremony is held with the attendance of the JSA Chairman, Judging Director, and other Association officials.

Sports Hochi

It’s also a world that isn’t well understood by large swaths of sumo’s international fanbase.

That’s mainly because the JSA’s inner workings are constantly distorted and misrepresented by certain content creators who have discovered that it’s easy to monetize fake rage-bait storylines about powerful racist Japanese figures stymying the careers of foreign wrestlers.

It’s a shame that such content continues to have purchase — particularly when the truth of what goes on inside the sport’s governing body is far more interesting than the cliched black-and-white falsehoods being peddled on various social media platforms.

Interesting video showing Rikishi getting that signature hair style.