It’s official. Today, the Mongolian born sumo wrestler known as Hakuho was promoted to professional sumo’s highest rank, Grand Champion, or Yokozuna. Hakuho becomes the sports 69th Yokuzuna and joins fellow Mongolian wrestler Asashoryu at the pinnacle of Japan’s national sport. The means that the Hawaii Grand Sumo Tournament will be the first public sumo exhibition to feature two competing Yokozuna after 21 consecutive tournaments where Asashoryu was the sole Grand Champion. Hakuho becomes the fourth foreign born wrestler to gain Yokozuna promotion following in the footsteps of Hawaii wrestlers, Akebono and Musashimaru.
For those looking for some background here, please see my earlier posts on Sumo in Hawaii, a Sumo Primer, and Who to watch in the Hawaii Grand Sumo Tournament.
Following is a NHK news clip (in English) that nicely sets up Hakuho winning the Natsu Basho (May tournament) and practically ensuring Yokozuna promotion.
For those from Hawaii, the English voice over is non other than Hawaii’s own Ross Mihara of Iolani and KGMB.
Hakuho’s promotion came on the heals of a perfect 15-0 performance during the May tournament. After also winning the March tournament, his promotion pretty much set in stone upon the completion of this tournament. On the final day, Hakuho manhandled Yokozuna Asashoryu in a way that made him look befitting of the rank. Asashoryu finished with a disappointing 11-4 record. Following is an NHK clip of that final match, in English of course.
In other developments Ozeki (Champion) Tochiazuma retired from sumo during the Natsu Basho after it was announced that he had a brain injury which would make continuing his sumo career dangerous. This sets the stage where the Hawaii Grand Sumo Tournament will feature two Yokozuna (Asashoryu and Hakuho), and now only three wrestlers with the 2nd highest Ozeki rank, Chiyotaikai, Kaio and Kotooshyu. Sekiwake (Jr. Champion) Kotomitsuki finished the May tournament with a strong record and will be seeking Ozeki promotion in July. Look for Kotomitsuki to be highly motivated when he comes to Hawaii.
As always, check out http://www.sumohawaii.com for more tickets and information about the June 9 & 10, 2007 Hawaii Grand Sumo Tournament.
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Yay for Inner Mongolia! My adopted daughter is from Inner Mongolia.
Left by Yoli on June 4th, 2007