2003 in sumo
Appearance
The following are the events in professionalsumoduring 2003.
Tournaments[edit]
Hatsubasho[edit]
Ryogoku Kokugikan,Tokyo,12 January – 26 January
2003 Hatsu basho results - Makuuchi Division | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Result | East | Rank | West | Result | ||||||||||||
0 | - | 0 | - | 15 | ø | ![]() |
Musashimaru | Y | ø | ![]() |
Takanohana | 4 | - | 4 | - | 1 |
14 | - | 1 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Asashōryū | O | ![]() |
Musōyama | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ||
0 | - | 6 | - | 9 | ø | ![]() |
Tochiazuma | O | ø | ![]() |
Chiyotaikai | 0 | - | 0 | - | 15 |
0 | - | 0 | - | 15 | ø | ![]() |
Kaiō | O | ø | ![]() |
||||||
9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Takanowaka | S | ![]() |
Kotomitsuki | 9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ||
7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Takanonami | K | ![]() |
Wakanosato | 11 | - | 4 | - | 0 | ||
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tosanoumi | M1 | ø | ![]() |
Miyabiyama | 1 | - | 3 | - | 11 | |
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kyokutenhō | M2 | ![]() |
Tōki | 4 | - | 11 | - | 0 | ||
7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kotonowaka | M3 | ![]() |
Dejima | 11 | - | 4 | - | 0 | ||
4 | - | 11 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Aminishiki | M4 | ![]() |
Tokitsuumi | 5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ||
7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kaihō | M5 | ![]() |
Iwakiyama | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
4 | - | 11 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Hokutōriki | M6 | ![]() |
Kyokushūzan | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Wakanoyama | M7 | ![]() |
Shimotori | 9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ||
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tamanoshima | M8 | ![]() |
Kotoryū | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ||
10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Takamisakari | M9 | ![]() |
Akinoshima | 6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ||
11 | - | 4 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tochinonada | M10 | ![]() |
Gojōrō | 5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ||
5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Jūmonji | M11 | ![]() |
Kasuganishiki | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
0 | - | 5 | - | 10 | ø | ![]() |
Tamakasuga | M12 | ![]() |
Takanotsuru | 9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | |
4 | - | 11 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Ōtsukasa | M13 | ![]() |
Kasugaō | 10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ||
5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kōbō | M14 | ![]() |
Tochinohana | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tamarikidō | M15 | ø | ![]() |
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank |
winning record in bold |
Yusho Winner |
Haru basho[edit]
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium,Osaka,9 March – 23 March
2003 Haru basho results - Makuuchi Division | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Result | East | Rank | West | Result | ||||||||||||
0 | - | 0 | - | 15 | ø | ![]() |
Musashimaru | Y | ![]() |
Asashōryū | 10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | |
1 | - | 6 | - | 8 | ![]() |
Musōyama | O | ø | ![]() |
Tochiazuma | 0 | - | 0 | - | 15 | |
12 | - | 3 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Chiyotaikai | O | ![]() |
Kaiō | 10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ||
0 | - | 0 | - | 15 | ø | ![]() |
Takanowaka | S | ![]() |
Kotomitsuki | 6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | |
9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Wakanosato | S | ø | ![]() |
|||||||
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Dejima | K | ![]() |
Tosanoumi | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ||
7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Takanonami | M1 | ![]() |
Kyokutenhō | 9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ||
9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tochinonada | M2 | ![]() |
Takamisakari | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ||
3 | - | 7 | - | 5 | ø | ![]() |
Shimotori | M3 | ![]() |
Kotonowaka | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | |
4 | - | 11 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Wakanoyama | M4 | ![]() |
Tamanoshima | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ||
5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kotoryū | M5 | ![]() |
Kaihō | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ||
6 | - | 5 | - | 4 | ø | ![]() |
Iwakiyama | M6 | ![]() |
Tōki | 5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | |
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kasugaō | M7 | ![]() |
Kyokushūzan | 10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ||
8 | - | 5 | - | 2 | ø | ![]() |
Tokitsuumi | M8 | ![]() |
Takanotsuru | 4 | - | 11 | - | 0 | |
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Aminishiki | M9 | ![]() |
Miyabiyama | 9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ||
6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Asasekiryū | M10 | ![]() |
Buyūzan | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Hokutōriki | M11 | ![]() |
Tamarikidō | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ||
5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kinkaiyama | M12 | ![]() |
Akinoshima | 6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ||
6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kasuganishiki | M13 | ø | ![]() |
Takekaze | 1 | - | 4 | - | 11 | |
9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Gojōrō | M14 | ![]() |
Jūmonji | 9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ||
5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tochinohana | M15 | ø | ![]() |
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank |
winning record in bold |
Yusho Winner |
Natsu basho[edit]
Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 11 May – 25 May
2003 Natsu basho results - Makuuchi Division | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Result | East | Rank | West | Result | ||||||||||||
13 | - | 2 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Asashōryū | Y | ø | ![]() |
Musashimaru | 0 | - | 0 | - | 15 | |
10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Chiyotaikai | O | ![]() |
Kaiō | 11 | - | 4 | - | 0 | ||
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Musōyama | O | ![]() |
Tochiazuma | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ||
9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Wakanosato | S | ![]() |
Dejima | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
4 | - | 11 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tosanoumi | K | ![]() |
Kyokutenhō | 10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ||
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tochinonada | M1 | ![]() |
Takamisakari | 6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ||
0 | - | 5 | - | 10 | ø | ![]() |
Kotomitsuki | M2 | ![]() |
Takanonami | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | |
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kyokushūzan | M3 | ![]() |
Tamanoshima | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kaihō | M4 | ![]() |
Kotonowaka | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ||
10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Miyabiyama | M5 | ![]() |
Hokutōriki | 6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ||
4 | - | 11 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kasugaō | M6 | ø | ![]() |
Takanowaka | 0 | - | 2 | - | 13 | |
0 | - | 0 | - | 15 | ø | ![]() |
Tokitsuumi | M7 | ![]() |
Aminishiki | 11 | - | 4 | - | 0 | |
7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tamarikidō | M8 | ![]() |
Gojōrō | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Jūmonji | M9 | ![]() |
Iwakiyama | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kotoryū | M10 | ![]() |
Wakanoyama | 6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ||
10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tōki | M11 | ![]() |
Shimotori | 4 | - | 11 | - | 0 | ||
9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Buyūzan | M12 | ![]() |
Aogiyama | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Yōtsukasa | M13 | ![]() |
Asasekiryū | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ||
0 | - | 11 | - | 4 | ø | ![]() |
Takanotsuru | M14 | ![]() |
Ōtsukasa | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | |
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Asanowaka | M15 | ![]() |
Akinoshima | 6 | - | 9 | - | 0 |
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank |
winning record in bold |
Yusho Winner |
Nagoya basho[edit]
Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium,Nagoya,6 July – 20 July
2003 Nagoya basho results - Makuuchi Division | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Result | East | Rank | West | Result | ||||||||||||
5 | - | 5 | - | 5 | ø | ![]() |
Asashōryū | Y | ø | ![]() |
Musashimaru | 2 | - | 4 | - | 9 |
12 | - | 3 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kaiō | O | ![]() |
Chiyotaikai | 11 | - | 4 | - | 0 | ||
10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Musōyama | O | ![]() |
Tochiazuma | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Wakanosato | S | ![]() |
Kyokutenhō | 6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ||
0 | - | 0 | - | 15 | ø | ![]() |
Dejima | K | ![]() |
Tochinonada | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | |
10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Miyabiyama | M1 | ø | ![]() |
Aminishiki | 2 | - | 12 | - | 1 | |
4 | - | 11 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kyokushūzan | M2 | ø | ![]() |
Kotonowaka | 1 | - | 2 | - | 12 | |
6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Takanonami | M3 | ![]() |
Takamisakari | 9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ||
5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tamanoshima | M4 | ![]() |
Tōki | 10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ||
10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tosanoumi | M5 | ![]() |
Kotoryū | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ||
6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Jūmonji | M6 | ![]() |
Buyūzan | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tokitsuumi | M7 | ![]() |
Hokutōriki | 10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ||
6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kaihō | M8 | ![]() |
Tamarikidō | 6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ||
4 | - | 4 | - | 7 | ø | ![]() |
Gojōrō | M9 | ![]() |
Asasekiryū | 10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | |
9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Iwakiyama | M10 | ![]() |
Ōtsukasa | 5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ||
6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Asanowaka | M11 | ![]() |
Tochisakae | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ||
9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kasuganishiki | M12 | ![]() |
Kasugaō | 4 | - | 11 | - | 0 | ||
9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kotomitsuki | M13 | ![]() |
Wakanoyama | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Ushiomaru | M14 | ![]() |
Aogiyama | 4 | - | 11 | - | 0 | ||
7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tamakasuga | M15 | ![]() |
Kinkaiyama | 9 | - | 6 | - | 0 |
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank |
winning record in bold |
Yusho Winner |
Aki basho[edit]
Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 7 September – 21 September
2003 Aki basho results - Makuuchi Division | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Result | East | Rank | West | Result | ||||||||||||
13 | - | 2 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Asashōryū | Y | ø | ![]() |
Musashimaru | 0 | - | 0 | - | 15 | |
7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kaiō | O | ![]() |
Chiyotaikai | 11 | - | 4 | - | 0 | ||
1 | - | 5 | - | 9 | ![]() |
Musōyama | O | ![]() |
Tochiazuma | 10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ||
11 | - | 4 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Wakanosato | S | ![]() |
Miyabiyama | 4 | - | 11 | - | 0 | ||
7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tōki | K | ![]() |
Tosanoumi | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Takamisakari | M1 | ![]() |
Tochinonada | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ||
10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kyokutenhō | M2 | ![]() |
Hokutōriki | 4 | - | 11 | - | 0 | ||
4 | - | 11 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kotoryū | M3 | ![]() |
Tokitsuumi | 5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ||
7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Asasekiryū | M4 | ![]() |
Takanonami | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
11 | - | 4 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Iwakiyama | M5 | ![]() |
Kasuganishiki | 5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ||
11 | - | 4 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kotomitsuki | M6 | ![]() |
Tochisakae | 5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ||
7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Buyūzan | M7 | ![]() |
Tamanoshima | 9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ||
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kyokushūzan | M8 | ![]() |
Jūmonji | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kinkaiyama | M9 | ![]() |
Aminishiki | 10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ||
6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Dejima | M10 | ![]() |
Kaihō | 5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ||
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kakizoe | M11 | ![]() |
Tamarikidō | 6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ||
0 | - | 0 | - | 15 | ø | ![]() |
Kotonowaka | M12 | ![]() |
Shimotori | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | |
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Wakatoba | M13 | ![]() |
Yōtsukasa | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Asanowaka | M14 | ![]() |
Wakanoyama | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Ōtsukasa | M15 | ![]() |
Ushiomaru | 6 | - | 9 | - | 0 |
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank |
winning record in bold |
Yusho Winner |
Kyushu basho[edit]
Fukuoka International Centre,Kyushu,9 November – 23 November
2003 Kyushu basho results - Makuuchi Division | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Result | East | Rank | West | Result | ||||||||||||
12 | - | 3 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Asashōryū | Y | ø | ![]() |
Musashimaru | 3 | - | 5 | - | 0 | |
10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Chiyotaikai | O | ![]() |
Tochiazuma | 13 | - | 2 | - | 0 | ||
10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kaiō | O | ![]() |
Musōyama | 9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ||
7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Wakanosato | S | ![]() |
Kyokutenhō | 4 | - | 11 | - | 0 | ||
5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Takamisakari | K | ![]() |
Iwakiyama | 6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ||
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tochinonada | M1 | ![]() |
Kotomitsuki | 6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ||
9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tōki | M2 | ![]() |
Tosanoumi | 10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ||
5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Aminishiki | M3 | ![]() |
Tamanoshima | 10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ||
6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Miyabiyama | M4 | ![]() |
Asasekiryū | 3 | - | 12 | - | 0 | ||
5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Takanonami | M5 | ![]() |
Kyokushūzan | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ||
6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kinkaiyama | M6 | ![]() |
Tokitsuumi | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ||
10 | - | 5 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Hokutōriki | M7 | ![]() |
Kotoryū | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
4 | - | 11 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Buyūzan | M8 | ![]() |
Kakizoe | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ||
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Kasuganishiki | M9 | ![]() |
Shimotori | 8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ||
8 | - | 7 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Jūmonji | M10 | ![]() |
Tochisakae | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ||
7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Wakatoba | M11 | ![]() |
Takekaze | 9 | - | 6 | - | 0 | ||
7 | - | 3 | - | 5 | ø | ![]() |
Kotonowaka | M12 | ![]() |
Takanowaka | 7 | - | 8 | - | 0 | |
6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Tamakasuga | M13 | ![]() |
Ōtsukasa | 5 | - | 10 | - | 0 | ||
6 | - | 9 | - | 0 | ![]() |
Toyozakura | M14 | ![]() |
Dejima | 11 | - | 4 | - | 0 | ||
2 | - | 6 | - | 7 | ø | ![]() |
Tamarikidō | M15 | ![]() |
Yōtsukasa | 9 | - | 6 | - | 0 |
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank |
winning record in bold |
Yusho Winner |
News[edit]
January[edit]
- At the Hatsu basho in Tokyo,Takanohana,winner of 22 tournament championships, announces his retirement from sumo after eight years as ayokozuna,after suffering three defeats in the first seven days.[1]He had suffered many injury problems and had only recently returned from a seven tournament layoff. His fellow yokozunaMusashimarusits out the whole tournament after injuring his wrist in the previous tourney. Also missing areozekiKaioandChiyotaikai,andTochiazumawho drops out after five losses in a row. In their absence, ozekiAsashoryuwins his second successivemakuuchidivision championship, with a 14–1 record, and is promoted to yokozuna. He becomes the third foreigner, and firstMongolian,to reach sumo's highest rank.KomusubiWakanosato,andmaegashiraDejimaandTochinonada,are runners-up on 11–4. Wakanosato is awarded the Fighting Spirit prize along withKoreanKasugao.Thejuryodivision championship is won by Asashoryu's stablemateAsasekiryuwho defeatsBuyuzanin a playoff.
- Former komusubiRyogokuinherits thetoshiyoriname of Sakaigawa from former yokozunaSadanoyama,and changes the name of his stable from Nakadachi toSakaigawa stable.
February[edit]
- Former sekiwakeTakatorikitakes over the running ofOtake stablefrom his father-in-law, former yokozunaTaiho.
- Former sekiwakeTochinowakatakes over the running ofKasugano stablefrom former yokozunaTochinoumi.
March[edit]
- At the Haru basho in Osaka, Chiyotaikai returns from injury to win his third top division championship with a 12–3 record.Asashoryuscores 10–5 in his debut tournament as a yokozuna, enough for the runner-up position alongside Kaio and maegashiraKyokushuzanandHokutoriki.Musashimaru and Tochiazuma sit the tournament out.Musoyamapulls out after five losses in the first six days. Kyokushuzan's stablemateKyokutenhowins the Fighting Spirit prize, andTakamisakarithe Technique Award.Tochisakaewins the juryo championship. Veteran former komusubiDaizenretires after 22 years in sumo, as does former juryo wrestlerSusanoumi,the heaviest Japanese rikishi ever at some 240 kg.
May[edit]
- At the Natsu basho in Tokyo, Asashoryu takes his first championship as a yokozuna with a 13–2 record. Kaio is runner-up on 11–4, alongside maegashiraAminishikiwho wins the Technique Prize. Chiyotaikai finishes on 10–5. Musōyama returns to preserve his ōzeki rank with an 8–7 record. He had been deniedkosho seidostatus, with theJapan Sumo Associationfeeling that the system was being abused with Kaiō and Chiyotaikai both sitting out in January despite reportedly being fit enough to compete. Kyokushuzan wins the Outstanding Performance prize for his victory over Asashoryu, his first in six attempts. Kyokutenho receives the Fighting Spirit prize for the second tournament in a row, for his fine 10–5 score at komusubi, and is promoted tosekiwakefor the first time.Tamakasugawins the juryo championship and returns to the top division. Former sekiwakeAkinoshima,who has been ranked continuously in makuuchi since July 1988 and is the last top division wrestler from theShōwa erastill active in sumo, retires at the age of 36 after a 6–9 score relegates him to juryo.
- 31: Thedanpatsu-shikior retirement ceremony of popular former sekiwakeTeraois held at the Kokugikan.
June[edit]
- 1: Takanohana's retirement ceremony takes place at the Kokugikan. He performs the yokozunadohyo-irior ring entering ceremony for the last time, and his hair is cut by his uncleWakanohana Kanji I,his brotherWakanohana Masaru,and finally his fatherTakanohana Kenshi.The event is broadcast live on Japanese television.
July[edit]
- At the Nagoya basho, Kaio wins his fourth top division championship with a 12–3 record after defeating fellow ozeki Chiyotaikai on the final day. Chiyotaikai finishes runner-up on 11–4. Musashimaru returns for the first time since November 2002 but drops out once again with a recurrence of his wrist problem. Asashoryu also withdraws through injury. He had been disqualified from a bout earlier in the tournament after pulling on thechonmageof Mongolian rival Kyokushuzan, the first yokozuna ever to suffer a disqualification.[2]The two wrestlers scuffle in the bathroom after the match, and Asashoryu also breaks the wing mirror of Kyokushuzan's car.[3]Takamisakari,who had defeated both yokozuna, receives his first Outstanding Performance awardedTokitsuumireceives his third Technique Prize. The juryo division championship is won byKakizoe.
September[edit]
- The Sumo Association chairmanKitanoumiholds a press conference and confirms the abolition of thekosho seido(public injury) system after the November 2003 tournament, and increasing the number ofsekitorifrom January 2004 (42 from 40 inmakuuchiand 28 from 26 injuryo). In the last year, 10 top division wrestlers and 11juryowrestlers received the status, the most ever, and the Sumo Association feels it was getting out of hand. In addition,Musōyamawas refusedkoshostatus after his injury in the March tournament was deemed to be an old shoulder injury, and yet still competed in May and got eight wins.
- At the Aki basho in Tokyo, Asashoryu wins his second championship as a yokozuna, third of the year, and fourth overall, with a 13–2 record. He finishes two wins ahead on a trio of wrestlers on 11–4: Chiyotaikai, sekiwake Wakanosato and maegashiraIwakiyama.Kaio, who had been told a 15–0 score was necessary for yokozuna promotion, can only manage 7–8. Musashimaru sits the tournament out. Wakanosato receives the Outstanding performance Award while Iwakiyama wins the Technique prize and Kyokutenho and Takamisakari share the Fighting spirit prize.Takekazewins the juryo championship.
November[edit]
- Former yokozunaAkebonoannounces he is leaving his oyakata position to become aK-1fighter.
- At the Kyushu basho, Musashimaru retires after his second attempted comeback ends in failure, losing four matches in the first seven days.[4]He is the last wrestler fromHawaiiin sumo, a legacy that began withTakamiyamain 1964. Lower down the ranks, former maegashiraAogiyamaand the American bornSentoryualso announce their retirements. Ozeki Tochiazuma wins the makuuchi championship, his second, with a score of 13–2. Asashoryu finishes in second place, one win behind, after losing to Tochiazuma on the final day. VeteransTochinonadaandTosanoumi,with three wins over yokozuna between them in this basho, share the Outstanding Performance Prize.Tamanoshimawins the Fighting Spirit prize. In the juryo divisionGeorgianKokkaiwins the championship with a fine 14–1 record and becomes the firstCaucasianto be promoted to the top division. The makushita yusho is won by veteranDaimanazuru,with an unbeaten 7–0 score, who earns promotion to the sekitori ranks for the first time. Runner-up on 6–1 is the 18-year-old MongolianHakuho,who is also promoted to juryo.
December[edit]
- Former maegashiraHigonoumibranches out fromMihogaseki stableand opens up his ownKise stable.
Deaths[edit]
- 28 April: Yamawake Oyakata, who as the former maegashiraTochifujidefeated Taiho in the yokozuna's final tournament in May 1971, dies aged 56.
- 17 July: Maeda Yoritaka, an apprentice at theKitanoumi stable,aged 15, ofCardiomyopathy.He is the only sumo wrestler to have died without taking ever taking part in an official tournament.
- 17 December: Former komusubiFujinishiki,also the former head of theTakasago stable,dies ofliver diseaseaged 66. Asashoryu is criticised for not returning from Mongolia to attend his funeral.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"Injured Takanohana retires from sumo".Japan TimesOnline. 21 January 2003.Archivedfrom the original on 7 April 2008.Retrieved4 May2009.
- ^"Asashoryu storms back at Nagoya basho".Japan Times.12 July 2003.Retrieved5 May2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^McCurry, Justin (11 February 2004)."Big In Japan".The Guardian.Retrieved4 May2009.
- ^"Musashimaru retires".Japan Times.16 November 2003.Retrieved5 May2009.[permanent dead link]