1996 in sumo

In 1996, the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament set a record for the number of wrestlers in a playoff, afterMusashimaru,Akebono,Wakanohana,Takanonami,andKaio,all tied at 11–4.Musashimaru won the historic five-way playoff, taking his second tournament title since July 1994.

The following are the events in professionalsumoduring1996.

Tournaments

Hatsubasho

Ryogoku Kokugikan,Tokyo,7 January – 21 January

1996 Hatsu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East			Rank	West			Result
14	-	1	-	0			Takanohana	Y	ø		Akebono	0	-	3	-	12
0	-	4	-	11	ø		Wakanohana	O			Musashimaru	9	-	6	-	0
14	-	1	-	0			Takanonami*	O	ø
10	-	5	-	0			Kaiō	S			Kotonishiki	9	-	6	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Tosanoumi	K			Musōyama	10	-	5	-	0
12	-	3	-	0			Takatōriki	M1			Mitoizumi	3	-	12	-	0
5	-	10	-	0			Kotonowaka	M2			Kotoinazuma	2	-	13	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Misugisato	M3			Minatofuji	4	-	11	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Akinoshima	M4			Asahiyutaka	6	-	9	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Kenkō	M5			Kotobeppu	4	-	11	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Tochinowaka	M6			Kitakachidoki	5	-	10	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Terao	M7			Asanosho	6	-	9	-	0
7	-	8	-	0			Konishiki	M8			Daishōhō	7	-	8	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Naminohana	M9			Hamanoshima	6	-	9	-	0
0	-	0	-	15	ø		Wakashoyo	M10			Kasugafuji	6	-	9	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Oginohana	M11			Aogiyama	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Oginishiki	M12			Asanowaka	8	-	7	-	0
7	-	8	-	0			Kirishima	M13			Daishi	8	-	7	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Higonoumi	M14			Tomonohana	7	-	8	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Mainoumi	M15			Kyokudōzan	9	-	6	-	0
10	-	5	-	0			Tamakasuga	M16	ø

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank

winning record in bold

Yusho Winner *Won Playoff

Haru basho

Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium,Osaka,10 March – 24 March

1996 Haru basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East			Rank	West			Result
14	-	1	-	0			Takanohana	Y	ø		Akebono	0	-	0	-	15
11	-	4	-	0			Takanonami	O			Musashimaru	9	-	6	-	0
12	-	3	-	0			Wakanohana	O	ø
9	-	6	-	0			Kaiō	S			Kotonishiki	8	-	7	-	0
12	-	3	-	0			Musōyama	S			Takatōriki	8	-	7	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Tosanoumi	K			Akinoshima	6	-	9	-	0
5	-	10	-	0			Kenkō	M1			Naminohana	6	-	9	-	0
3	-	12	-	0			Oginohana	M2			Aogiyama	4	-	11	-	0
4	-	11	-	0			Higonoumi	M3			Oginishiki	2	-	13	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Misugisato	M4			Kotonowaka	11	-	4	-	0
4	-	11	-	0			Asanowaka	M5			Tamakasuga	7	-	8	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Asahiyutaka	M6			Mainoumi	6	-	9	-	0
5	-	10	-	0			Kyokudōzan	M7			Daishi	6	-	9	-	0
7	-	8	-	0			Mitoizumi	M8			Tochinowaka	6	-	9	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Minatofuji	M9			Konishiki	6	-	9	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Wakashoyo	M10			Daishōhō	8	-	7	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Terao	M11			Asanosho	8	-	7	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Kitakachidoki	M12			Kotobeppu	8	-	7	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Kotoinazuma	M13			Hamanoshima	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Kasugafuji	M14			Kirishima	3	-	12	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Ganyū	M15	ø

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank

winning record in bold

Yusho Winner

Natsu basho

Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 12 May – 26 May

1996 Natsu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East			Rank	West			Result
14	-	1	-	0			Takanohana	Y			Akebono	10	-	5	-	0
12	-	3	-	0			Wakanohana	O			Takanonami	12	-	3	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Musashimaru	O	ø
10	-	5	-	0			Musōyama	S			Kaiō	11	-	4	-	0
4	-	11	-	0			Kotonishiki	S			Takatōriki	7	-	8	-	0
5	-	10	-	0			Kotonowaka	K			Asahiyutaka	8	-	7	-	0
4	-	11	-	0			Misugisato	M1			Tosanoumi	5	-	10	-	0
5	-	10	-	0			Akinoshima	M2			Minatofuji	6	-	9	-	0
5	-	10	-	0			Terao	M3			Naminohana	7	-	8	-	0
4	-	11	-	0			Kitakachidoki	M4			Daishōhō	10	-	5	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Asanosho	M5			Kenkō	6	-	9	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Tamakasuga	M6			Kotoinazuma	7	-	8	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Kotobeppu	M7			Aogiyama	8	-	7	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Ganyū	M8			Hamanoshima	6	-	9	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Higonoumi	M9			Mainoumi	7	-	8	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Mitoizumi	M10			Kasugafuji	2	-	13	-	0
10	-	5	-	0			Daishi	M11			Oginohana	4	-	11	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Asanowaka	M12			Tochinowaka	9	-	6	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Oginishiki	M13			Kyokudōzan	9	-	6	-	0
10	-	5	-	0			Konishiki	M14			Wakashoyo	4	-	11	-	0
10	-	5	-	0			Shikishima	M15	ø

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank

winning record in bold

Yusho Winner

Nagoya basho

Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium,Nagoya,7 July – 21 July

1996 Natsu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East			Rank	West			Result
13	-	2	-	0			Takanohana	Y			Akebono	12	-	3	-	0
10	-	5	-	0			Wakanohana	O			Takanonami	12	-	3	-	0
10	-	5	-	0			Musashimaru	O	ø
10	-	5	-	0			Kaiō	S			Musōyama	7	-	8	-	0
7	-	8	-	0			Asahiyutaka	K			Takatōriki	10	-	5	-	0
					ø			K			Daishōhō	2	-	13	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Tamakasuga	M1			Aogiyama	3	-	12	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Kotonowaka	M2			Kotonishiki	9	-	6	-	0
4	-	11	-	0			Daishi	M3			Mitoizumi	4	-	11	-	0
3	-	12	-	0			Naminohana	M4			Minatofuji	5	-	10	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Tosanoumi	M5			Akinoshima	10	-	5	-	0
4	-	11	-	0			Misugisato	M6			Terao	5	-	10	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Kotoinazuma	M7			Asanosho	6	-	9	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Kenkō	M8			Konishiki	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Kitakachidoki	M9			Asanowaka	8	-	7	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Kotobeppu	M10			Tochinowaka	7	-	8	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Shikishima	M11	ø		Mainoumi	2	-	1	-	12
8	-	7	-	0			Kyokudōzan	M12			Oginishiki	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Ganyū	M13			Hamanoshima	8	-	7	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Higonoumi	M14			Rikiō	9	-	6	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Kotoryū	M15			Kushimaumi	6	-	9	-	0

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank

winning record in bold

Yusho Winner

Aki basho

Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 8 September – 22 September

1996 Aki basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East			Rank	West			Result
15	-	0	-	0			Takanohana	Y			Akebono	10	-	5	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Takanonami	O			Wakanohana	11	-	4	-	0
11	-	4	-	0			Musashimaru	O	ø
9	-	6	-	0			Kaiō	S			Takatōriki	11	-	4	-	0
7	-	8	-	0			Musōyama	K			Kotonowaka	4	-	11	-	0
					ø			K			Kotonishiki	10	-	5	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Asahiyutaka	M1			Akinoshima	7	-	8	-	0
4	-	11	-	0			Kenkō	M2			Kotoinazuma	4	-	11	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Tamakasuga	M3			Kotobeppu	3	-	12	-	0
4	-	11	-	0			Konishiki	M4			Kitakachidoki	4	-	11	-	0
4	-	11	-	0			Asanowaka	M5			Daishōhō	8	-	7	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Aogiyama	M6			Tosanoumi	8	-	7	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Minatofuji	M7			Daishi	6	-	9	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Mitoizumi	M8			Higonoumi	7	-	8	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Kyokudōzan	M9			Rikiō	6	-	9	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Asanosho	M10			Terao	9	-	6	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Oginishiki	M11			Naminohana	7	-	8	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Ganyū	M12			Hamanoshima	9	-	6	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Tochinowaka	M13			Kotoryū	8	-	7	-	0
7	-	8	-	0			Misugisato	M14			Shikishima	8	-	7	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Kyokushūzan	M15			Daihishō	8	-	7	-	0

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank

winning record in bold

Yusho Winner

Kyushu basho

Fukuoka International Centre,Kyushu,10 November – 24 November

1996 Aki basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East			Rank	West			Result
0	-	0	-	15	ø		Takanohana	Y			Akebono	11	-	4	-	0
11	-	4	-	0			Wakanohana	O			Musashimaru*	11	-	4	-	0
11	-	4	-	0			Takanonami	O	ø
6	-	9	-	0			Takatōriki	S			Kaiō	11	-	4	-	0
					ø			S			Kotonishiki	8	-	7	-	0
5	-	10	-	0			Asahiyutaka	K			Musōyama	8	-	7	-	0
1	-	14	-	0			Daishōhō	M1			Tosanoumi	8	-	7	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Akinoshima	M2			Mitoizumi	4	-	11	-	0
4	-	11	-	0			Terao	M3			Kotonowaka	5	-	10	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Oginishiki	M4			Asanosho	5	-	10	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Tamakasuga	M5			Hamanoshima	5	-	10	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Kenkō	M6			Kotoinazuma	5	-	10	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Ganyū	M7			Kyokushūzan	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Tochinowaka	M8			Kotoryū	7	-	8	-	0
6	-	9	-	0			Konishiki	M9			Kitakachidoki	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Aogiyama	M10			Higonoumi	9	-	6	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Asanowaka	M11			Shikishima	7	-	8	-	0
7	-	8	-	0			Kotobeppu	M12			Minatofuji	9	-	6	-	0
9	-	6	-	0			Daihishō	M13			Daishi	9	-	6	-	0
5	-	10	-	0			Naminohana	M14	ø		Kyokudōzan	0	-	0	-	0
8	-	7	-	0			Rikiō	M15			Tochiazuma	10	-	5	-	0

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank

winning record in bold

Yusho Winner *Won 5-Way Playoff

Playoff

(Lots are drawn. Fourrikishiface in semifinals, and one is a reserve. The reserve and the two winners face in a3-Way Playoff,where two consecutive victories are required to win the Playoff and theyūshō)

• Match 1:MusashimarudefeatedWakanohana
• Match 2:TakanonamidefeatedKaiō
• Match 3:Musashimaru defeatedAkebono
• Match 4:Musashimaru defeated Takanonami

News

January

• OzekiTakanonamiwins his first top divisionyusho,defeating hisyokozunastablemateTakanohanain a playoff after both record 14–1 scores.Takatorikiis third on 11–4 and wins the Fighting Spirit Prize, shared withKenkoand newcomerTamakasuga.SekiwakeKaiogets the Outstanding Performance Award.Rikiowins the juryo championship after a playoff withWakahayato.Saganobori,a formermaegashirawho has been fighting in the unsalaried ranks for three years, retires.

March

• Takanohana wins his 12th championship, finishing on 14–1, two wins ahead of his stablemate and brotherWakanohanaand sekiwakeMusoyama,who gets the Technique Award.Asahiyutakais the only man to beat Takanohana and wins the Outstanding Performance Award.Kotonowakawins eleven and the Fighting Spirit Award.Kyokushuzanwins the juryo yusho after a playoff withSaigo.Former ozekiKirishimaretires, as do former maegashiraOwakamatsuandTamakairiki(who has fallen to thejonidandivision).

May

Konishiki at the Kokugikan in May 1996.

• Takanohana wins with a 14–1 record again, two wins ahead of Wakanohana and Takanonami, underlining the dominance ofFutagoyama stable.YokozunaAkebonoreturns from three tournaments sidelined by injury to score 10–5. Tamakasuga wins the Technique Prize and Kaio the Outstanding Performance Award. Veteran former ozekiKonishikiavoids demotion and certain retirement by winning ten bouts from maegashira 14. Rikio wins his second juryo championship. Themakushitayusho is won byDejima.

July

• At the Nagoya basho, Takanonami is eliminated from the yusho race on the final day when he is defeated by Kaio. The championship is decided in the final bout between Takanohana and Akebono, tied on 12–2. Takanohana wins to claim his 14th championship, while Akebono has his first runner-up performance since September 1995. Takatoriki wins his eighth Fighting Spirit Prize. Kaio and Kotonowaka share the Outstanding Performance Prize. The 95 kgMainoumiis injured when the 275 kgKonishikifalls on his leg. He has to withdraw from the tournament, meaning he will fall to juryo.Daizenwins his second juryo championship. Former maegashiraKiraihoretires. Kyokushuzan becomes the first wrestler fromMongoliato earn promotion to the top division.

September

• Takanohana wins four consecutive championships for the first time. He finishes with an unbeaten 15–0 score (zensho-yusho), his fourth. Wakanohana, Takatoriki andMusashimaruall finish four wins behind on 11–4. Takatoriki shares the Fighting Spirit Prize with Asahiyutaka.Kotonishikiwins ten bouts from the komusubi rank and receives his sixth Technique Prize.Tochiazumawins the juryo championship, his fifth yusho in five different divisions. Former maegashiraKasugafuji,HitachiryuandKyokugozanall retire.

November

• Takanohana misses the first tournament of his career after injuring his back on tour. In his absence Musashimaru wins his second championship in a five-way playoff after he, Wakanohana, Akebono, Takanonami, and Kaio all finish on 11–4. Kaio receives the Fighting Spirit Prize alongside newcomer Tochiazuma.Tosanoumiwins the Outstanding Performance Award.Tochinonadawins the juryo title in his debut. Former komusubiKyokudozanretires to become a politician in theDiet of Japan.

Deaths

• 4 Jan: Former maegashiraOedo,former Irumagawa Oyakata, aged 73.
• 14 Jan: Former komusubiOhikari,former Onomatsu Oyakata, aged 68.
• 14 April: Former sekiwakeKotetsuyama,former Onaruto Oyakata, aged 53.
• 8 Dec: Kagamiyama Oyakata, the former yokozunaKashiwado,aged 58.

See also

• Glossary of sumo terms
• List of past sumo wrestlers
• List of years in sumo
• List of yokozuna