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1999 in sumo

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In 1999, Musashimaru firmly established his position as the dominant sumo wrestler of the year.[1][2] Born in American Samoa and raised in Hawaii, Musashimaru became only the second foreign-born wrestler in history to achieve the highest rank of yokozuna or grand champion, in May 1999.[3][4][1] He finished the year having won four tournaments, a rare accomplishment.[1]

The following are the events in professional sumo in Japan during 1999.

Tournaments

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Hatsu basho

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Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 10 January – 24 January

1999 Hatsu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result East Rank West Result
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Takanohana Y Japan Wakanohana 13 - 2 - 0
0 - 0 - 15 ø United States Akebono Y ø
8 - 7 - 0 United States Musashimaru O Japan Takanonami 6 - 9 - 0
13 - 2 - 0 Japan Chiyotaikai* S Japan Kotonowaka 8 - 7 - 0
ø S Japan Musōyama 10 - 5 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Dejima K Japan Tochiazuma 9 - 6 - 0
6 - 9 - 0 Japan Kotonishiki K ø
9 - 6 - 0 Japan Kaiō M1 Japan Tosanoumi 7 - 8 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Takatōriki M2 Japan Tamakasuga 5 - 10 - 0
11 - 4 - 0 Japan Akinoshima M3 Japan Aogiyama 4 - 11 - 0
5 - 10 - 0 Japan Minatofuji M4 Japan Tōki 7 - 8 - 0
4 - 11 - 0 Japan Tokitsuumi M5 Japan Kotoryū 5 - 10 - 0
6 - 9 - 0 Japan Tochinowaka M6 ø Japan Wakanosato 0 - 0 - 15
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Terao M7 Japan Higonoumi 8 - 7 - 0
9 - 6 - 0 Japan Shikishima M8 Mongolia Kyokushūzan 9 - 6 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Tochinonada M9 Japan Kaihō 6 - 9 - 0
7 - 8 - 0 Japan Gojōrō M10 Japan Ganyū 8 - 7 - 0
6 - 9 - 0 Japan Wakanojō M11 Japan Mitoizumi 8 - 7 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Oginishiki M12 Japan Hamanoshima 6 - 9 - 0
4 - 9 - 0 ø Japan Asahiyutaka M13 Japan Asanosho 6 - 9 - 0
10 - 5 - 0 Japan Chiyotenzan M14 Japan Kinkaiyama 4 - 11 - 0
4 - 8 - 3 Japan Dewaarashi M15 ø
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner
*Won Playoff

Haru basho

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Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, 14 March – 28 March

1999 Haru basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result East Rank West Result
5 - 5 - 5 ø Japan Takanohana Y ø Japan Wakanohana 8 - 3 - 4
0 - 0 - 15 ø United States Akebono Y ø
13 - 2 - 0 United States Musashimaru O ø Japan Chiyotaikai 3 - 8 - 4
ø O Japan Takanonami 12 - 3 - 0
1 - 2 - 12 Japan Musōyama S Japan Kotonowaka 6 - 9 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Tochiazuma K Japan Dejima 9 - 6 - 0
11 - 4 - 0 Japan Akinoshima K Japan Kaiō 10 - 5 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Takatōriki M1 Japan Kotonishiki 6 - 9 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Tosanoumi M2 Japan Shikishima 1 - 14 - 0
7 - 8 - 0 Mongolia Kyokushūzan M3 Japan Terao 5 - 10 - 0
6 - 9 - 0 Japan Higonoumi M4 Japan Tamakasuga 7 - 8 - 0
6 - 9 - 0 Japan Tōki M5 Japan Tochinonada 9 - 6 - 0
6 - 9 - 0 Japan Minatofuji M6 Japan Wakanosato 5 - 10 - 0
9 - 6 - 0 Japan Miyabiyama M7 Japan Ganyū 5 - 10 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Aogiyama M8 Japan Tochinowaka 8 - 7 - 0
9 - 6 - 0 Japan Chiyotenzan M9 Japan Hamanoshima 6 - 9 - 0
5 - 10 - 0 Japan Mitoizumi M10 Japan Kotoryū 8 - 7 - 0
7 - 8 - 0 Japan Oginishiki M11 Japan Tokitsuumi 9 - 6 - 0
6 - 9 - 0 Japan Gojōrō M12 Japan Kaihō 8 - 7 - 0
6 - 9 - 0 Japan Asanowaka M13 Japan Ōhinode 9 - 6 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Wakanojō M14 Japan Asanosho 8 - 7 - 0
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner

Natsu basho

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Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 9 May – 23 May

1999 Natsu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result East Rank West Result
0 - 0 - 15 ø Japan Takanohana Y ø Japan Wakanohana 3 - 5 - 7
11 - 4 - 0 United States Akebono Y ø
13 - 2 - 0 United States Musashimaru O Japan Takanonami 9 - 6 - 0
ø O ø Japan Chiyotaikai 0 - 0 - 15
6 - 9 - 0 Japan Akinoshima S Japan Kaiō 12 - 3 - 0
11 - 4 - 0 Japan Dejima S ø
10 - 5 - 0 Japan Tochiazuma K Japan Takatōriki 5 - 10 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Tosanoumi M1 Japan Kotonowaka 2 - 13 - 0
3 - 9 - 3 ø Japan Tochinonada M2 Japan Miyabiyama 6 - 9 - 0
9 - 6 - 0 Japan Chiyotenzan M3 Japan Kotonishiki 9 - 6 - 0
5 - 10 - 0 Mongolia Kyokushūzan M4 Japan Aogiyama 7 - 8 - 0
5 - 10 - 0 Japan Tochinowaka M5 Japan Tamakasuga 7 - 8 - 0
0 - 0 - 15 ø Japan Musōyama M6 Japan Tokitsuumi 4 - 11 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Higonoumi M7 Japan Terao 6 - 9 - 0
9 - 6 - 0 Japan Tōki M8 Japan Kotoryū 5 - 10 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Minatofuji M9 Japan Ōhinode 6 - 9 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Kaihō M10 Japan Wakanosato 11 - 4 - 0
7 - 8 - 0 Japan Daizen M11 Japan Shikishima 8 - 7 - 0
7 - 7 - 1 Japan Ganyū M12 Japan Wakanojō 8 - 7 - 0
9 - 6 - 0 Japan Asanosho M13 Japan Hamanoshima 9 - 6 - 0
5 - 10 - 0 Japan Oginishiki M14 Mongolia Kyokutenhō 9 - 6 - 0
9 - 6 - 0 Japan Yōtsukasa M15 ø
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner

Nagoya basho

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Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Nagoya, 9 July – 23 July

1999 Nagoya basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result East Rank West Result
13 - 2 - 0 United States Akebono Y United States Musashimaru 12 - 3 - 0
0 - 0 - 15 ø Japan Wakanohana Y Japan Takanohana 9 - 6 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Takanonami O Japan Chiyotaikai 10 - 5 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Kaiō S Japan Dejima* 13 - 2 - 0
6 - 9 - 0 Japan Tochiazuma S ø
11 - 4 - 0 Japan Tosanoumi K Japan Chiyotenzan 3 - 12 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Kotonishiki M1 Japan Akinoshima 6 - 9 - 0
4 - 11 - 0 Japan Wakanosato M2 Japan Tōki 7 - 8 - 0
4 - 11 - 0 Japan Takatōriki M3 Japan Higonoumi 2 - 13 - 0
7 - 8 - 0 Japan Miyabiyama M4 Japan Minatofuji 7 - 8 - 0
5 - 10 - 0 Japan Aogiyama M5 Japan Kaihō 5 - 10 - 0
11 - 4 - 0 Japan Musōyama M6 Japan Tamakasuga 9 - 6 - 0
9 - 6 - 0 Mongolia Kyokushūzan M7 Japan Shikishima 8 - 7 - 0
0 - 0 - 15 ø Japan Tochinonada M8 Japan Asanosho 9 - 6 - 0
6 - 9 - 0 Japan Hamanoshima M9 ø Japan Tochinowaka 2 - 8 - 5
9 - 6 - 0 Japan Kotonowaka M10 Mongolia Kyokutenhō 7 - 8 - 0
3 - 12 - 0 Japan Wakanojō M11 Japan Terao 8 - 7 - 0
7 - 8 - 0 Japan Yōtsukasa M12 Japan Daizen 5 - 10 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Tokitsuumi M13 Japan Wakanoyama 8 - 7 - 0
7 - 8 - 0 Japan Ōhinode M14 Japan Ganyū 9 - 6 - 0
9 - 6 - 0 Japan Kotoryū M15 ø
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner
*Won Playoff

Aki basho

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Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 12 September – 26 September

1999 Aki basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result East Rank West Result
2 - 2 - 11 ø United States Akebono Y United States Musashimaru 12 - 3 - 0
0 - 3 - 12 ø Japan Takanohana Y Japan Wakanohana 7 - 8 - 0
10 - 5 - 0 Japan Chiyotaikai O ø Japan Takanonami 3 - 4 - 8
10 - 5 - 0 Japan Dejima O ø
9 - 6 - 0 Japan Kaiō S Japan Tosanoumi 7 - 8 - 0
5 - 10 - 0 Japan Kotonishiki K Japan Musōyama 8 - 7 - 0
10 - 5 - 0 Japan Tochiazuma M1 Japan Tamakasuga 8 - 7 - 0
7 - 8 - 0 Mongolia Kyokushūzan M2 Japan Asanosho 7 - 8 - 0
6 - 9 - 0 Japan Tōki M3 Japan Akinoshima 11 - 4 - 0
3 - 12 - 0 Japan Shikishima M4 Japan Kotonowaka 7 - 8 - 0
10 - 5 - 0 Japan Miyabiyama M5 Japan Minatofuji 6 - 9 - 0
6 - 9 - 0 Japan Chiyotenzan M6 Japan Wakanosato 6 - 9 - 0
9 - 6 - 0 Japan Takatōriki M7 Japan Terao 8 - 7 - 0
5 - 10 - 0 Japan Tochinonada M8 Japan Aogiyama 8 - 7 - 0
7 - 8 - 0 Japan Kaihō M9 Japan Ganyū 5 - 10 - 0
7 - 8 - 0 Japan Tokitsuumi M10 Japan Kotoryū 8 - 7 - 0
9 - 6 - 0 Japan Wakanoyama M11 Japan Higonoumi 8 - 7 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Mongolia Kyokutenhō M12 Japan Hamanoshima 8 - 7 - 0
6 - 9 - 0 Japan Kinkaiyama M13 ø Japan Yōtsukasa 0 - 3 - 12
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Ōtsukasa M14 Japan Asanowaka 9 - 6 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Ōhinode M15 ø
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner

Kyushu basho

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Fukuoka International Centre, Kyushu, 7 November – 21 November

1999 Kyushu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result East Rank West Result
12 - 3 - 0 United States Musashimaru Y ø Japan Wakanohana 0 - 0 - 15
0 - 0 - 15 ø United States Akebono Y Japan Takanohana 11 - 4 - 0
9 - 6 - 0 Japan Chiyotaikai O Japan Dejima 10 - 5 - 0
6 - 9 - 0 Japan Takanonami O ø
11 - 4 - 0 Japan Kaiō S Japan Tochiazuma 10 - 5 - 0
10 - 5 - 0 Japan Musōyama K Japan Akinoshima 3 - 12 - 0
ø K Japan Tosanoumi 10 - 5 - 0
3 - 12 - 0 Japan Tamakasuga M1 Japan Miyabiyama 8 - 7 - 0
2 - 13 - 0 Japan Takatōriki M2 Japan Kotonishiki 7 - 8 - 0
5 - 10 - 0 Mongolia Kyokushūzan M3 Japan Asanosho 4 - 11 - 0
5 - 10 - 0 Japan Terao M4 Japan Aogiyama 6 - 9 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Kotonowaka M5 Japan Tōki 9 - 6 - 0
7 - 8 - 0 Japan Wakanoyama M6 Japan Kotoryū 9 - 6 - 0
7 - 8 - 0 Japan Minatofuji M7 Japan Higonoumi 8 - 7 - 0
6 - 9 - 0 Mongolia Kyokutenhō M8 Japan Chiyotenzan 7 - 8 - 0
9 - 6 - 0 Japan Asanowaka M9 ø Japan Wakanosato 5 - 7 - 3
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Hamanoshima M10 Japan Shikishima 8 - 7 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Kaihō M11 Japan Ōtsukasa 8 - 7 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Tokitsuumi M12 Japan Tochinonada 10 - 5 - 0
8 - 7 - 0 Japan Ōhinode M13 Japan Daizen 7 - 8 - 0
0 - 10 - 5 ø Japan Ganyū M14 Japan Takanowaka 9 - 6 - 0
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner

News

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January

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  • At the Hatsu basho, the yusho or tournament championship is decided in a final day showdown between Wakanohana, still searching for his first yusho as a yokozuna, and sekiwake Chiyotaikai, who is one win behind him on 12–2. Chiyotaikai defeats Wakanohana in their regulation match, and in the subsequent playoff for the championship he wins a rematch after the first bout is judged too close to call, despite the referee originally awarding the bout to Wakanohana. Shortly after the tournament Chiyotaikai is promoted to ozeki, the first new holder of sumo's second highest rank since Musashimaru and Takanonami were promoted five years earlier. Akebono misses his second tournament in a row with a herniated disk in his lower back. His fellow yokozuna Takanohana turns in a mediocre 8–7 score. Special prizes are awarded to Chiyotaikai for Outstanding Performance and Fighting Spirit (shared with colleague Chiyotenzan) and Akinoshima for Technique. The juryo championship is won for the second time in a row by Miyabiyama. Former komusubi Asahiyutaka retires.

February

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  • Asahiyutaka takes over the running of Tatsunami stable from his father-in-law, former sekiwake Annenyama, who has reached the mandatory elder retirement age of 65.
  • Akebono has his first practice session since November 1998.

March

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  • Musashimaru wins his fourth top division championship with a 13–2 score. He has little competition from his top ranked rivals, as Takanohana, Wakanohana and Chiyotaikai all withdraw midway through injury, while Akebono is missing altogether. Takanonami is runner-up on 12–3. Makuuchi debutant Miyabiyama wins the fighting spirit prize, as does Chiyotenzan for the second time in just his second top division tournament. Veteran Akinoshima wins eleven bouts and the Outstanding Performance Prize. Mitoizumi is demoted from makuuchi for the first time since 1987. Daizen wins the juryo yusho with a 12–3 score and returns to the top division at the age of 34. Towanoyama wins the makushita championship. Former maegashira Toyonoumi and Tatsuhikari retire.

May

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  • Musashimaru wins his second championship in a row with a 13–2 record, to become the second foreign yokozuna. He defeats fellow Hawaiian Akebono on the final day, who after losing his first two bouts comes through with a respectable 11–4 score on his comeback. Runner-up to Musashimaru is Kaio on 12–3, who wins the Fighting Spirit Prize. Chiyotenzan wins his third straight sansho, for Outstanding Performance, shared with Tosanoumi. Wakanosato wins the Technique prize. Takanohana sits the tournament out, recovering from an injured shoulder, while his brother Wakanohana is forced to withdraw for the second tournament in a row with a leg sprain. Otsukasa wins the juryo championship.
  • Musashimaru's promotion is confirmed, although he embarrasses himself by being unable to phrase his official acceptance correctly. It is the first time since May 1991 that four yokozuna are active at the same time.

July

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  • The Nagoya basho fails to attract a sell-out crowd for the first time in ten years on the second day.
  • Sekiwake Dejima wins his first yusho, defeating Akebono in a playoff after both men finish on 13–2. Akebono is denied his first championship in over two years. Dejima's Musashigawa stablemate Musashimaru finishes on 12–3 in his debut tournament as a yokozuna. Wakanohana is out injured, while Takanohana can only manage 9–6 in his comeback. Dejima is awarded all three special prizes and after the tournament is promoted to ozeki. Tosanoumi also receives a share of the Fighting Spirit prize for his eleven wins at komusubi rank. Kinkaiyama wins the juryo title. Veteran Tochinowaka, at 37 the oldest man in the top division, announces his retirement. Former komusubi Kotoinazuma also retires. In makushita, Daishoho retires to seek treatment for pancreatic cancer.

September

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  • Musashimaru needs only twelve wins to secure his first championship as a yokozuna. Takanohana, Takanonami and Akebono all withdraw early, while Wakanohana, clearly unfit, becomes the first yokozuna since Onokuni in 1989 to fight a full 15 days and fail to make his majority of wins. Thirty-two-year-old Akinoshima is runner-up on 11–4 and wins his fourth Technique Prize and eighth Fighting Spirit Award. This gives him a total of 19 special prizes, one more than the record of 18 previously held by Kotonishiki. Tochiazuma receives the Outstanding Performance Award. Hayateumi wins the juryo yusho. Former maegashira Tokitsunada, and juryo veteran Zenshinyama, announce their retirements.

November

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  • Musashimaru wins his fourth yusho of the year by defeating Takanohana on the final day to finish on 12–3. Takanohana is runner-up with Kaio on 11–4. Kaio receives the Fighting Spirit prize. Sekiwake Tochiazuma and komusubi Tosanoumi each score ten and win special prizes, for Technique and Outstanding Performance respectively. Takanonami is demoted from the ozeki rank after managing only a 6–9 score on his comeback. In the juryo division, the lightweight Mainoumi, known as the "Department Store of Techniques", announces his retirement. Oginishiki wins the yusho.

Deaths

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  • 28 July: Former juryo Dairyu, aged 54, of cirrhosis of the liver.
  • 3 Oct: Former juryo Haji (also known as Saganoumi), aged 53, in a car accident. He was also a professional baseball player.
  • 11 Nov: Former maegashira Otayama, aged 75.
  • 4 Dec: Former komusubi Daishoho, aged 32, of cancer.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Kattoulas, Vesilarios (November 22, 1999). "Hawaiian Wins Again And Cements Dominance". New York Times. International Herald Tribune. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  2. ^ "Musashimaru wins fourth sumo tournament of year". The Honolulu Advertiser. November 22, 1999. Retrieved February 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Lewis, Ferd (May 26, 1999). "Musashimaru earns place in sumo history". The Honolulu Advertiser. pp. C1, C4. Retrieved February 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Fiamalu "Musashimaru" Penitani". Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 20, 2024.