All Hail Harumafuji!
The summer sumo tournament ended a few hours ago in Tokyo with ozeki Harumafuji (the former Ama) taking the title in an exciting playoff match against yokozuna Hakuho. It was Harumafuji’s first championship since being promoted to ozeki last November. Both Hakuho and Harumafuji finished with 14-1 records, while yokozuna Asashoryu stayed a step back at 12-3 and spent most of the two weeks feuding with the media.
All in all, it was in one of the most exciting tourneys in recent memory. Over the last three or four days, the top-ranked wrestlers went after one another in a series of really thrilling matches. All of the ozeki reached winning records, including the battered Chiyotaikai. Entering the tournament with kadoban status (meaning he would lose his rank if he had a losing mark), he managed to eke out an 8-7 tally, although the last three wins had the distinct aroma of charity (or perhaps commerce) about them.
Several up-and-coming wrestlers performed well, too. Kakuryu, debuting at the fourth highest rank of komusubi, carried himself admirably to a 9-6 record. Kisenosato finished 13-2 and went into the final day with at least a mathematical possibility of taking the title. Kotoshogiku ended up 10-5.
In addition to the sumo itself, the tournament was notable as the final official appearance by Azumazeki oyakata, who reaches the mandatory retirement age of 65 next month. Back in the 1960s and 70s, he was Takamiyama, the first foreign wrestler in sumo history, an enormously popular figure. His top-ranked disciple, Takamisakari, finished with a fine 9-6 record and made it clear that he was trying to do something special to honor his mentor. Veteran Ushiomaru announced today that he will retire and eventually take over the Azumazeki stable, but it’s hard to imagine sumo without Jesse’s avuncular presence. At tournaments, he regularly manned the ticket booth and was famous for his friendly interaction with ordinary fans. お疲れ様でした。
