Latest news with #Miyagino
Yomiuri Shimbun
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Toyota to Continue Loan of Century Convertible for Sumo Tournament Victory Parades
Toyota Motor Corp. has said that it intends to continue having a special edition of its Century convertible used in sumo tournament victory parades. The automaker revealed the plan on Saturday ahead of the opening of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday. During a general shareholder meeting on June 12, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda had mentioned the possibility of suspending the loan of the car for such victory parades. The special edition of its flagship Century was developed after former yokozuna Hakuho, who has a connection with Toyoda, proposed the development of such a car when he was the Miyagino stablemaster. The convertible is designed to prevent its body from sinking even when ridden in by heavy sumo wrestlers, such as by strengthening the suspension springs. The car has been used by the winning wrestler since the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in 2024, but the automaker has ownership of the car. At the general shareholder meeting, Toyoda referred to the Japan Sumo Association's handling of Hakuho who left the association in June, saying: 'He is a great yokozuna who has supported sumo, which is a national sport. I honestly feel that this shouldn't be how [Hakuho's career in sumo] ends.' Toyoda also expressed his desire to suspend the loan of the Century. However, Toyoda was later informed by Hakuho that active sumo wrestlers are eager to ride in the Century should they win a tournament. That led the automaker to decide to continue the loan of the car, according to sources.
Yomiuri Shimbun
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Sumo Scene / Ex-Yokozuna Hakuho Retires from Japan Sumo Association; Aims to Spread Sumo Throughout the World
Former yokozuna Hakuho, who took a hammer to the record book during a career that included an unprecedented 45 makuuchi-division championships, has made a total break from the Japan Sumo Association. The ex-Miyagino stablemaster announced his resignation on June 9, declaring that he would now dedicate himself to promoting the sport outside the association as 'Hakuho Sho,' his adopted name since acquiring Japanese citizenship. I have been covering Hakuho from the time he joined the Miyagino stable after coming to Japan from Mongolia, to his professional debut in 2001, and through to the present day. I have seen my share of others who reached the rank of yokozuna, but none in my memory ever underwent such intense fluctuations in his career as Hakuho. From the very start he quickly rose up the ranks, eventually pulling equal to predecessor and fellow Mongolian Asashoryu. In stark contrast to Asashoryu's 'bad boy' reputation, Hakuho established a strong image as a straight-laced model student. However, this aspect of Hakuho gradually changed after Asashoryu retired in 2010 to take responsibility for a scandal. Around that time, Hakuho began to dominate the other wrestlers as the lone yokozuna, at one point putting together a 63-match winning streak. At the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Hakuho took a leading role in reconstruction activities as a representative of the sumo world. He also actively worked to regain the trust of fans after the sport suffered a decline in popularity due to a series of scandals that included match-rigging. However, Hakuho also came under increasing criticism for his heavy-handed techniques during bouts, such as harshly striking opponents or battering them with a forearm to the chest. This win-at-all-costs approach by a yokozuna was condemned as 'lacking the dignity' of the rank. When it came to sumo, there was no doubt Hakuho was peerless in terms of his passion for constantly trying to better himself. He trained diligently, and always made time to study the techniques and tactics of past greats by watching videos of their bouts over and over again. Yet he also showed many aspects of a negative side that affected his popularity, which made him one of those rare wrestlers who divided sumo fans and was either loved or hated. At a press conference following his retirement from the association, Hakuho said, 'I want to move forward in pursuit of a new dream. I want to work to spread sumo throughout the world.' Many eyes will be on his future activities. — Kamimura is a sumo expert.
Japan Forward
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Japan Forward
Beyond Yokozuna Hakuho, Deeper Problems Beset Sumo Association
Hakuho remains a respected yokozuna, a grand champion of sumo, and is considered one of the sport's all-time greats. However, Hakuho also bears considerable responsibility for disrespecting the traditions of Japan's national sport. It is unfortunate but unavoidable that he must exit the sumo world. The Mongolia-born Hakuho won 45 top-level tournaments during his illustrious career. Then, after retiring, he became the master of the Miyagino sumo stable. Now he has been forced to retire from the Japan Sumo Association. The Miyagino stable was ordered closed due to the abuse of young wrestlers in the beya (stable) by one of Hakuho's subordinates. The suspect himself is also a top-level ( makuuchi ) wrestler. Prospects for its revival now appear unlikely. That was just one of the reasons for Hakuho's resignation. At a June 9 press conference, Hakuho announced that he aims to establish a new international sumo organization. He plans to work to popularize and develop the sport worldwide. Stablemaster Miyagino (left) and sumo wrestler Hokuseiho bow in apology before reporters at Miyagino stable in Tokyo on February 23, 2024. (©Kyodo) Some people argue the decision to close Hakuho's beya was too harsh. They compare his punishment to that meted out to others in the past who have had scandals involving bullying or other forms of violence. However, the fact is that when Hakuho was formally named a toshiyori , or "elder," he signed a pledge to abide strictly by its rules. During his active career, Hakuho was notorious for his sometimes flagrant misconduct. He showed disregard for the traditions of the national sport and the rank of yokozuna. For example, he sometimes unilaterally skipped steps expected of a yokozuna when entering the dohyo. Other times, he employed dangerous elbow strikes during his bouts. It seems fair to say that how he mismanaged his subordinate's violence justified the association's concerns. Hakuho should take this opportunity to reflect on whether he ever had what it takes to successfully run a sumo beya . The Japa Sumo Association's poor governance has also been shocking. In October 2018, it announced a zero tolerance policy for violence and proposed training for stablemasters and wrestlers. However, even after that, violent incidents related to sumo stables continued to occur. Asashoryu (2010) and Harumafuji (2017), both yokozuna, retired due to their own violent behavior. And stablemaster Takanohana (former yokozuna Takanohana) resigned in 2018 after clashing with the association over how it handled the violence his disciple Takanoiwa suffered at the hands of Harumafuji. Since the Heisei era, 11 wrestlers have become yokozuna (excluding currently active wrestlers). However, six (including Hakuho) have already left the world of sumo. This is abnormal, to say the least. (From left) Retired yokozuna Hakuho and Masahiro Morii at a press conference about the World Sumo Grand Slam they are planning and Toyota's sponsorship of the project. In Tokyo on June 9. (©Sankei by Kanata Iwasaki) No one can deny Hakuho's accomplishments. At a time when faith in the national sport had hit rock bottom due to professional baseball gambling and match-fixing scandals, he restored the popularity of sumo through his efforts both inside and outside the ring. And how can we ever forget how he stood at the forefront of efforts to support areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake? The association proved unable to develop such a great person into a leader in the sumo world. And in the wake of the recent scandal, it left him in a state of limbo without indicating if or when he would be able to reopen the stable. Isn't how the association operates also one of the root causes of the problem? The number of Japanese rikishi (sumo wrestlers) continues to fall due to the country's declining births. In addition, younger people are turned off by the old-fashioned, violent culture that continues within the sport. It is wrong for the Japan Sumo Association to try to pin all the blame on Hakuho's character. Nor can it summarily close the curtain on the issue because he has departed. (Read the editorial in Japanese .) Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
Asahi Shimbun
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Asahi Shimbun
SUMO/ Hakuho to work outside of JSA to spread the sport across the globe
One week after resigning from the Japan Sumo Association, retired yokozuna great Hakuho said he isn't leaving the sport entirely but wants to take sumo global and support it outside the JSA. At a news conference on June 9 that lasted about an hour, Hakuho, 40, explained why he decided to leave the JSA rather than continue as stablemaster Miyagino. He said he had decided in March to resign from the association, but waited until after the conclusion of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament held in Tokyo in May to make a formal announcement. Hakuho said he would establish a new company designed to turn sumo into a global sport and which he would head. 'I have been loved by sumo and have in turn loved sumo for the past 25 years,' Hakuho said. 'I am here today to inform all of you that I am leaving the association and moving forward toward a new dream. Thinking about my current position, I decided it would be better to make every effort to further develop sumo from outside the association rather than within it.' He said he wanted to work toward creating a world sumo grand slam tournament as well as to make it an Olympic sport. Hakuho added that the religious roots of sumo helps to foster the physical and mental sides of an individual to make them better people. 'I believe it will be possible to transmit the fundamentals of sumo in order to rid the world of discrimination and prejudice,' Hakuho said. He explained that various proposals were raised within the JSA about what to do with his Miyagino stable, which had been placed under the auspices of the Isegahama stable. That was a result of disciplinary measures taken against Hakuho for violent acts by some of his stable members that were not reported to the JSA. Hakuho said nine stable members decided to retire rather than join a stable suggested by the JSA. Some had insisted on joining the Oshima stable now headed by the former Kyokutenho. But Hakuho said JSA officials did not approve such a move because Kyokutenho was also originally from Mongolia, like his own country of origin. Hakuho also brushed off media reports that suggested he was upset that the retired yokozuna Terunofuji would become the new Isegahama stablemaster rather than himself. Hakuho said he feels like a father to Terunofuji since he introduced him to a sumo stable when he joined the sumo world.
The Mainichi
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Sumo great Hakuho plans to promote sport from outside ruling body
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Former yokozuna Hakuho plans to remain involved with sumo despite severing ties with the sport's ruling body, the winner of a record 45 elite-level tournaments said Monday. The Mongolian-born ex-wrestler's retirement from the Japan Sumo Association was formalized the same day. His exit comes little more than a year after the indefinite closure of the Miyagino stable that he had overseen as stablemaster, following revelations that one of his proteges, top-division competitor Hokuseiho, had physically abused younger wrestlers. At a press conference in Tokyo, the 40-year-old said he wanted to promote sumo from outside the association. "I want to develop sumo from an outside perspective," he said. "I will focus on projects to spread sumo around the world." Hakuho, who retired from competition in September 2021, said he agonized about his decision to quit as a sumo elder, considering the potential impact on the wrestlers he had been training. "I really struggled with it," he said. "My charges were competing in the Summer tournament (in May), so I told them after it finished." Hakuho was demoted two ranks as an elder to take responsibility for the scandal at the Miyagino stable, whose members transferred to the Isegahama stable. With the future of the Miyagino stable in limbo, Hakuho had grown increasingly dissatisfied with his treatment by the sumo authorities. The end of his competitive career was marked by criticism about what was seen as his brash manner in the ring and sometimes overly rough wrestling, prompting the sumo association to make him sign a pledge to abide by its rules before allowing him to become an elder. Despite his split with the sumo hierarchy, Hakuho will be remembered as an all-time great for a dominant career in which he won 1,187 matches, more than any other wrestler in the sport's long history.
