After Asashoryu won the January sumo tournament, I predicted it would be his last time being grand champion, never imagining that it would be due to his retirement. I should have put some money down on that guess as he retired today.

Since the tournament he has been under fire for hitting someone in the early morning during the tournament. Then it turned out he lied about who the person was. Now it looks like the Japan Sumo Association may have told Asashoryu that if he didn’t retire, in order to stop making them look bad, they would take some strict actions against him.

Ironically, some may have thought, including myself, that the final day of the tournament may be Kaio’s last bout. Camera flashes were going crazy to capture what were his possible final moments in the ring. As it turns out, we were witness to Asashoryu’s final match, a defeat to Hakuho. Here are some more scenes from Asashoryu’s last tournament day as a professional sumo yokozuna.

Asashoryu’s final yokozuna ring-entrance ceremony (土俵入り) in three parts…

The final stare down between Yokozuna Asashoryu and Yokozuna Hakuho…

The last picture I took of the day… Yokozuna Asashoryu waving the Mongolian flag as he rides away from Ryogoku Kokugikan for the last time as Grand Champion.

Posted on February 4th, 2010 under Japan. Tags: asashoryu, hakuho, sumo. Comments: 3

Some special events happen on the final day of a sumo tournament. One is a short demonstration or ceremony put on by the Yokozuna- and Ozeki-ranked rikishi before the final few bouts of the day. Above you can see Asashoryu, Kaio, and Harumafuji doing the sanyakusoroibumi (三役揃い踏み) which includes shiko (四股, ceremonial sumo leg raise and stomp). In the background you can see Hakuho and Kotooshu.

Ellie and Ryan are in front of the entrance to Ryogoku Kokugikan.

You can watch the top rikishi enter the grounds between about 1 and 2:30 p.m. on the south side of the building. Fans are supposed to stay behind the blue cones, but this little guy ran out for a handshake. Neither the rikishi (I think this is Toyonoshima; can anyone confirm or correct?) or security seemed to mind.

Posted on February 1st, 2010 under Japan. Tags: asashoryu, hakuho, sumo. Comments: None