In 1996, the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament set a record for the number of wrestlers in a playoff, after Musashimaru, Akebono, Wakanohana, Takanonami, and Kaio, all tied at 11–4.[1] Musashimaru won the historic five-way playoff, taking his second tournament title since July 1994.[1]

The following are the events in professional sumo during 1996.

Tournaments

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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(Lots are drawn. Four rikishi face in semifinals, and one is a reserve. The reserve and the two winners face in a 3-Way Playoff, where two consecutive victories are required to win the Playoff and the yūshō)

News

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January

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March

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  • Takanohana wins his 12th championship, finishing on 14–1, two wins ahead of his stablemate and brother Wakanohana and sekiwake Musoyama, who gets the Technique Award. Asahiyutaka is the only man to beat Takanohana and wins the Outstanding Performance Award. Kotonowaka wins eleven and the Fighting Spirit Award. Kyokushuzan wins the juryo yusho after a playoff with Saigo. Former ozeki Kirishima retires, as do former maegashira Owakamatsu and Tamakairiki (who has fallen to the jonidan division).
 
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 of Futagoyama stable. Yokozuna Akebono returns from three tournaments sidelined by injury to score 10–5. Tamakasuga wins the Technique Prize and Kaio the Outstanding Performance Award. Veteran former ozeki Konishiki avoids demotion and certain retirement by winning ten bouts from maegashira 14. Rikio wins his second juryo championship. The makushita yusho is won by Dejima.

July

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  • 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 kg Mainoumi is injured when the 275 kg Konishiki falls on his leg. He has to withdraw from the tournament, meaning he will fall to juryo. Daizen wins his second juryo championship. Former maegashira Kiraiho retires. Kyokushuzan becomes the first wrestler from Mongolia to earn promotion to the top division.

September

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

November

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  • 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. Tosanoumi wins the Outstanding Performance Award. Tochinonada wins the juryo title in his debut. Former komusubi Kyokudozan retires to become a politician in the Diet of Japan.

Deaths

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  • 4 Jan: Former maegashira Oedo, former Irumagawa Oyakata, aged 73.
  • 14 Jan: Former komusubi Ohikari, former Onomatsu Oyakata, aged 68.
  • 14 April: Former sekiwake Kotetsuyama, former Onaruto Oyakata, aged 53.
  • 8 Dec: Kagamiyama Oyakata, the former yokozuna Kashiwado, aged 58.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Musashimaru wins in five-man playoff". Hawaii Tribune-Herald. Associated Press. November 25, 1996. Retrieved February 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.