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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Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 10 January – 24 January

1999 Hatsu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result East Rank West Result
8 - 7 - 0   Takanohana Y   Wakanohana 13 - 2 - 0
0 - 0 - 15 ø   Akebono Y ø  
8 - 7 - 0   Musashimaru O   Takanonami 6 - 9 - 0
13 - 2 - 0   Chiyotaikai* S   Kotonowaka 8 - 7 - 0
ø   S   Musōyama 10 - 5 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Dejima K   Tochiazuma 9 - 6 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Kotonishiki K ø  
9 - 6 - 0   Kaiō M1   Tosanoumi 7 - 8 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Takatōriki M2   Tamakasuga 5 - 10 - 0
11 - 4 - 0   Akinoshima M3   Aogiyama 4 - 11 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Minatofuji M4   Tōki 7 - 8 - 0
4 - 11 - 0   Tokitsuumi M5   Kotoryū 5 - 10 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Tochinowaka M6 ø   Wakanosato 0 - 0 - 15
8 - 7 - 0   Terao M7   Higonoumi 8 - 7 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Shikishima M8   Kyokushūzan 9 - 6 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Tochinonada M9   Kaihō 6 - 9 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Gojōrō M10   Ganyū 8 - 7 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Wakanojō M11   Mitoizumi 8 - 7 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Oginishiki M12   Hamanoshima 6 - 9 - 0
4 - 9 - 0 ø   Asahiyutaka M13   Asanosho 6 - 9 - 0
10 - 5 - 0   Chiyotenzan M14   Kinkaiyama 4 - 11 - 0
4 - 8 - 3   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   Takanohana Y ø   Wakanohana 8 - 3 - 4
0 - 0 - 15 ø   Akebono Y ø  
13 - 2 - 0   Musashimaru O ø   Chiyotaikai 3 - 8 - 4
ø   O   Takanonami 12 - 3 - 0
1 - 2 - 12   Musōyama S   Kotonowaka 6 - 9 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Tochiazuma K   Dejima 9 - 6 - 0
11 - 4 - 0   Akinoshima K   Kaiō 10 - 5 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Takatōriki M1   Kotonishiki 6 - 9 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Tosanoumi M2   Shikishima 1 - 14 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Kyokushūzan M3   Terao 5 - 10 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Higonoumi M4   Tamakasuga 7 - 8 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Tōki M5   Tochinonada 9 - 6 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Minatofuji M6   Wakanosato 5 - 10 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Miyabiyama M7   Ganyū 5 - 10 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Aogiyama M8   Tochinowaka 8 - 7 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Chiyotenzan M9   Hamanoshima 6 - 9 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Mitoizumi M10   Kotoryū 8 - 7 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Oginishiki M11   Tokitsuumi 9 - 6 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Gojōrō M12   Kaihō 8 - 7 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Asanowaka M13   Ōhinode 9 - 6 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Wakanojō M14   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   Takanohana Y ø   Wakanohana 3 - 5 - 7
11 - 4 - 0   Akebono Y ø  
13 - 2 - 0   Musashimaru O   Takanonami 9 - 6 - 0
ø   O ø   Chiyotaikai 0 - 0 - 15
6 - 9 - 0   Akinoshima S   Kaiō 12 - 3 - 0
11 - 4 - 0   Dejima S ø  
10 - 5 - 0   Tochiazuma K   Takatōriki 5 - 10 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Tosanoumi M1   Kotonowaka 2 - 13 - 0
3 - 9 - 3 ø   Tochinonada M2   Miyabiyama 6 - 9 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Chiyotenzan M3   Kotonishiki 9 - 6 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Kyokushūzan M4   Aogiyama 7 - 8 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Tochinowaka M5   Tamakasuga 7 - 8 - 0
0 - 0 - 15 ø   Musōyama M6   Tokitsuumi 4 - 11 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Higonoumi M7   Terao 6 - 9 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Tōki M8   Kotoryū 5 - 10 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Minatofuji M9   Ōhinode 6 - 9 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Kaihō M10   Wakanosato 11 - 4 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Daizen M11   Shikishima 8 - 7 - 0
7 - 7 - 1   Ganyū M12   Wakanojō 8 - 7 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Asanosho M13   Hamanoshima 9 - 6 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Oginishiki M14   Kyokutenhō 9 - 6 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   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   Akebono Y   Musashimaru 12 - 3 - 0
0 - 0 - 15 ø   Wakanohana Y   Takanohana 9 - 6 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Takanonami O   Chiyotaikai 10 - 5 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Kaiō S   Dejima* 13 - 2 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Tochiazuma S ø  
11 - 4 - 0   Tosanoumi K   Chiyotenzan 3 - 12 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Kotonishiki M1   Akinoshima 6 - 9 - 0
4 - 11 - 0   Wakanosato M2   Tōki 7 - 8 - 0
4 - 11 - 0   Takatōriki M3   Higonoumi 2 - 13 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Miyabiyama M4   Minatofuji 7 - 8 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Aogiyama M5   Kaihō 5 - 10 - 0
11 - 4 - 0   Musōyama M6   Tamakasuga 9 - 6 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Kyokushūzan M7   Shikishima 8 - 7 - 0
0 - 0 - 15 ø   Tochinonada M8   Asanosho 9 - 6 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Hamanoshima M9 ø   Tochinowaka 2 - 8 - 5
9 - 6 - 0   Kotonowaka M10   Kyokutenhō 7 - 8 - 0
3 - 12 - 0   Wakanojō M11   Terao 8 - 7 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Yōtsukasa M12   Daizen 5 - 10 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Tokitsuumi M13   Wakanoyama 8 - 7 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Ōhinode M14   Ganyū 9 - 6 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   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   Akebono Y   Musashimaru 12 - 3 - 0
0 - 3 - 12 ø   Takanohana Y   Wakanohana 7 - 8 - 0
10 - 5 - 0   Chiyotaikai O ø   Takanonami 3 - 4 - 8
10 - 5 - 0   Dejima O ø  
9 - 6 - 0   Kaiō S   Tosanoumi 7 - 8 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Kotonishiki K   Musōyama 8 - 7 - 0
10 - 5 - 0   Tochiazuma M1   Tamakasuga 8 - 7 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Kyokushūzan M2   Asanosho 7 - 8 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Tōki M3   Akinoshima 11 - 4 - 0
3 - 12 - 0   Shikishima M4   Kotonowaka 7 - 8 - 0
10 - 5 - 0   Miyabiyama M5   Minatofuji 6 - 9 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Chiyotenzan M6   Wakanosato 6 - 9 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Takatōriki M7   Terao 8 - 7 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Tochinonada M8   Aogiyama 8 - 7 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Kaihō M9   Ganyū 5 - 10 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Tokitsuumi M10   Kotoryū 8 - 7 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Wakanoyama M11   Higonoumi 8 - 7 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Kyokutenhō M12   Hamanoshima 8 - 7 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Kinkaiyama M13 ø   Yōtsukasa 0 - 3 - 12
8 - 7 - 0   Ōtsukasa M14   Asanowaka 9 - 6 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   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   Musashimaru Y ø   Wakanohana 0 - 0 - 15
0 - 0 - 15 ø   Akebono Y   Takanohana 11 - 4 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Chiyotaikai O   Dejima 10 - 5 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Takanonami O ø  
11 - 4 - 0   Kaiō S   Tochiazuma 10 - 5 - 0
10 - 5 - 0   Musōyama K   Akinoshima 3 - 12 - 0
ø   K   Tosanoumi 10 - 5 - 0
3 - 12 - 0   Tamakasuga M1   Miyabiyama 8 - 7 - 0
2 - 13 - 0   Takatōriki M2   Kotonishiki 7 - 8 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Kyokushūzan M3   Asanosho 4 - 11 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Terao M4   Aogiyama 6 - 9 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Kotonowaka M5   Tōki 9 - 6 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Wakanoyama M6   Kotoryū 9 - 6 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Minatofuji M7   Higonoumi 8 - 7 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Kyokutenhō M8   Chiyotenzan 7 - 8 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Asanowaka M9 ø   Wakanosato 5 - 7 - 3
8 - 7 - 0   Hamanoshima M10   Shikishima 8 - 7 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Kaihō M11   Ōtsukasa 8 - 7 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Tokitsuumi M12   Tochinonada 10 - 5 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Ōhinode M13   Daizen 7 - 8 - 0
0 - 10 - 5 ø   Ganyū M14   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.
  • 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.