Hakuho Sho - 白鵬 翔 (born March 11, 1985) is a former Mongolian professional sumo wrestler from Ulaanbaatar. He made his debut in March 2001 and wrestled for Miyagino stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 2004, and has 6 special prizes, 1 kinboshi and 45 top division championships. He was the 69th yokozuna and he retired in September 2021.
Early Life[]
Like many of his countrymen in professional sumo, Hakuho belongs to a family in the Mongolian wrestling tradition. His father Jigjidiin Mönkhbat won a silver medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1968 Summer Olympics, his country's first ever Olympic medal, and held the highest ranking in Mongolian wrestling, "Darkhan Avarga" (meaning "Invincible Champion"), which is the Mongolian equivalent of yokozuna.
Hakuho in a traditional Mongolian wrestling outfit
Davaajargal did not however have any formal training in Mongolian wrestling himself, as his father wished him to try other sports, and he concentrated on basketball as a child instead. However, at an early age he would be seen reading sumo magazines, and when his father asked him why he liked sumo so much, he responded by saying he wanted to be as big as a sumo wrestler one day. At that time he was considered below average in size. He came to Japan in October 2000 when he was fifteen years old, invited by pioneering Mongolian wrestler Kyokushuzan. Because he weighed only 62 kg (137 lb), no sumo training stable (heya) was prepared to accept him. Hearing this, Kyokushuzan asked heya master Miyagino-oyakata to intercede, and Davaajargal was accepted to Miyagino stable on the last day of his two-month stay in Japan, 24 December 2000. He was given the ring name (shikona) Hakuho, with haku meaning "white" and ho, meaning the Chinese mythological bird Peng. His shikona also emulates that of former yokozuna Taiho.
Career[]
Early Career[]
Hakuho in maezumo (c. 2001)
Hakuho made his professional debut at the March tournament (honbasho) in Osaka in 2001. Despite having no previous wrestling experience, as his weight increased he steadily rose in the ranks. He spent two tournaments in jonokuchi and three in jonidan. He rose through sandanme in only 6 tournaments and only one make-koshi.
Unlike many other sumo wrestlers, Hakuho found makushita quite easy and breezed through each tournament. He suffered no losing records and posted two consecutive 6-1 records. This earned him a promotion to juryo in January 2004 at the young age of 18. He was the youngest foreigner ever to reach sekitori level at the time (Wakanoho became the youngest to earn promotion in 2007).
Juryo Career[]
In Hakuho's first juryo tournament he produced a 9-6 record and was promoted to juryo 8 in the following March 2004 tournament. He produced a spectacular 12-3 record and defeated Hayateumi in a playoff for the juryo yusho. This earned him a promotion to makuuchi. He was only 19 during the promotion and was the youngest and the first teenage foreigner to earn promotion to the top division.
Makuuchi Career[]
In his very first top-division tournament, he scored twelve wins against three losses and was awarded a special prize (sansho) for Fighting Spirit. He also enjoyed great success in subsequent tournaments, winning a gold star (kinboshi) for defeating yokozuna Asashoryu in November 2004 while still at the lowest makuuchi rank of maegashira. This tournament also saw him finish as runner-up for the first time. He achieved a rapid promotion to the rank of komusubi in January 2005 and sekiwake only one tournament later. His progress was delayed by an injury which forced him to take leave (zen-kyu) from the Nagoya tournament in 2005.
His ozeki promotion came in March 2006 after a 13–2 record, which included a playoff for the championship (which he lost to Asashoryu) and also earned him two special prizes for Outstanding Performance and Technique. This gave him a three tournament record of 35 wins against ten losses. His promotion was confirmed just a few weeks after his twenty-first birthday, making him the fourth youngest wrestler to reach ozeki in modern sumo history.
Ozeki Career[]
At his first tournament as ozeki in May 2006, with Asashoryu absent, Hakuho won his first championship (yusho) with a 14–1 record, defeating Miyabiyama in another playoff. After another strong performance (13–2) in July, in which he finished as runner-up to Asashoryu and defeated him on the final day, Hakuho flirted with promotion to yokozuna, but an uncharacteristically poor 8–7 showing in September shelved such early hopes. An injury sustained in training prevented him from participating in the November tournament, putting him at risk for demotion (kadoban) in January 2007, when he scored a respectable ten wins on his return to the ring.
In March 2007 Hakuho won his second championship in Osaka and a third championship in the very next tournament in May, with a perfect 15–0 (zensho) record. Winning two consecutive championships satisfies the de facto minimum requirements for promotion to the top rank in sumo. On the day following the tournament, the Yokozuna Deliberation Council unanimously recommended his promotion to yokozuna which was formally announced by the Japan Sumo Association on 30 May 2007. He performed his inaugural ring-entering ceremony (dohyo-iri) at the Meiji Shrine (in the lesser-used Shiranui style) on 1 June. He performed the ceremony at the Kokugikan during Kyokushuzan's retirement ceremony (danpatsu-shiki) on 2 June.
Yokozuna Career[]
2007[]
Hakuho's first tournament as a yokozuna was in July 2007. His 25 match winning streak was brought to an end by Kotomitsuki on the 10th day, and further losses to Kotooshu and Chiyotaikai put him out of contention for the title. He finished the tournament with an 11–4 record.
Hakuho's first tournament championship as a yokozuna came in September 2007 with a 13–2 record, triumphing over Chiyotaikai on the last day. Hakuho's second title as a yokozuna, and fifth overall, came in the following tournament in November with a 12–3 score. He lost to Kotomitsuki on the final day but the championship had already been decided earlier in the day when his only challenger Chiyotaikai pulled out through injury. His yokozuna rival Asashoryu missed both these tournaments through suspension.
2008[]
In the January 2008 tournament, he faced the returning Asashoryu on the final day with both wrestlers having a 13–1 score. In a bout lasting nearly a minute, Hakuho defeated Asashoryu, winning his 6th championship with a 14–1 record. In the March 2008 tournament the two yokozuna met once again to decide the title and this time Asashoryu got his revenge, with Hakuho finishing as runner-up.
Hakuho and Asashoryu glare at each other after a heated match (c. 2008)
In the May 2008 tournament, he won his first nine consecutive bouts. On the 10th day, however, he lost to Ama for the fourth time in their last five meetings, injuring his ankle in the process. Subsequent losses to Kotooshu (the eventual winner of the tournament) and Kotomitsuki put him out of contention for the championship. He finished on 11–4, losing to Asashoryu on the final day in a match that sparked scandal after the two yokozuna nearly came to blows when Asashoryu gave Hakuho an extra shove after the bout was over. Both wrestlers were given a warning over their conduct by the Japan Sumo Association.
In July 2008, with Asashoryu pulling out through injury he won his seventh championship without a serious challenge, securing victory by the 13th day: the first time this had been achieved since January 2005. He finished the tournament unbeaten; his second zensho-yusho. Although he lost on day five of the September tournament, he still dominated all other opponents and secured another championship on the 14th day. He finished the tournament with a 14–1 record.
In the November tournament Hakuho was once again the sole yokozuna participating. He lost his opening bout to Aminishiki and his 12th day bout to Ama. Both Hakuho and Ama finished with a 13–2 record and the eventual play-off was won by Hakuho, handing him his fourth yusho of the season and ninth in total.
2009[]
In the January 2009 tournament Hakuho defeated Asashoryu on the final day in their first meeting since May, handing his fellow yokozuna his first defeat of the tournament and leaving both men with identical 14–1 records. Hakuho was however beaten in the subsequent playoff. Hakuho defeated Asashoryu again in the March tournament, this time capping off an undefeated 15–0 championship, his third zensho-yusho and his tenth championship overall.
Hakuho throws Yokozuna Asashoryu (c. 2009)
In May he extended his winning run to 33 regulation bouts, the best since Asashoryu's 35 in 2004, until he was defeated by Kotooshu on Day 14. He recovered to beat Asashoryu on Day 15 to finish at 14–1, but he lost the playoff bout to Harumafuji who claimed his first championship.
In July he won his eleventh championship, finishing one win ahead of Kotooshu with another 14–1 score. He almost pulled off his twelfth championship in the following September tournament. One win behind Asashoryu for most of the tournament after giving away his first kinboshi in a year (to Shotenro) he forced a playoff by beating his rival on the final day, but then lost in the succeeding playoff bout. This was a very similar scenario to his loss to Asashoryu in the preceding January tournament. Regardless of this loss, he still managed to become the first makuuchi wrestler ever to win fourteen or more bouts in five consecutive tournaments. He also became the first wrestler ever to lose three makuuchi playoffs in one year. After the tournament he was diagnosed with ligament damage in his left elbow; however surgery was not required.
On 28 November, the fourteenth day of the Kyushu basho, he clinched his twelfth tournament championship and broke Asashoryu's 2005 record for most bouts won in a calendar year, which had stood at 84. He defeated Asashoryu the following day to secure his fourth career zensho-yusho and set his 2009 record total at 86 wins. This was also his fourteenth consecutive yusho or jun-yusho (winner or runner-up) performance, another record.
2010[]
In the opening tournament of the year Hakuho's 30 bout winning streak was ended by Baruto on Day 7, and he suffered consecutive losses to ozeki Harumafuji and Kaio on Days 12 and 13 to concede the title to Asashoryu by Day 14. He gained some consolation by beating his yokozuna rival for the seventh straight time in regulation bouts on the final day to finish the tournament on 12–3.
Hakuho attends Yokozuna Asashoryu's retirement ceremony (c. 2010)
Hakuho expressed his shock at the retirement of Asashoryu in February, following allegations his fellow yokozuna had assaulted a man in a drunken brawl outside a nightclub during the previous tournament. Fighting back tears he said, "I don't want to believe it. I was honored to wrestle in the same era as him." After getting regularly beaten by Asashoryu earlier in his career, Hakuho came to completely dominate him, winning all of their last seven regulation matches (excluding two tournament-playoff defeats) and finishing with a 14–13 record over his greatest rival.
He won the Osaka tournament in March with a perfect 15–0 record, his fifth undefeated score and thirteenth championship overall. After his victory he spoke of the extra pressure now that he was sumo's lone yokozuna and his relief at the win. Hakuho wrapped up his fourteenth championship in May by Day 13 (his earliest yusho win since July 2008) and went on to record his sixth zensho-yusho, the first time he has achieved this in consecutive tournaments. With the win, he equaled the number of yusho won by yokozuna Wajima, and to commemorate this he switched to wearing Wajima's trademark gold colored mawashi.
In July 2010 a special committee reviewing the extent of illegal gambling within sumo revealed that Hakuho had bet several tens of thousands of yen on hanafuda Japanese card games with his fellow wrestlers twice a year or so. However, the committee said that he would not be punished as it was not considered a serious offense. He nonetheless appeared along with nearly 80 other wrestlers at a press conference and apologized to sumo fans for his actions.
Hakuho throws and defeats Tochiozan (c. 2010)
On the 14th day of the Nagoya tournament he won his 46th consecutive bout, surpassing Taiho's 45, behind only Chiyonofuji's 53 and Futabayama's 69 as the longest winning run since the beginning of the Showa era. He clinched his fifteenth yusho on the same day, and on the final day he secured his third consecutive 15–0 record, the first wrestler ever to achieve this. However, he did not receive the Emperor's Cup or any other trophy, as the Sumo Association decided to withdraw them in response to the gambling scandal. Hakuho commented, "I hope we will not have a tournament like this ever again."
On Day 6 of the Aki basho in September he equaled the 53-bout winning streak of Chiyonofuji with a win over Kotoshogiku, and surpassed it the following day by pushing out Kisenosato in front of the first sell-out crowd of the tournament so far. He said afterwards that he felt "I really repaid my debt of gratitude" to the former Chiyonofuji. He secured his fourth consecutive yusho on the fourteenth day when rank-and-filers Yoshikaze and Takekaze suffered defeats, and he moved to 14–0 (and 61 consecutive wins) by beating Kotooshu. Asked about Futabayama's record of 69 wins, set in the two tournament a year era from 1936 to 1939, he responded, "It is truly amazing that he was able to continue winning for almost three years." Former Sumo Association Kitanoumi estimated that Hakuho had a possibility of "about 80 percent" of breaking the record, which he would achieve on the eighth day of the November tournament. Hakuho wrapped up the Aki basho by defeating Harumafuji to achieve his fourth perfect record in a row. This was also his eighth zensho-yusho overall, equaling the record held jointly Futabayama and Taiho.
Hakuho after winning his 12th yusho (c. 2010)
On the first day of the November 2010 tournament, Hakuho defeated Tochinoshin, tying the consecutive wins record of Tanikaze with 63. However, on the following day his run was finally brought to an end when he was defeated by Kisenosato. This was only the fifth time in his yokozuna career that Hakuho has been defeated by a maegashira, and Kisenosato is the first to earn more than one kinboshi from him, having previously upset him in September 2008. However, Hakuho won all his remaining bouts and defeated maegashira Toyonoshima in a playoff to win the championship. He finished the year on 86 wins in regulation matches, equaling the record he set in 2009. At a press conference following his victory, he revealed that having his winning run halted before breaking Futabayama's record affected him so badly that he considered withdrawing from the tournament. On 21 December he was awarded the Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize, receiving the Prime Minister's Trophy from Naoto Kan.
2011[]
In the January 2011 tournament in Tokyo he was surprisingly beaten by Kisenosato for the second time in a row but he secured his eighteenth championship on the fourteenth day. In doing so Hakuho became only the third man after Taiho and Asashoryu to win six consecutive tournaments.
Hakuho celebrates with Kaisei after winning his seventh consecutive yusho (c. 2011)
During the May "technical examination tournament" Hakuho notched up his 500th win in the top division, with a victory over Kitataiki on Day 5. He achieved this total with the loss of just 99 top division bouts since his debut in May 2004 – a winning percentage of 83%. He was defeated by Harumafuji on Day 13 but went on to win his seventh straight championship, equaling Asashoryu's record, despite losing to Kaio on the final day.
Hakuho was defeated on the eleventh day of the July 2011 tournament by sekiwake Kotoshogiku and his quest for a record eighth straight yusho ended on Day 14 when he was beaten by Harumafuji to drop two wins behind. He also lost his final day match to Baruto to finish on 12–3, his poorest result since January 2010. Nevertheless, it was still enough for runner-up honors, his twelfth.
He was defeated by Kisenosato for the third time in five meetings on Day 12 of the September tournament and then lost to Kotoshogiku for the second time in a row the following day. However he rallied to beat Baruto on Day 14 and then Harumafuji on the final day to clinch his twentieth tournament championship. On 25 November 2011, he won his 21st tournament title in Fukuoka, moving to 13–0 with none of his rivals scoring better than 10–3. He finished the tournament on 14–1, his only loss coming to Baruto on the final day.
2012[]
Hakuho finished second to Baruto in the opening tournament of 2012, losing to Kakuryu, Harumafuji and Kotooshu. He did however maintain his record of finishing runner-up or better in his last 26 tournaments. In the March basho, Hakuho won his twenty-second yusho after beating Kakuryu in a playoff, finishing with a 13–2 record. Hakuho's only losses came to Kakuryu on the 9th day and Kisenosato on the 13th day. Kakuryu had entered the final day of the tournament one match ahead of the yokozuna but lost to Goeido, and Hakuho beat Baruto to force a playoff. This marked the first time a wrestler had come from one win behind to claim the yusho on the final day since Asashoryu defeated Hokutoriki in a playoff in May 2004. With this victory Hakuho drew level with Takanohana in fifth place on the all–time list of most top division tournament championships.
Hakuho defeats Kakuryu in a playoff to win the January 2012 tournament
In the May 2012 tournament Hakuho fractured his left index finger in an opening day loss to Aminishiki, and he dropped further matches to Toyohibiki, Goeido and Toyonoshima on Days 7, 8 and 9 to stand at only 5–4 after nine days. However he then won five bouts in a row and was even in with an outside chance of claiming the yusho until it was announced that Kotooshu was withdrawing on the final day and giving Tochiozan an automatic twelfth win. Hakuho's defeat by Harumafuji on Day 15 meant he finished on 10–5, his worst ever score as a yokozuna and the first time since his debut at the rank, 29 tournaments ago, that he failed to be at least the runner–up.
After losing to Harumafuji on the last day in both the July and September tournaments (as well as maegashira Tochiozan in September) and seeing his fellow Mongolian claim the yusho in both and earn promotion to yokozuna himself, Hakuho came back to win his 23rd championship in November, losing only to Kotooshu on Day 11. He also finished as the wrestler with the most wins in the calendar year for the sixth consecutive time, a record. His victory was also his sixth straight Kyushu tournament triumph, the best run since Chiyonofuji′s record eight in a row from 1981 to 1988.
2013[]
Hakuho throws and defeats Shohozan (c. 2013)
Hakuho finished joint runner up on 12–3 in the opening tournament of 2013, giving up a kinboshi to Myogiryu on Day 3 and also losing to Kotooshu and Harumafuji. However he captured his 24th title in the Haru basho in March, remaining undefeated for the whole fifteen days. This was his first zensho-yusho since his record winning streak of 2010 and also the ninth of his career, breaking the all-time record he had shared with Taiho and Futabayama. It also drew him level with Kitanoumi in fourth place on the list of most career championships, behind only Asashoryu with 25, Chiyonofuji with 31 and Taiho with 32. Hakuho also recorded his 650th win in the top division in this tournament, moving him into eighth place all-time. In the May tournament he won his 25th championship, equaling Asashoryu's mark. By again recording an undefeated tournament record, his final two victories coming over Kisenosato and Harumafuji, he increased his winning streak to 30 bouts.
Hakuho extended his streak to 43 bouts by winning his first 13 matches in the Nagoya tournament in July, before he was finally defeated by Kisenosato on Day 14. He also lost to Harumafuji on the final day, but both these defeats came after his 26th tournament victory had already been assured. He won his fourth tournament in a row, and the 27th of his career, in the Aki basho in September, losing only one bout to Goeido. In November he went into a final day showdown with his fellow yokozuna Harumafuji, with both men tied on 13–1. Harumafuji won this bout to claim his sixth championship, with Hakuho having to settle for his 17th second-place result. He finished the year with 82 wins out of 90 bouts, a record that has only been bettered by himself (twice) and Asashoryu.
2014[]
Hakuho won the first tournament of 2014. After going undefeated in his first 14 matches, Hakuho lost to Kakuryu on the final day. As Kakuryu had a 14–1 record, this prompted the two to again meet in a tie-breaking bout. After losing 20 minutes prior, Hakuho won his twenty-eighth yusho by defeating Kakuryu in this tie breaker.
Hakuho after winning his 31st yusho (c. 2014)
In the March tournament, Hakuho was bested by Kakuryu and finished runner-up, tied with Goeido at 12–3. He returned in May to win his twenty-ninth yusho with a record of 14–1, only losing once to Goeido. He then won his thirtieth yusho with a 13–2 record in July, becoming only the third man in history to have 30 or more top division championships.
On Day 14 of the September tournament, he defeated the up-and-coming Ichinojo, who he was tied with at 12–1. The following day, Hakuho clinched the championship, winning his third tournament in a row, and the 31st of his career, having lost only one bout, to Goeido. It also drew him level with Chiyonofuji in second place on the list of most career championships.
In the next tournament in Fukuoka, he continued his dominance, again losing only one bout (against Takayasu on day six) and taking the championship to tie him with Taiho for the most championships in sumo history, defeating fellow yokozuna Kakuryu with a yorikiri push-out, for a 14–1 record and his 32nd Emperor's Cup. Hakuho finally was able to fulfill a promise he had made during a visit to Taiho just two days before his death in January 2013 and equal the record, which had stood for over 40 years. After an emotional presentation ceremony Hakuho remarked, “I could achieve this accomplishment because the soul of the Japanese and the god of sumo gave a mandate to my efforts.”
2015[]
Hakuho broke Taiho's record in the opening tournament of 2015, clinching the championship on the 13th day by defeating Kisenosato and maintaining a perfect score into the final days. Hakuho finished the tournament with a perfect score of 15–0 while all contenders had at least four losses. Sumo Association chairman Kitanoumi commented, "Nobody can touch Hakuho... I’d like to see him go for 40 titles. If he keeps going the way he is, that’s a possibility." He was however criticized for turning up an hour late to his press conference the next day, having reportedly been out drinking until 7am celebrating his victory.
Hakuho forces out Osunaarashi (c. 2015)
In Osaka in March Hakuho won his sixth consecutive championship, a feat only achieved four times previously (twice by Taiho, once by Asashoryu and once by himself). His 36 bout winning streak was brought to an end by Terunofuji on Day 13, but he won all his other matches to finish one ahead of Terunofuji on 14–1. During this tournament he also overtook Chiyonofuji to move into second place on the all-time list of most wins in the top division, behind only Kaio. In May he lost on the opening day of a tournament for the first time in three years, to Ichinojo. He ended up finishing runner-up to Terunofuji on 11–4, thus ending his hopes of equaling his and Asashoryu's record of seven straight championships. Still, he won his 35th title in Nagoya in July, finishing two wins ahead of the rest of the field on 14–1.
In September Hakuho lost to Okinoumi and Yoshikaze on the first two days and then announced that he would miss the rest of the tournament owing to an injury which was diagnosed as tendinitis in the left quadriceps. After withdrawing from a tournament for the first time since 2006 Hakuho said "I couldn’t get any power. I apologize to everyone. I can’t step into the ring with half-hearted feelings". His withdrawal brought to an end his run of 722 consecutive match-days competing as a yokozuna and 51 consecutive tournaments with a score of 10–5 or better, both records. On his return in November he appeared to be in dominant form and won his first twelve matches, but defeats in the last three days to Harumafuji, Terunofuji and Kakuryu saw him end the tournament in a three-way tie for second place. His most unusual win came on day 10 when he used the rarely-seen nekodamashi ("cat trick") technique to defeat Tochiozan.
2016[]
In January 2016 Hakuho won his first ten matches but then lost to Kotoshogiku, the eventual winner of the tournament, on Day 11. He also lost his last two bouts to Kisenosato and Harumafuji to end with a 12–3 record and a tie for second place. This result meant he had gone three tournaments without winning the championship for the first time since 2012. In March he lost to Takarafuji on the first day but won his remaining fourteen matches to take his 36th championship. His win was poorly received as he employed a henka (sidestep at the initial charge) to defeat Harumafuji on the final day and clinch the title. Speaking after the match Hakuho said he never planned to win with a henka "and I feel really bad about that."
Hakuho throws and defeats Kaisei (c. 2016)
On the opening day of the May tournament in Tokyo he equaled Kaio's record of 879 top division wins, and surpassed it the next day by gaining revenge over Takarafuji who had defeated him in the previous tournament. He secured his 37th championship on the fourteenth day when his only challenger Kisenosato fell to his second loss, and he rounded off the tournament by defeating Kakuryu with a rare backward pivot throw (utchari) to ensure a 29th consecutive victory and a perfect 15–0 record. His winning streak of 33 bouts was brought to an end on the 5th day of the July 2016 tournament when he lost once again to Takarafuji. He finished the tournament with a mediocre 10–5 record, hampered by an injury to his right big toe. He struggled to recover from his injuries and on 8 September he announced that he would miss the whole of the upcoming tournament explaining "I’m sorry to the fans. I want work on healing in time for the autumn regional tour and the Kyushu Basho".
After undergoing surgery on his toe injury Hakuho returned to action at the November tournament. On the third day he became only the third wrestler, after Chiyonofuji and Kaio, to reach 1000 career wins. Afterwards he admitted to nerves having fallen short of his target with a 10–5 record in July and then having to sit out the September tournament, and expressed relief that he was "finally able to do it." Hakuho went on to get an 11–4 record in November. For the first time in ten years Hakuho didn't get the most wins in a calendar year, only getting 62 wins. Instead Kisenosato won the most victories in the year getting 69 wins. This is primarily due to Hakuho pulling out for the entire September tournament. Additionally Hakuho only managed to win two tournaments in 2016 the least since 2012 where he also only won two.
2017[]
Hakuho celebrates after winning his 40th makuuchi yusho (c. 2017)
In the opening tournament of 2017 Hakuho lost on Day 8 to maegashira Arawashi (a rare example of him losing to a wrestler he had never fought before) and komusubi Takayasu on Day 9. After being defeated on the last two days by Takanoiwa and tournament winner Kisenosato, he finished in a share for third place. This marked the first time in Hakuho's yokozuna career that he had gone four tournaments without winning the championship. He pulled out of the March tournament on the fifth day because of toe and thigh injuries.
The May 2017 tournament saw Hakuho ranked as a yokozuna on the banzuke for the 59th time, putting him level with Chiyonofuji in second place on the all-time list. He won the summer tournament or Natsu Basho, with a zensho, a perfect 15–0 score. He entered the July tournament in Nagoya with two long-standing records in view: he needed nine wins to equal Chiyonofuji's career mark of 1045 and eleven to match Kaio's all-time record of 1047. His task was made somewhat less challenging when Kakuryu, Kisenosato and Terunofuji withdrew with injuries in the first week. He drew level with Chiyonofuji with a win over Kagayaki on day nine and moved ahead of the late yokozuna by beating Chiyoshoma (a pupil of Chiyonofuji) on the following day. After an upset loss to Mitakeumi on day 11 he recovered to beat Tamawashi and Takayasu to break Kaio's all-time record. He entered the final day one win ahead of the maegashira 8 Aoiyama and clinched his 39th title with a win over Harumafuji. After receiving his trophy he said "I lost on the 11th day, but the way I turned back the tide after that was in my head so I was able to get on the ring relaxed today. To be able to break Kaio's 1,047 record and Chiyonofuji's 1,045 mark at the same tournament is gratifying. I'd like to go back to my hometown and rest up tomorrow but the thing in my head right now is 1,000 wins in makuuchi."
Hakuho battles the highly popular rikishi, Endo (c. 2017)
Hakuho missed the September 2017 tournament because of a knee injury, meaning three yokozuna were absent from the start of a tournament for the first time since the beginning of the Showa era. He said at an exhibition in October that he would like to continue wrestling until the 2020 Summer Olympics which will be held in Tokyo. He returned in November to win the tournament with a 14–1 record. He was the only yokozuna to complete the tournament and secured the yusho on the fourteenth day when his only challengers, maegashira Hokutofuji and Okinoumi, both lost. Hakuho's only defeat was to Yoshikaze on Day 11, after which he appealed to the ringside judges to declare the match a false start and initially refused to climb back on the dohyo and accept the loss. Following his 40th career championship Hakuho commented on his fellow Mongolians Harumafuji and Takanoiwa, who were both absent from the tournament after Harumafuji assaulted Takanoiwa during drinks with other wrestlers in Tottori the previous month, saying "I want Harumafuji and Takanoiwa back in the dohyo." Hakuho, who was present at the alleged assault, promised to investigators to "tell them exactly what I saw." On December 20, 2017 the Sumo Association announced that he was being docked all of his salary for January 2018, and half for February, for failing to act when Takanoiwa was attacked. Fellow yokozuna Kakuryu was docked just his January pay. The chairman of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council said, "Hakuho and Kakuryu were not able to stop the incident from happening and being taken too far. Their responsibility should not be taken lightly. They should be given a strong warning."
2018[]
Hakuho celebrates 1000 wins in makuuchi (c. 2018)
Hakuho pulled out of the January 2018 tournament on Day 5 after injuring his left big toe in a defeat to Yoshikaze the previous day. He also lost to Hokutofuji on Day 3, the first time he has lost to maegashira ranked wrestlers on consecutive days since his promotion to yokozuna. He was ranked as a yokozuna for the 64th time on the March 2018 banzuke, breaking the previous record of 63 tournaments as a yokozuna held by Kitanoumi. However, his stablemaster announced that he would sit out the tournament because ligament damage in the left big toe required three weeks of recovery time. On 9 April 2018 his father Jigjidiin Mönkhbat died. He returned to competition at the Natsu tournament in May, finishing with an 11–4 record.
He withdrew on Day 4 of the July tournament at the beginning of the day's bouts, due to a right knee injury.
On 22 September 2018, the 14th day of the Aki Basho, Hakuho created history by winning his 41st Emperor's Cup and scoring his 1000th victory in sumo's top makuuchi division. The following day he completed the tournament undefeated, the 14th time he had achieved a zensho-yusho, extending his own record. His victory also meant he had won at least one top division championship for 13 consecutive years, beating the previous record of 12 held by Taiho.
He withdrew from the regional tour following the September tournament because of a recurrence of his right knee injury and underwent surgery on 18 October. He confirmed on 8 November that he was withdrawing from the November tournament because of persistent pain in the knee. This is the first year since 2006 that he has won only one tournament in a calendar year.
2019[]
Hakuho won his first ten matches in January 2019, but then lost three in a row to Mitakeumi, Tamawashi and Takakeisho. He withdrew from the tournament on Day 14, with his stablemaster revealing that Hakuho injured his right knee on Day 4 and his left ankle on Day 5. It was his 11th career withdrawal, and his fifth in the last seven tournaments.
Hakuho throws up-and-comer Takakeisho (c. 2019)
At the March 2019 tournament, Hakuho won his 42nd top division yusho with a perfect 15-0 record, his 15th zensho-yusho of his career. He sealed his perfect record with a hard-fought shitatenage victory over Kakuryu on the final day. Interviewed after his triumph he said "I entered sumo at the tournament in Osaka, and now I’m here as we ring out the end of the Heisei era, so Osaka has a special place in my heart. I am a creature of this era. Nine years ago in Nagoya, I received a letter from the emperor. This Heisei era means everything to me." Despite appearing to be in pain from an arm injury he then led the crowd in a tejime, a clapping ceremony to mark the end of the era. This was seen as a breach of etiquette as the tournament ceremonies had not yet concluded, and after criticism by the Yokozuna Deliberation Council Hakuho and his stablemaster apologized to the Sumo Association. Hakuho was issued an official reprimand by the Sumo Association the following month for his actions.
Hakuho revealed on March 31 that the injury suffered in the March tournament was a muscle tear in his upper right arm, and that he had opted for rest rather than surgery. He only performed the yokozuna dohyo-iri ceremony during the spring tour, and on May 9 his stablemaster confirmed that he would be sitting out the Natsu tournament as he had only begun basic training routines. He resumed full training at the beginning of June, and shortly before the Nagoya tournament declared himself fit to enter.
Hakuho after winning a match (c. 2019)
In the July tournament Hakuho was defeated by Ichinojo and Kotoshogiku but still had a chance to force a playoff on the final day against Kakuryu, who led him 13–1 to 12–2 on the leader-board. However Kakuryu won the match, his third victory over Hakuho in their last five meetings, and Hakuho finished as runner-up alongside maegashira Terutsuyoshi. It was his first runner-up performance since January 2016. Hakuho withdrew from the September 2019 tournament on the second day with a fractured finger. He returned in November 2019 and won the tournament with a 14–1 record, three wins ahead of the rest of the field. He told reporters after the tournament that he had feared he might never win another title, as his doctor had warned his March arm injury might never completely heal. He also said he was aiming for 50 championships before retiring.
In December Hakuho was nominated by Sumida, one of Tokyo′s wards, to be a torchbearer for the 2020 Olympics.
2020[]
Hakuho withdrew from Day 4 of the January 2020 tournament, with his stablemaster citing a fever and inflammation of his lower back. He had suffered consecutive defeats to maegashira Endo and Myogiryu. Having pulled out of four tournaments in 2018 and three in 2019, he has not completed two tournaments in a row since May and July 2017.
Hakuho after injuring his right knee (c. 2020)
At the March 2020 tournament, Hakuho won his 44th top division yusho with a 13–2 record. On the last day he faced fellow yokozuna Kakuryu with both having a 12-2 score, the first time in seven years that two yokozuna had faced each other in the final match of the tournament with an identical record. His victory took place in a virtually empty arena due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first time since 1945 that a tournament had been held without paying spectators.
Hakuho withdrew from the July tournament due to an injury sustained to his right knee late in the tournament; he subsequently had endoscopic surgery on the knee and missed both the September and November tournaments as a result, the first time since his debut that he has missed two consecutive tournaments.
Following the November 2020 basho, Hakuho - along with fellow yokozuna Kakuryu - were issued warnings by the Sumo Association's Yokozuna Deliberation Council due to lack of participation in recent sumo tournaments. This is the middle of three notices that the council can issue between a letter of encouragement and a recommendation for retirement. It is the first time in history that warning notices have been issued.
2021[]
The Sumo Association announced on 5 January 2021 that Hakuho tested positive for COVID-19. He had reported a loss of the sense of smell the day before. The news broke with just five days until the scheduled start of the January 2021 Tournament. Therefore he was absent from the tournament. Hakuho left hospital on 14 January to continue his recovery at home.
Upon the release of the March 2021 banzuke Hakuho became the first wrestler to spend 100 straight tournaments in makuuchi from his top division debut (without ever falling to juryo).
Hakuho prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2021)
After winning his first two bouts of the March tournament, Hakuho withdrew after doctors informed him that he will need surgery on his right kneecap, according to his stablemaster Miyagino. The surgery required approximately two months of rehabilitation, meaning that Hakuho missed the May 2021 basho. Miyagino said that Hakuho would decide whether or not to continue competing based on his results in the July tournament. He underwent endoscopic surgery on 19 March. This was same knee that had also been operated on in August of the previous year.
On 29 March, the Yokozuna Deliberation Council upheld the warning that was first issued to Hakuho following the November 2020 tournament. The council intends to revisit the issue at the end of the July 2021 tournament, which Hakuho has referred to as "make or break" for his continued participation in active competition.
Following the retirement of Kakuryu, Hakuho was the sole yokozuna listed on the May 2021 banzuke. This marked the first time since September 2012 that there was only one active yokozuna, and uniquely, Hakuho was also the sole yokozuna on that occasion. He formally withdrew from the May tournament on May 7, due to his knee surgery, making it the sixth straight tournament he would fail to complete.
Hakuho lets out a roar after defeating Terunofuji to win his 45th championship at the July 2021 tournament
Mounting a comeback in July 2021, Hakuho went undefeated for the first 14 days of the competition and faced ozeki Terunofuji, who was also undefeated and vying for yokozuna promotion, in the final match of the tournament. Hakuho defeated Terunofuji to win his 45th top division championship and secure his 16th zensho. Hakuho expressed relief after the match, saying that he did not expect to win the basho with a perfect record at his age. His yusho win at the age of 36 years and four months surpassed that of fellow yokozuna Chiyonofuji, who won his final championship at 35 years and five months. Speaking to reporters the next day, Hakuho said, "The prospect for retirement was looming large, right before me, so I fired myself up more than before."
Hakuho did not take part in practice sessions for the September 2021 tournament and gave no indication that he was ready to compete. In the event he was withdrawn from the tournament along with the rest of Miyagino stable after two wrestlers tested positive for COVID-19. It is the second time this year that the stable has had to withdraw from a basho because of a coronavirus outbreak.
Retirement from Sumo[]
Reports emerged after the September 2021 tournament that Hakuho intended to retire, with his long-standing knee injuries leading him to believe he could no longer complete a 15 day tournament. Japan Sumo Association board member Shibatayama confirmed that Hakuho's retirement papers had been received on 27 September, and that a meeting would be scheduled to approve Hakuho's acquisition of the Magaki elder stock. In March 2021, he had discussed his hopes to acquire the Magaki stock. In April 2021 a committee outside of the Sumo Association recommended that the ichidai-toshiyori system, in which exceptional yokozuna are given special one-generation elder status and allowed them to keep their shikona after retirement, be discontinued. The recommendation proved controversial as it was seen to be aimed at Hakuho, who would have been the first wrestler since Takanohana in 2003 to be given the honor.
Hakuho officially announces his retirement (c. 2021)
The Sumo Association's Board of Directors officially finalized Hakuho's retirement on 30 September. Due to this coming the day after the retirements for the September 2021 tournament were announced and the rankings for the next tournament drawn up, Hakuho will be listed on the November banzuke. He will remain at Miyagino stable as a coach for the time being, although there are reports that he is intending to open a stable of his own in Tokyo. He has also been mentioned as a possible successor to the current head of Miyagino stable, the former Chikubayama, who reaches the mandatory retirement age of 65 in 2022. Unusually, before approving Hakuho's acquisition of the Magaki stock the Sumo Association required him to sign a pledge that he would carry out the duties of an elder and that he would not act in ways that went against the "spirit of the way of sumo." He has been assigned to the guidance dissemination department of the Sumo Association, until the division of duties is decided again in February 2022. When the banzuke for the November 2021 tournament in Fukuoka was released, there were only 41 wrestlers in the top division instead of the usual 42. Hakuho's retirement announcement on September 30 had come after the banzuke committee meeting to draw up the new rankings, but an extra wrestler from juryo was not promoted and instead Hakuho's name was effectively blanked out from the yokozuna spot he would have occupied. Hakuho was seen at this tournament in the Sumo Association's blue security uniform, as it is the sumo custom for new oyakata to start out as a tournament security guard.
Hakuho's retirement ceremony (c. 2023)
Although there had been speculation that he was intending to open a stable of his own in Tokyo, Hakuho remained at Miyagino stable, and on 28 July 2022 the Sumo Association announced that he had inherited the Miyagino elder stock and would become the head coach of the stable, as the then Miyagino-oyakata (former Chikubayama) would reach the mandatory retirement age of 65 in August 2022. The two swapped elder names, with the former Miyagino becoming Magaki Oyakata and staying on as a consultant. Hakuho had already recruited several wrestlers himself while still an active wrestler, including former maegashira Daikiho, popular lightweight Enho, and the 200 cm Mongolian-born Hokuseiho. It was announced after the January 2023 tournament that Miyagino stable's Ochiai had been promoted to juryo just one tournament after making his professional debut as a makushita tsukedashi entrant. Hakuho said Ochiai's rise had been so fast he had not yet had time to think of an official shikona for him.
Hakuho's danpatsu-shiki (retirement ceremony) was held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan on 28 January 2023. Billed as "The Retirement Ceremony of Hakuho Sho and the Succession of the Name Miyagino" (白鵬引退宮城野襲名披露) when it was announced in September 2022, Hakuho viewed the ceremony as repaying the fans that had supported him ever since his retirement. Accompanied by ozeki Takakeisho and sekiwake Hoshoryu, serving as the tachimochi (sword bearer) and tsuyuharai (dew sweeper) respectively, Hakuho performed his last yokozuna dohyo-iri, or ring entering ceremony. About 300 people took turns to cut the oichomage bun, with former Miyagino stablemaster Chikubayama making the final cut.
Career as Stablemaster[]
On 28 July 2022 the Japan Sumo Association announced that he had inherited the Miyagino elder stock and would become the head coach of the stable, as the then Miyagino-oyakata (former Chikubayama) would reach the mandatory retirement age of 65 in August 2022. The two swapped elder names, with the former Miyagino becoming Magaki-oyakata and staying on as a consultant. Hakuho had already recruited several wrestlers himself while still an active wrestler, including former maegashira Daikiho, popular lightweight Enho and Ishiura, and the 2 meter (6 ft 7 in) high Mongolian-born Hokuseiho. Miyagino continued to recruit high-potential wrestlers, particularly in amateur circles. In September 2022, former amateur-yokozuna Kiho became the first wrestler recruited by Hakuho since taking over the Miyagino name. In December of the same year, Miyagino recruited one of the stars of amateur competitions, two-time high school titleholder and corporate champion Hakuoho. Nicknamed 'Reiwa Monster', Hakuoho achieved record-breaking promotions and achievements in the space of just 7 months since his official debut as a professional wrestler. With Tenshoho's promotion to juryo after the July 2023 tournament, Miyagino successfully raised three new sekitori after only a little over a year at the head of his stable. At a career conference in September 2023, Miyagino made no secret of his hopes to train two yokozuna himself during his coaching career.
Hokuseiho Violence Scandal[]
In February 2024, it was announced by the Sumo Association that Hokuseiho, the protege of Hakuho, had assaulted several stablemates and that an investigation had been launched after one of them made a formal complaint to the association. Hakuho, who was apparently unaware of the situation, was summoned to inform him that disciplinary proceedings had been launched against both of them, risking a salary deduction and a demotion in the toshiyori hierarchy (the elders in charge of running the association). On 23 February the Sumo Association met and accepted the committee's report. The board accepted the resignation of Hokuseiho, who had submitted his retirement papers the previous day. Hakuho told reporters after the board meeting "I'm so sorry for causing concern to the sumo association, fans and those who support me."
Hokuseiho announces his retirement (c. 2024)
Disciplinary decisions also targeted Hakuho, because the Sumo Association found that he had learned about an assault committed by Hokuseiho that took place during the July 2022 tournament, but did not confirm the incident with either party involved nor reported it to the association. Hakuho was demoted from iin (committee member) to the lowest ranking of toshiyori (elder) and received a salary cut of 20 percent for three months. In the comments to the report submitted to the association, the auditors wrote that had he acted as a stablemaster, it could have possibly prevented the further acts of violence that later occurred over the span of a year. The Sumo Association commented after the affair that more serious disciplinary sanctions could be applied in the event of a new scandal; with spokesman Shibatayama (the 62nd yokozuna Onokuni) telling reporters that a suggestion had been made at the Compliance Committee meeting to remove Hakuho from the association entirely.
Miyagino Stable Closure[]
Following publication of the association's investigation, the association decided to apply additional disciplinary sanctions with Hakuho effectively removed as stablemaster of Miyagino stable in all but name for an indefinite period; the Sumo Association commenting at the time that he "lacks a great deal of knowledge and awareness as a master." In practice, the board decision led to the temporary appointment of Tamagaki (the former Tomonohana), a member of the Isegahama ichimon, to supervise Miyagino stable during the March 2024 tournament. After that tournament, the Sumo Association formally announced the closure of Miyagino stable and the transfer of all the wrestlers and coaches (including Hakuho) to Isegahama stable.
After the scandal, Hakuho visited the families of all of his wrestlers to apologize to them and to alleviate their concerns, something he had been advised to do after a meeting with Isegahama on 3 April. He reported that the families had shown signs of encouragement towards him. During the May tournament, his actions within Isegahama stable received positive feedback, particularly with regard to his commitment during the training sessions, in which he took part fighting against the stable's sekitori. In particular, his training against Takarafuji received positive comments, the latter having been one of the leading wrestlers during the first half of the tournament.
Personal Life[]
- In February 2007 Hakuho married Sayoko Wada, then 22 years old, a Japanese university student and glamour model, after a three-year relationship. The wedding ceremony took place at Meiji Shrine. The couple have four children.
- In July 2017 he was reported to be considering taking Japanese citizenship, which is required to stay in the Japan Sumo Association as an elder after retirement. This would involve giving up Mongolian citizenship, which Hakuho was reportedly reluctant to do while his father Jigjidiin Mönkhbat was still living. After Mönkhbat's death in April 2018 Hakuho's mother denied that her husband had been opposed to the idea and said she felt Hakuho's change in nationality was inevitable. It was reported in April 2019 that Hakuho had begun the process by applying for renunciation of his Mongolian citizenship, and he announced in September 2019 that he had acquired Japanese citizenship. He chose to change his legal name to his shikona, Hakuho Sho.
- Since 2011 Hakuho has hosted the Hakuho Cup, an annual amateur sumo event for elementary to middle school children from both inside and outside Japan, held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan.
- Hakuho's favorite food is sweet bean paste, natto (fermented sticky soybeans) and yakiniku.
- Hakuho's hobbies include reading, playing chess, playing video games, golf and basketball.
Fighting Style[]
Hakuho defeats Takakeisho by uwatenage (overarm throw)
Hakuho has a straightforward but effective style, reminiscent of yokozuna Takanohana. He has been called the "quintessential all-round sumo wrestler" because of his strength in both grappling and pushing techniques, and his ability to read and respond to his opponent's intentions. However, he has said he does not have a special or favorite kimarite, and that "the only thing I am very good at is yorikiri (force-out)". This technique, the most common kimarite in sumo, is used by Hakuho to win 28% of his matches. He favors the migi-yotsu position, meaning his right hand is inside and his left hand is outside his opponent's arms, and he has become famous for his left hand outside grip. He also regularly employs uwatenage, or outer-arm throw. While meeting foreign journalists in April 2009, Hakuho said he was studying the techniques of the 35th yokozuna Futabayama, a wrestler whom he greatly admires, in particular his approach to the tachi-ai or initial charge.
Hakuho has been criticized for giving his opponents an unnecessary final shove after the bout was already over (dameoshi). He did this on Day 4 of the March 2016 tournament in his win over Okinoumi and again on Day 8, when he sent Yoshikaze crashing into the ring side judge Izutzu Oyakata, fracturing Izutzu's left femur and putting him out of action for three months.Hakuho was warned by the head of the judging committee, Isegahama Oyakata, who said, "he has to understand completely that (such) redundant finishing blows are dangerous." Hakuho apologized, calling his actions "inexcusable... Even I have weaknesses in the ring that I want to correct." Speaking after his tournament victory in May 2016 he commented, "I don’t know why but when I get into the ring, I turn into a different Hakuho. I think there are two Hakuhos. I'm gentler when I'm not in the ring."
The Yokozuna Deliberation Council criticized him in January 2018 for using slaps to the face and leading with the elbow at the tachi-ai, moves they considered beneath the dignity of a yokozuna. Hakuho has continued to use these tactics however, and was condemned once again by the Council after his championship-clinching win over Terunofuji in July 2021. Hakuho responded to criticism of his style in this match and in the previous day's win over Shodai, in which he stood far back at the tachi-ai and kept his distance throughout the match, by saying he was trying to protect his weak right knee.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 1187-247-253/1424 (122 basho)
- Makuuchi: 1093-199-253/1282 (103 basho)
- Juryo: 21-9/30 (2 basho)
- Makushita: 25-10/35 (5 basho)
- Sandanme: 26-16/42 (6 basho)
- Jonidan: 14-7/21 (3 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 8-6/14 (2 basho)
Championships[]
- 45 Makuuchi Championships
- 1st (May 2006)
- 2nd (March 2007)
- 3rd (May 2007)
- 4th (September 2007)
- 5th (November 2007)
- 6th (January 2008)
- 7th (July 2008)
- 8th (September 2008)
- 9th (November 2008)
- 10th (March 2009)
- 11th (July 2009)
- 12th (November 2009)
- 13th (March 2010)
- 14th (May 2010)
- 15th (July 2010)
- 16th (September 2010)
- 17th (November 2010)
- 18th (January 2011)
- 19th (May 2011)
- 20th (September 2011)
- 21st (November 2011)
- 22nd (March 2012)
- 23rd (November 2012)
- 24th (March 2013)
- 25th (May 2013)
- 26th (July 2013
- 27th (September 2013)
- 28th (January 2014)
- 29th (May 2014)
- 30th (July 2014
- 31st (September 2014)
- 32nd (November 2014)
- 33rd (January 2015)
- 34th (March 2015)
- 35th (July 2015)
- 36th (March 2016)
- 37th (May 2016)
- 38th (May 2017)
- 39th (July 2017)
- 40th (November 2017)
- 41st (September 2018)
- 42nd (March 2019)
- 43rd (November 2019)
- 44th (March 2020)
- 45th (July 2021)
- 1 Juryo Championship (March 2004)
Achievements[]
- Special Prizes: Outstanding Performance Prize (3), Technique Prize (2), Fighting Spirit Prize (1)
- Kinboshi: (1) Asashoryu
- Record: 1st Most top division championships (45)
- Record: 1st Most career wins (1187)
- Record: 1st Most top division wins (1093)
- Record: 1st Most tournaments ranked as yokozuna (84)
- Record: 1st Longest-serving yokozuna (14 years)
- Record: 1st Most wins as yokozuna (899)
- Record: 1st Most consecutive wins in the 6 tournaments per year era (63)
- Record: 1st Most undefeated championships (16)
- Record: 1st Most wins in a calendar year (86 - Twice)
- Record: Tied for 1st: Most consecutive championships (7)
- Record: Tied for 1st: Most championship playoffs (10)
- Record: 2nd Most tournaments ranked in the top division (103)
- Record: 8th Most top division bouts (1282)
- Most consecutive years with a top division championship: 15
- Most wins in a calendar year nine straight times from 2007 until 2015
Shikona History[]
- Hakuho Sho (2001.03 - 2021.09)
Gallery[]
JSA Profile Pictures and Tegata[]
Career Overview[]
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