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Retirement ceremony for ex-yokozuna Terunofuji

Former yokozuna Terunofuji has his topknot cut by former yokozuna Hakuho during his retirement ceremony at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan arena on Jan. 31, 2026.

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Naadam festival in Mongolia

Former yokozuna Hakuho, who hails from Mongolia and rose to prominence in Japanese sumo, is pictured after attending the opening ceremony for the Naadam festival in Ulaanbaatar on July 11, 2025.

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Japan emperor's state visit to Mongolia

Mongolian-born former sumo grand champions in Japan -- (from L) Asashoryu, Harumafuji and Hakuho -- are present at a welcome ceremony for visiting Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako in Ulaanbaatar on July 8, 2025. (Pool photo)

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Japan emperor's state visit to Mongolia

Mongolian-born former sumo grand champions in Japan -- Asashoryu (L) and Hakuho -- pose for photos ahead of a welcome ceremony for visiting Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako in Ulaanbaatar on July 8, 2025. (Pool photo)

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Hakuho retires as sumo elder

Former yokozuna Hakuho holds a press conference in Tokyo upon his retirement from the Japan Sumo Association on June 9, 2025.

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Hakuho retires as sumo elder

Former yokozuna Hakuho holds a press conference in Tokyo upon his retirement from the Japan Sumo Association on June 9, 2025.

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Hakuho retires as sumo elder

Former yokozuna Hakuho holds a press conference in Tokyo upon his retirement from the Japan Sumo Association on June 9, 2025.

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Hakuho retires as sumo elder

Former yokozuna Hakuho holds a press conference in Tokyo upon his retirement from the Japan Sumo Association on June 9, 2025.

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Sumo: Terunofuji

Mongolian sekiwake Terunofuji (R) forces fellow grand champion Hakuho to the edge of the ring at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 20, 2015.

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Sumo: Ex-yokozuna Hakuho's retirement ceremony

Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori (R) attends former sumo grand champion Hakuho's retirement ceremony at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Jan. 28, 2023. Some 280 people took turns snipping bits of the topknot of the wrestler, who won a record 45 grand sumo tournament titles, a ritual that marks his formal retirement.

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Sumo: Record-setting champion Hakuho's retirement ceremony

Former yokozuna Hakuho, who won a record 45 grand sumo tournament titles, gets a final cut from his former stablemaster Magaki (back, R), during his topknot cutting ceremony at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Jan. 28, 2023, a ritual that marks his formal retirement. Some 280 people took part in the ritual that marks the wrestler's formal retirement. (Pool photo)

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Sumo: Ex-yokozuna Hakuho's retirement ceremony

Former yokozuna Hakuho (front), who won a record 45 grand sumo tournament titles, gets a strand of his topknot cut by Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda during his retirement ceremony at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Jan. 28, 2023. Some 280 people took part in the ritual that marks the wrestler's formal retirement. (Pool photo)

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Sumo: Ex-yokozuna Hakuho's retirement ceremony

Former yokozuna Hakuho, who won a record 45 grand sumo tournament titles, wipes away tears as around 280 people take turns snipping bits of his topknot, during his retirement ceremony at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Jan. 28, 2023, a ritual that marks his formal retirement as a sumo wrestler. (Pool photo)

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Sumo: Ex-yokozuna Hakuho's retirement ceremony

Former yokozuna Hakuho (front), who won a record 45 grand sumo tournament titles, gets a strand of his topknot cut by former yokozuna Haruamfuji during his retirement ceremony at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Jan. 28, 2023. Some 280 people took part in the ritual that marks the wrestler's formal retirement. (Pool photo)

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Sumo wrestlers entertain fans on 3-day cruise

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho (extreme L) and three other professional wrestlers salute on the deck of the luxury liner Asuka II on Dec. 10, 2014, on the first day of a three-day cruise from Yokohama southwest of Tokyo during which they will entertain about 750 fans with talk shows and other performances. Cruise tickets cost from 115,000 yen to 520,000 yen each, including admission to the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in January 2015.

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Yokozuna Hakuho chills out on cruise to entertain fans

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho relaxes on the poolside aboard the luxury liner Asuka II on Dec. 10, 2014, on the first day of a three-day cruise from Yokohama southwest of Tokyo during which the sumo champion and three fellow professional wrestlers will entertain about 750 fans with talk shows and other performances. Cruise tickets cost from 115,000 yen to 520,000 yen each, including admission to the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in January 2015.

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Yokozuna Hakuho to advertise new 'shochu' liquor

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho attends a press conference held by Kirishima Shuzo Co. in Tokyo on Dec. 9, 2014, to announce the release of a new "shochu" liquor product set for Jan. 21, 2015. The top sumo wrestler is set to appear in the advertisement of the new product for the distilled beverage maker.

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Hakuho gives thumbs up to more foreign wrestlers

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho speaks at a news conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo on April 15.

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Mongolia's Hakuho promoted to komusubi for New Year Sumo

TOKYO, Japan - The 19-year-old rising star Hakuho of Mongolia points to his name in the new rankings list the Japan Sumo Association released Dec. 23 for the upcoming New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Sumo wrestlers at bean-throwing festival

NARITA, Japan - Photo shows sumo wrestlers -- grand champion Hakuho (back R) and maegashira Endo (back L) -- during an annual bean-throwing festival, marking the start of spring according to the lunar calendar, at Naritasan Shinsho Temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, on Feb. 3, 2014.

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Sumo wrestlers at bean-throwing festival

NARITA, Japan - Photo shows sumo wrestlers -- grand champion Hakuho (back R) and maegashira Endo (back L) -- during an annual bean-throwing festival, marking the start of spring according to the lunar calendar, at Naritasan Shinsho Temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, on Feb. 3, 2014.

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Hakuho keeps eyes on prize with 5th win at autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian bruiser Hakuho (L) forces Kisenosato out of the ring to stay on course for his first title as a grand champion at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Sept. 14.

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Hakuho tosses aside Hokutoriki on 5th day of autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Grand champion Hakuho muscles down rank-and-filer Hokutoriki to stay one behind two leaders on the fifth day of action at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 13.

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Hakuho wallops Tochinonada to win 3rd match at autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (top) churned out an impressive win over rank-and-filer Tochinonada on Sept. 12, staying hot on the heels of five co-leaders at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo.

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Hakuho shaping up on 3rd day at autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (back) pushes rank-and-filer Kakuryu out of the ring to stay one off the pace in his chase for his fourth career title on the third day of action at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 11.

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Hakuho rebounds with 1st win at autumn tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Grand champion Hakuho (R) pushes fellow Mongolian Tokitenku out of the ring, rebounding from an opening-day upset and posting his first win at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on Sept. 10.

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Hakuho falls to Ama in shock on 1st day of autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho (front) is thrown by countryman komusubi Ama on the first day of the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sept. 9.

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Sumo: Spring tournament without fans

OSAKA, Japan, March 17 Kyodo - Onosho (R) defeats grand champion Hakuho on the 10th day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at an empty Edion Arena Osaka on March 17, 2020. The tournament has been held behind closed doors due to the coronavirus outbreak.

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Sumo tournament for 2020 Games cultural program

TOKYO, Japan, Feb. 5 Kyodo - Sumo grand champion Hakuho attends a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 4, 2020, at which the Japan Sumo Association announced a plan to hold a two-day tournament in the period between the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics as part of the games' cultural program. The Aug. 12-13 event will be held at Ryogoku Kokugikan in the capital.

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Yokozuna Hakuho

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 5 Kyodo - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (R) participates in Yokozuna Deliberation Council practice, at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, on Jan. 5, 2018, while Japan Sumo Association Chairman Hakkaku (far L), chairman of the advisory council, Masato Kitamura (second far L), and other members watch.

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Yokozuna Hakuho

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 5 Kyodo - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (front C) is pictured at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan during Yokozuna Deliberation Council practice on Jan. 5, 2018.

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Sumo: Hakuho ties late Chiyonofuji for 2nd all-time with 1,045 wins

NAGOYA, Japan, July 17 Kyodo - Yokozuna Hakuho holds a board to celebrate his 1,045 career victories after defeating fourth-ranked maegashira Kagayaki on July 17, 2017, during the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya, central Japan. Hakuho ties late yokozuna Chiyonofuji at 2nd for all-time victories.

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Head of Buddha statue at Kofukuji in Nara

NARA, Japan, Jan. 7 Kyodo - The head of a Buddha statue (far R) is transferred to the Eastern Golden Hall of Kofukuji, a temple in the western Japan city of Nara, from its National Treasure Hall for the first time in 80 years on Jan. 7, 2017, as the treasure hall is closed for a year for seismic strengthening work. After being created in the Hakuho period from the 7th to 8th centuries, the statue was burned in a fire leaving only its head, a national treasure.

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Head of Buddha statue at Kofukuji in Nara

NARA, Japan, Jan. 7 Kyodo - The head of a Buddha statue is transferred to the Eastern Golden Hall of Kofukuji, a temple in the western Japan city of Nara, from its National Treasure Hall for the first time in 80 years on Jan. 7, 2017., as the treasure hall is closed for a year for seismic strengthening work. After being created in the Hakuho period from the 7th to 8th centuries, the statue was burned in a fire leaving only its head, a national treasure.

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Hakuho upset by Ichinojo on 1st day of summer sumo tourney

TOKYO, May 13 Kyodo - Komusubi Ichinojo upsets yokozuna Hakuho with "tsukiotoshi" (thrust down) on May 10, 2015, the opening day of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament, at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

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Hakuho remains unbeaten at New Year sumo tournament

Tokyo, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia (L) pulls down third-ranked maegashira Aminishiki on the eighth day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 18, 2015. Hakuho, who is aiming to surpass sumo legend Taiho by claiming his 33rd career Emperor's Cup, remains unbeaten.

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Hakuho still unbeaten at New Year sumo tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia (L) narrowly forces komusubi Takayasu out of the ring on the seventh day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 17, 2015. Hakuho, who is gunning for his 33rd career title to surpass Taiho in sumo's pantheon, remains unbeaten.

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Hakuho blasts Endo at New Year sumo tournament

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia (L) pushes third-ranked maegashira Endo out of the ring on the sixth day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 16, 2015. Hakuho, who is aiming for his 33rd career title to surpass sumo legend Taiho for the most championships ever, remains unbeaten.

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Hakuho blasts Endo at New Year sumo tournament

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia (R) pushes third-ranked maegashira Endo out of the ring on the sixth day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 16, 2015. Hakuho, who is aiming for his 33rd career title to surpass sumo legend Taiho for the most championships ever, remains unbeaten.

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Hakuho survives 5th-day scare at New Year sumo tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia (L) narrowly forces second-ranked maegashira Ikioi out of the ring on the fifth day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 15, 2015. Hakuho, who is tied with legendary yokozuna Taiho for the most career championships at 32, remains unbeaten.

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Hakuho beats Terunofuji in New Year tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho (R) throws down No. 2 maegashira Terunofuji with a "sukuinage" beltless arm throw to extend his unbeaten log to 4-0 on Jan. 14, 2015, the fourth day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

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Hakuho launches bid for sole all-time mark with win

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia (L) pulls down komusubi Tochiozan on the first day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 11, 2015. Hakuho is seeking his 33rd career Emperor's Cup to seize sole possession of the record for all-time championships.

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Yokozuna Hakuho aims for his 33rd tourney title

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho, bidding for an unprecedented 33rd career championship, poses in front of his framed pictures at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 10, 2015, a day before the opening of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Yokozuna Hakuho attends "dohyo-matsuri" ritual

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho, aiming to capture an unprecedented 33rd career championship, attends a customary "dohyo-matsuri" ritual at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan to pray for safety of the 15-day tourney on Jan. 10, 2015, a day before the start of the New Year tournament there.

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Yokozuna Hakuho performs ring-entering rite in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho (C) dedicates a ring-entering ritual at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine on Jan. 7, 2015, with No. 5 maegashira Kaisei (L) and No. 7 maegashira Kyokutenho serving as usher and sword bearer, respectively, in a customary ceremony ahead of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament opening on Jan. 11 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in the Japanese capital.

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Trio of ornamental aprons presented to yokozuna Hakuho

TOKYO, Japan - A set of three ornamental aprons to be worn by yokozuna Hakuho during his ring-entering ceremony in the New Year's sumo tourney are shown in Tokyo on Jan. 6, 2014. They were presented by a green juice company as Hakuho appears in the firm's TV commercials.

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Yokozuna Hakuho starts training

TOKYO, Japan - Record-chasing yokozuna Hakuho attends the first training of the year 2015 on Jan. 3 in Tokyo. Hakuho will be aiming to surpass yokozuna legend Taiho and become the most successful grand champion in sumo history with a 33rd career title at the Jan. 11-25 basho at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

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Yokozuna Hakuho in 'mochi' making event

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho pounds rice during a traditional "mochi" rice cake making event at Miyagino Stable in Tokyo on Dec. 30, 2014. He won five of the six tournaments in the year to extend his overall tourney titles to 32, equaling the late grand champion Taiho's all-time record.

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Yokozuna Hakuho shows ranking list for New Year tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho holds a ranking list for the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in January in front of his Miyagino stable in Tokyo on Dec. 24, 2014. The Mongolian powerhouse is aiming to surpass sumo legend Taiho at the tournament to become the most successful grand champion in sumo history with a record 33rd career title.

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Yokozuna Hakuho retains east slot for New Year tournament

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho attends a press conference at his sumo stable in Tokyo's Sumida Ward on Dec. 24, 2014, after the rankings for the upcoming New Year Grand Sumo Tournament were released by the Japan Sumo Association. Hakuho retained the prestigious east yokozuna slot for the sixth meet in a row.