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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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Sumo association board of directors

TOKYO, Japan, Nov. 30 Kyodo - Japan Sumo Association chairman Hakkaku (C) attends a regular meeting of the organization's board of directors in Tokyo on Nov. 30, 2017, held for the first time since the assault scandal that led to yokozuna Harumafuji's retirement surfaced.

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Sumo: Harumafuji career highlights

TOKYO, Japan, Nov. 29 Kyodo - Harumafuji performs a ring-entering ritual at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka in November 2012, his first tournament since he was promoted to yokozuna. Harumafuji announced his retirement on Nov. 29, 2017, admitting to injuring fellow Mongolian wrestler Takanoiwa in a drunken assault in late October.

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Yokozuna Harumafuji out of autumn basho with elbow issue

TOKYO, Sept. 10 Kyodo - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Harumafuji leaves his stable in Tokyo on Sept. 10, 2015, for a hospital as his stable master Isegahama said Harumafuji will not compete in the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament scheduled to begin on Sept. 13 due to a troubled right elbow.

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Harumafuji falls at New Year sumo tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Harumafuji (front) is pushed down by fourth-ranked maegashira Jokoryu on the seventh day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 17, 2015, suffering his first loss in the 15-day event.

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Yokozuna Harumafuji conducts ring-entering rite in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji (C) dedicates a ring-entering ritual at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine on Jan. 7, 2015, with top-ranked maegashira Takarafuji (L) serving as sword bearer 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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Hakuho closes in on 32nd career title

FUKUOKA, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia (L) pushes out fellow Mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji from behind on the 14th day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka on Nov. 22, 2014. With a win on the next day, Hakuho will match the all-time record of 32 career titles held by sumo legend Taiho.

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Harumafuji beats Ikioi at Kyushu sumo tournament

FUKUOKA, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Harumafuji of Mongolia (R) brings down komusubi Ikioi at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka on Nov. 13, 2014, day 5 of the 15-day event.

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Yokozuna Harumafuji gets 2nd loss on 4th-day

FUKUOKA, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji (L) loses to No.1 maegashira Tochiozan to fall to 2-2 on the fourth day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka on Nov. 12, 2014.

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Yokozuna Harumafuji beats Ichinojo at Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Harumafuji of Mongolia (L) pushes sekiwake Ichinojo of Mongolia out of the ring on Nov. 9, 2014, the first day of the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka, western Japan.

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Sumo yokozuna dedicate Dohyo Iri performances

FUKUOKA, Japan - Sumo yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia performs the Dohyo Iri (Ring Entering Ritual) at Sumiyoshi Shrine in Fukuoka on Nov. 2, 2014. Hakuho and the two other yokozuna -- Kakuryu and Harumafuji, who like him come from Mongolia -- dedicated their Dohyo Iri performances to the shrine before the Nov. 6 start of the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in the city.

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Sumo yokozuna dedicate Dohyo Iri performances

FUKUOKA, Japan - Sumo yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia (R) performs the Dohyo Iri (Ring Entering Ritual) at Sumiyoshi Shrine in Fukuoka on Nov. 2, 2014. Hakuho and the two other yokozuna -- Kakuryu and Harumafuji, who like him come from Mongolia -- dedicated their Dohyo Iri performances to the shrine before the Nov. 6 start of the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in the city.

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Hakuho, other top sumo wrestlers pose with fans

TOKYO, Japan - Top sumo wrestlers pose with supporters during an event to thank them at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo on Sept. 2, 2014. Holding babies are (from R) ozeki Kisenosato, yokozuna Harumafuji and yokozuna Hakuho

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3 sumo grand champions visit quake-hit region

IWAKI, Japan - A trio of yokozuna (grand champions) -- (from L, front row) Kakuryu, Hakuho and Harumafuji -- pose with visitors to a gymnasium in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, in an annual sumo event to pray for early reconstruction from the 2011 quake and tsunami that hit northeastern Japan.

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Hakuho claims 30th career championship

NAGOYA, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho (C) holds his trophy and his supporters celebrate after he defeated yokozuna Harumafuji at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium on July 27, 2014, the final day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. With the victory, Hakuho became only the third man in history to win 30 tournaments.

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Hakuho claims 30th career championship

NAGOYA, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho is pictured after defeating yokozuna Harumafuji at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium on July 27, 2014, the final day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. With the victory, Hakuho became only the third man in history to win 30 tournaments.

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Hakuho claims 30th career championship

NAGOYA, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho (L) defeats yokozuna Harumafuji at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium on July 27, 2014, the final day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. With the victory, Hakuho became only the third man in history to win 30 tournaments.

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Hakuho claims 30th career championship

NAGOYA, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho (R) defeats yokozuna Harumafuji at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium on July 27, 2014, the final day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. With the victory, Hakuho became only the third man in history to win 30 tournaments.

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Harumafuji suffers 4th loss at Nagoya sumo tournament

NAGOYA, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Harumafuji (L) is pushed out of the ring by ozeki Kotoshogiku at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya on July 23, 2014, day 11 of the 15-day competition.

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Harumafuji falls to 3rd defeat

NAGOYA, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji (R) marks a third defeat at the hands of veteran Takekaze at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on July 21, 2014, at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium. Takekaze became the oldest sumo wrestler, at 35 years, 2 months, to register a kinboshi (maegashira win over a yokozuna).

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Harumafuji beats Kaisei at Nagoya Sumo

NAGOYA, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Harumafuji forces Brazilian No. 3 maegashira Kaisei out of the ring on July 19, 2014, the seventh day of the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya.

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Harumafuji flattens Homasho at Nagoya sumo tournament

NAGOYA, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji (top) beats Homasho during the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on July 17, 2014.

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Harumafuji falls, Hakuho, Kakuryu still standing on 4th day

NAGOYA, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Kakuryu (L) slaps down top-ranked maegashira Shohozan in the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, central Japan, on July 16, 2014, remaining unbeaten on the fourth day of the 15-day event.

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Harumafuji falls, Hakuho, Kakuryu still standing on 4th day

NAGOYA, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho (L) forces No. 2 maegashira Homasho out of the ring in the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, central Japan, on July 16, 2014, remaining unbeaten on the fourth day of the 15-day event.

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Harumafuji falls, Hakuho, Kakuryu still standing on 4th day

NAGOYA, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Harumafuji (L) is brought down by second-ranked maegashira Yoshikaze on the fourth day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, central Japan, on July 16, 2014. Harumafuji suffered his first loss in the 15-day competition.

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Harumafuji's ring-entering ceremony in Nagoya

NAGOYA, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji performs his ring-entering ritual at the Atsuta Jingu shrine in Nagoya on July 5, 2014, with komusubi Aminishiki serving as a sword carrier, ahead of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament opening on July 13. It was the first time in 14 years that three grand champions had performed ring-entering rituals at the same time.

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Hakuho wins 29th Emperor's Cup

TOKYO, Japan - Hakuho holds the Emperor's Cup after beating rival yokozuna Harumafuji in the finale of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan hall in Tokyo on May 25, 2014. Hakuho won his 29th career Emperor's Cup.

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Hakuho wins 29th Emperor's Cup

TOKYO, Japan - Hakuho (top) beats rival yokozuna Harumafuji in the finale of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan hall in Tokyo on May 25, 2014. Hakuho won his 29th career Emperor's Cup.

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Yokozuna Harumafuji suffers 3rd loss at summer sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Harumafuji of Mongolia (back) holds the topknot of ozeki Kisenosato by his left hand in their match at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on May 24, 2014, day 14 of the 15-day competiton. Harumafuji was disqualified and suffered his third loss.

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Yokozuna Harumafuji beats Endo at summer sumo tournament

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Harumafuji of Mongolia (L) slaps down No. 4 maegashira Endo at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on May 17, 2014, day seven of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Yokozuna wrestlers wish children healthy growth

TOKYO, Japan - Professional sumo's three highest-ranked wrestlers, yokozunas Kakuryu (L), Hakuho (C) and Harumafuji, hold babies and toddlers at an event wishing them healthy growth in the Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo stadium in Tokyo on April 29, 2014.

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Yokozuna Harumafuji visits Hosei Univ. as graduate student

TOKYO, Japan - Professional sumo's grand champion Harumafuji pays his first visit to Tokyo's Hosei University as a graduate school student on April 12, 2014.

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Yokozuna wrestlers

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna (from L) Harumafuji, Hakuho and Kakuryu perform a ring entering ceremony at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on April 4, 2014. The top sumo wrestlers are all from Mongolia.

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Spring sumo tourney

OSAKA, Japan - Ozeki Kakuryu (L) sends yokozuna (grand champion) Harumafuji out of the ring at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka on March 20, 2014, the 12th day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Harumafuji, Hakuho still unbeaten at spring sumo tourney

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia (R) pushes sekiwake Goeido out of the ring at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka on March 19, 2014, remaining unbeaten on the 11th day of the 15-day tournament.

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Harumafuji, Hakuho still unbeaten at spring sumo tourney

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Harumafuji of Mongolia (R) slaps down ozeki Kisenosato at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka on March 19, 2014, remaining unbeaten on the 11th day of the 15-day tournament.

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Harumafuji beats Kotooshu in Osaka tournament

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji (L) beats sekiwake Kotooshu with "hatakikomi" (slap down) on the 9th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 17, 2014.

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Yokozuna Harumafuji beats Kaisei

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji beats maegashira Kaisei by "uwatenage" (overarm throw) on the eighth day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 16, 2014.

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Day 7 of Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji of Mongolia (L) forces third-ranked maegashira Takayasu out of the ring at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka on March 15, 2014, day seven of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. Harumafuji marked a seven consecutive win.

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Day 4 of 15-day Spring Sumo Tournament

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji of Mongolia (R) and No. 2 maegashira Tochinowaka wrestle at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka on March 12, 2014. Harumafuji won, remaining unbeaten during the first four days of the 15-day tournament.

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Harumafuji flattens Tamawashi in spring sumo tourney

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji (R) flattens No. 1 maegashira Tamawashi on the third day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka, western Japan, on March 11, 2014.

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Grand champ Harumafuji beats Toyonoshima at spring sumo tourney

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji (L) goes topsy-turvy after defeating komusubi Toyonoshima with a neck throw on the opening day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka, western Japan, on March 9, 2014.

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Harumafuji to skip New Year sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji speaks at the Isegahama Stable in Tokyo on Jan. 10, 2014. The Japan Sumo Association said the same day that the Mongolian grand champion will skip the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament starting Jan. 12 due to an ankle injury.

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Hakuho, Harumafuji perform dohyo-iri at Meiji Shrine

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Harumafuji of Mongolia (R) performs the dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo on Jan. 8, 2014, before the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament starting Jan. 12. Around 2,800 people watched Harumafuji and his fellow yokozuna Hakuho perform the ritual in the drizzle.

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Hakuho, Harumafuji perform dohyo-iri at Meiji Shrine

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia (R) performs the dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo on Jan. 8, 2014, before the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament starting Jan. 12. Around 2,800 people watched Hakuho and his fellow yokozuna Harumafuji perform the ritual in the drizzle.

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Harumafuji wins 6th career title

FUKUOKA, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji (C) poses with his family and supporters after winning his sixth career title at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center in Fukuoka Prefecture on Nov. 24, 2013.

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Harumafuji wins 6th career title

FUKUOKA, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji (back) beats rival Hakuho to win his sixth career title at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center in Fukuoka Prefecture on Nov. 24, 2013.

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Harumafuji wins 6th career title

FUKUOKA, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji (facing) beats rival Hakuho to win his sixth career title at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center in Fukuoka Prefecture on Nov. 24, 2013.

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Paul McCartney watches sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Singer Paul McCartney (R center) and his wife Nancy Shevell (L center) applaud as yokozuna Harumafuji performs a ring entering ceremony at Fukuoka Kokusai Center in Fukuoka Prefecture on Nov. 14, 2013. The former Beatle was visiting Japan on a concert tour.

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Autumn Grand Sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho (back) beats yokozuna Harumafuji at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 29, 2013, the final day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament. Hakuho, who secured his fourth consecutive title and 27th career championship the previous day, finished at 14-1.