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Wrestlers bid farewell to original Wakanohana

TOKYO, Japan - Sumo wrestlers line up to see off the hearse carrying the original Wakanohana (R), former grand champion and Japan Sumo Association chairman, on Sept. 4, 2010, at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan gymnasium. Wakanohana, the first of three prominent wrestlers to carry the name, died of kidney cancer on Sept. 1 at the age of 82.

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Wrestlers bid farewell to original Wakanohana

TOKYO, Japan - Sumo wrestlers line up to see off the hearse carrying the original Wakanohana (R), former grand champion and Japan Sumo Association chairman, on Sept. 4, 2010, at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan gymnasium. Wakanohana, the first of three prominent wrestlers to carry the name, died of kidney cancer on Sept. 1 at the age of 82.

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'Devil of the Dohyo' Wakanohana dies at 82

TOKYO, Japan - The original former grand champion Wakanohana (C), whose nickname in the ring was the ''Devil of the Dohyo,'' is seen holding a trophy after winning the spring tournament in 1960. Wakanohana, whose real name was Katsuji Hanada, died of kidney cancer Sept. 1, 2010 at the age of 82.

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'Devil of the Dohyo' Wakanohana dies at 82

TOKYO, Japan - The original Wakanohana (R), former grand champion, as Japan Sumo Association chairman hands a trophy to his nephew Takahanada, who won the January 1992 tournament in Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. Wakanohana, whose real name was Katsuji Hanada, died of kidney cancer Sep. 1, 2010 at the age of 82.

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'Devil of the Dohyo' Wakanohana dies at 82

TOKYO, Japan - Katsuji Hanada (C), a former top sumo wrestler whose nickname in the ring was the ''Devil of the Dohyo,'' is seen celebrating his first victory of a tournament as ozeki Wakanohana at the Kuramae Kokugikan Sumo Arena in Tokyo in 1956. Wakanohana, who was promoted to grand champion, died of kidney cancer Sep. 1, 2010 at the age of 82.

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'Devil of the Dohyo' Wakanohana dies at 82

Tokyo, Japan - File photo taken in March 1992 shows the original former grand champion Wakanohana, whose real name was Katsuji Hanada, who died of kidney cancer at a Tokyo hospital on Sept. 1, 2010, at 82. Hanada, whose nickname was the ''Devil of the Dohyo,'' also served as a JSA chairman.

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(2)Futagoyama's funeral held in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Former sumo grand champion Wakanohana (R), the son of the deceased sumo elder Futagoyama, addresses the funeral at the Aoyama funeral hall in Tokyo on June 2. At left is his younger brother and former grand champion Takanohana.

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(2)Sumo elder Futagoyama's death leaves 2 sons stunned

TOKYO, Japan - Former grand champion Wakanohana, the elder son of sumo elder Futagoyama who died of mouth cancer May 30, talks with reporters about memories of his father at the Takanohana Stable in Nakano, Tokyo on May 31. ''Since I entered the world of sumo at 17, my father was both strict and kind,'' said Wakanohana.

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Sumo elder Futagoyama dies

TOKYO, Japan - Sumo elder Futagoyama (file photo), a former ozeki and the father of former grand champions Takanohana and Wakanohana, died of mouth cancer at a Tokyo hospital on May 30, his family said. He was 55. Futagoyama, whose real name is Mitsuru Hanada, had been receiving treatment at the hospital since the fall of 2003 for a type of cancer that afflicts the region between the tongue and gums at the base of the mouth.

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Ex-yokozuna Wakanohana registered with X-League Onward

TOKYO, Japan - Former yokozuna Wakanohana, whose real name is Masaru Hanada, poses at a news conference August 1 after being named to the roster of the Onward Skylarks of the American football X-League. He will be eligible to play in league games when the season begins in September.

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Former yokozuna Wakanohana meets press

TOKYO, Japan - Former yokozuna Wakanohana attends a news conference at a Tokyo hotel Dec. 18 after resigning from the Japan Sumo Association (JSA) earlier in the day.

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Retired yokozuna Wakanohana submits resignation to JSA

TOKYO, Japan - Former yokozuna Wakanohana (file photo) formally submitted his resignation Dec. 18 to the Japan Sumo Association (JSA), which accepted it. Wakanohana, known as sumo elder Fujishima since retiring in March, is reportedly leaving the JSA to take advantage of his potential in commercial endorsements and personal appearances.

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Yokozuna Takanohana takes snip of hair from Wakanohana

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Takanohana (R) places his hands on the shoulders of older brother Wakanohana after taking a snip of the former grand champion's top knot at the latter's top-knot removal ceremony Sept. 23 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

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Yokozuna Musashimaru wins in autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Musashimaru (top) flattens fellow yokuzuna Wakanohana on Sept. 26 to capture the Emperor's Cup on the final day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament. Musashimaru won the Emperor's Cup for the sixth time in his career and for the first time since being promoted to sumo's highest rank two tournaments ago.

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Wakanohana spanks upstart Miyabiyama at autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Wakanohana (L) sends former collegiate champion Miyabiyama tumbling from the unbeaten ranks at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on Sept. 20. Wakanohana boosted his record in the 15-day meet to 6-3, while fifth-ranked maegashira Miyabiyama fell into a share of the lead with Yokozuna Musashimaru at 8-1.

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Brotherly grand champions reconcile

TOKYO, Japan - Sibling yokozuna Wakanohana (L) and Takanohana (R) reconcile at a meeting of Futagoyama stable supporters in Tokyo on Aug. 30 as their father and stablemaster Futagoyama (C) looks on. The friction between the two brothers, both holders of sumo's highest rank, had been widely reported over the last 12 months.

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Wakanohana to sit out Nagoya sumo tourney

Yokozuna Wakanohana, who celebrated his ascension to sumo's ultimate rank one year ago, decides July 2 to sit out of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament starting July 4. The injury to his left ankle that forced Wakanohana to pull out of the summer tourney in May is what is said to be keeping him out of the Nagoya meet.

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4 yokozuna to line up at Nagoya Grand Sumo

Newly promoted yokozuna Musashimaru joins 3 other grand champions -- Akebono, Takanohana and Wakanohana -- for the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, which gets under way at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium on July 4. The photo shows Musashimaru at the Musashigawa stable training location in Tsushima, Aichi Prefecture, pointing to his name on the new rankings list issued June 21 by the Japan Sumo Association.

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Wakanohana pulls out of spring sumo tourney

Yokozuna Wakanohana withdraws from the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament after suffering a severe thigh injury in the March 22 bout against fourth-ranked maegashira Tamakasuga. The photo shows Wakanohana leaving an Osaka hospital the same day after receiving an examination. Doctors said the 28-year-old grand champion needs two months to recover.

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Yokozuna pair fall on 4th day of sumo tournament

Yokozuna brothers Takanohana and Wakanohana were both defeated March 17, the 4th day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka. The photo shows maegashira Kyokushuzan dragging yokozuna Wakanohana to the dirt. Waka slumped to his 3rd straight defeat.

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Waka upset in spring sumo

Yokozuna Wakanohana (R) tumbles to his first loss in the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament that opened on March 14. Wakanohana was listless against No. 2 maegashira Tosanoumi, who muscled out the yokozuna after taking total control of the bout with shoves and arm thrusts.

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Waka nears 1st title as yokozuna at New Year sumo

Wakanohana moves closer to his first title as a yokozuna Jan. 21 by snatching victory from sekiwake Kotonowaka for a perfect 12-0 score in the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. Kotonowaka (Foreground) moved in aggressively and secured a firm left-hand belt grip, but Wakanohaha countered with a grip of his own and as both attempted a throw at the ring's edge, the yokozuna was awarded the victory after a judges' conference.

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Chiyotaikai beats Waka for New Year sumo crown

Sekiwake Chiyotaikai (R) defeats yokozuna Wakanohana in a playoff to win the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament championship at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 24. Chiyotaikai's victory came in the third bout with Wakanohana on the same day -- the first was the day's regular match-up, which left both at 13-2 for the tourney and forced a play-off for the championship. Chiyo then won the Emperor's Cup in a playoff rematch because the first playoff bout was ruled a tie by the ringside judges, who said both wrestlers had touched the ground at the same time.

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Wakanohana suffers 1st loss of New Year sumo tourney

Yokozuna Wakanohana (R) hits a roadblock Jan. 22 as he lost his 1st bout of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament to sekiwake Musoyama (L). Musoyama went on the attack from the outset, forcing Wakanohana back with a violent arm thrust to the throat shortly after the face-off of the penultimate bout at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

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No. 5 maegashira Kotoryu stuns Takanohana

No. 5 maegashira Kotoryu (back) stuns yokozuna Takanohana Wakanohana (this side) Jan. 19 immediately after the face-off when he sidestepped the charging grand champion and slapped him down to his fourth defeat of the tourney after the 10th day of the New Year Grand Sumo tournament. Takanohana now stands with a record of 6-4, virtually out of contention for the Emperor's Cup.

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Wakanohana stays unbeaten

Yokozuna Wakanohana (L) beats top maegashira Tosanoumi to stay unbeaten on the fourth day Jan. 13 of the current 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Wakanohana still perfect at New Year sumo

Yokozuna Wakanohana (R) puts in another textbook display Jan. 12 to barge out No. 2 maegashira Tamakasuga (L) and remain unbeaten on the third day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Ozeki Wakanohana wins Emperor's Cup

Ozeki Wakanohana wins his second straight Emperor's Cup May 24 after beating fellow ozeki Musashimaru for a 12-3 record on the final day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo. The victory paves the way for Wakanohana to join his younger brother Takanohana as yokozuna, the first sibling yokozuna in sumo history.

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Japanese team marches at Olympic opening ceremony

Headed by sumo wrestler Ozeki Wakanohana, the Japanese team marches at the opening ceremony of the Nagano winter Olympics on Feb. 7. Holding the Japanese flag is speed-skater Hiroyasu Shimizu.

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Takanohana in Victory Parade

Natsu Basho (Summer Tournament) final day, May 26, 1996. Victry Parade of Takanohana (right). His brother Wakanohana is left.

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(2)Sumo elder Futagoyama's death leaves 2 sons stunned

TOKYO, Japan - Former grand champions Wakanohana, the elder son of sumo elder Futagoyama who died of mouth cancer May 30, talks with reporters about memories of his father at the Takanohana Stable in Nakano, Tokyo on May 31. ''Since I entered the world of sumo at 17, my father was both strict and kind,'' said Wakanohana. (Kyodo)

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(2)Futagoyama's funeral held in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Former sumo grand champion Wakanohana (R), the son of the deceased sumo elder Futagoyama, addresses the funeral at the Aoyama funeral hall in Tokyo on June 2. At left is his younger brother and former grand champion Takanohana. (Kyodo)

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Waka upset in spring sumo

Yokozuna Wakanohana (R) tumbles to his first loss in the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament that opened on March 14. Wakanohana was listless against No. 2 maegashira Tosanoumi, who muscled out the yokozuna after taking total control of the bout with shoves and arm thrusts. ==Kyodo

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Sumo elder Futagoyama dies

TOKYO, Japan - Sumo elder Futagoyama (file photo), a former ozeki and the father of former grand champions Takanohana and Wakanohana, died of mouth cancer at a Tokyo hospital on May 30, his family said. He was 55. Futagoyama, whose real name is Mitsuru Hanada, had been receiving treatment at the hospital since the fall of 2003 for a type of cancer that afflicts the region between the tongue and gums at the base of the mouth. (Kyodo)

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Yokozuna Wakanohana suffers 2nd loss

OSAKA, Japan - Top maegashira Kyokushuzan (front) shoves yokozuna Wakanohana out of the ring at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium March 14. Wakanohana, returning from a six-month layoff, suffered his 2nd loss on the 3rd day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

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'Devil of the Dohyo' Wakanohana dies at 82

Tokyo, Japan - File photo taken in March 1992 shows the original former grand champion Wakanohana, whose real name was Katsuji Hanada, who died of kidney cancer at a Tokyo hospital on Sept. 1, 2010, at 82. Hanada, whose nickname was the ''Devil of the Dohyo,'' also served as a JSA chairman. (Kyodo)

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CORRECTED Wrestlers bid farewell to original Wakanohana

TOKYO, Japan - CORRECTING SECOND SENTENCE Sumo wrestlers line up to see off the hearse carrying the original Wakanohana (R), former grand champion and Japan Sumo Association chairman, on Sept. 4, 2010, at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan gymnasium. Wakanohana, the first of three prominent wrestlers to carry the name, died of kidney cancer on Sept. 1 at the age of 82. (Kyodo)

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CORRECTED Wrestlers bid farewell to original Wakanohana

TOKYO, Japan - CORRECTING SECOND SENTENCE Sumo wrestlers line up to see off the hearse carrying the original Wakanohana (R), former grand champion and Japan Sumo Association chairman, on Sept. 4, 2010, at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan gymnasium. Wakanohana, the first of three prominent wrestlers to carry the name, died of kidney cancer on Sept. 1 at the age of 82. (Kyodo)

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Wrestlers bid farewell to original Wakanohana

TOKYO, Japan - Sumo wrestlers line up to see off the hearse carrying the original Wakanohana (R), former grand champion and Japan Sumo Association chairman, on Sept. 4, 2010, at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan gymnasium. Wakanohana, the first of two prominent wrestlers to carry the name, died of kidney cancer on Sept. 1 at the age of 82. (Kyodo)

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Wrestlers bid farewell to original Wakanohana

TOKYO, Japan - Sumo wrestlers line up to see off the hearse carrying the original Wakanohana (R), former grand champion and Japan Sumo Association chairman, on Sept. 4, 2010, at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan gymnasium. Wakanohana, the first of two prominent wrestlers to carry the name, died of kidney cancer on Sept. 1 at the age of 82. (Kyodo)

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'Devil of the Dohyo' Wakanohana dies at 82

TOKYO, Japan - The original Wakanohana (R), former grand champion, as Japan Sumo Association chairman hands a trophy to his nephew Takahanada, who won the January 1992 tournament in Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. Wakanohana, whose real name was Katsuji Hanada, died of kidney cancer Sep. 1, 2010 at the age of 82. (Kyodo)

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'Devil of the Dohyo' Wakanohana dies at 82

TOKYO, Japan - The original former grand champion Wakanohana (C), whose nickname in the ring was the ''Devil of the Dohyo,'' is seen holding a trophy after winning the spring tournament in 1960. Wakanohana, whose real name was Katsuji Hanada, died of kidney cancer Sept. 1, 2010 at the age of 82. (Kyodo)

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'Devil of the Dohyo' Wakanohana dies at 82

TOKYO, Japan - Katsuji Hanada (C), a former top sumo wrestler whose nickname in the ring was the ''Devil of the Dohyo,'' is seen celebrating his first victory of a tournament as ozeki Wakanohana at the Kuramae Kokugikan Sumo Arena in Tokyo in 1956. Wakanohana, who was promoted to grand champion, died of kidney cancer Sep. 1, 2010 at the age of 82. (Kyodo)

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Sumo: 1st-ever playoff between brothers in 1995

File photo taken in November 1995 shows ozeki Wakanohana defeating yokozuna Takanohana in the first-ever playoff between brothers at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Ex-yokozuna Wakanohana registered with X-League Onward

TOKYO, Japan - Former yokozuna Wakanohana, whose real name is Masaru Hanada, poses at a news conference August 1 after being named to the roster of the Onward Skylarks of the American football X-League. He will be eligible to play in league games when the season begins in September.

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Retired yokozuna Wakanohana submits resignation to JSA

TOKYO, Japan - Former yokozuna Wakanohana (file photo) formally submitted his resignation Dec. 18 to the Japan Sumo Association (JSA), which accepted it. Wakanohana, known as sumo elder Fujishima since retiring in March, is reportedly leaving the JSA to take advantage of his potential in commercial endorsements and personal appearances.

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Former yokozuna Wakanohana meets press

TOKYO, Japan - Former yokozuna Wakanohana attends a news conference at a Tokyo hotel Dec. 18 after resigning from the Japan Sumo Association (JSA) earlier in the day.

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Waka returns to ring with win at spring sumo

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna Wakanohana (L) returns to the ring after a six-month layoff March 12 with a win over Wakanoyama. But grand champion Takanohana, Wakanohana's younger brother, opened the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium with an upset loss to komusubi Tosanoumi.

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Wakanohana getting ready for spring sumo tourney

HIGASHI-OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna Wakanohana digs in against an opponent at the Futagoyama stable's camp in Osaka Prefecture on March 9 as he prepares to return to the ring for the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament after a six-month layoff. The 29-year-old grand champion injured his left thigh last September and has since missed the Kyushu and New Year tournaments.

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Wakanohana spanks upstart Miyabiyama at autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Wakanohana (L) sends former collegiate champion Miyabiyama tumbling from the unbeaten ranks at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on Sept. 20. Wakanohana boosted his record in the 15-day meet to 6-3, while fifth-ranked maegashira Miyabiyama fell into a share of the lead with Yokozuna Musashimaru at 8-1.