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CORRECTED: Sumo: Grand champion Terunofuji retires after injury-plagued career

Mongolian-born Sumo grand champion Terunofuji, a 10-time tournament winner in the elite makuuchi division whose career has been marred by injury, speaks during a press conference announcing his retirement in Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 17, 2025.

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CORRECTED: Sumo: Grand champion Terunofuji retires after injury-plagued career

Mongolian-born Sumo grand champion Terunofuji, a 10-time tournament winner in the elite makuuchi division whose career has been marred by injury, holds a press conference announcing his retirement in Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 17, 2025.

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CORRECTED: Sumo: Grand champion Terunofuji retires after injury-plagued career

Mongolian-born Sumo grand champion Terunofuji, a 10-time tournament winner in the elite makuuchi division whose career has been marred by injury, holds a press conference announcing his retirement in Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 17, 2025.

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Sumo: Grand champion Terunofuji retires after injury-plagued career

Sumo grand champion Terunofuji (C) performs a ring-entering ritual at Meiji Jingu shrine in Tokyo on Jan. 7, 2025. The only current yokozuna, a 10-time tournament winner in the elite makuuchi division whose career has been marred by injury, has decided to retire, the Japan Sumo Association said on Jan. 17.

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Sumo: Grand champion Terunofuji retires after injury-plagued career

Photo taken on Nov. 14, 2021, shows Mongolian-born sumo grand champion Terunofuji performing a ring-entering ritual during the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan. The only current yokozuna, a 10-time tournament winner in the elite makuuchi division whose career has been marred by injury, has decided to retire, the Japan Sumo Association said on Jan. 17, 2025.

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Sumo: Grand champion Terunofuji retires after injury-plagued career

Mongolian-born sumo grand champion Terunofuji performs a ring-entering ritual during the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2025. The only current yokozuna, a 10-time tournament winner in the elite makuuchi division whose career has been marred by injury, has decided to retire, the Japan Sumo Association said on Jan. 17.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Top-division debutant Takerufuji is pictured before taking on sekiwake Wakamotoharu on the 13th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 22, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira beat Wakamotoharu with a 12-1 record, coming close to becoming the first makuuchi-division rookie to win the Emperor's Cup since 1914.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

No. 17 maegashira Takerufuji (top) beats ozeki Kotonowaka on the 11th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 20, 2024, improving to 11-0 to match the record for a top-tier makuuchi-division debutant's perfect start set in January 1960 by legendary yokozuna Taiho.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

No. 17 maegashira Takerufuji smiles after beating ozeki Kotonowaka on the 11th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 20, 2024, improving to 11-0 to match the record for a top-tier makuuchi-division debutant's perfect start set in January 1960 by legendary yokozuna Taiho.

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Sumo: Kitanowaka

Rank-and-file wrestler Kitanowaka holds up the banzuke for the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at his Hakkaku stable in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Oct. 30, 2023, the day the ranking sheet was issued. Kitanowaka is one of four wrestlers making their debut in the highest makuuchi division in the Nov. 12-26 meet.

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Sumo: Churanomumi

Rank-and-file wrestler Churanoumi holds up the banzuke for the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at his Kise stable in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Oct. 30, 2023, the day the ranking sheet was issued. Churanoumi is one of four wrestlers making their debut in the highest makuuchi division in the Nov. 12-26 meet.

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Sumo: Roga

Russian-born sumo wrestler Roga (R) is pictured next to his stablemaster at his Futagoyama stable in the southwestern Japan city of Iizuka on Oct. 30, 2023, the day the banzuke for the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament was issued. Roga is one of four wrestlers making their debut in the highest makuuchi division in the Nov. 12-26 meet.

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Sumo: Tohakuryu

Rank-and-file wrestler Tohakuryu (L) and his stablemaster hold up the banzuke for the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at their Tamanoi stable in the Fukuoka Prefecture town of Sue, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 30, 2023, the day the ranking sheet was issued. Tohakuryu is one of four wrestlers making their debut in the highest makuuchi division in the Nov. 12-26 meet.

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Sumo: Ex-makuuchi wrestler Tokushoryu retires

Former makuuchi division sumo wrestler Tokushoryu, who has one career championship under his belt, poses for photos at his retirement press conference at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 13, 2023.

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Sumo: Ex-makuuchi wrestler Tokushoryu retires

Former makuuchi division sumo wrestler Tokushoryu, who has one career championship under his belt, attends his retirement press conference at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 13, 2023.

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Sumo: Hakuoho

Sumo wrestler Hakuoho is soaked in ice water after morning training at his Miyagino stable in Toyota in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on July 5, 2023, ahead of his debut in the elite makuuchi division at the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament starting July 9.

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Sumo wrestler Ichinojo named outstanding new performer

TOKYO, Japan - Sumo wrestler Ichinojo speaks during a ceremony at the Japan Pro Sports Awards in Tokyo on Dec. 22, 2014, after being named an outstanding rookie performer. He achieved promotion to sumo's third-highest rank of sekiwake following his debut in the elite Makuuchi Division in September and compiled a majority of wins in November to retain his sekiwake status.

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Ichinojo wears topknot for 1st time

KOGA, Japan - Combination photo shows Mongolian sumo wrestler Ichinojo before (R) and after having his hair styled in a topknot for the first time in Koga, Fukuoka Prefecture on Oct. 27, 2014. Ichinojo, who went 13-2 in his September debut in the elite makuuchi division, was officially promoted to the rank of sekiwake the same day, when the Japan Sumo Association announced its rankings for November's Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Ichinojo wears topknot for 1st time

KOGA, Japan - Mongolian sumo wrestler Ichinojo looks into a mirror after having his hair styled in a topknot for the first time in Koga, Fukuoka Prefecture on Oct. 27, 2014. Ichinojo, who went 13-2 in his September debut in the elite makuuchi division, was officially promoted to the rank of sekiwake the same day, when the Japan Sumo Association announced its rankings for November's Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Ichinojo wears topknot for 1st time

KOGA, Japan - Mongolian sumo wrestler Ichinojo has his hair styled in a topknot in front of reporters in Koga, Fukuoka Prefecture on Oct. 27, 2014. Ichinojo, who went 13-2 in his September debut in the elite makuuchi division, was officially promoted to the rank of sekiwake the same day, when the Japan Sumo Association announced its rankings for November's Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Ichinojo wears topknot for 1st time

KOGA, Japan - Mongolian sumo wrestler Ichinojo touches his topknot after having his hair styled in the symbolic form for sumo wrestlers for the first time in Koga, Fukuoka Prefecture on Oct. 27, 2014. Ichinojo, who went 13-2 in his September debut in the elite makuuchi division, was officially promoted to the rank of sekiwake the same day, when the Japan Sumo Association announced its rankings for November's Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Ichinojo beats grand champion Kakuryu

TOKYO, Japan - Ichinojo (C), a 10th-ranked maegashira, smiles as fans ask for his autograph after he beat grand champion Kakuryu in the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 26, 2014. The victory leaves the 21-year-old Ichinojo, the first makuuchi debutant to beat a yokozuna since 1973, tied at 12-1 with grand champion Hakuho.

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Ichinojo beats grand champion Kakuryu

TOKYO, Japan - Ichinojo (L), a 10th-ranked maegashira, beats grand champion Kakuryu in the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 26, 2014. The victory leaves the 21-year-old Ichinojo, the first makuuchi debutant to beat a yokozuna since 1973, tied at 12-1 with grand champion Hakuho.

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Ichinojo beats grand champion Kakuryu

TOKYO, Japan - Ichinojo (R), a 10th-ranked maegashira, beats grand champion Kakuryu in the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 26, 2014. The victory leaves the 21-year-old Ichinojo, the first makuuchi debutant to beat a yokozuna since 1973, tied at 12-1 with grand champion Hakuho.

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Takekaze proves oldest wrestler to get "sekiwake" rank

TOKYO, Japan - Takekaze, the oldest sumo wrestler to reach the third-highest rank of "sekiwake" since World War II at 35 years and two months, points to his name in the rankings for the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2014. He needed a record 68 tourneys to make sekiwake since entering the "makuuchi" upper division.

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Osunaarashi makes top grade

FUKUOKA, Japan - Osunaarashi, a 21-year-old Egyptian, points to the sumo rankings for the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament during a press conference in Fukuoka, western Japan, on Oct. 28, 2013, after becoming the first wrestler from Africa to enter the elite makuuchi division in the rankings. His real name is Abdelrahman Ahmed Shaalan.

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Osunaarashi makes top grade

FUKUOKA, Japan - Osunaarashi, a 21-year-old Egyptian, holds a press conference in Fukuoka, western Japan, on Oct. 28, 2013, after becoming the first wrestler from Africa to enter the elite makuuchi division as the sumo rankings were announced for the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament. His real name is Abdelrahman Ahmed Shaalan.

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Osunaarashi makes top grade

FUKUOKA, Japan - Osunaarashi, a 21-year-old Egyptian, points to the sumo rankings for the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament during a press conference in Fukuoka, western Japan, on Oct. 28, 2013, after becoming the first wrestler from Africa to enter the elite makuuchi division in the rankings. His real name is Abdelrahman Ahmed Shaalan.

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New sumo rankings for autumn basho

TOKYO, Japan - Sumo wrestler Endo holds a list of new sumo rankings at Oitekaze stable in Soka, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 2, 2013, as the Japan Sumo Association announced the rankings for the upcoming Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament. Endo, amateur champion in 2012, entered the makuuchi division after just three tournaments since making his debut, the fastest rise to the top flight since the start of the Showa Era.

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New sumo rankings for autumn basho

TOKYO, Japan - Sumo wrestler Endo points to his name on a new sumo rankings list at Oitekaze stable in Soka, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 2, 2013, as the Japan Sumo Association the announced the rankings for the upcoming Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament. Endo, amateur champion in 2012, entered the makuuchi division after just three tournaments since making his debut, the fastest rise to the top flight since the start of the Showa Era.

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Sumo wrestler retires

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho (R) cuts the hair of former makuuchi-division sumo wrestler Ryuo during Ryuo's retirement ceremony at Ryogoku Kokugikan hall in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2013. Both are from Mongolia.

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Sumo wrestler marries

TOKYO, Japan - Makuuchi-division sumo wrestler Kitataiki and his bride Kazumi pose for photos during their wedding at a Tokyo hotel on Aug. 31, 2013.

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Nagoya basho 1st day

NAGOYA, Japan - Makuuchi division debutant Tokushoryu (L) pushes Chinese wrestler Sokokurai out of the ring on July 7, 2013, the first day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium. Sokokurai was fired due to accusations of bout rigging in 2011 but reinstated in April 2013 after a court ruled his dismissal invalid.

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Kyokutenho recalls being "1st Japanese" champion since 2006

TOKYO, Japan - Sumo wrestler Kyokutenho, a naturalized Japanese citizen born in Mongolia, stamps his feet on June 13, 2013, at the Tomozuna stable in Tokyo's Sumida Ward. He still practices every day, hoping to become the first makuuchi wrestler in his 40s since the establishment of the current six-tournament system in 1958.

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Court nullifies sumo body's dismissal of ex-wrestler

TOKYO, Japan - Former sumo wrestler Sokokurai (front) is surrounded by fans in front of the Tokyo District Court on March 25, 2013, after the court ruled earlier in the day that the Japan Sumo Association's dismissal of Sokokurai of the top-tier makuuchi division in 2011 over match fixing was invalid. The 29-year-old Chinese-born former maegashira, whose real name is Enhetubuxin, had demanded to be reinstated as a wrestler after he was sacked by the JSA in April 2011 for refusing to retire over his alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal.

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Spring Grand Sumo

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji points to his name on a new sumo rankings list in Osaka on Feb. 25, 2013. The Mongolian grand champion was placed on sumo's true summit for the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in March after his promotion to the prestigious east position in the elite makuuchi division.

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Spring Grand Sumo

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji points to his name on a new sumo rankings list in Osaka on Feb. 25, 2013. The Mongolian grand champion was placed on sumo's true summit for the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in March after his promotion to the prestigious east position in the elite makuuchi division.

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Rankings announced for New Year tournament

MATSUDO, Japan - Sumo wrestler Kotoyuki (L) holds a new rankings list for the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament with his stablemaster Sadogatake at their stable in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, on Dec. 24, 2012. Kotoyuki, ranked as a No. 15 maegashira, is just one new face in the elite makuuchi division in the Jan. 13-27 tournament in Tokyo.

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New sumo rankings

OSAKA, Japan - Ikioi smiles during a press conference in Osaka on Feb. 27, 2012, after the Japan Sumo Association announced new rankings for the upcoming Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. He will be the only fresh face in the elite makuuchi division.

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Sumo stablemaster Tagonoura dies at 46

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows makuuchi-division wrestler Kushimaumi (L) throwing Kotonishiki during the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament in 1989. Kushimaumi, who became the sumo stablemaster Keihito Tagonoura, died of unknown causes at a Tokyo hospital on Feb. 13, police said. He was 46.

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Sumo stablemaster Tagonoura dies at 46

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in May 1999 shows sumo stablemaster Keihito Tagonoura, former makuuchi-division wrestler Kushimaumi. He died of unknown causes at a Tokyo hospital on Feb. 13, 2012, police said. He was 46.

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Sumo wrestler smiles broadly after promotion

KASUGAI, Japan - Fujiazuma, a sumo wrestler belonging to the Tamanoi stable, smiles broadly at a lodging facility used by the stable for its wrestlers in Kasugai, Aichi Prefecture, on June 27, 2011, after his promotion to the top makuuchi class from the second-tier juryo division was announced earlier in the day by the Japan Sumo Association for the July 10-24 Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Sokokurai up to sumo makuuchi division for autumn tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Sokokurai (L) holds up a new rankings list for the upcoming Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament with his stablemaster in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Aug. 30, 2010, as he became the first Chinese-born wrestler to make it into the makuuchi division.

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Injured Aminishiki makes historic withdrawal

NAGOYA, Japan - Rank-and-filer Aminishiki falls from the ring after tossing komusubi Tochinoshin to the dirt on the 12th day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium on July 22, 2010. Aminishiki suffered a knee injury and withdrew from the tournament, leaving more foreign than Japanese wrestlers in the elite makuuchi division for the first time in the history of the traditional Japanese sport.

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Sumo wrestler Kaio given prime minister's award

TOKYO, Japan - Kaio (L), the longest serving wrestler in sumo's elite makuuchi division, receives the prime minister's award from Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 26, 2010. At age 37, Kaio, whose real name is Hiroyuki Koga, is the oldest wrestler in sumo's premier league.

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Sumo wrestler Kaio to be given prime minister's award

OSAKA, Japan - Kaio, the longest serving wrestler in sumo's elite makuuchi division, smiles during a news conference in Osaka on March 30, 2010, after the government announced he will receive the prime minister's award for his contribution to the promotion of sports in the country.

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Sumo wrestler Kaio to be given prime minister's award

OSAKA, Japan - Kaio, the longest serving wrestler in sumo's elite makuuchi division, smiles during a news conference in Osaka on March 30, 2010, after the government announced he will receive the prime minister's award for his contribution to the promotion of sports in the country.

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Recipients of three special prizes at New Year basho

TOKYO, Japan - Recipients of three special prizes the Japan Sumo Association gives to makuuchi division wrestlers on the final day of a tournament show off their trophies for the prizes on Jan. 24, 2010. (From L to R) No. 16 maegashira Toyohibiki, who earned his third Fighting Spirit Prize, Estonian sekiwake Baruto, the Outstanding Performance Prize winner, and Aminishiki, the sixth-ranked maegashira who won the Technique Prize.

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Baruto throws down Kyokutenho at New Year basho

TOKYO, Japan - Estonian sekiwake Baruto sends down fifth-ranked maegashira Kyokutenho with a pulling overarm throw for his 12th win on the final day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Jan. 24, 2010, at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. Baruto earned the Outstanding Performance Prize, one of three special prizes the Japan Sumo Association gives to makuuchi division wrestlers on the final day of a tournament.

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Ozeki Kaio loses to Kotoshogiku in New Year sumo tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Makuuchi all-time wins leader Kaio (R), who secured his record 808th victory in the elite division on Jan. 12, 2010, is forced out of the ring by komusubi Kotoshogiku on Jan. 13, the fourth day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.