Chiyonofuji Mitsugu, born Mitsugu Akimoto, was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler and the 58th yokozuna of the sport. Following his retirement as a wrestler, he was the stable master of Kokonoe stable until the time of his death.
Kaiō Hiroyuki is a former professional sumo wrestler from Nōgata, Fukuoka, Japan.
Hakuhō Shō is a former professional sumo wrestler (rikishi) from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Making his debut in March 2001, he reached the top makuuchi division in May 2004. In May 2007, at age 22, he became the second native of Mongolia, and the fourth non-Japanese overall, to be promoted to the highest rank in sumo, yokozuna. He is widely considered to be the greatest sumo wrestler of all time.
Kitanofuji Katsuaki is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Asahikawa, Hokkaidō. He made his professional debut in 1957, reaching the top makuuchi division in 1964. He was the sport's 52nd yokozuna, a rank he attained in 1970. He won ten tournament championships and was known for his rivalry with Tamanoumi. He retired in 1974 and was the head coach of Kokonoe stable from 1977 to 1992. He left the Japan Sumo Association in 1998 but is still prominent in the sumo world as a commentator as of 2021.
Hokutoumi Nobuyoshi is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Hokkaidō. He was the sport's 61st yokozuna and won eight top division championships. He wrestled for Kokonoe stable, as did Chiyonofuji, and the two were the first yokozuna stablemates to take part in a play-off for the championship, in 1989. After a number of injury problems he retired in 1992, and is now the head coach of Hakkaku stable. In November 2015 he was appointed chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, following the death of Kitanoumi, initially to serve until the end of March 2016. He was then elected as head for a full term by his fellow board members in a vote held in March 2016. He was reappointed to a full term as chairman four times, most recently in 2024.
The following are the events in professional sumo during 2007.
The following are the events in professional sumo during 2006.
The following are the events in professional sumo during 2004.
The following are the events in professional sumo during 2003.
The following are the events in professional sumo during 2002.
The following are the events in professional sumo during 2001.
The following are the events in professional sumo during 2000.
In 1999, Musashimaru firmly established his position as the dominant sumo wrestler of the year. Born in American Samoa and raised in Hawaii, Musashimaru became only the second foreign-born wrestler in history to achieve the highest rank of yokozuna or grand champion, in May 1999. He finished the year having won four tournaments, a rare accomplishment.
The following are the events in professional sumo in 1998.
The following were the events in professional sumo during 1997.
In 1996, the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament set a record for the number of wrestlers in a playoff, after Musashimaru, Akebono, Wakanohana, Takanonami, and Kaio, all tied at 11–4. Musashimaru won the historic five-way playoff, taking his second tournament title since July 1994.
In 1994, Takanohana won two successive tournaments, unbeaten (15–0), earning promotion to the highest rank of yokozuna, or grand champion, in November. At the Nagoya tournament in July, ōzeki Musashimaru had won his first championship, also unbeaten (15–0), leading to speculation that he could become the next foreign-born sumo wrestler to be promoted to sumo's highest rank.
The following are the events in professional sumo during 2010.
The following are the events in professional sumo during 1987.
The following are the events in professional sumo during 1992.