Since you started watching Sumo what rikishi still remain active?

[Wakatoryu 0]

(If any?) The first time I watched professional sumo was the Nagoya basho in 1997 (which most certainly pales in comparison to many here I would imagine.) Only 2 active Maku-uchi seki-tori still remain from that time , Kaio, (who seems to be hanging on by a thread) and Tosanoumi. Up until fairly recently Tamakasuga was also still active, anyways......How about everyone else?

Edited January 3, 2009 by Wakatoryu

[Washuyama 662]

I first started watching in Aki 1975. (Chyonojuji was a shinumaku.) Most sekitori from that time are Oyakata, out of sumo or have passed away. In fact when I go watch sumo at the KK, I enjoy looking for the older oyakata as much as watching the current sumotori.

[Hananotaka 8]

For me it was May 1998 (although technically I followed the Hatsu and Haru Basho via SumoWeb before coming to Japan).

Looking at the banzuke, it looks like it's Kaio, Chiyotaikai, Dejima, Tosanoumi and Wakanosato who are still active in Makuuchi, with Kaiho still hanging in there in Juryo.

Hard to believe that Wakanosato, now 32, is one of the crafty veterans of Makuuchi now. In my heart he'll always be the up-and-coming Ozeki hopeful.

[_the_mind_ 0]

(If any?) The first time I watched professional sumo was the Nagoya basho in 1997 (which most certainly pales in comparison to many here I would imagine.) Only 2 active Maku-uchi seki-tori still remain from that time , Kaio, (who seems to be hanging on by a thread) and Tosanoumi. Up until fairly recently Tamakasuga was also still active, anyways......How about everyone else?

what about tochinonada, and dejima? unless you mean the people who were only sanyaku in that basho?

[Barang 0]

I started to watch sumo first time 1987 on site, but after that I have missed quite few bashos. Thanks to internet and good websites it has been quite easy to follow last ten years. So it is difficult to say does any rikishi still remain.

[Sasanishiki 57]

I started watching in May 1993, although I didn't really know any of the rikishi and just followed Ake-Taka-Waka. However, that basho saw the makuuchi debut for Kaio, who is still going (such a long time when put in a perspective like that).

[Usagi 40]

Jungyo in Paris --> Kaio is the last, who was "always" there. After Hatsu, there will be none left, I suppose... :(

[Asashosakari 20,287]

(If any?) The first time I watched professional sumo was the Nagoya basho in 1997 (which most certainly pales in comparison to many here I would imagine.) Only 2 active Maku-uchi seki-tori still remain from that time , Kaio, (who seems to be hanging on by a thread) and Tosanoumi. Up until fairly recently Tamakasuga was also still active, anyways......How about everyone else?

Pretty much the same for me. I don't exactly remember the very first tournament I saw on Eurosport, but one of the first few was Aki '97 with Konishiki's 0-11-4, so the first was probably either Natsu or Nagoya. Not that I really remember a whole lot from my first five years as a strictly casual TV fan...

Edited January 4, 2009 by Asashosakari

[Shomishuu 0]

Guess I'd have to replace 'active' with 'alive.' (I am not worthy...)

Along with a few other members, who'll remain nameless - unless they name themselves. (Whistling...)

[Randomitsuki 2,909]

Among the posters in the thread, I feel like the new B on the block.

My first exposure to sumo was the Eurosport coverage of Hatsu or Haru 2002. Asashoryu was Sekiwake back then.

[Fujisan 537]

I first saw sumo when it was broadcast in England in the early 1990's but I had a long hiatus untill 2001/2002 when I just caught the twilight of Akinoshimas career who was a big prospect when I first started watching....

[Wakatoryu 0]

(If any?) The first time I watched professional sumo was the Nagoya basho in 1997 (which most certainly pales in comparison to many here I would imagine.) Only 2 active Maku-uchi seki-tori still remain from that time , Kaio, (who seems to be hanging on by a thread) and Tosanoumi. Up until fairly recently Tamakasuga was also still active, anyways......How about everyone else?

what about tochinonada, and dejima? unless you mean the people who were only sanyaku in that basho?

Ah yes you must forgive me, I am going strictly off of memory but you are correct. They were fairly new and up and coming at the time but they were there, along with a few others perhaps (Kaiho, Otsukasa) also who are in Juryo, (unfortunately I have not always given the Juryo division the attention it deserves.)

[ilovesumo 12]

It was Konishiki's last Basho ...

not so many still remained, but those who did...I wanna see going on forever... (Showing respect...)

I am very happy that some of my faves remained (or will remain) as Oyakata.

I am missing Buyuuzan and Daizen very much...

[Muhomatsu 247]

I was kind of surprised to see how long the actual list is considering it was the Aki 1994 basho. There is only one sekitori left from then, Kaio. Tosanoumi had just clinched promotion to Juryo, though.

Current sekitori who were on the banzuke then are numerous (all shikona are from current banzuke, not 1994):

Chiyotaikai, Kaio, Wakanosato, Hokutoriki, Kyokutenho, Tosanoumi, Toyozakura, Ushiomaru, Kitazakura, Otsukasa, Kotokasuga, Kasuganishiki, Asofuji, Kyokunankai, Wakatenro and, Shin Juryo - Kotokuni

Former sekitori are:

Towanoyama, Ryuho, Daimanazuru, Jumonji, Dewanosato, Tochitenko (was in Juryo prior to 1994 Aki), and Tochifudo.

Current makushita veterans:

Ryugi, Tenichi, Kimenryu (who was in Makushita back then), Wakainami, Toshinyama, Kyokuhikari, Isenohana, Shinyu, Ogifuji, Fujinokaze, Teruazuma, Chiyonohana, Koriyama (makushita back then), Satsumanishiki, Higo, Shishio, Gorikiyama, Tanno, Nishikikaze, Wakayuki, Chiyofubuki, Fusanohana (makushita back then), and Daihoyama.

Current veterans who NEVER yet reached makushita:

Hakunoryu, Fujiarashi, Hokutoryu, Hoshiazuma, Masuryu, Kotofubuki, Kasachikara, Tamakishin, Ogiryu, Minezakura, Wakaizumi, Terunosato, Kotobuki, Oito, Shinnishiki, Otsukuba, Oarai, Shikinokawa, Hanakaze, Tomonofuji, Taiyo, Maenohana.

Some stables witha lot of theold timers appear to be:

Isegahama (former Ajigawa), Tamanoi, Kokonoe, Takadagawa, and Oguruma. What about their "management" makes them attractive to those who would want to spend years of their lives there?

[Asashosakari 20,287]

Some stables witha lot of theold timers appear to be:

Isegahama (former Ajigawa), Tamanoi, Kokonoe, Takadagawa, and Oguruma. What about their "management" makes them attractive to those who would want to spend years of their lives there?

My guess would be: relatively large stables that have existed for a fairly long time by now but don't have any affiliated oyakata (recent Takadagawa/Akinoshima and Kokonoe/Toki developments notwithstanding), which creates an opportunity for a sumo lifer to become sort of a heya manager/assistant coach like Ichinoya was for Takasago-beya.

[Jokkamura 4]

Aki 1995 for me or earlier. I've just checked Sumo Reference - 88 still active from that time. I never thought that so many low ranked rikishis stay that long in osumo.