Terunofuji intends to retire

[Kamitsuumi]

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20250116/k10014695541000.html

Not from NSK, but from NHK, so it's not official yet but very very close.

[Hankegami]

Just saw that myself (and also posted in the honbasho main topic, only to delete it and CTRL+V here).

According to my Google translate, the article states that the well-informed are positive that Terunofuji is going to retire very soon. The article also gives an overview of his career but it does not say whether he holds a kabu or anything else. No official announcements yet, but what I can say - likely anyway? Terunofuji is not likely to hold on for long in any case. Isegahama is going to retire this July and the stable is expected to go through major changes because of that. Teru is also expected to take over the Isegahama name (barring surprises), so he must toshiyori himself by this summer at the latest. The only thing I don't like is the absence of news about a kabu under his name (Isegahama indirectly confirmed he's going to be re-hired as a consultant in a recent interview, saying he's not going anywhere after his retirement), but the musical chairs game of the kabu always reserves some surprises.

[Muhomatsu]

Here is another article: https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202501160000520.html

 

[Hankegami]

1 minute ago, Muhomatsu said:

Here is another article: https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202501160000520.html

This article more explicitly gives the NSK as their source, and makes it look like certain. It also mentions that Terunofuji will remain at Isegahama as a coach, but again no talks about kabu. I wait for confirmation, but I guess that he might use his 5-years of grace as a retired Yokozuna (but in this case he couldn't take over Isegahama without another kabu to be switched).

[MrGrumpyGills]

Oh wow, didn't think it would happen that soon. Yes, the writing was on the wall, but still...

[Chijanofuji]

Quote

Hello everyone,

Just to say that at 10:50pm on January 16th, Japan Time, the newspapers were cleared to announce the retirement of Yokozuna Terunofuji.

He will be staying on as a sumo elder at his current Isegahama Stable. The retirement conference appears to be set for tomorrow morning (Friday). I will provide a report of it on YouTube later on Friday, once the tournament bouts have finished.

All the best,

This from Chris Sumo on Youtube (@chrissumo69), one of the most reliable sources around. So, I'd say it's definite...

[Jakusotsu]

Pity, yet expectable.

Now I find myself hoping for Hoshoryu's immediate promotion to prevent several games going haywire in March.

[Tigerboy1966]

Do ex-yokozuna still get to be an elder under their own name for a limited time? Or was that scrapped?

[Seiyashi]

2 minutes ago, Tigerboy1966 said:

Do ex-yokozuna still get to be an elder under their own name for a limited time? Or was that scrapped?

Yep, 5 years. Kakuryū was the latest to do so. Ōzeki also have the right but for 3 years only IIRC. 

Edited January 16, 2025 by Seiyashi

[Kishinoyama]

What a ride! I started following Terunofuji when he was in Magaki. He was so fortunate that Magaki closed and he transferred to Isegahama. To make it to Ozeki and then fall to Jonidan. To then climb back up to Ozeki and make Yokozuna. An incredible story and career. Congratulations and enjoy the rest Terunofuji. Your body deserves the rest. 

[Asashosakari]

1 hour ago, Chijanofuji said:

This from Chris Sumo on Youtube (@chrissumo69), one of the most reliable sources around.

Ugh, no. Just no.

[Sue]

1 hour ago, Chijanofuji said:

This from Chris Sumo on Youtube (@chrissumo69), one of the most reliable sources around.

 Oh, that's hilarious! 

Wait, you were serious? 

[dingo]

I mean he hasn't retired yet, but if it happens now the I don't quite understand the timing. Why now? To me it seems he's not looking worse on the dohyo than during other basho where he has entered barely ready, given away a bunch of kinboshi and retired halfway through. It's not much different this basho and he has always come back before. The only explanation seems to be that he has made up his mind to try one last time and if it doesn't work out then retire. He has his 10 yusho, Isegahama will retire in 6 months and a few potential successors have appeared. But if so then he could've retired before Hatsu basho. Or continued valiantly until the end of the basho (or makekoshi), and retire then. After day 4 it just seems so half-baked. 

[Chijanofuji]

More sources confirming the upcoming retirement, in English now as well:

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250117_01/

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/14bd63c63a6b-sumo-lone-yokozuna-terunofuji-pulls-out-of-new-year-meet.html

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250116/p2g/00m/0sp/035000c

https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/sumo/20250116-233528/

[Asashosakari]

42 minutes ago, dingo said:

I mean he hasn't retired yet, but if it happens now the I don't quite understand the timing. Why now? To me it seems he's not looking worse on the dohyo than during other basho where he has entered barely ready, given away a bunch of kinboshi and retired halfway through. It's not much different this basho and he has always come back before.

He didn't have six months of (it turns out, unproductive) rehab time before any of the other failed tournaments. This was "show that he's still got it" time, and he didn't.
 

Quote

After day 4 it just seems so half-baked. 

It's pretty much a battlefield retirement, not exactly uncommon for yokozuna (and even ozeki in the more distant past). Terunofuji had two bad losses and two frankly terrible wins by his standards...in particular, the Terunofuji of previous post-rehab appearances would have annihilated Kirishima in short order instead of needing a minute and a half.

Edited January 16, 2025 by Asashosakari

[Hankegami]

38 minutes ago, dingo said:

I mean he hasn't retired yet, but if it happens now the I don't quite understand the timing. Why now? To me it seems he's not looking worse on the dohyo than during other basho where he has entered barely ready, given away a bunch of kinboshi and retired halfway through. It's not much different this basho and he has always come back before. The only explanation seems to be that he has made up his mind to try one last time and if it doesn't work out then retire. He has his 10 yusho, Isegahama will retire in 6 months and a few potential successors have appeared. But if so then he could've retired before Hatsu basho. Or continued valiantly until the end of the basho (or makekoshi), and retire then. After day 4 it just seems so half-baked. 

I also think he's just tired and done with everything. Also, staying in shape as a sumo wrestler is burdensome (see ex Takakeisho). He probably saw he wasn't going to get his 11th Yusho, and he's not in the mood to give it a last try in July or something like that. My guess is that he's quitting now because he can immediately switch to a proper diet, keep his diabetes under control, and give his knees some breath finally.

[sahaven111]

Interestingly enough, today marks exactly six years since Kisenosato retired, iirc.

And additionally, the last Yokozuna who's retirement left the banzuke completely devoid of Yokozuna, was none other than Asahifuji.

Edited January 16, 2025 by sahaven111

[Hankegami]

24 minutes ago, sahaven111 said:

And additionally, the last Yokozuna who's retirement left the banzuke completely devoid of Yokozuna, was none other than Asahifuji.

I'd love the poetry, but it was actually Hokutoumi in Natsu 1992. Asahifuji retired in Hatsu that same year, leaving Hokutoumi himself as the sole Yokozuna.

There are substantial differences between that period and today also. What triggered the Yokozuna-less 1992-93 window was an unpredictable debacle. Back in 1987, one would have predicted that the Banzuke would have got at least 2-3 Yokozuna up to circa 1995. Onokuni (b. 1962), Hokutoumi (b. 1963) and Futahaguro (b.1963) wouldn't have hit their 30s until a couple years into the 1990s. However, Futahaguro was kicked out already in late 1987, Onokuni retired at 28 years old in 1991, and Hokutoumi did the same in 1992. The only physiological retirements were those of Chiyonofuji (b.1955) and Asahifuji (b.1960). Also, the void at the top was filled less than one year later.

Now, Terunofuji literally had to hang on not to leave us without a Yokozuna already in 2022, and no one filled the spot in almost three years (although perhaps we are now close to see the light?). We should be most grateful for him to last this much, otherwise Ozumo would have been in deep crisis by now.

[Jakusotsu]

34 minutes ago, sahaven111 said:

Interestingly enough, today marks exactly six years since Kisenosato retired

Wow. Seems like yesterday...

[sahaven111]

2 minutes ago, Hankegami said:

I'd love the poetry, but it was actually Hokutoumi in Natsu 1992. Asahifuji retired in Hatsu that same year, leaving Hokutoumi himself as the sole Yokozuna.

There are substantial differences between that period and today also. What triggered the Yokozuna-less 1992-93 window was an unpredictable debacle. Back in 1987, one would have predicted that the Banzuke would have got at least 2-3 Yokozuna up to circa 1995. Onokuni (b. 1962), Hokutoumi (b. 1963) and Futahaguro (b.1963) wouldn't have hit their 30s until a couple years into the 1990s. However, Futahaguro was kicked out already in late 1987, Onokuni retired at 28 years old in 1991, and Hokutoumi did the same in 1992. The only physiological retirements were those of Chiyonofuji (b.1955) and Asahifuji (b.1960). Also, the void at the top was filled less than one year later.

Now, Terunofuji literally had to hang on not to leave us without a Yokozuna already in 2022, and no one filled the spot in almost three years (although perhaps we are now close to see the light?). We should be most grateful for him to last this much, otherwise Ozumo would have been in deep crisis by now.

Damn, you're right! I had only remembered that both were in 1992..

[Oskanohana]

4 hours ago, Jakusotsu said:

Pity, yet expectable.

Now I find myself hoping for Hoshoryu's immediate promotion to prevent several games going haywire in March.

Was there a rule in bench were you could pick an extra maegashira in case there was no possible yokozuna or did I just dream of it?

Well, it won't be necessary anyway, as of day 4 Hoshoryu is cleaning house easily. Let me just watch how he disposed of out-of-form Atamifuji today. Oh, heavens, no....

[junsan]

Had one of the greatest comebacks in all of sports. Carried the NSK and became dai-yokozuna while injured. A truly well deserved retirement.

Now the pressure's on Hoshoryu.

[Jakusotsu]

1 hour ago, Oskanohana said:

Was there a rule in bench were you could pick an extra maegashira in case there was no possible yokozuna or did I just dream of it?

Theoretically, there was. But I can't imagine the current automation being able to handle it.

[Kaninoyama]

Leading up to this basho he was already talking liberally about his post-sumo career. Can't help but think that he had been intending all along that win, lose or kyujo, Hatsu would be his swan song. 

[Reonito]

Without Terunofuji, the active rikishi with the most yusho is:

Spoiler

Mitakeumi with 3.

The complete list of all other rikishi with more than 1 is:

Spoiler

Kirishima, Onosato, Tamawashi.