The following were the events in professional sumo during 1997.

Tournaments

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Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 12 January – 26 January[1]

1997 Hatsu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result East Rank West Result
12 - 3 - 0   Akebono Y   Takanohana 13 - 2 - 0
14 - 1 - 0   Wakanohana O   Musashimaru 12 - 3 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Takanonami O ø  
6 - 9 - 0   Kaiō S   Kotonishiki 4 - 11 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Musōyama K   Akinoshima 6 - 9 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Tosanoumi M1   Takatōriki 11 - 4 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Tamakasuga M2   Kenkō 6 - 9 - 0
4 - 11 - 0   Asahiyutaka M3   Kyokushūzan 9 - 6 - 0
4 - 11 - 0   Tochinowaka M4   Higonoumi 5 - 10 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Asanowaka M5   Kitakachidoki 6 - 9 - 0
4 - 11 - 0   Oginishiki M6   Kotonowaka 8 - 7 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Aogiyama M7   Asanosho 8 - 7 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Mitoizumi M8   Terao 8 - 7 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Hamanoshima M9   Minatofuji 6 - 9 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Daihishō M10   Tochiazuma 9 - 6 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Daishi M11   Kotoryū 10 - 5 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Ganyū M12   Kotoinazuma 8 - 7 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Konishiki M13   Rikiō 8 - 7 - 0
2 - 2 - 11 ø   Daishōhō M14   Yamato 8 - 7 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Shikishima M15   Misugisato 8 - 7 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Kotobeppu M16 ø  
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner

Haru basho

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Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, 9 March – 23 March

1997 Haru basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result East Rank West Result
12 - 3 - 0   Takanohana* Y   Akebono 12 - 3 - 0
3 - 1 - 11 ø   Wakanohana O   Musashimaru 12 - 3 - 0
11 - 4 - 0   Takanonami O ø  
7 - 8 - 0   Musōyama S   Takatōriki 7 - 8 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Tosanoumi K   Kyokushūzan 4 - 11 - 0
12 - 3 - 0   Kaiō M1 ø   Kotonowaka 2 - 10 - 3
7 - 8 - 0   Akinoshima M2   Asanosho 7 - 8 - 0
2 - 12 - 1 ø   Terao M3   Kotonishiki 8 - 7 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Kotoryū M4   Tochiazuma 6 - 9 - 0
4 - 11 - 0   Kenkō M5   Daishi 5 - 10 - 0
10 - 5 - 0   Tamakasuga M6   Ganyū 7 - 8 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Kitakachidoki M7   Kotoinazuma 7 - 8 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Asahiyutaka M8   Higonoumi 7 - 8 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Asanowaka M9   Tochinowaka 9 - 6 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Mitoizumi M10   Konishiki 6 - 7 - 2
8 - 7 - 0   Aogiyama M11   Shikishima 8 - 7 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Rikiō M12   Yamato 7 - 8 - 0
11 - 4 - 0   Dejima M13   Hamanoshima 8 - 7 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Minatofuji M14   Misugisato 4 - 11 - 0
11 - 4 - 0   Oginishiki M15   Daihishō 6 - 9 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Gojōrō M16 ø  
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner
*Won 3-Way Playoff

Playoff

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(Two consecutive victories required to win the Playoff and the yūshō)

Natsu basho

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Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 11 May – 25 May

1997 Natsu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result East Rank West Result
13 - 2 - 0   Takanohana Y   Akebono* 13 - 2 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Musashimaru O   Takanonami 10 - 5 - 0
0 - 0 - 15 ø   Wakanohana O ø  
7 - 5 - 3 ø   Kaiō S   Tosanoumi 10 - 5 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Musōyama K   Takatōriki 6 - 9 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Tamakasuga M1   Kotonishiki 5 - 10 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Tochinowaka M2   Akinoshima 7 - 8 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Asanosho M3   Dejima 7 - 8 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Asanowaka M4   Kyokushūzan 2 - 13 - 0
4 - 11 - 0   Mitoizumi M5   Oginishiki 11 - 4 - 0
11 - 4 - 0   Tochiazuma M6   Aogiyama 8 - 7 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Ganyū M7   Shikishima 6 - 9 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Kotoryū M8   Kotoinazuma 8 - 7 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Daishi M9   Higonoumi 8 - 7 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Hamanoshima M10   Kotonowaka 8 - 7 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Kenkō M11   Kitakachidoki 7 - 8 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Minatofuji M12   Asahiyutaka 9 - 6 - 0
0 - 0 - 15   Terao M13   Gojōrō 7 - 8 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Konishiki M14   Yamato 7 - 8 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Mainoumi M15   Rikiō 8 - 7 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Tochinonada M16 ø  
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner
*Won Playoff

Nagoya basho

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Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Nagoya, 6 July – 20 July

1997 Nagoya basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result East Rank West Result
13 - 2 - 0   Takanohana Y   Akebono 12 - 3 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Takanonami O   Musashimaru 10 - 5 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Wakanohana O ø  
8 - 7 - 0   Tosanoumi S   Tamakasuga 7 - 8 - 0
4 - 11 - 0   Oginishiki K ø   Kaiō 0 - 0 - 15
ø   K   Tochiazuma 9 - 6 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Musōyama M1   Takatōriki 11 - 4 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Aogiyama M2   Kotoinazuma 5 - 10 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Akinoshima M3   Higonoumi 2 - 13 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Dejima M4   Kotonowaka 6 - 9 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Kotonishiki M5   Asahiyutaka 6 - 9 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Tochinowaka M6 ø   Kenkō 0 - 0 - 15
7 - 8 - 0   Asanosho M7   Minatofuji 7 - 8 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Asanowaka M8   Ganyū 8 - 7 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Mainoumi M9   Konishiki 8 - 7 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Mitoizumi M10   Shikishima 8 - 7 - 0
10 - 5 - 0   Tochinonada M11   Kyokushūzan 9 - 6 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Rikiō M12   Kotoryū 8 - 7 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Terao M13   Kitakachidoki 7 - 8 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Hamanoshima M14 ø   Daishi 2 - 4 - 9
4 - 11 - 0   Gojōrō M15   Yamato 6 - 9 - 0
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner

Aki basho

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Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 7 September – 21 September

1997 Aki basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result East Rank West Result
13 - 2 - 0   Takanohana* Y   Akebono 9 - 6 - 0
13 - 2 - 0   Musashimaru O   Takanonami 12 - 3 - 0
12 - 3 - 0   Wakanohana O ø  
5 - 10 - 0   Tosanoumi S   Tochiazuma 10 - 5 - 0
ø   S   Takatōriki 9 - 6 - 0
0 - 3 - 12 ø   Musōyama K ø   Kaiō 0 - 0 - 15
ø   K   Tamakasuga 6 - 9 - 0
11 - 4 - 0   Dejima M1   Ganyū 3 - 12 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Tochinonada M2   Konishiki 0 - 11 - 4
0 - 0 - 15 ø   Oginishiki M3   Kyokushūzan 3 - 12 - 0
3 - 12 - 0   Aogiyama M4 ø   Rikiō 0 - 0 - 15
8 - 7 - 0   Akinoshima M5   Kotoinazuma 6 - 9 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Mitoizumi M6   Kotonowaka 6 - 9 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Shikishima M7   Asahiyutaka 8 - 7 - 0
4 - 7 - 4 ø   Asanosho M8   Terao 7 - 8 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Minatofuji M9   Kotonishiki 8 - 7 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Asanowaka M10   Hamanoshima 9 - 6 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Tochinowaka M11   Chiyotaikai 8 - 7 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Kotoryū M12   Higonoumi 8 - 7 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Wakanojō M13   Kushimaumi 7 - 8 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Mainoumi M14   Kitakachidoki 8 - 7 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Akinoshū M15 ø  
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner
*Won Playoff

Kyushu basho

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Fukuoka International Centre, Kyushu, 9 November – 23 November

1997 Kyushu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result East Rank West Result
14 - 1 - 0   Takanohana Y ø   Akebono 0 - 0 - 15
12 - 3 - 0   Musashimaru O   Takanonami* 14 - 1 - 0
10 - 5 - 0   Wakanohana O ø  
7 - 8 - 0   Tochiazuma S ø   Dejima 5 - 3 - 7
ø   S   Takatōriki 6 - 9 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Tochinonada K   Akinoshima 7 - 8 - 0
4 - 11 - 0   Tamakasuga M1   Tosanoumi 7 - 8 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Asahiyutaka M2   Hamanoshima 4 - 11 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Oginishiki M3   Kaiō 8 - 7 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Kotonishiki M4   Tochinowaka 3 - 12 - 0
6 - 9 - 0   Chiyotaikai M5   Higonoumi 6 - 9 - 0
11 - 4 - 0   Musōyama M6   Kotoinazuma 5 - 10 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Ganyū M7   Wakanojō 5 - 10 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Kotonowaka M8   Kyokushūzan 9 - 6 - 0
5 - 10 - 0   Mainoumi M9   Terao 6 - 9 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Aogiyama M10   Shikishima 8 - 7 - 0
8 - 7 - 0   Mitoizumi M11   Kitakachidoki 8 - 7 - 0
7 - 8 - 0   Yamato M12   Minatofuji 9 - 6 - 0
9 - 6 - 0   Akinoshū M13   Asanowaka 8 - 7 - 0
5 - 9 - 0 ø   Konishiki M14   Kotoryū 9 - 6 - 0
0 - 0 - 15 ø   Asanosho M15   Kushimaumi 3 - 12 - 0
ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner
*Won Playoff

News

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January

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March

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  • In Osaka, Takanohana takes his 16th championship after an unusual four way playoff also involving Akebono, Musashimaru and maegashira 1 Kaio, after all finish on 12–3. He defeats Kaio and then Akebono, who had eliminated Musashimaru. Kaio, who had upset both Takanohana and Akebono earlier in the tournament, is awarded the Outstanding Performance prize. Dejima receives Technique and Fighting Spirit prizes for scoring eleven wins in his top division debut. Tamakasuga also receives a share of the Fighting Spirit prize. Wakanohana withdraws early after tearing a muscle in his right leg. Terao is also forced to withdraw after breaking his big toe, ending a run of 1359 consecutive bouts from his debut in 1979. Chiyotaikai wins the juryo championship. Former komusubi Naminohana retires.
  • Akebono wins his 9th yusho, and first for over two years, by defeating Takanohana twice on the final day, once in regulation and once in a playoff after both yokozuna finish on 13–2. It is the first time that Takanohana and Akebono alone have fought a playoff, and comes after Akebono had lost seven times in a row to his rival. Wakanohana sits the tournament out. Kaio suffers a serious leg injury after standing at 7–4 on the 11th day and has to withdraw. Tamakasuga wins his second successive sansho, for Outstanding Performance. Tosanoumi and Tochiazuma share the Fighting Spirit Award. Oginishiki wins the Technique Prize. Tokitsuumi wins the juryo yusho in his debut in the division. Toki wins the makushita championship. Former sekiwake Kotogaume retires, as does juryo wrestler Sunahama (William Taylor Hopkins) from Hawaii.
  • Former ozeki Daiju takes over the running of Asahiyama stable following the death of its stablemaster.

June

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July

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  • Takanohana defeats Akebono on the final day in Nagoya to claim his 17th championship with a 13–2 record. Akebono is runner-up on 12–3. Takatoriki is third on 11–4 and wins the Outstanding Performance Prize. Tochiazuma wins his first Technique Award, and Tochinonada receives the Fighting Spirit Prize. Wakanohana just preserves his ozeki status with an 8–7 record. Chiyotaikai wins his second juryo championship and promotion to makuuchi, the first top division wrestler produced by the former Chiyonofuji (Kokonoe-oyakata). Former juryo veteran Dairyu retires at the age of 37 after 21 years in sumo.

September

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  • At the Aki basho Takanohana wins back-to-back titles for the first time in a year, defeating Musashimaru in a playoff after both men finish on 13–2. Takanonami is third on 12–3. Dejima finishes on 11–4 and wins Technique and Outstanding Performance Prizes. Tochiazuma also receives a share of the Technique Prize in his debut tournament at sekiwake. The Fighting Spirit Award goes to Tochinonada for the second time in a row. In the juryo division Oginohana wins his fourth championship. Toyozakura wins the makushita yusho. Rikio retires after a disagreement with his stablemaster (the former Takanosato).

November

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  • In Kyushu, former ozeki Konishiki retires after winning only five bouts at maegashira 14, bringing to an end a career that encompassed three yusho and 81 consecutive top division tournaments. His final match proves to be his eighth defeat in his bout against Kotonowaka on Day 13, as he is not allowed onto the dohyo to face Misugisato on the following day due to his stablemaster having already handed in his retirement papers. Former sekiwake Wakashoyo, and maegashira Kotobeppu also retire. The championship is won by Takanonami, his second. He defeats his stablemate Takanohana in a playoff after both wrestlers finish on 14–1. All the sekiwake and komusubi record losing scores, the first time this has happened in seven years. Unsurprisingly only one special prize is awarded, to Musoyama for Fighting Spirit. Akebono sits the tournament out. Wakanosato wins the juryo title after a playoff with Susanoumi. Kitazakura wins the makushita yusho.

Deaths

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  • 20 May: Asahiyama Oyakata (former komusubi Wakafutase), aged 55.
  • 5 July: Former sekiwake Kainoyama (also briefly Onogawa Oyakata), aged 57.
  • 18 August: Former sekiwake Tochiakagi, aged 42.
  • 17 September: Tatsutayama Oyakata (former maegashira Amanoyama), aged 43.
  • 24 September: Asakayama Oyakata (former komusubi Aobayama), aged 47.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "1997 Hatsu Basho". Sakai & Nishida Lab. Retrieved 10 February 2024.