CONCLUDED

Natsu Basho
1981

Ryōgoku Kokugikan · 10-24 May · Tokyo

Each rank has an East (higher) and West (lower) side, so “M7e” means Maegashira 7 East.

· lower divisions
: Ofuji Keiji
: Raiko#
· special prizes
Asashio TaroAsashio Taro
Hokutenyu KatsuhikoHokutenyu Katsuhiko
Kurama TatsuyaKurama Tatsuya
Day in review
‹Day 15›
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M12Kaiki, YokozunaWakanohana, M11Kotetsuyama

After day 15, Yokozuna Kitanoumi leads the tournament at 14–1. One win back, Ōzeki Chiyonofuji leads the chase. Among the top ranks, Yokozuna Wakanohana sat out and Ōzeki Chiyonofuji lost to Kitanoumi by . Kaiki (M12), Yokozuna Wakanohana and Kotetsuyama (M11) remained out through kyūjō.

StandoutToryu (M13) on a 10–5 run.

· final standings
35 rikishi
Top Division
15 bouts per basho - salaried
Name
W-L
1
Kitanoumi
· Mihogaseki-beya · HokkaidoHokkaido
○def.Chiyonofuji()
2
Chiyonofuji
· Kokonoe-beya · HokkaidoHokkaido
●lost toKitanoumi()
3
Toryu
· Mihogaseki-beya · HyogoHyogo
●lost toKirinji()
4
Kotokaze
· Sadogatake-beya · MieMie
○def.Takanosato()
5
Asashio
· Takasago-beya · KochiKochi
○def.Kurama()
6
Kurama
· Tokitsukaze-beya · ShigaShiga
●lost toAsashio()
7
Hokutenyu
· Mihogaseki-beya · HokkaidoHokkaido
○def.Kotochitose()
8
Sadanoumi
· Dewanoumi-beya · OsakaOsaka
●lost toAobayama()
9
Onishiki
· Dewanoumi-beya · NiigataNiigata
○def.Takamiyama()
10
Aobayama
· Kise-beya · MiyagiMiyagi
○def.Sadanoumi()
11
Kurohimeyama
· Tatsunami-beya · NiigataNiigata
○def.Washuyama()
12
Kotochitose
· Sadogatake-beya · HokkaidoHokkaido
●lost toHokutenyu()
13
Ozutsu
· Taiho-beya · MieMie
○def.Tochihikari()
14
Kirinji
· Nishonoseki-beya · ChibaChiba
○def.Toryu()
15
Tochihikari
· Kasugano-beya · MiyazakiMiyazaki
●lost toOzutsu()
16
Daijuyama
· Futagoyama-beya · NiigataNiigata
●lost toTochiakagi()
17
Oshio
· Tokitsukaze-beya · FukuokaFukuoka
○def.Wakashimazu()
18
Wakashimazu
· Futagoyama-beya · KagoshimaKagoshima
●lost toOshio()
19
Washuyama
· Dewanoumi-beya · OkayamaOkayama
●lost toKurohimeyama()
20
Dewanohana
· Dewanoumi-beya · AomoriAomori
○def.Arase()
21
Takanosato
· Futagoyama-beya · AomoriAomori
●lost toKotokaze()
22
Masudayama
· Kasugano-beya · IshikawaIshikawa
○def.Iwanami()
23
Amanoyama
· Tokitsukaze-beya · SagaSaga
○def.Fujizakura()
24
Takamiyama
· Takasago-beya · U.S.A.
●lost toOnishiki()
25
Zaonishiki
· Kagamiyama-beya · YamagataYamagata
○def.Hoo()
26
Iwanami
· Tatsunami-beya · ChibaChiba
●lost toMasudayama()
27
Kurosegawa
· Isegahama-beya · TokyoTokyo
●lost toHidanohana()
28
Tochiakagi
· Kasugano-beya · GunmaGunma
○def.Daijuyama()
29
Fujizakura
· Takasago-beya · YamanashiYamanashi
●lost toAmanoyama()
30
Arase
· Hanakago-beya · KochiKochi
●lost toDewanohana()
31
Tamanofuji
· Kataonami-beya · TochigiTochigi
●lost toOyutaka()
32
Hoo
· Nishonoseki-beya · AichiAichi
●lost toZaonishiki()
-
Kaiki
· Tomozuna-beya · AomoriAomori
34
Wakanohana
· Futagoyama-beya · AomoriAomori
kyūjō
35
Kotetsuyama
· Onaruto-beya · OitaOita
kyūjō
Day-by-day
Day 15
Kitanoumi leads at 14–1.
▾
M12Kaiki, YokozunaWakanohana, M11Kotetsuyama

After day 15, Yokozuna Kitanoumi leads the tournament at 14–1. One win back, Ōzeki Chiyonofuji leads the chase. Among the top ranks, Yokozuna Wakanohana sat out and Ōzeki Chiyonofuji lost to Kitanoumi by . Kaiki (M12), Yokozuna Wakanohana and Kotetsuyama (M11) remained out through kyūjō.

StandoutToryu (M13) on a 10–5 run.
YokozunaKitanoumi
beat Chiyonofuji()
YokozunaWakanohana
sat out (kyūjō)
OzekiChiyonofuji
lost to Kitanoumi()
SekiwakeKotokaze
beat Takanosato()
SekiwakeTakanosato
lost to Kotokaze()
SekiwakeOzutsu
beat Tochihikari()
KomusubiAsashio
beat Kurama()
KomusubiTochiakagi
beat Daijuyama()
Day 14
Kitanoumi and Chiyonofuji share the lead at 13–1.
▾
M12Kaiki, YokozunaWakanohana, M11Kotetsuyama

After day 14, Yokozuna Kitanoumi and Ōzeki Chiyonofuji share the lead at 13–1. Among the top ranks, Yokozuna Wakanohana sat out. Kaiki (M12), Yokozuna Wakanohana and Kotetsuyama (M11) remained out through kyūjō.

StandoutZaonishiki beat Komusubi Tochiakagi ()
YokozunaKitanoumi
beat Takanosato()
YokozunaWakanohana
sat out (kyūjō)
OzekiChiyonofuji
beat Asashio()
SekiwakeKotokaze
beat Tochihikari()
SekiwakeTakanosato
lost to Kitanoumi()
SekiwakeOzutsu
beat Onishiki()
KomusubiAsashio
lost to Chiyonofuji()
KomusubiTochiakagi
lost to Zaonishiki()
Day 13
Kitanoumi and Chiyonofuji share the lead at 12–1.★1
▾
Rare techniqueChiyonofujidef. Takanosato()Day 13
M12Kaiki, YokozunaWakanohana, M11Kotetsuyama

After day 13, Yokozuna Kitanoumi and Ōzeki Chiyonofuji share the lead at 12–1. Among the top ranks, Yokozuna Wakanohana sat out. Chiyonofuji won by , a rarely seen technique. Kaiki (M12), Yokozuna Wakanohana and Kotetsuyama (M11) remained out through kyūjō.

StandoutSadanoumi beat Sekiwake Ozutsu ()
YokozunaKitanoumi
beat Kotokaze()
YokozunaWakanohana
sat out (kyūjō)
OzekiChiyonofuji
beat Takanosato()
SekiwakeKotokaze
lost to Kitanoumi()
SekiwakeTakanosato
lost to Chiyonofuji()
SekiwakeOzutsu
lost to Sadanoumi()
KomusubiAsashio
beat Hokutenyu()
KomusubiTochiakagi
lost to Takamiyama()
Day 12
Kitanoumi and Chiyonofuji share the lead at 11–1.
▾
M12Kaiki, YokozunaWakanohana, M11Kotetsuyama

After day 12, Yokozuna Kitanoumi and Ōzeki Chiyonofuji share the lead at 11–1. Among the top ranks, Yokozuna Wakanohana sat out. Kaiki (M12), Yokozuna Wakanohana and Kotetsuyama (M11) remained out through kyūjō.

StandoutKurama beat Sekiwake Ozutsu ()
YokozunaKitanoumi
beat Sadanoumi()
YokozunaWakanohana
sat out (kyūjō)
OzekiChiyonofuji
beat Kotokaze()
SekiwakeKotokaze
lost to Chiyonofuji()
SekiwakeTakanosato
beat Asashio()
SekiwakeOzutsu
lost to Kurama()
KomusubiAsashio
lost to Takanosato()
KomusubiTochiakagi
lost to Kirinji()
Day 11
Kitanoumi and Chiyonofuji share the lead at 10–1.★1
▾
Rare techniqueTochiakagidef. Amanoyama()Day 11
M12Kaiki, YokozunaWakanohana, M11Kotetsuyama

After day 11, Yokozuna Kitanoumi and Ōzeki Chiyonofuji share the lead at 10–1. Among the top ranks, Yokozuna Wakanohana sat out. Tochiakagi won by , a rarely seen technique. Kaiki (M12), Yokozuna Wakanohana and Kotetsuyama (M11) remained out through kyūjō.

StandoutTochihikari beat Sekiwake Takanosato ()
YokozunaKitanoumi
beat Takamiyama()
YokozunaWakanohana
sat out (kyūjō)
OzekiChiyonofuji
beat Dewanohana()
SekiwakeKotokaze
beat Ozutsu()
SekiwakeTakanosato
lost to Tochihikari()
SekiwakeOzutsu
lost to Kotokaze()
KomusubiAsashio
beat Toryu()
KomusubiTochiakagi
beat Amanoyama()
Day 10
Kitanoumi and Chiyonofuji share the lead at 9–1.
▾
M7Arase, M12Kaiki, YokozunaWakanohana, M11Kotetsuyama

After day 10, Yokozuna Kitanoumi and Ōzeki Chiyonofuji share the lead at 9–1. One wrestler is one win behind the leader. Among the top ranks, Yokozuna Wakanohana sat out. Arase (M7), Kaiki (M12), Yokozuna Wakanohana and Kotetsuyama (M11) remained out through kyūjō.

StandoutToryu (M13) on a 8–2 run.
YokozunaKitanoumi
beat Ozutsu()
YokozunaWakanohana
sat out (kyūjō)
OzekiChiyonofuji
beat Kurama()
SekiwakeKotokaze
beat Dewanohana()
SekiwakeTakanosato
beat Fujizakura()
SekiwakeOzutsu
lost to Kitanoumi()
KomusubiAsashio
lost to Tochiakagi()
KomusubiTochiakagi
beat Asashio()
Day 9
Kitanoumi, Chiyonofuji, and Toryu share the lead at 8–1.
▾
M7Arase, M12Kaiki, YokozunaWakanohana, M11Kotetsuyama

After day 9, Yokozuna Kitanoumi, Ōzeki Chiyonofuji and Toryu (M13) share the lead at 8–1. Among the top ranks, Yokozuna Wakanohana sat out. Arase (M7), Kaiki (M12), Yokozuna Wakanohana and Kotetsuyama (M11) remained out through kyūjō.

StandoutAmanoyama beat Sekiwake Kotokaze ()
YokozunaKitanoumi
beat Kirinji()
YokozunaWakanohana
sat out (kyūjō)
OzekiChiyonofuji
beat Tochihikari()
SekiwakeKotokaze
lost to Amanoyama()
SekiwakeTakanosato
beat Takamiyama()
SekiwakeOzutsu
beat Asashio()
KomusubiAsashio
lost to Ozutsu()
KomusubiTochiakagi
lost to Dewanohana()
Day 8
Kitanoumi, Chiyonofuji, and Toryu share the lead at 7–1.
▾
M12Kaiki, YokozunaWakanohana, M11Kotetsuyama

After day 8, Yokozuna Kitanoumi, Ōzeki Chiyonofuji and Toryu (M13) share the lead at 7–1. 3 wrestlers are one win behind the leader. Among the top ranks, Yokozuna Wakanohana sat out. Kaiki (M12), Yokozuna Wakanohana and Kotetsuyama (M11) remained out through kyūjō.

StandoutKurama beat Sekiwake Takanosato ()
YokozunaKitanoumi
lost to Asashio()
YokozunaWakanohana
sat out (kyūjō)
OzekiChiyonofuji
beat Masudayama()
SekiwakeKotokaze
lost to Takamiyama()
SekiwakeTakanosato
lost to Kurama()
SekiwakeOzutsu
beat Kirinji()
KomusubiAsashio
beat Kitanoumi()
KomusubiTochiakagi
beat Fujizakura()
Day 7
Kitanoumi and Toryu share the lead at 7–0.★1
▾
Rare techniqueOshiodef. Takamiyama()Day 7
M12Kaiki, YokozunaWakanohana, M11Kotetsuyama

After day 7, Yokozuna Kitanoumi and Toryu (M13) share the lead at 7–0. One win back, Ōzeki Chiyonofuji leads the chase. Among the top ranks, Yokozuna Wakanohana sat out and Ōzeki Chiyonofuji beat Tochiakagi by . Oshio won by , a rarely seen technique. Kaiki (M12), Yokozuna Wakanohana and Kotetsuyama (M11) remained out through kyūjō.

StandoutMasudayama beat Sekiwake Takanosato ()
YokozunaKitanoumi
beat Kurama()
YokozunaWakanohana
sat out (kyūjō)
OzekiChiyonofuji
beat Tochiakagi()
SekiwakeKotokaze
beat Hokutenyu()
SekiwakeTakanosato
lost to Masudayama()
SekiwakeOzutsu
beat Washuyama()
KomusubiAsashio
beat Dewanohana()
KomusubiTochiakagi
lost to Chiyonofuji()
Day 6
Kitanoumi and Toryu share the lead at 6–0.
▾
M12Kaiki, YokozunaWakanohana, M11Kotetsuyama

After day 6, Yokozuna Kitanoumi and Toryu (M13) share the lead at 6–0. One win back, Ōzeki Chiyonofuji leads the chase. Among the top ranks, Yokozuna Wakanohana sat out and Ōzeki Chiyonofuji beat Amanoyama by . Kaiki (M12), Yokozuna Wakanohana and Kotetsuyama (M11) remained out through kyūjō.

StandoutTakamiyama beat Sekiwake Ozutsu ()
YokozunaKitanoumi
beat Washuyama()
YokozunaWakanohana
sat out (kyūjō)
OzekiChiyonofuji
beat Amanoyama()
SekiwakeKotokaze
beat Tochiakagi()
SekiwakeTakanosato
beat Kirinji()
SekiwakeOzutsu
lost to Takamiyama()
KomusubiAsashio
beat Tochihikari()
KomusubiTochiakagi
lost to Kotokaze()
Day 5
Kitanoumi and Toryu share the lead at 5–0.★2
▾
UpsetHokutenyudef. Ōzeki Chiyonofuji()Day 5
Rare techniqueDaijuyamadef. Kurama()Day 5
M12Kaiki, YokozunaWakanohana, M11Kotetsuyama

After day 5, Yokozuna Kitanoumi and Toryu (M13) share the lead at 5–0. One win back, Ōzeki Chiyonofuji leads the chase. Among the top ranks, Yokozuna Wakanohana sat out and Ōzeki Chiyonofuji lost to Hokutenyu by . Daijuyama won by , a rarely seen technique. Kaiki (M12), Yokozuna Wakanohana and Kotetsuyama (M11) remained out through kyūjō.

StandoutHokutenyu beat Ozeki Chiyonofuji ()
YokozunaKitanoumi
beat Dewanohana()
YokozunaWakanohana
sat out (kyūjō)
OzekiChiyonofuji
lost to Hokutenyu()
SekiwakeKotokaze
beat Masudayama()
SekiwakeTakanosato
lost to Ozutsu()
SekiwakeOzutsu
beat Takanosato()
KomusubiAsashio
beat Amanoyama()
KomusubiTochiakagi
beat Washuyama()
Day 4
5 wrestlers share the lead at 4–0.
▾
M12Kaiki, YokozunaWakanohana, M11Kotetsuyama

After day 4, 5 wrestlers are tied for the lead at 4–0, among them Yokozuna Kitanoumi and Ōzeki Chiyonofuji. 7 wrestlers are one win behind the leader. Among the top ranks, Yokozuna Wakanohana sat out. Kaiki (M12), Yokozuna Wakanohana and Kotetsuyama (M11) remained out through kyūjō.

StandoutWashuyama beat Sekiwake Takanosato ()
YokozunaKitanoumi
beat Tochihikari()
YokozunaWakanohana
sat out (kyūjō)
OzekiChiyonofuji
beat Takamiyama()
SekiwakeKotokaze
beat Asashio()
SekiwakeTakanosato
lost to Washuyama()
SekiwakeOzutsu
lost to Amanoyama()
KomusubiAsashio
lost to Kotokaze()
KomusubiTochiakagi
lost to Hokutenyu()
Day 3
7 wrestlers share the lead at 3–0.★1
▾
KinboshiFujizakuradef. Yokozuna Wakanohana()Day 3
M12Kaiki

After day 3, 7 wrestlers are tied for the lead at 3–0, among them Yokozuna Kitanoumi and Ōzeki Chiyonofuji. 12 wrestlers are one win behind the leader. Among the top ranks, Yokozuna Wakanohana lost to Fujizakura by . Fujizakura claimed a kinboshi over Yokozuna Wakanohana. Kaiki (M12) remained out through kyūjō.

StandoutKurama beat Sekiwake Kotokaze ()
YokozunaKitanoumi
beat Amanoyama()
YokozunaWakanohanakinboshi
lost to Fujizakura()
OzekiChiyonofuji
beat Washuyama()
SekiwakeKotokaze
lost to Kurama()
SekiwakeTakanosato
beat Tochiakagi()
SekiwakeOzutsu
beat Masudayama()
KomusubiAsashio
beat Kirinji()
KomusubiTochiakagi
lost to Takanosato()
Day 2
11 wrestlers share the lead at 2–0.★1
▾
Rare techniqueChiyonofujidef. Kirinji()Day 2
M12Kaiki

After day 2, 11 wrestlers are tied for the lead at 2–0, among them Yokozuna Kitanoumi and Ōzeki Chiyonofuji. 12 wrestlers are one win behind the leader. Among the top ranks, Yokozuna Wakanohana lost to Asashio by . Chiyonofuji won by , a rarely seen technique. Kaiki (M12) remained out through kyūjō.

StandoutWashuyama beat Sekiwake Kotokaze ()
YokozunaKitanoumi
beat Masudayama()
YokozunaWakanohana
lost to Asashio()
OzekiChiyonofuji
beat Kirinji()
SekiwakeKotokaze
lost to Washuyama()
SekiwakeTakanosato
beat Amanoyama()
SekiwakeOzutsu
beat Hokutenyu()
KomusubiAsashio
beat Wakanohana()
KomusubiTochiakagi
lost to Kurama()
Day 1
17 wrestlers share the lead at 1–0.★1
▾
KinboshiKuramadef. Yokozuna Wakanohana()Day 1
M12Kaiki

After day 1, 17 wrestlers are tied for the lead at 1–0, among them Yokozuna Kitanoumi and Ōzeki Chiyonofuji. One win back, Yokozuna Wakanohana leads the chase. Among the top ranks, Yokozuna Wakanohana lost to Kurama by . Kurama claimed a kinboshi over Yokozuna Wakanohana. Kaiki (M12) remained out through kyūjō.

StandoutHokutenyu beat Sekiwake Takanosato ()
YokozunaKitanoumi
beat Tochiakagi()
YokozunaWakanohanakinboshi
lost to Kurama()
OzekiChiyonofuji
beat Ozutsu()
SekiwakeKotokaze
beat Kirinji()
SekiwakeTakanosato
lost to Hokutenyu()
SekiwakeOzutsu
lost to Chiyonofuji()
KomusubiAsashio
lost to Masudayama()
KomusubiTochiakagi
lost to Kitanoumi()
The venue
Hosts Hatsu, Natsu, Aki
Tokyo
Ryōgoku Kokugikan両国国技館
Tōkyō-to · capacity 11,098
DirectionsGoogleAppleWaze

Ryōgoku is sumo's historical heart - the surrounding Sumida-ku neighbourhood has been home to stables, retired rikishi, and chankonabe restaurants for over a century. The current Kokugikan opened in 1985, hosts three of the six annual bashos, and houses the (free) Sumo Museum on the ground floor. The roof of the arena is modelled on a Shintō shrine.

Near the arena
Local specialties
  • Chankonabe↗ちゃんこ鍋 - The calorie-dense stew rikishi live on - many former-rikishi-run restaurants in Ryōgoku serve it.
  • Monjayaki↗もんじゃ焼き - Tokyo's loose, savoury cousin to okonomiyaki. Best on Tsukishima Island, two stops south.
  • Edomae sushi↗江戸前寿司 - Tokyo-style sushi, originated in the bay. Toyosu and Tsukiji markets are nearby.
Getting there: JR Sōbu line to Ryōgoku Station - the Kokugikan is directly across the road from the west exit.