“Yokozuna” Hakuhō: An Intimate Tale of a Sumō Grand Champion

A young, slender Hakuhō after entering the Miyagino-beya. (Courtesy of the author)

Hakuhō, left, and stablemaster Miyagino celebrate his promotion to the makuuchi division in April 2004 at the Miyagino stable in Sumida, Tokyo. (© Jiji)

Hakuhō, left, throws Asashōryū in the final bout of the summer tournament on May 27, 2007, to win the title with a perfect 15–0 record and secure promotion to yokozuna. (© Jiji)

Hakuhō, with a celebratory sea bream in hand, strikes a victory pose during a ceremony at the Miyagino stable on May 30, 2007, marking his promotion to the rank of yokozuna. His parents are seated at the right. (© Jiji)

Hakuhō takes a break during a visit to the beach to pose with journalists covering the Hawaii Sumō tour in June 2006. The author is at the back between Hakuhō, right, and Ryūō. (Courtesy of the author)

Hakuhō performs a ring-entering ceremony at the Kyūshū tournament on November 18, 2019. In choosing the less common Shiranui style, characterized by both arms held wide as opposed to just one arm in the more popular Unryū style, he dispelled the myth that a yokozuna performing the form is destined to have short career. (© Jiji)

Hakuhō celebrates winning his final bout of the Nagoya tournament against Terunofuji on July 18, 2021, to claim the championship with an undefeated record. It was his last appearance in the ring. (© Jiji)