Sports

Former Top Division Sumo Wrestler Terutsuyoshi Retires

TOKYO, Mar 18 (News On Japan) - Terutsuyoshi, a former top division sumo wrestler known for his dynamic movement and vigorous salt-throwing ritual, has decided to retire.

At 29 years old, Terutsuyoshi hailed from Minamiawaji City in Hyogo Prefecture and was a member of the Isegahama stable. Born on Awaji Island on January 17, 1995, the same day as the Great Hanshin Earthquake, he made his professional sumo debut in the spring tournament of 2010. Despite his modest height of just under 1.70 meters, his agility and technique in grabbing his opponents' belt shallowly earned him a rise through the ranks, captivating fans with his enthusiastic handfuls of salt tossed into the ring.

He reached the juryo division in the first tournament of 2017 and made his makuuchi debut in the spring tournament of 2019. In the Nagoya tournament of the first year of Reiwa (2019), he achieved a remarkable record of 12 wins and 3 losses, earning the Fighting Spirit Prize. He climbed to his highest rank of Maegashira 3 in the autumn tournament of the following year. However, his performance declined recently, and after approximately five years in the salaried ranks, he fell to the makushita division. In the current tournament, he was ranked as Makushita 36 in the west but was absent from the first day. On March 18th, the Japan Sumo Association accepted his retirement notice. Terutsuyoshi is scheduled to hold a press conference on Tuesday to explain his decision to retire.

Source: NHK

Do Bears Prefer Acorns or Berries?

Bear sightings across Japan have already climbed to nearly twice the level recorded during the same period last year, prompting entry bans in mountain areas behind Kyoto’s Ninna-ji Temple and the cancellation of hiking events in Kansai, while new research suggests that the key to reducing encounters may lie in understanding what bears eat in each region.

Copper Thieves Target Japanese Shrines

Copper roofing panels were stolen from several shrines in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, including a city-designated cultural property, in the latest case amid a nationwide surge in copper thefts targeting shrines and temples across Japan, where soaring metal prices have fueled crimes that leave historic religious buildings damaged, exposed to the elements, and facing repair costs of millions of yen.

1200-Year-Old Temple on Miyajima Reduced to Ashes

Flames broke out on the morning of May 20th on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, home to one of Japan's World Heritage sites, destroying Reikado Hall near the summit of Mount Misen.

From Bento Boxes to Garbage Bags, Rising Costs Hitting Daily Life Across Japan

Uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East is beginning to affect daily life in Japan, as concerns over crude oil supplies spread to restaurants, cleaning services and even household garbage disposal systems across the Kansai region.

Tochigi Robbery-Murder Suspect’s Wife Posted Dance Videos on Social Media

A 25-year-old woman arrested as a suspected ringleader in a robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture once posted cheerful dance videos on social media and was remembered by those who knew her as an energetic and outgoing young woman.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Sports NEWS

Amateur Sumo Draws Thousands to New York Streets

An amateur sumo tournament was held on the streets of New York, highlighting how Japan’s national sport is gaining new popularity in the United States while evolving in distinctly American ways.

National Stone Skipping Contest Held on Nagara River

Under blazing sunshine along the clear waters of the Nagara River, competitors faced off in a serious test of stone skipping skill on May 17th in Gifu City, where temperatures climbed to 31.2 degrees Celsius, marking the city’s first midsummer day of the year.

The Most Anticipated Football Matches Around the World in the Coming Month

May in football is the moment when everyone’s nerves are already stretched to the limit, and mistakes become incredibly costly.

Top 5 Most Unexpected Champions of Recent Years

In modern professional sports, where financial resources and squad depth often determine competitive hierarchy, there are still moments when underdogs disrupt the established order.

Mud-Covered Rugby Deepens Community Bonds

An event allowing participants to enjoy rugby while covered in mud took place in pre-planting rice paddies in Fukuchiyama, Kyoto Prefecture, on May 17th.

Japan Names 26-Man Squad for 2026 World Cup

Japan announced its 26-man squad on May 15th for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with several key selections drawing attention as injuries continue to affect the national team ahead of the tournament.

Athletes Tackle Sapporo Olympic Ski Jump

A 400-meter race in which participants sprinted up a ski jump slope with a maximum incline of 37 degrees and an elevation difference of 130 meters was held on May 16th at the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo.

Ceiling Partially Collapses at 'Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena' Ahead of Asian Games

Part of the ceiling at 'Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena' in Nagoya's Minato Ward, which is scheduled to host squash events during the upcoming Asian Games, collapsed on May 11th, raising concerns over whether the venue will be ready in time for the international sporting event opening in September.

< 2 3 4 5 >