The Grand Sumo Hatsu Basho begins this Sunday, the 9th of January, held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Toyko.
FTA coverage continues on NHK World Japan, all times GMT:
Grand Sumo 2021 Review & 2022 Preview:
Friday 7th January 0430, repeated at 0830, 1630 & 1130.
Daily Highlights:
Daily at 1630 from Sunday 9th January with repeats at 1230, 0430 & 0830.
Grand Sumo will be live:
Day 1 Sunday 9th January 0910
Day 8 Sunday 16th January 0910
Day 15 Sunday 23rd January 0830
NHK World Japan HD is available FTA in English:
28.2° east 11225V 23000 2/3 Europe beam
13° east... 11373H 27500 3/4
19.2° east 11229V 22000 2/3
In November Yokozuna Terunofuji won with a perfect 15-0 record, also known as a zensho yusho, which means 'perfect tournament victory' in English.
Ones to watch:
Abi was runner up (jun-yusho) in November with a 12-3 record, he also gave Terunofuji a fright and was awarded the kanto-sho (fighting spirit) special prize.
Ura is up to a career high rank of maegashira 2 east after a 10-5 record in November. He was also awarded the gino-sho (technique) special prize.
Takayasu will be absent after positive covid tests at his stable. Hidenoumi will be missing after being withdrawn by his stablemaster, reports are he had visited an illegal casino. Gambling is massively restricted in Japan and illegal gambling is often linked to the Yakuza organised crime group. If proven, a hefty punishment will be coming his way.
The golden giant macaron made an appearance in Fukuoka:
Pokemon sponsorship also made an appearance: