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Legendary Sumo Wrestler Passes Away At 82

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Nov 23, 2024 6:40 PM ET

The final day of the November Grand Sumo tournament begins in Fukuoka, Japan in just a few hours. But the last two weeks of the tournament have likely felt more somber than exciting following the recent news that legendary sumo wrestler Kitanofuji passed away. He was 82 years old.

On Wednesday, reports came out that Kitanofuji Katsuaki passed away on November 12. His passing had been kept private for over a week. Though he had been working as an analyst for Japan's NHK network, he had not appeared on camera since July.

Kitanofuji was only the 52nd man to reach the highest rank of Yokozuna in the sport's centuries-old history. Competing between 1957 and 1974, he would win 10 championships in the top division of sumo wrestling - a mark that is still tied for the 10th most in the last 110 years.

Former yokozuna Kitanofuji, who was popular in recent years for his witty comments during live sumo tournament broadcasts, died on Nov. 12. He was 82. https://t.co/Y1hgJcYvnZ
— The Japan Times (@japantimes) November 21, 2024

He was promoted from the rank of Ozeki to Yokozuna in 1970 and promptly won two of his first three tournaments at the rank. Between 1971 and 1972, he would win four more tournaments, going a perfect 15-0 in three of them.

Unfortunately, the passing of his longtime friend and rival Tamanoumi late in 1971 caused him to go into a slump that would severely impact him in the ring. His final tournament win came in 1973, but after sitting out most of the first four tournaments of 1974, he announced his retirement.

Kitanofuji's final record as a sumo wrestler was 784–426–69, winning over 64-percent of his matches.

After retiring, he became the head of the Kokonoe sumo stable, where he oversaw two more wrestlers - Chiyonofuji and Kitanoumi - also achieve the rank of Yokozuna. The two men would combine for 39 top division championships during their respective careers.

Kitanofuji went into broadcasting after the end of his coaching career but had to undergo heart surgery in 2017. Nevertheless, he continued to be a regular on sumo broadcasts for several more years after recovering.

He is the second Yokozuna to pass away this year following the passing of 11-time champion Akebono this past April.

Our hearts go out to the sumo legend's family and loved ones.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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