Longtime Wrestling Referee Passes Away At 85

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Mar 6, 2026 5:45 PM ET

Sumo wrestling lost a legend today as Abe Masao, who worked as the top referee in Japan for several years, has passed away. He was 85 years old.

Nikkan Sports reported on Friday that Masao passed away on February 26. His funeral was held in a private ceremony among family recently.

Masao worked as a gyoji (sumo wrestling referee) for over 50 years, starting at the age of 14 and working all the way until the mandatory retirement age of 65. Over the course of five decades he slowly rose through the ranks among dozens of other, more experienced referees until finally achieving the highest gyoji rank in 2003.

Taking the name of Kimura Shonnosuke, the 31st gyoji to hold the name which dates all the way back to the samurai era, he worked as the top referee in the sport for over two years before retiring.

SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 1993: The sumo dohyo awaits the start of the 1993 San Jose Basho sumo wrestling tournament held June 4-5, 1993 at the San Jose Event Center in San Jose, California. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)David Madison/Getty Images

Controversy in Nagoya

By far the most controversial bout he ever officiated came between Asashoryu and Kotonowaka in 2004 at Nagoya. Kotonowaka appeared to push Asashoryu to the ground and Masao awarded the victory to him. But the ringside judges held a conference and determined that Asashoryu had managed to twist himself into a way that kept himself off the ground just long enough for Kotonowaka to hit the ground first.

The decision was overturned and a rematch was called. Asashoryu won the rematch, leaving Kotonowaka and thousands of fans fuming.

After his retirement, Masao gave a reflection on his career. He stated that he always gave his full concentration to every match he ever officiated and continued enjoying the sport even after being a referee for five decades.

"I always entered the ring with a clear mind and tried to determine the outcome with full concentration," Masao said at his retirement. "I think I'll be able to enjoy watching sumo."

Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones.

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

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