Sumo tracks a variety of individual statistics, one of them being the most wins in a year, which is usually decided at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
This year, the record for most matches won at the six annual tournaments goes to new komusubi Asanoyama. His 55 wins are the fewest ever to take the top spot. He is also the first wrestler below ozeki to win since Takahanada in 1992.
Asanoyama is 25 years old. He won his first makuuchi tournament with a 12-3 record at the summer basho, with U.S. President Donald Trump in attendance. It has been quite a year for Asanoyama, who was handed the "President's Cup" by Trump in the ring after his victory. His simple, earnest character was evident after capturing the wins title, as he said, "I want to practice hard and keep at it with confidence."
The record for most wins in a year is held by Hakuho, who won 86 bouts in both 2009 and 2010. The yokozuna lost only four times in each of those years.
That was peak Hakuho, who won three championships in 2009 and five in 2010, among other achievements.
Hakuho had the most wins in a year nine straight times from 2007 to 2015 and had the 10th most wins in 2017. He holds the record for both consecutive and overall years with the most wins.
In second place for the number of most-win years is Kitanoumi at seven, followed by Taiho at six, and Takanohana and Asashoryu at five.
Six grand tournaments have been held each year since 1958. Over that time only six wrestlers have won at least 80 bouts in a year. In addition to the five mentioned previously, Chiyonofuji had 80 wins in 1985.
Asanoyama had the most wins this year due to poor showings by yokozuna and ozeki wrestlers. Hakuho, Kakuryu, Takayasu and Tochinoshin competed in every match at only three tournaments this year, while Goeido and Takakeisho competed in all 15 matches at only four tournaments.
With sumo going through a wave of generational changes, great things are expected of Asanoyama in 2020.
-- Miki is a sumo expert.
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