Akita International Sumo Basho
The Akita International Sumo Event (秋田国際相撲大会) is an annual sumo event which was started in 2005 by Everest of Apples, continued by Room to Read from 2008 and Akita Association of JETs from 2011, and currently run by Charity Akita. Originally supervised by the Akita City Sumo Association, the tournament is currently supervised and officiated by past and present ALTs. The tournament invites all foreigners and Japanese people in Akita and surrounding prefectures to experience sumo following traditional rules and guidelines. The tournament is arranged with the cooperation and help of the Akita Prefectural Government's International Affairs Division.
Location
International Sumo has been held at Akita Budokan since 2007, an event center on the banks of the Akita Canal, next to the prefectural skating center in the Araya district of Akita City.
Format
The event starts with some practical training for the wrestlers in the morning. Wrestlers also get fitted into their mawashi, get briefed on the rules, have interviews with the local media, have photos, and loosen up before the matches. At some point during the day, a taiko concert is performed, either before the bouts, or at an intermission. Taiko groups have included: Noshiro Berabō-daiko (能代べらぼう太鼓), Akita City Izumi Taiko (いずみ太鼓), Gojōme Tenshō Taiko (五城目天翔太鼓). The day closes with the championship bout.
Bout advancement
In 2005 to 2006, the first two basho were simply single-elimination tournaments, and the number of participating wrestlers was 30. In order to balance play time among wrestlers and develop fairness in the competition, a new format was introduced in the 2007 basho.
With the new formula, 24 wrestlers were divided into four pools of six men. Each wrestler had three scheduled bouts against men in his own pool. After all intra-pool bouts were complete, two wrestlers with the best win-loss records from each of the four pools advanced to an eight-member single elimination tournament. The two wrestlers who came from the same pool cannot meet in a tournament bout unless it is the championship bout.
In order to accommodate for 32 wrestlers, a new format was introduced in the 2008 basho. The 32 wrestlers were divided into eight pools of four men. The four wrestlers in each pool played a roundrobin with three bouts each, and one wrestler from each pool with the best win-loss record advanced to the second round. The eight wrestlers who advance to the second round were divided into two pools of four, and played a three-bout roundrobin. The top wrestler from each pool advanced to the single-elimination championship bout.
Tournament details
- 2024 Akita International Sumo Basho
- 2023 Akita International Sumo Basho
- 2022 Akita International Sumo Basho Cancelled due to COVID-19
- 2021 Akita International Sumo Basho Cancelled due to COVID-19
- 2020 Akita International Sumo Basho Cancelled due to COVID-19
- 2019 Akita International Sumo Basho
- 2018 Akita International Sumo Basho
- 2017 Akita International Sumo Basho
- 2016 Akita International Sumo Basho
- 2015 Akita International Sumo Basho
- 2014 Akita International Sumo Basho
- 2013 Akita International Sumo Basho
- 2012 Akita International Sumo Basho
- 2011 Akita International Sumo Basho
- 2010 Akita International Sumo Basho
- 2009 Akita International Sumo Basho
- 2008 Akita International Sumo Basho
- 2007 Akita International Sumo Basho
- 2006 Akita International Sumo Basho
- 2005 Akita International Sumo Basho
History
| Year | Ticket | Attendance | Wrestlers | Income | Expense | Profits | Extra | Cause | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | F | |||||||||
| 2024 | W ¥1,500 / A, US ¥1,000 | 50≤ | 16 | 5 | ¥97,040 | Calculating | Calculating | Bake sale | Food Bank Akita | |
| 2023 | ¥1,000 | 15 | 4 | ¥34,000 | ¥24,998 | ¥9,002 | Bake sale | Akita Tasukeai Net Ayumu | ||
| 2022 | Not held due to COVID-19 | |||||||||
| 2021 | Not held due to COVID-19 | |||||||||
| 2020 | Not held due to COVID-19 | |||||||||
| 2019 | ¥1,000 | 72 | 13 | 7 | ¥74,361 | ¥29,077 | ¥45,439 | Bake sale | TELL Japan | |
| 2018 | 53 | 14 | 7 | ¥54,360 | ¥26,827 | ¥27,533 | Bake sale | TELL Japan | ||
| 2017 | W, V S ¥500, A ¥1,000 | 97 | 14 | 5 | ¥108,180 | ¥29,166 | ¥79,014 | Bake sale | Mirai no Mori | |
| 2016 | W, V ¥500, A ¥1,000 | 50 | 8 | 4 | ¥58,715 | ¥27,695 | ¥31,020 | Bake sale | Kumamoto Earthquake Donation | |
| 2015 | W, V ¥1,000, A ¥2,000 | 66 | 13 | 8 | ¥115,395 | ¥35,239 | ¥80,156 | Bake sale | Save the Children | |
| 2014 | W, C ¥500, A ¥1,000 | ? | 12 | 4 | ¥? | ¥? | ¥65,000 | ? | Red Cross | |
| 2013 | W, C ¥500, A ¥1,000 | ? | 12 | 5 | ¥? | ¥? | ¥? | ? | Red Cross | |
| 2012 | W ¥1,500 / A ¥1,000 | ~90 | 12 | 0 | ¥? | ¥? | ¥50,000 | ? | Tohoku earthquake relief efforts | |
| 2011 | W ¥1,300, A ¥1,000 | 90 | 18 | 10 | ¥114,400 | ¥23,025 | ¥91,375 | ? | volunteerAKITA, Smile Kids, wiki, Hanabi | |
| 2010 | ¥?/ ¥? | ? | 16 | 10 | ¥? | ¥? | ¥? | ? | Room to Read | |
| 2009 | A ¥1,300, US ¥1,000, S ¥500 |
? | 22 | 10 | ¥? | ¥? | ¥137,450 | Bake sale Fantasy sumo |
Room to Read | |
| 2008 | ¥?/ ¥? | ~82 | 32 | 0 | ¥? | ¥? | ¥125,030 | Bake sale / Stuff sale | Room to Read | |
| 2007 | A ¥1,000, S ¥500 | A 93, S 6 | 24 | 0 | ¥? | ¥? | ¥129,400 | Bake sale | Everest of Apples and Room to Read | |
| 2006 | A ¥1,000, S ¥500 | A 106, S 8 | 30 | 0 | ¥131,600 | ¥21,400 | ¥110,200 | Bake sale, Bet | Everest of Apples | |
| 2005 | ¥? | ? | 26 | 0 | ¥? | ¥? | ¥? | ? | Everest of Apples for NEST | |
W = wrestler, A = adult, V = Volunteer, US = university student, S = student, C = children
Banzuke
-
2010 Banzuke -
2011 Banzuke -
2012 Banzuke
Japanese -
2012 Banzuke
English -
2015 Banzuke
Tournament winners
In the Akita International Sumo Basho, champions are given the honorary title yokozuna. Here is a list of past champions:
First Prize (Yusho)
- 2024 Basho: Alex Padilla (US; non JET)
- 2023 Basho: Atomu Ishikawa (JP; non JET)
- 2019 Basho: Mengkin Ragan (JP; non JET)
- 2018 Basho: Dean Reutzler (USA; Ōshū, Iwate)
- 2017 Basho: Dean Reutzler (USA; Ōshū, Iwate)
- 2016 Basho: Chris McNeal (USA, non JET)
- 2015 Basho: Kassidy Cook (USA; Yuzawa 2013-2015)
- 2014 Basho: Kassidy Cook (USA; Yuzawa 2013-2015)
- 2013 Basho: Dean Reutzler (USA; Morioka, Iwate)
- 2012 Basho: Travis Emery (USA; Tsuruta Town, Aomori 2007-2012)
- 2011 Basho: Colton Runyan (USA; Kosaka, 2010-2012)
- 2010 Basho: Dean Reutzler (USA; Morioka, Iwate)
- 2009 Basho: Doug Heller (UK; Daisen 2008-2009)
- 2008 Basho: Travis Emery (USA; Tsuruta Town, Aomori 2007-2012)
- 2007 Basho: Seth Dorman (USA; Yuzawa 2004-2007)
- 2006 Basho: Will Van Sittert (USA; Ōgata 2004-2007)
- 2005 Basho: Corey Campbell (USA; Noshiro 2003-2005, Katagami 2005-2006)
2nd place (Jun-Yusho)
- 2019 Basho: Dean Reutzler (USA; Ōshū, Iwate)
- 2018 Basho: Peter Hall (AU; Akita City 2016-present)
- 2017 Basho: Takemi Ishibashi (Japan; Semboku)
- 2016 Basho: Dean Reutzler (USA; Morioka, Iwate)
- 2015 Basho: Owen Cunningham (Ireland; Yurihonjō 2008-2011, Kamikoani 2011-present)
- 2014 Basho: John Lennon (USA; Tenno 2013-present)
- 2013 Basho: Owen Cunningham (Ireland; Yurihonjō 2008-2011, Kamikoani 2011-present)
- 2012 Basho: Colton Runyan (USA; Kosaka 2010-2012)
- 2011 Basho: Alex Morse (USA; Daisen 2010-2011)
- 2010 Basho: James Jones (USA; Fujisato 2008-2011)
- 2009 Basho: Phil Cooke (England; Yurihonjō 2007-2009)
Fighting Spirit Prize (Kanto-sho)
- 2019 Basho: Christian Grande (USA; Yurihonjō 2018-present)
- 2018 Basho: Mengkin Ragan (JP; non JET)
- 2017 Basho: Max Raskin (USA; Kitaakita 2015-2017)
- 2016 Basho: Owen Cunningham (Ireland; Yurihonjō 2008-2011, Kamikoani 2011-present)
- 2015 Basho: Dean Reutzler (USA; Morioka, Iwate)
- 2014 Basho: Kazune Hasegawa (Japan; Fukushima)
- 2013 Basho: Doug Heller (UK; Daisen 2008-2009)
- 2012 Basho: Todd Horner (Canada; Yurihonjō 2009-2014)
- 2011 Basho: Owen Cunningham (Ireland; Yurihonjō 2008-2011, Kamikoani 2011-present)
- 2010 Basho: Travis Emery (USA; Tsuruta Town, Aomori 2007-2012)
- 2009 Basho: James Jones (USA; Fujisato 2008-2011)
Women's Champions
- 2019 Basho: Kate Smith (Canada; Yurihonjō 2016-present)
- 2018 Basho: Kate Smith (Canada; Yurihonjō 2016-present)
- 2017 Basho: Chey Parlato (New Zealand; Yurihonjō 2014-present)
- 2016 Basho: Michelle Berent (USA; Ōdate 2014-2017)
- 2015 Basho: Michelle Berent (USA; Ōdate 2014-2017)
- 2014 Basho: Meagan Peat (Canada; Akita City 2013-2016)
- 2013 Basho: Allanah Faherty (New Zealand; Yurihonjō 2012-2013)
- 2012 Basho: N/A
- 2011 Basho: Hannah Leggett (Ireland; Aomori 2010-)
- 2010 Basho: Anne Smith (USA; Omonogawa 2008-2009, Ōdate 2009-2012)
- 2009 Basho: Anne Smith (USA; Omonogawa 2008-2009, Ōdate 2009-2012)
Women's 2nd place
- 2019 Basho: Amber Shamma (USA; Akita City 2016-present)
- 2018 Basho: Amber Shamma (USA; Akita City 2016-present)
- 2017 Basho: Kate Smith (Canada; Yurihonjō 2016-present)
- 2016 Basho: Noelle Adams (SA; Kazuno 2014-2016)
- 2015 Basho: Maeleen Arce (USA; Kitaakita 2014-present)
- 2014 Basho: Jan Rambaud (USA; Akita City 2013-present)
- 2013 Basho: Natalie Hadjiloukas (USA; Akita City 2008-2013)
- 2012 Basho: N/A
- 2011 Basho: Allie Kallman (USA; Aomori)
- 2010 Basho: Janice Abe (Canada; Yuzawa 2009-2012)
- 2009 Basho: Alicia Miller (USA; Ōdate 2008-2011)
Women's Fighting Spirit Prize
- 2019 Basho: Elsa Pansilvania Manjate (MZ; non-JET)
- 2018 Basho: Misa Yasuda (USA; Daisen 2013-present)
- 2017 Basho: Lynne Francis (USA; Daisen 2013-present)
- 2016 Basho: Connie Look (USA; Yokote 2013-2016)
- 2015 Basho: Kinza Cooper (USA; Yokote 2012-2015)
- 2014 Basho: Stephanie Hupp (USA; Yurihonjō 2011-2015)
- 2013 Basho: MacKenzie Vile (USA; Yokote 2012-2014)
- 2012 Basho: N/A
- 2011 Basho: Melody Lynch-Kimmery (USA; Yuzawa 2009-2010, Akita City 2010-2011)
- 2010 Basho: Melody Lynch-Kimmery (USA; Yuzawa 2009-2010, Akita City 2010-2011)
- 2009 Basho: Maria "Yosan" Legaspi (New Zealand; Akita City 2008-2010)
Posters
-
2023 Basho
English -
2023 Basho
Japanese -
2017 Basho -
2016 Basho -
2015 Basho
English -
2015 Basho
Japanese -
2014 Basho
English -
2013 Basho
English -
2013 Basho
Japanese -
2012 Basho
English -
2012 Basho
Japanese -
2011 Basho
English -
2011 Basho
Japanese -
2010 Basho
English -
2010 Basho
Japanese -
2009 Basho
English -
2009 Basho
Japanese -
2008 Basho -
2007 Basho -
2006 Basho
See also
- Akita Association of JETs
- Room to Read
- Junior High School Athletic Competition - Check dates don't conflict
- English camp - Check dates don't conflict
- Sumo rules and guidelines
| Years of the Akita International Sumo Basho | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |||||
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |||||
| Charity Akita | ||
|---|---|---|
| Group History | ALT Charity Groups • Room to Read (2006-2011) • Akita Association of JETs (2011-2015) • Charity Akita (2016- ) | 
|
| Annual Summaries by JET Year |
RtR: 2010 • AAJ: 2014 • 2015 CA: 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020 • 2021 • 2022 • 2023 • 2024 | |
| Monthly Events | English Cafe | |
| Annual Events | Welcome Party • Block Cup • Lake Tazawa Camping • Halloween Party • Christmas Caroling • Appi Ski Trip • St. Patrick's Day Party • International Sumo Basho • Goodbye Party | |
| Event Procedures | Charity Akita Event Equipment • Halloween Party • Goodbye Party • International Sumo Basho | |
| Venues | Sanbōen • Orange House • Dreamworld • Club AK • Jamhouse • Live space 「四階」 • CLUB GEL • Appi Kōgen Ski Resort | |
| Previous / One-time Events |
Spring Carnival • Summer/80s Dance Parties • Pub Quiz & Soup Curry Night • Black Hearts Masquerade Cocktail Party • Hanami Tea Party • St. Patrick's Day Party • Orientation/SDC Tatami Parties | |
