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1994 in sports
Years in sumo
← 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 →
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In 1994, Takanohana won two successive tournaments, unbeaten (15–0), earning promotion to the highest rank of yokozuna, or grand champion, in November.^[1] At the Nagoya tournament in July, ōzeki Musashimaru had won his first championship, also unbeaten (15–0), leading to speculation that he could become the next foreign-born sumo wrestler to be promoted to sumo's highest rank.^[2]^[3]

The following are the events in professional sumo in Japan during 1994.

Tournaments

Hatsu basho

Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 9 January – 23 January

1994 Hatsu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East		Rank	West		Result
11	-	4	-	0		Akebono	Y	ø
11	-	4	-	0		Wakanohana	O		Takanohana	14	-	1	-	0
12	-	3	-	0		Musashimaru	S		Takanonami	13	-	2	-	0
9	-	6	-	0		Kotonishiki	HD		Konishiki	2	-	13	-	0
4	-	11	-	0		Tomonohana	K		Wakashoyo	6	-	9	-	0
6	-	9	-	0		Kotonowaka	M1		Tochinowaka	8	-	7	-	0
4	-	11	-	0		Akinoshima	M2		Kotobeppu	3	-	12	-	0
8	-	7	-	0	ø	Daizen	M3		Musōyama	10	-	5	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Misugisato	M4		Kotofuji	3	-	12	-	0
7	-	8	-	0		Oginishiki	M5	ø	Daishōhō	0	-	0	-	15
6	-	9	-	0		Kenkō	M6		Kaiō	8	-	7	-	0
6	-	9	-	0		Takatōriki	M7	ø	Kushimaumi	1	-	2	-	12
8	-	7	-	0		Terao	M8		Kitakachidoki	8	-	7	-	0
6	-	9	-	0		Kiraiho	M9		Tamakairiki	2	-	13	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Kyokudōzan	M10		Takamisugi	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Mitoizumi	M11		Toyonoumi	6	-	9	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Mainoumi	M12		Kotoinazuma	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Higonoumi	M13		Kasugafuji	9	-	6	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Hamanoshima	M14		Kirishima	8	-	7	-	0
9	-	6	-	0		Daishōyama	M15		Tokitsunada	9	-	6	-	0
7	-	8	-	0		Kototsubaki	M16	ø

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner

Haru basho

Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, 13 March – 27 March

1994 Haru basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East		Rank	West		Result
12	-	3	-	0		Akebono*	Y	ø
11	-	4	-	0		Takanohana	O	ø	Wakanohana	3	-	4	-	8
12	-	3	-	0		Takanonami	HD		Musashimaru	9	-	6	-	0
10	-	5	-	0		Kotonishiki	S		Musōyama	9	-	6	-	0
3	-	12	-	0		Tochinowaka	K		Daizen	5	-	10	-	0
6	-	9	-	0		Misugisato	M1		Kaiō	9	-	6	-	0
4	-	11	-	0		Wakashoyo	M2		Terao	9	-	6	-	0
7	-	8	-	0		Kotonowaka	M3		Kitakachidoki	6	-	9	-	0
5	-	10	-	0		Kyokudōzan	M4	ø	Takamisugi	5	-	10	-	0
6	-	9	-	0		Tomonohana	M5		Daishōhō	3	-	12	-	0
9	-	6	-	0		Oginishiki	M6		Mitoizumi	4	-	11	-	0
7	-	8	-	0		Kasugafuji	M7		Mainoumi	6	-	9	-	0
6	-	9	-	0		Kotoinazuma	M8		Higonoumi	9	-	6	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Konishiki	M9		Kenkō	9	-	6	-	0
9	-	6	-	0		Akinoshima	M10	ø	Daishōyama	3	-	11	-	1
8	-	7	-	0		Tokitsunada	M11		Hamanoshima	8	-	7	-	0
12	-	3	-	0		Takatōriki	M12		Kotobeppu	9	-	6	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Kirishima	M13		Kiraiho	9	-	6	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Kotofuji	M14		Toyonoumi	6	-	9	-	0
9	-	6	-	0		Asanowaka	M15		Kotogaume	8	-	7	-	0
4	-	11	-	0		Aogiyama	M16	ø

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner *Won Playoff

Natsu basho

Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 8 May – 22 May

1994 Natsu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East		Rank	West		Result
10	-	2	-	3	ø	Akebono	Y	ø
9	-	6	-	0		Takanonami	O		Takanohana	14	-	1	-	0
12	-	3	-	0		Musashimaru	HD	ø	Wakanohana	0	-	0	-	15
9	-	6	-	0		Kotonishiki	S		Musōyama	9	-	6	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Kaiō	K		Terao	8	-	7	-	0
7	-	8	-	0		Oginishiki	M1		Takatōriki	9	-	6	-	0
4	-	11	-	0		Higonoumi	M2		Kenkō	4	-	11	-	0
3	-	12	-	0		Akinoshima	M3		Kotonowaka	5	-	10	-	0
6	-	9	-	0		Misugisato	M4		Daizen	7	-	8	-	0
5	-	10	-	0		Konishiki	M5		Kitakachidoki	6	-	9	-	0
6	-	9	-	0		Kotobeppu	M6		Tokitsunada	5	-	10	-	0
7	-	8	-	0		Kiraiho	M7		Tochinowaka	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Hamanoshima	M8		Tomonohana	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Kasugafuji	M9		Kyokudōzan	8	-	7	-	0
2	-	13	-	0		Wakashoyo	M10		Takamisugi	7	-	8	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Asanowaka	M11		Kirishima	8	-	7	-	0
9	-	6	-	0		Mainoumi	M12		Kotofuji	9	-	6	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Kotoinazuma	M13		Kotogaume	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Mitoizumi	M14		Daishōhō	9	-	6	-	0
9	-	6	-	0		Minatofuji	M15		Naminohana	6	-	9	-	0
5	-	10	-	0		Asahisato	M16	ø

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner

Nagoya basho

Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Nagoya, 3 July – 17 July

1994 Nagoya basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East		Rank	West		Result
0	-	0	-	15	ø	Akebono	HD	ø
11	-	4	-	0		Takanohana	O		Musashimaru	15	-	0	-	0
12	-	3	-	0		Takanonami	O		Wakanohana	14	-	1	-	0
3	-	12	-	0		Kotonishiki	S		Musōyama	8	-	7	-	0
5	-	10	-	0		Kaiō	K		Terao	4	-	11	-	0
					ø		K		Takatōriki	10	-	5	-	0
5	-	10	-	0		Tochinowaka	M1		Oginishiki	4	-	11	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Hamanoshima	M2		Tomonohana	6	-	9	-	0
5	-	10	-	0		Kasugafuji	M3		Kyokudōzan	5	-	10	-	0
9	-	6	-	0		Mainoumi	M4		Kotofuji	4	-	11	-	0
6	-	9	-	0		Daizen	M5		Asanowaka	6	-	9	-	0
7	-	8	-	0		Kirishima	M6		Misugisato	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Kotonowaka	M7		Daishōhō	6	-	9	-	0
7	-	8	-	0		Kitakachidoki	M8		Kiraiho	7	-	8	-	0
6	-	9	-	0		Minatofuji	M9		Higonoumi	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Kotoinazuma	M10		Kenkō	9	-	6	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Kotobeppu	M11		Kotogaume	7	-	8	-	0
9	-	6	-	0		Konishiki	M12		Takamisugi	9	-	6	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Mitoizumi	M13		Tokitsunada	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Akinoshima	M14		Oginohana	7	-	8	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Daishi	M15		Kushimaumi	8	-	7	-	0

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner

Aki basho

Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, 11 September – 25 September

1994 Aki basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East		Rank	West		Result
0	-	0	-	15	ø	Akebono	HD	ø
11	-	4	-	0		Musashimaru	O		Wakanohana	12	-	3	-	0
12	-	3	-	0		Takanonami	O		Takanohana	15	-	0	-	0
13	-	2	-	0		Musōyama	S		Takatōriki	8	-	7	-	0
2	-	13	-	0		Mainoumi	K		Hamanoshima	6	-	9	-	0
6	-	9	-	0		Misugisato	M1		Kotonowaka	7	-	8	-	0
9	-	6	-	0		Kaiō	M2		Kenkō	4	-	11	-	0
4	-	11	-	0		Terao	M3		Kotonishiki	8	-	7	-	0
4	-	11	-	0		Tomonohana	M4		Higonoumi	6	-	9	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Kotoinazuma	M5		Tochinowaka	6	-	9	-	0
6	-	9	-	0		Takamisugi	M6		Kasugafuji	6	-	9	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Kyokudōzan	M7		Kotobeppu	8	-	7	-	0
5	-	10	-	0		Oginishiki	M8		Kirishima	7	-	8	-	0
9	-	6	-	0		Daizen	M9		Asanowaka	7	-	8	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Konishiki	M10		Kitakachidoki	7	-	8	-	0
7	-	8	-	0		Kiraiho	M11		Mitoizumi	7	-	8	-	0
4	-	11	-	0		Kotofuji	M12		Tokitsunada	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Daishōhō	M13		Akinoshima	11	-	4	-	0
5	-	10	-	0		Kotogaume	M14		Daishi	9	-	6	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Kushimaumi	M15		Minatofuji	8	-	7	-	0
7	-	8	-	0		Wakanoyama	M16	ø

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner

Kyushu basho

Fukuoka International Centre, Kyushu, 6 November – 20 November

1994 Kyushu basho results - Makuuchi Division
Result					East		Rank	West		Result
10	-	5	-	0		Akebono	HD	ø
15	-	0	-	0		Takanohana	O		Wakanohana	8	-	7	-	0
12	-	3	-	0		Takanonami	O		Musashimaru	12	-	3	-	0
7	-	8	-	0		Musōyama	S		Takatōriki	6	-	9	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Kaiō	K		Kotonishiki	8	-	7	-	0
5	-	10	-	0		Kotoinazuma	M1		Hamanoshima	6	-	9	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Kotonowaka	M2		Kyokudōzan	2	-	13	-	0
6	-	9	-	0		Daizen	M3		Misugisato	5	-	10	-	0
5	-	10	-	0		Kotobeppu	M4		Akinoshima	10	-	5	-	0
6	-	9	-	0		Konishiki	M5	ø	Tokitsunada	2	-	10	-	3
6	-	9	-	0		Daishi	M6		Higonoumi	4	-	11	-	0
6	-	9	-	0		Daishōhō	M7		Tochinowaka	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Mainoumi	M8		Kenkō	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Kushimaumi	M9		Terao	9	-	6	-	0
6	-	9	-	0		Minatofuji	M10		Kirishima	8	-	7	-	0
6	-	9	-	0		Takamisugi	M11		Tomonohana	9	-	6	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Kasugafuji	M12		Asanowaka	8	-	7	-	0
9	-	6	-	0		Kitakachidoki	M13		Kiraiho	8	-	7	-	0
8	-	7	-	0		Oginishiki	M14		Mitoizumi	8	-	7	-	0
10	-	5	-	0		Naminohana	M15		Oginohana	6	-	9	-	0
5	-	10	-	0		Shikishima	M16	ø

ø - Indicates a pull-out or absent rank
winning record in bold
Yusho Winner

News

January

Ōzeki Takanohana wins his fourth top division yūshō with a 14–1 score. Second and third are sekiwake Takanonami on 13–2 and Musashimaru on 12–3, who both earn promotion to ozeki after the tournament. Takanonami wins the Fighting Spirit prize, and Musashimaru the Technique Award. Musōyama wins the Outstanding Performance prize. Sekiwake Konishiki, demoted from ōzeki after six years in the previous tourney, fails in his attempt to return to the rank after turning in a disastrous 2–13 score. Naminohana wins the jūryō championship. Former maegashira Tachihikari retires.

March

Yokozuna Akebono wins his seventh championship after a three-way playoff with Takanonami, in his ōzeki debut, and maegashira 12 Takatōriki, after all finish on 12–3. Takanohana is one behind on 11–4. Takatōriki is awarded the Fighting Spirit Prize, shared with Terao. Kaiō wins the Outstanding Performance Prize for his defeat of Akebono, while the Technique Award is shared between Kotonishiki and Oginishiki. Shikishima wins the jūryō championship.

May

Takahanada wins his fifth championship with a 14–1 score. Musashimaru is runner-up two wins behind on 12–3. Akebono is forced to withdraw after injuring his knee in a match with Takatoriki. Terao scores eight wins on his return to the san'yaku ranks and receives the Outstanding Performance prize. Mainoumi wins his fourth Technique Prize, and Takatōriki his fifth Fighting Spirit Award. Former maegashira Oginohana wins his third jūryō championship.

July

Musashimaru wins his first championship with a perfect 15–0 score – the first wrestler to remain unbeaten in the top division since Chiyonofuji in 1989. Fellow ōzeki Wakanohana loses only to Musashimaru and is runner-up on 14–1. Takanohana fails again in his yokozuna promotion attempt, scoring only 11–4. Akebono is out injured. Takatōriki wins his third consecutive Fighting Spirit Award after scoring 10–5 at komusubi, and Mainoumi wins his second Technique prize in a row. Hamanoshima wins the Outstanding Performance Award, and both he and Mainoumi are promoted to komusubi for the first time. The jūryō championship is won by Tatsuhikari. Enazakura retires.

September

Takanohana wins the championship, unbeaten on 15–0. Runner-up is sekiwake Musōyama on 13–2, who receives special prizes for Outstanding Performance (shared with Kotoinazuma) and Fighting Spirit. Akebono is out once again. Naminohana wins the jūryō championship for the second time this year.

November

Takanohana wins the championship with his second successive unbeaten score, compiling a three tournament record of 41–4. After the tournament he is promoted to yokozuna, the first Japanese to hold the rank since Hokutoumi in 1992. Despite being held at the ōzeki rank for nearly two years, he is still the third youngest yokozuna in history after Kitanoumi and Taihō. Musashimaru finishes runner-up on 12–3, while Akebono scores ten on his return. Only one special prize is awarded, to Naminohana for Fighting Spirit. Wakashoyo wins the jūryō championship after a playoff with newcomer Tosanoumi. Former maegashira Hananokuni retires.