In 1995, yokozuna
Takanohana finished in first place, while fellow yokozuna
Akebono ranked second.[1] The third-ranked sumo wrestler was ōzeki
Wakanohana, who took the championship title at the November Kyūshū Basho after winning in a playoff against his brother Takanohana, the first tournament bout between brothers in the history of sumo.[1]
The following are the events in professional
sumo during 1995.
Takanohana's yokozuna rival
Akebono responds by winning his eighth championship, defeating him on the final day to finish on 14–1. Veteran
Terao wins the Outstanding Performance prize. Akinoshima scores 11–4 in his second successive tournament and wins his second Fighting Spirit Award in a row. Former
maegashiraKototsubaki retires.
Tokitsunada wins the juryo championship with a 10–5 record after a playoff with
Shikishima.
May
Once again Akebono and Takanohana meet in a
yusho deciding match. This time Takanohana wins to finish on 14–1. Musashimaru is third on 12–3, and
Musoyama wins Outstanding Performance and Fighting Spirit prizes after a fine 11–4 record. Tosanoumi wins the juryo championship.
July
Takanohana wins his tenth championship with a 13–2 record, one ahead of Musashimaru. It is the fifth tournament in a row that Musashimaru has won twelve bouts or better.
Kenko scores 11–4 and wins the Outstanding Performance prize, shared with
Kotonishiki. Musoyama wins the Technique Prize; it is the first time in a year that this prize has been awarded.
Kotonowaka gets the Fighting Spirit Award. Tosanoumi makes his top division debut halfway up the maegashira ranks at #7, and fights an ozeki and a yokozuna in his first two bouts. He finishes on 7–8. The juryo championship is won by Kyokushuzan.
Chiyotaikai comes through with a winning record in his juryo debut. The Hawaiian wrestler Daiki (Percy Kipapa) wins the makushita championship with a perfect 7–0 record, ensuring his promotion to the
sekitori ranks. The
sandanme championship is won by Shiga (the future ozeki
Tochiazuma). It is his third consecutive yusho and he is unbeaten in 25 bouts since his professional debut.
September
Takanohana wins his fourth yusho of the year, with a perfect 15–0 score. Akebono is runner-up, three wins behind. Kotonishiki wins the Technique prize, and Kaio the Outstanding Performance Award.
Kotoinazuma scores 9–6 and wins the Fighting Spirit prize, earning promotion to the
sanyaku ranks for the first time at the age of 33. His award is shared with Tosanoumi.
Wakanojo wins the juryo title in his debut with a 12–3 record, three wins ahead of anyone else. Shiga's winning streak is stopped at 26, and he finishes with a 3–4 losing score in his debut in the makushita division. Former sekiwake
Kotofuji, surprise winner of the July 1991 tournament, announces his retirement.
November
Ozeki
Wakanohana wins his second career championship, defeating his brother Takanohana in a historic playoff after both men finish on 12–3. It is the first time the brothers have met in competition. Akebono pulls out midway through due to injury. Tosanoumi wins two special prizes for Technique and Outstanding Performance.
Minatofuji wins the Fighting Spirit prize, shared with Kaio. Former maegashira
Wakanoyama wins the juryo championship with an 11–4 score after a playoff with
Daihisho. One win behind on 10–5 are
Tamakasuga, who is promoted to makuuchi, and Hawaiian wrestler
Sunahama (William Taylor Hopkins), in his juryo debut. Four former top division wrestlers announce their retirements:
Takamisugi,
Daishoyama,
Kirinishiki and
Komafudō.
Deaths
26 January: Former sekiwake
Kurama, also former Shikoroyama Oyakata, aged 42.
31 March: Former maegashira
Wakanoumi, also former Otake Oyakata aged 50.