Heisei early

初場所 Hatsu 1997

Ryogoku Kokugikan · Tokyo

Start: Jan 12, 1997
End: Jan 26, 1997
Days: 15
Capacity: 11,098

Roster: 40
Bouts: 294
Foreign: 13%
Sansho: 3

Makuuchi yusho

Wakanohana Masaru

Ozeki 1 East 14-1

Sansho special prizes

Shukun-sho

Outstanding performance

Tosanoumi Toshio Maegashira 1 East 9–6

Kanto-sho

Fighting spirit

Kotoryu Hiroo Maegashira 11 West 10–5

Gino-sho

Technique

Kyokushuzan Noboru Maegashira 3 West 9–6

Banzuke 40 wrestlers, East–West paired

The Makuuchi roster for Hatsu 1997, in ranking order from Yokozuna 1 down to the bottom of Maegashira. Each rank has an East and a West slot; East is slightly senior. marks the yusho; ◆ a sansho recipient.

W–L	East	Rank	West	W–L
12–3	Akebono Taro	Y1	Takanohana Koji	13–2
14–1	★ Wakanohana Masaru	O1	Musashimaru Koyo	12–3
6–9	Takanonami Sadahiro	O2	—	—
6–9	Kaio Hiroyuki	S1	Kotonishiki Katsuhiro	4–11
8–7	Musoyama Masashi	K1	Akinoshima Katsumi	6–9
9–6	◆ Tosanoumi Toshio Shukun	M1	Takatoriki Tadashige	11–4
5–10	Tamakasuga Ryoji	M2	Kenko Satoshi	6–9
4–11	Asahiyutaka Katsuteru	M3	◆ Kyokushuzan Noboru Gino	9–6
4–11	Tochinowaka Kiyotaka	M4	Higonoumi Naoya	5–10
5–10	Asanowaka Takehiko	M5	Kitakachidoki Hayato	6–9
4–11	Oginishiki Yasutoshi	M6	Kotonowaka Terumasa	8–7
6–9	Aogiyama Hideki	M7	Asanosho Hajime	8–7
7–8	Mitoizumi Masayuki	M8	Terao Tsunefumi	8–7
6–9	Hamanoshima Keishi	M9	Minatofuji Takayuki	6–9
6–9	Daihisho Seiji	M10	Tochiazuma Daisuke	9–6
8–7	Daishi Nobuyuki	M11	◆ Kotoryu Hiroo Kanto	10–5
8–7	Ganyu Kenji	M12	Kotoinazuma Yoshihiro	8–7
8–7	Konishiki Yasokichi	M13	Rikio Takeshi	8–7
2–2–11	Daishoho Masami	M14	Yamato Go	8–7
9–6	Shikishima Katsumori	M15	Misugisato Koji	8–7
5–10	Kotobeppu Yohei	M16	—	—

Top kimarite 294 decisive bouts

The deciding techniques most often called by the gyoji this tournament. Share is over decisive Makuuchi bouts only; absences and unresolved bouts are excluded.

yorikiri Frontal force out 79 26.9%

oshidashi Push out 40 13.6%

hatakikomi Slap down 26 8.8%

uwatenage Overarm throw 22 7.5%

hikiotoshi Hand pull down 19 6.5%

oshitaoshi Frontal push down 15 5.1%

shitatenage Underarm throw 15 5.1%

tsukiotoshi Thrust down 15 5.1%

294 bouts · 5/40 foreign-born (13%) · venue capacity 11,098