Basho
What is Basho?
In sumo wrestling, a "basho" refers to a professional sumo tournament. There are six major sumo tournaments held annually in Japan, and each one is known as a "basho." These tournaments are highly significant events in the sumo calendar and attract considerable attention from fans and the media.
The six major basho are:
- Hatsu Basho (January) - Held in Tokyo at the Ryogoku Kokugikan.
- Haru Basho (March) - Held in Osaka.
- Natsu Basho (May) - Held in Tokyo at the Ryogoku Kokugikan.
- Nagoya Basho (July) - Held in Nagoya.
- Aki Basho (September) - Held in Tokyo at the Ryogoku Kokugikan.
- Kyushu Basho (November) - Held in Fukuoka.
Each basho lasts for 15 days, during which wrestlers compete daily. The wrestler with the best record at the end of the tournament is declared the winner and may receive various prizes and accolades. The results of these tournaments are crucial for the ranking and career progression of the sumo wrestlers.
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