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Sumo 2002 Trivia Quiz

The sport of Sumo still enjoys immense popularity in Japan, filled with drama, tension and thrills. This quiz covers Sumo in 2002, with a few challenges for the afficianado and some useful trivia for the beginner. Enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by hews. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
hews

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
84,191

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
321

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. At the beginning of 2002, who were the two wrestlers holding the rank of Yokozuna, the highest in Sumo? Hint

Akebono and Konishiki

Musashimaru and Konishiki

Musashimaru and Takanohana

Takanohana and Akebono

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Question 2 of 10

2. Who won the January Grand Tournament? Hint

Kaio

Musashimaru

Tochiazuma

Kotomitsuki

3. Sumo has become more and more international. In Makuuchi, Juryo and Makushita, Sumo's top three divisions respectively, which of the following countries was NOT represented at the beginning of 2002? Hint

Italy

South Korea

Mongolia

Georgia

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Question 4 of 10

4. Once in the Dohyo ('ring'), how long may top division (Makuucchi) wrestlers delay the commencement of a Sumo bout? Hint

Thirty seconds

Four minutes

Twenty minutes

Indefinitely

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Question 5 of 10

5. Up until 2002 (300 years of competitive Sumo), how many Sumo Wrestlers have attained Sumo's top rank? Hint

415

138

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Question 6 of 10

6. Who was the heaviest wrestler in the top (Makuuchi) division (2002)? Hint

Toki

Musashimaru

Kaiho

Musoyama

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Question 7 of 10

7. Where is the November Grand Tournament held each year? Hint

Kyushu

Sapporo

Okinawa

Hiroshima

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Question 8 of 10

8. How do wrestlers attain the rank of Yokozuna, Sumo's highest rank? Hint

By paying a tribute to the Sumo Association and producing a petition signed by at least 10000 people

By winning two tournaments in succession whilst holding the rank of Ozeki (second highest) and being judged to have a suitable character

By winning three tournaments

By defeating the incumbent Grand Champion

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Question 9 of 10

9. Who won the July 2002 Nagoya Grand Tournament? Hint

Musashimaru

Asashoryu

Tochiazuma

Chiyotaikai

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Question 10 of 10

10. Sumo has a complex ranking system, with frequent promotions and demotions. True or false: A Yokozuna (top-ranked wrestler) can be demoted?

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. At the beginning of 2002, who were the two wrestlers holding the rank of Yokozuna, the highest in Sumo?

Answer: Musashimaru and Takanohana

Takanohana spent the second half of 2001 recovering from a nagging knee injury. He competed in only one tournament in 2002 (September), finishing second.

2. Who won the January Grand Tournament?

Answer: Tochiazuma

With Musashimaru sitting out the latter stages of the basho (tournament), Tochiazuma edged out a trio of top contenders to claim the prize.

Answer: Italy

Mongolia is the most-represented foreign country in Sumo, with three wrestlers in Makuuchi alone and twenty-eight in total. The best of those, Asashoryu, was ranked among the top six or seven wrestlers in 2002. He was promoted to Yokozuna, Sumo's highest rank, in February 2003.

4. Once in the Dohyo ('ring'), how long may top division (Makuucchi) wrestlers delay the commencement of a Sumo bout?

Answer: Four minutes

Originally there was no time limit imposed upon the combatants and a ten minute limit was not introduced until the 1930s. Nowadays, Makuuchi wrestlers have four minutes and Juryo three minutes.

5. Up until 2002 (300 years of competitive Sumo), how many Sumo Wrestlers have attained Sumo's top rank?

Answer: 67

The average tenure at the top is much longer than in Sumo than in other contact sports (eg boxing :-), especially considering that Sumo Grand Champions always retire before they fall off the pace.

6. Who was the heaviest wrestler in the top (Makuuchi) division (2002)?

Answer: Musashimaru

Musashimaru tipped the scales at 231kg (about 510 Pounds).

7. Where is the November Grand Tournament held each year?

Answer: Kyushu

Tokyo hosts the January, May and September Tournaments, Osaka hosts the Tournament in March, Nagoya the one in July and Kyushu the one in November.

8. How do wrestlers attain the rank of Yokozuna, Sumo's highest rank?

Answer: By winning two tournaments in succession whilst holding the rank of Ozeki (second highest) and being judged to have a suitable character

The final criteria was for years a hurdle to foreigners. Up until 2002, only four foreign wrestlers had attained the rank of Ozeki or higher - Musashimaru, Konishiki, Akebono and Asashoryu.

9. Who won the July 2002 Nagoya Grand Tournament?

Answer: Chiyotaikai

13 wrestlers were missing from this tournament, the highest absentee rate for 45 years. Chiyotaikai (nicknamed 'Wolf Cub') is the product of former Yokozuna legend Chiyonofuji (nicknamed 'Wolf').

10. Sumo has a complex ranking system, with frequent promotions and demotions. True or false: A Yokozuna (top-ranked wrestler) can be demoted?

Answer: False

The rankings in Makuuchi are as follows Yokozuna (of which there were two in 2002), Ozeki (5), Sekiwake (usually 2 or 3), Komosubi (usually 2 or 3) and Maegashira (about 30). A Yokozuna can never be demoted - when a Yokozuna reaches the twilight of his career he is expected to retire with dignity rather than face consistent defeat at the hand of lesser wrestlers.

Source: Author hews

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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