page_title: 2012 in sumo
section_title: May
hierarchical_section_title: 2012 in sumo / News / May
caption_attribution_description: English: Kyokutenho receiving prime minister cup at 2012 May pro sumo tournament
context_page_description: The following are the events in professional sumo during 2012.
context_section_description: 20: For the first time in 62 basho (since Kotomitsuki's victory in September 2001) the yusho is not won by a yokozuna or an ozeki. The final day of the Natsu basho sees three co–leaders on 11–3, maegashira Kyokutenho and Tochiozan, and ozeki Kisenosato. Kyokutenho beats Goeido and Tochiozan gets a default win over the withdrawing Kotooshu, but Kisenosato, who led by two wins earlier in the tournament, is defeated by fellow ozeki Baruto and is out of contention. Kyokutenho then defeats Tochiozan in a playoff – the first ever between two maegashira – and at 37 years and 8 months becomes the oldest ever first–time yusho winner, and second oldest yusho winner ever (behind only Tachiyama in 1916). Kyokutenho had originally been due to retire and take over Oshima stable before this tournament, but decided to continue wrestling. He receives his sixth Fighting Spirit Award, shared with Tochiozan, while Goeido gets his first Outstanding performance Award for defeating Hakuho on Day 8. The Technique Award is won for the second time by Myogiryu. In the jūryō division Tamaasuka wins his second yusho. This tournament also sees former komusubi Kakizoe and former maegashira Tsurugidake announce their retirements.
  20: The Hanakago stable closes, with its wrestlers and stablemaster, former sekiwake Daijuyama, moving to Minezaki stable.
  22: The Sumo Association announce two promotions to jūryō. Mongolian Takanoiwa becomes Takanohana's first sekitori since he took over his stable in 2004, and fellow Mongolian Oniarashi of Asahiyama stable finally reaches jūryō after 71 tournaments, the slowest rise ever by a foreign recruit.
  27: The retirement ceremony of former ozeki Kaio, who ended his career in July 2011, takes place at the Kokugikan, with around 10000 spectators.
caption: Kyokutenho was the surprise winner of the May 2012 tournament
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