page_title: 2004 in sumo
section_title: May
hierarchical_section_title: 2004 in sumo / News / May
context_page_description: The following are the events in professional sumo during 2004.
context_section_description: At the Natsu basho in Tokyo, Asashoryu's winning streak is sensationally halted at 35 by maegashira Hokutoriki, who has never defeated a yokozuna before. Hokutoriki remains in contention for the title right up until the end of the tournament. Coming into Day 15 on 13–1, one win ahead of Asashoryu, he is defeated by Hakuho (who scores 12–3 and wins the Fighting Spirit Prize in his debut top division tournament) and subsequently loses a playoff to Asashoryu, who wins his 3rd championship in a row, and his 7th overall. Hokutoriki is rewarded with the Outstanding Performance and Technique Prizes. Tochiazuma is still unable to compete and loses his ozeki status. Veteran former ozeki Takanonami, who has been fighting in the maegashira ranks for most of the last four years, announces his retirement, leaving the newly renamed Takanohana stable without any sekitori ranked wrestlers. Former komusubi Hamanoshima, in the makushita division for the last two years, and former maegashira Wakanojo, who has fallen all the way to the jonidan division, also retire. Mongolian Tokitenku wins the juryo division championship. Two Estonian wrestlers, Baruto and Kitaoji, make their professional debuts. (Kitaoji quits after only three tournaments.)
caption: Tochiazuma in 2004, a year in which was twice demoted from the ozeki rank after injury problems.
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