Former Wrestling Champion Hasegawa Dead at 81

The sumo wrestling world lost a beloved former champion this week as Hasegawa Katsutoshi passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 81 years old.

Hasegawa's death was announced by the Japan Sumo Association on Monday morning.

"The Japan Sumo Association announced on the 8th that former Sekiwake Hasegawa, Katsutoshi Hasegawa, died at his home on May 31st at 8:40 a.m. from pancreatic cancer. He was 81 years old. The wake and funeral were held privately with family members," Nikkan Sports reported (translated by Google Translate).

The 50-Year Veteran

Hasegawa made his debut in pro sumo at the age of 15 and reached the second division in 1964, right before his 20th birthday. After four straight winning records in the second division, including a championship in the July 1964 tournament, he was promoted to the top division and would remain there for the rest of his career.

He began his career in the top division with winning records in his first five tournaments, shocking everyone on Day 1 of the September 1965 tournament by defeating the Yokozuna Tochinoumi en route to a 10-5 record and his first special prize.

Over the next several years he would establish himself as one of the top-10 fighters in pro sumo, securing nine wins over the Yokozuna Tochinoumi, Sadanoyama, Kashiwado, Kitanofuji and Wajima. He never reached the highest rank of Yokozuna, or the second-highest rank of Ozeki, but spent 21 tournaments in the third-highest rank of Sekiwake.

The May 1967 tournament would see him go a career-best 13-2 overall, but a Day 13 loss kept him from challenging for the title.

However, he finally reached the top of sumo's mountain in March 1972. After a decent 8-3 start, he rallied to win his final four matches of the tournament and force a playoff against Kaiketsu. He won the match to claim his first and only Emperor's Cup.

Hasegawa would compete for another four years before retiring midway through the May 1976 tournament. He joined the JSA as a Director and served in the role for over 30 years before reaching mandatory retirement age in 2009.

Our hearts go out to Hasegawa's family and loved ones.

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This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 12:19 PM.