1989 in sumo

The following is a list of events in professional sumo in 1989.

• Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, January 9–23
  • Makuuchi Champion: Hokutoumi Nobuyoshi (14–1, 4th title)
  • Jūryō Champion: Tochitsukasa Tetsushi (11–4)
• Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, March 12–26
  • Makuuchi Champion: Chiyonofuji Mitsugu (14–1, 27th)
  • Jūryō Champion: Hisanohama Keita (11–4)
• Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, May 7–21
  • Makuuchi Champion: Hokutoumi Nobuyoshi (13–2, 5th)
  • Jūryō Champion: Hisanohama Keita (10–5)
• Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Nagoya, July 2–16
  • Makuuchi Champion: Chiyonofuji Mitsugu (12–3, 28th)
  • Jūryō Champion: Tochitsukasa Tetsushi (12–3)
• Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, September 10–24
  • Makuuchi Champion: Chiyonofuji Mitsugu (15–0, 29th)
  • Jūryō Champion: Ryūkōzan Kazuto (10–5)
• Fukuoka International Center, Kyushu, November 12–26
  • Makuuchi Champion: Konishiki Yasokichi (14–1, 1st)
  • Jūryō Champion: Oginohana Shōwa (13–2)

• Emperor Shōwa died on January 7 and the New Year Basho was postponed by one day. During the January tournament, the distribution of prize money envelopes and sponsorship prizes were cancelled, the music band and bow-twirling ceremony on the final day were also called off, and post‐tournament parties in each stable were discouraged.

• Former Maegashira Takeyama retired and took the elder name Nakagawa. Chiyonofuji received the Pro Sports Grand Prize.

• NHK's Broadcasting Culture Award was presented to Director‐Chairman Futagoyama. Former Maegashira Hidanohana retired and assumed the elder name Onoue.

• The Sumo Training Institute held a referee training seminar.

• Former Komusubi Kananoumi retired and became Hanakago Oyakata.
• On June 19, Miyagino Oyakata (ex‐Komusubi Hirokawa) died at age 52; Nakagawa Oyakata succeeded him as head of the Miyagino stable.

• At the Nagoya Basho, the first-ever playoff between two yokozuna from the same stable took place.
• Former Sekiwake Masudayama retired and succeeded to the elder name Chiganoura.

• On August 15, former Ōzeki Minemayama died at age 67.

• On Day 13 of the September Basho, Chiyonofuji set a record with his 965th career win, the most ever at that time.
• Former Sekiwake Kuranohana retired and took the elder name Shibatayama.
• On September 29, Chiyonofuji was awarded the People's Honour Award. The board also approved granting him a one‐generation elder stock, which he declined.

• Newly promoted Jūryō wrestler Takanohana, at 17 years 2 months, became the youngest sekitori in history.

• 7 January: Wakakuni Kazuo (former jūryō 11, born 1927)
• 19 June: Hirokawa Taizō (former komusubi, born 1937)^[1]
• 24 July: Utagawa Katsutarō (former maegashira 3, born 1939)
• 15 August: Minemayama Takashi (former ozeki, born 1922)
• 20 August: Tenryū Saburō (former sekiwake, born 1903)
• 18 October: Tsurumiyama Yūhiro (former jūryō 16, born 1924)
• 20 October: Akasegawa Denshirō (former maegashira 13, born 1918)
• 10 November: Ayawake Shin'sei (former maegashira 5, born 1909)

• Glossary of sumo terms
• List of years in sumo