January Grand Sumo Tournament

After a year marked by scandals and plummeting attendance, things can only get better for the Japan Sumo Association in 2012 – or, at least, they can hardly get much worse. As the first tournament of the year rolls into Tokyo, there have been few changes within the sport itself. Sole yokozuna Hakuho has won five consecutive tournaments now, though he was denied a perfect 15-0 record at November's Kyushu tournament by a final day loss to Estonian wrestler Baruto. Barring any injuries or mishaps, he'll be a tough one to beat in the coming tournament, which also sees hotly fancied Japanese fighter Kisenosato make his debut at the ozeki rank.