Futabayama held the professional sumo record of 69 consecutive victories.
Futabayama Sadaji achieved his 69-bout winning streak between January 1936 and January 1939. The record remains one of the most celebrated achievements in professional sumo and has endured through changes in tournament scheduling and the sport’s competitive landscape.
Futabayama became a yokozuna in 1937 and dominated the prewar era. His run included victories across several tournaments, but it ended in January 1939 when he lost to Akinoshima. The streak is counted in official bouts, not calendar days.
Later champions such as Taiho, Chiyonofuji, and Hakuho produced extraordinary winning runs, but none surpassed Futabayama’s mark. His record is therefore distinct from records for most championships or most wins in a career.