Sumo

The Sumo wrestler Hakuho 白鵬　recently had his winning streak (63wins) broken by a wrestler named Kisei no Sato　稀勢の里.  He is now tied for second for the most consecutive wins.  He was in striking distance of the all time record of 69 consecutive wins, held by the legendary Rikishi力士(sumo wrestler)  Futabayama 双葉山。Back in the day (1930s) there were only two tournaments a year (now there are 6) so it took him 3 years to build up to 69.  


The wikipedia article is cool.  Including the unexpected factoid:


" He did not take part in the November 1945 tournament and announced his retirement during it, claiming that he objected to the newly enlarged dohyo (the mounded earthen ring that sumo bouts take place on) that the Sumo Association had introduced at the behest of the American occupying authorities."


Not sure why the American Military cared how big the dohyo was.

You can check out the Do Hyo Iri 土俵入り or how each day of the tournament is begun here.  It is basically the same as the present day, as seen here done by Chiyo no Fuji, note the perfect sumo shiko四股.

Here is a bout featuring Futabayama with another rikishi named 安藝の海 Angei no Kai (I think that's how its read).
After loosing his 70th bout, Futabayama went on a loosing streak because "he had forgotten losing" (it had been 3 years after all).  The front page of the Asahi Newspaper ran an article titled Will Hakuho pick himself up and start again? wondering if he too would get into a rut.  
Hakuho won his next match and is currently 5-1 with 9 days left in this tournament.  He commented "I have to accept that I was defeated or I wont be able to win again."