Onosato has actually been advertised to sumo’s greatest ranking of yokozuna, the Japan Sumo Association introduced on Wednesday, finishing a speedy surge to the top of Japan’s nationwide sporting activity in the record span of 13 tournaments.
The 24-year-old, that considers 421lb (191kg) and stands 6ft 4in (1.92 m) high, ends up being the 75th yokozuna in sumo’s centuries-spanning background and the very first Japan- birthed wrestler to hold the title because Kisenosato in 2017. His promo comes simply days after securing the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo’s Ry ōgoku Sumo Hall with a 14-1 document, securing his 2nd straight champion and 4th general.
Onosato’s promo was made main after a consentaneous referral from the JSA’s consultatory council on Monday and accepted by the board of trustees at an unique conference onWednesday He is currently the fastest wrestler to get to yokozuna in the modern-day six-tournament schedule period, which dates to 1958. The document climb overshadows the previous mark of 21 basho set by Wajima, an additional Ishikawa indigenous, in 1973.
“I am truly happy,” Onosato informed press reporters on Wednesday after getting the choice from JSA agents at his Nishonoseki steady inIbaraki Prefecture “Now, things will become more important than ever. I want to stay focused and continue to work hard.”
He included: “I will devote myself to training so as not to disgrace the rank of yokozuna. I want to be the one and only grand champion.”
The expression “one and only” resembled his statements last September when he was advertised to ōzeki, sumo’s second-highest ranking. “I didn’t originally plan to say it again, but it just felt right,” he stated. “It was the only thing that came to mind.”
Onosato, whose birth name is Daiki Nakamura, got in the specialist rankings in May 2023 after an embellished amateur profession atToyo University He started in the third-tier makushita department and rapidly scaled the rankings without a solitary losing document, getting to ōzeki in his 9th event and prior to arriving in his 13th.
He safeguarded his newest title on day 13 of the Summer event– where rivals battle daily and the most effective document after 15 days wins– by beating fellow ōzeki Kotozakura to boost to 13-0. His just loss began the last day to Hoshoryu, the Mongolian- birthed yokozuna that was advertised in January.
Hoshoryu ended up 12-3 and the outcome has just elevated expectancy for an inceptive competition in between both. They are readied to take on as yokozuna for the very first time at the Nagoya event in July– sumo’s grand competitions are held every 2 months throughout the year in the odd-numbered months– the very first time 2 grand champs will certainly cover the banzuke ranking checklist because 2021. It makes the very first time that 2 rikishi have actually made promo to yokozuna in the very same fiscal year because 1987, when Hokutoumi and Onokuni both arrived.
“Winning two straight tournaments as an ōzeki is an impressive feat,” stated Tadamori Oshima, chairman of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council, stated onSunday “Above all, he remained composed and consistent under pressure.”
The promo finishes a duration of deficiency for Japanese- birthed yokozuna. Before Kisenosato in 2017, Japan had actually gone virtually 20 years without an indigenous wrestler on top ranking, as Mongolian wrestlers controlled the sporting activity. Six of the last 7 yokozuna prior to Onosato were birthed in Mongolia, consisting of the record-shattering Hakuho, Harumafuji and Asashoryu.
“I hope he leads by example and lifts the entire world of sumo,” stated Nishonoseki, Onosato’s stablemaster, that completed asKisenosato “He’s still developing. He’s been building his body properly since entering the stable, making steady efforts. Training does not lie.”
Onosato’s surge has actually been commonly hailed both for its symbolic relevance and his calmness, made up design. A technological and well balanced wrestler, he has actually been applauded for his maturation in the ring and his constant character off it. His promo has actually additionally given satisfaction in his home prefecture of Ishikawa, which was devastated by a 7.6-magnitude earthquake on New Year’s Day in 2025. More than 600 individuals passed away in a catastrophe that displaced thousands and the Noto Peninsula area remains to restore. “I will work hard as a yokozuna to encourage and cheer up the Ishikawa prefecture and the Noto region,” he stated.
He is currently the 3rd yokozuna from Ishikawa, complying with Wajima andHaguroyama With the sporting activity planning for a global exhibit at London’s Royal Albert Hall in October, his promo comes with a time when JSA is looking for to expand its worldwide account while reconnecting with followers in your home.
At 24, Onosato is the youngest yokozuna because Takanohana’s promo in 1994 and believed to be the very first to get to the ranking without a solitary losing document in the leading department. What follows is not just the stress of safeguarding the ranking, yet the obligation that accompanies it both within and outside the dohyo.
“This is unknown territory for me,” Onosato stated. “But I want to continue being myself: to wrestle my way, stay focused, and become a unique and unparalleled yokozuna.”
