Sumo

Newly Promoted Yokozuna Hoshoryu Aiming to Kick Off New Era in Style at Spring Basho

Mongolian Hoshoryu has replaced compatriot Terunofuji as the sport's lone yokozuna. He is an exciting wrestler who relies on a variety of techniques to win.

by
Jim Armstrong
March 7, 2025

Let the Hoshoryu Era begin.

Mongolian Hoshoryu will make his much-anticipated debut as grand champion when the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament begins on Sunday, March 9 at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.

Hoshoryu was promoted to sumo's highest rank after his thrilling victory at January's New Year Basho, which culminated with the Mongolian, fighting as an ozeki, winning a rare three-way playoff to claim his second Emperor's Cup.

His promotion to yokozuna came on the heels of compatriot, and sole grand champion at the time, Terunofuji retiring from sumo during the New Year tournament.

Terunofuji won 10 Emperor's Cups in his illustrious career but was forced to retire at the age of 33 due to a series of injuries.

"I've finally reached the top rank I've been targeting," Hoshoryu said after his promotion was announced, according to Kyodo News. "I'm happy but I also have a grave sense of responsibility."

At just 25 years old, Hoshoryu has the chance to win many Emperor's Cups as long as he can avoid major injuries.

"I think Hoshoryu has some big shoes to fill especially after yokozuna Terunofuji was the reigning sole yokozuna for three and half years," NHK sumo announcer Raja Pradhan said.

Added Pradhan, "But he looks really excited and the fact that he was able to deliver in January with 12 wins and three losses, I think that he pulled through really well and I think he will be in the race of the Emperor's Cup."

The Spotlight Shines on Hoshoryu

Hoshoryu is the nephew of former yokozuna Asashoryu, who won 25 top division championships before being forced to retire in 2010 due to a series of controversies off the ring.

He is an exciting wrestler who relies on a variety of techniques to win. Hoshoryu can use pushing and thrusting techniques but also likes to deploy a variety of arm throws and leg kicks.

He is also very good on the tawara, the rice bales that form the ring. His opponents have come to learn over the years that just because you get Hoshoryu up against the tawara, it doesn't mean the match is over.

He has an uncanny ability to wriggle free from the most disadvantageous of positions and unleash a last-gasp arm throw.

*Onosato (right) trains on March 4 in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture. (KYODO)*

Expect Ozeki Grapplers to Also Contend for the Title

As for Hoshroyu's main challengers, the two ozeki wrestlers ― Onosato and Kotozakura ― are likely to put up a serious fight for the Spring Basho title.

Onosato, owner of two championships, went a modest 10-5 in the January meet and will be looking to improve on that mark.

Kotozakura really struggled in the same tournament. Despite having a shot at promotion to yokozuna, the Sadogatake wrestler finished with a hugely disappointing 5-10 record.

To hang on to his ozeki status, Kotozakura will need at least a winning record and will be hoping to do even better than that.

*Oho (right) grapples with another sumo wrestler during a workout on March 2 in Osaka. (KYODO)*

Further down the ranks, one wrestler who could also challenge for the title is new sekiwake Oho, who had an impressive 12-3 result in the previous tournament as a rank-and-filer and took home the Technique Prize.

Oho was one of the three wrestlers to reach the playoff along with Hoshoryu and Kinbozan in the previous tournament.

The grandson of the 48th yokozuna Taiho, the 25-year-old Oho has been making steady progress since his makuuchi debut in January of 2022.

"Oho has been sharpening his pushing-thrusting game really well and I think the fact that he was in the three-way playoff showed me what the future of sumo could be," Pradhan said.

*Aonishiki (center) and other sumo wrestlers perform a ring-entering ceremony at the New Year Basho on January 23 in Tokyo. (KYODO)*

Ukrainian Aonishiki Set for Makuuchi Division Debut

Another wrestler to watch at the Spring Basho will be 20-year-old Ukrainian Aonishiki, who will make his elite makuuchi-division debut as a No 15 maegashira.

Aonishiki, who fled the war in Ukraine and came to Japan in 2022, said he was aiming for double-digit wins in Osaka.

"I've been following my stablemaster's instructions and want to give a strong performance," Aonishiki said, according to Kyodo News.

Author: Jim Armstrong

The author is a longtime journalist who has covered sports in Japan for over 25 years. You can find his articles on SportsLook.