Sumo

Onosato Overpowers Hoshoryu to Win 2nd Emperor's Cup with a Day Remaining at Autumn Basho

The 24-year-old sekiwake is virtually assured of promotion to ozeki with 34 wins over the past three tournaments, including the Autumn Basho.

by
Jim Armstrong
September 21, 2024

Sekiwake Onosato steamrolled over Hoshoryu at the Autumn Basho on Saturday, September 21 to win his second Emperor's Cup and virtually secure his promotion to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki.

In the day's final bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Onosato used a powerful double-handed thrust to the neck of Hoshoryu before calmly shoving the ozeki out over the straw ridge.

Onosato, who had a false start before the bout began, improved to 13-1 while Hoshoryu fell to 7-7.

"I won with another day to go but am glad I was able to win today," Onosato said.

He added, "I had a false start but then the initial charge was perfect and I kept my aggression against the ozeki."

Onosato, a native of Ishikawa Prefecture, had never beaten Hoshoryu before other than a default win when the Mongolian pulled out due to injury. He was 0-3 in actual bouts against the ozeki.

Onosato defeated ozeki Kotozakura on the previous day while his nearest rivals ― Takayasu and Kirishima ― both lost their Day 13 bouts.

With his 12th win on Friday, Onosato secured the benchmark of 33 wins over three consecutive tournaments required for promotion to ozeki.

"I think I will be able to reach ozeki but it hasn't been decided yet so we will wait and see," Onosato said.

The 24-year-old Onosato is set to receive the fastest-ever promotion to ozeki, needing just nine tournaments since turning professional.

Onosato won his first Emperor's Cup in the Summer Basho in May when he went 12-3 as a komusubi.

Kirishima Triumphs Over Takayasu in Autumn Basho Showdown

In other major bouts at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, Mongolian sekiwake Kirishima used a thrust-down move to defeat Takayasu while improving to 11-3. No 15 maegashira Takayasu dropped to 10-4 to fall out of contention.

Wakatakakage prevailed in a fierce showdown with Daiesho when he used a frontal crush-out to move to 11-3 and stay in contention. Komusubi Daieisho fell to 8-6.

No 13 maegashira Nishikigi improved to a personal-best record of 11-3 with a frontal crush-out of No 2 maegashira Oho, who dropped to 8-6.

No 3 maegashira Wakamotoharu got a double-handed grip on the belt of Kotoshoho and toppled the fourth-ranked grappler to move to 10-4. Kotoshoho fell to 6-8.

Fourth-ranked maegashira Shodai used a hand pull-down technique to defeat Hiradoumi for his 10th win against four losses. For Shodai, it was his 400th makuuchi (top division) victory.

Komusubi Hiradoumi dropped to 6-8, a result that means he will finish the tournament with a losing record.

Takakeisho Announces Retirement

In news off the dohyo, former ozeki Takakeisho announced that he is retiring.

Takakeisho decided to retire after his hopes of an automatic return to ozeki were dashed by his withdrawal due to injury after just two bouts in this tournament.

The 28-year-old entered the Autumn Basho as a sekiwake. He needed 10 wins to return to the second-highest rank of ozeki, but it was obvious from Day 1 he was not in fighting form.

A four-time Emperor's Cup winner, the native of Hyogo Prefecture becomes one of the youngest wrestlers in the modern era to retire after reaching the rank of ozeki, which he held for 30 tournaments.

He struggled with chronic pain after injuring his neck during the Nagoya meet in July 2021.

Takakeisho, who closes out his career with a record of 441 wins and 254 losses, said he will now shift his focus to coaching.

"I've had a very good career as a wrestler," Takakeisho said. "Now, I will turn my focus to developing wrestlers who have a lot of heart and fighting spirit."