Onosato has had a brilliant start to his sumo wrestling career, winning four of his first 13 tournaments as a professional.
And now, after capturing back-to-back titles, including the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday, May 25 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, the Ishikawa Prefecture native has reached the pinnacle of his sport.
The Japan Sumo Association's board of directors held a meeting on Wednesday, May 28 and, as expected, unanimously approved Onosato's promotion to yokozuna (grand champion), the sport's highest rank. Consecutive titles is considered a requirement for an ozeki to ascend to the highest rank.
Onosato's rapid rise to the top broke the record for the fewest number of tournaments needed to become a yokozuna. In the 1940s, Haguroyama and Terukuni both became yokozuna with just 16 tournaments under their belt.
The six-tournament era was adopted in 1958. And during the modern era of Japan's traditional sport, Wajima, another Ishikawa Prefecture native, set the previous record of earning promotion to grand champion after 21 tourneys in May 1973.
Becoming a yokozuna carries great responsibility as a public figure and as a bearer of the sport's traditional values.
On Wednesday, JSA representatives visited Nishinoseki stable in Ami, Ibaraki Prefecture, where Onosato trains, to deliver the good news.
"Since entering professional sumo, I've always thought the rank of yokozuna is something I'd absolutely aim for. I'm happy to have achieved it," Onosato said, according to Kyodo News. "I think what I do from here is important."
For Onosato, a Fast Ascent to the Top
Onosato, whose given name is Daiki Nakamura, turns 25 on June 7. The 192-cm wrestler made his pro debut in May 2023. Before that, he was a Nippon Sport Science University student and wrestler.
After Terunofuji's retirement in January 2025, there was a one-yokozuna period for several months. There are now two yokozuna once again, with Onosato joining Mongolian Hoshoryu, who has held the rank since January, at the top.
Hoshoryu spoiled Onosato's bid for a perfect Summer Basho, winning their match on the 15th and final day, meaning Onosato finished with a 14-1 record.
Looking ahead, Onosato is determined to make his mark as a yokozuna.
"I will devote myself to training so as not to disgrace the rank of yokozuna," Onosato was quoted as saying by The Asahi Shimbun on Wednesday.
He added, "I aim to be the one and only grand champion."
What does being called yokozuna mean to him now?
"I still haven't gotten used to it," The Sankei Shimbun reported him saying at Nishinoseki stable. "[But] I guess I will get used to it."
Retired yokozuna Kisenosato, now known as Nishinoseki stablemaster, has guided Onosato's career. In 2017, he became the last Japanese to earn the prestigious title of yokozuna.
Mongolians have dominated sumo's makuuchi (top) division over the past few decades.
"I hope he leads by example and lifts the entire world of sumo," stablemaster Nishonoseki said of Onosato, according to Kyodo News. "It's important to be strong, but I hope he becomes a role model for other wrestlers. I hope he wrestles while being aware [of a yokozuna's responsibilities]."
Success as a Sumo Wrestler
In May 2024, Onosato won his first Emperor's Cup with a 12-3 record as a komusubi, sumo's fourth-highest rank. As a result, he was promoted to sekiwake for the July 2024 meet in Nagoya.
In his second tourney as a sekiwake, Onosato claimed his second Emperor's Cup at the Autumn Basho in Tokyo in September 2024, posting a 13-2 record. That earned him another promotion, reaching ozeki for the final meet of 2024 in November in Fukuoka.
Interestingly enough, upon his promotion to the sport's second-highest rank, Onosato also vowed to be "the one and only" ozeki.
There was no doubt that Onosato had the ability to shine as an ozeki and that he was destined for even greater prestige. He compiled a 45-15 record as an ozeki, raising his win total from nine to 10 to 12 to 14 in his four meets at that rank.
Winning the Spring Basho by beating Kisenosato in a playoff at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Onosato took that first big step toward promotion to yokozuna. His outstanding Summer Basho performance was confirmation that has the ability to be a great sumo wrestler for many years to come.
RELATED:
- Summer Basho Champ Onosato on the Verge of Promotion to Yokozuna
- JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK | Hoshoryu Returns to Sumo Spotlight at the Summer Basho
- Onosato Defeats Takayasu in a Playoff to Win His 3rd Title at the Spring Basho
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login