Sumo: Onosato performs ring entry ceremony at Meiji Jingu shrine
KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 22:59 | Sports, All, Japan
New sumo grand champion Onosato performed his first ring-entering ceremony Friday at Tokyo's Meiji Jingu shrine to mark his promotion to the sport's highest rank.
The 24-year-old from Ishikawa Prefecture officially became sumo's 75th yokozuna on Wednesday, having attained the rank at a record pace after just 13 professional tournaments.
Under rainy skies, the 192-centimeter, 191-kilogram Onosato stomped his feet and sent echoes reverberating around the shrine as he solemnly performed the ceremony, which was not open to the public.
"I think I did it properly," he said. "This is something I want to keep doing."
Onosato wore the decorative "kesho-mawashi" belt that was used by his stablemaster, the former yokozuna Kisenosato, when he won the 2017 Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, his debut competition at the top rank.
The former grand champion, now known as stablemaster Nishonoseki, praised his protege's performance of the ritual.
"I'm relieved that he did it so confidently," Nishonoseki said. "He had great concentration, right down to his fingertips."
Onosato will perform the ring entry in front of fans for the first time on Saturday, at the retirement ceremony for stablemaster Oguruma, the former top-division wrestler Kotoeko.
"It's been a whirlwind week," Onosato said. "Experiences like this will continue for a long while."
Related coverage:
Ex-yokozuna Hakuho set to retire from Japan Sumo Association: source
Sumo: Onosato becomes yokozuna at record pace after 13 tournaments
Sumo: Onosato lifts trophy with 14-1 record after loss to Hoshoryu
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