Latest news with #OzekiOnosato
Asahi Shimbun
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Asahi Shimbun
VOX POPULI: Onosato's rapid rise to yokozuna signals new era for sumo world
Ozeki Onosato, foreground, defeats maegashira No. 4 Takayasu on March 23 to capture his third Emperor's Cup at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka. (Takuya Tanabe) A father ordered his son, who was leaving home to become a sumo wrestler: 'Do not come home until you've made it to 'sekitori.'' (Sekitori means sumo wrestlers in the highest 'makuuchi' division and the second-highest 'juryo' division.) This was paternal 'tough love' par excellence. Aware of the hardships his boy was about to face, the father knew that the best thing he could do for his son was to just let him deal with the tough challenges like a grown man. The son debuted in the May tournament in 2023 and became a sekitori after only two tournaments. By the Bon summer holidays that year, he was able to visit his family at his home in Ishikawa Prefecture. The situation makes me almost picture his father trying unsuccessfully to suppress his glee by telling his son with mock dismay, 'Aren't you home a bit early?' This episode was introduced in the Hokkoku Shimbun, a local daily newspaper. The son's name is Daiki Nakamura, whose 'shikona' (ring name) is Onosato. Because of his phenomenally rapid rise, his hair did not grow fast enough to be styled into a proper topknot and he sported a messy 'do' until recently. And, less than six months after he was finally able to wear the formal 'oicho' topknot, he was promoted to the highest rank of yokozuna. From his ring debut, it took him only 13 tournaments to reach that pinnacle—said to be the fastest since yokozuna became an officially recognized title during the Meiji Era (1868-1912). Anyone holding that exalted rank is expected to have achieved perfection in what is called 'shin-gi-tai' (spirit, technique and physical strength). Scriptwriter Makiko Uchidate once complained of 'young men' who raced up the ranks and behaved with no manners whatsoever on the dohyo. But Onosato, the 24-year-old new yokozuna, has been working on self-improvement forever. There is already something about him that suggests greatness. For instance, after toweling himself before a bout, he would fold the towel politely before returning it to the 'yobidashi' (ring attendant) as a matter of courtesy to the latter. He is more than just a great wrestler, enthuses author Nobuya Kobayashi in his recently published book 'Onosato wo Sodateta Kaniya Ryokan Monogatari' ("The story of Kaniya Ryokan that raised Onosato"). Yokozuna Wajima (1948-2018), another Ishikawa Prefecture native, established the 'Rinko Jidai (Era)' together with yokozuna Kitanoumi (1953-2015). Onosato's promotion to yokozuna ends the 'single yokozuna' situation that lasted three and a half years. A new era of sumo has dawned. —The Asahi Shimbun, May 29 * * * Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Kyodo News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Sumo: Onosato beats Daieisho to stay on track for perfect 15-0 meet
KYODO NEWS - 3 hours ago - 20:19 | Sports, All, Japan Ozeki Onosato survived a challenging battle with sekiwake Daieisho to advance to a flawless 14-0 Saturday at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. A day after securing back-to-back championships and yokozuna promotion, the 24-year-old Onosato maintained his bid to go undefeated through a 15-day grand tournament for the first time in his career. He gave ground as explosive pusher-thruster Daieisho (9-5) opened with a strong charge, but slipped to the side as the sekiwake came in for the kill, before pushing him off the dohyo. Yokozuna Hoshoryu improved to 11-3 by forcing out ozeki Kotozakura (8-6) in the final bout of Day 14 at Ryogoku Kokugikan arena. Hoshoryu established a strong inside position from the jump and stayed largely in control despite Kotozakura denying him a belt grip. The Mongolian yokozuna staved off a last-ditch arm-lock throw attempt before hoisting the ozeki over the straw bales. Sekiwake Kirishima (11-3) showed veteran poise as he thrusted out talented 21-year-old No. 7 maegashira Hakuoho (8-6). By logging his 11th win, the Mongolian-born former ozeki has set himself up for a run at promotion back to the second-highest rank in coming meets. Komusubi Wakatakakage also advanced to 11-3 by pushing out No. 3 maegashira Hiradoumi (6-8) and consigning him to a losing record for the tournament. Exciting Ukrainian No. 9 maegashira Aonishiki moved up to 10-4 with a force-out victory over No. 12 maegashira Atamifuji (7-7). The 21-year-old Aonishiki has now racked up double-digit win totals in both tournaments since his debut in the elite makuuchi division in March. Related coverage: Sumo: Onosato clinches championship, certain to become yokozuna Sumo: Onosato on verge of title, promotion, with 3-bout lead Sumo: Ozeki Onosato marches on with 11th win, Hoshoryu 2 wins back
Kyodo News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Sumo: Onosato beats Daieisho to stay on track for perfect 15-0 meet
KYODO NEWS - 12 minutes ago - 20:19 | Sports, All, Japan Ozeki Onosato survived a challenging battle with sekiwake Daieisho to advance to a flawless 14-0 Saturday at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. A day after securing back-to-back championships and yokozuna promotion, the 24-year-old Onosato maintained his bid to go undefeated through a 15-day grand tournament for the first time in his career. He gave ground as explosive pusher-thruster Daieisho (9-5) opened with a strong charge, but slipped to the side as the sekiwake came in for the kill, before pushing him off the dohyo. Yokozuna Hoshoryu improved to 11-3 by forcing out ozeki Kotozakura (8-6) in the final bout of Day 14 at Ryogoku Kokugikan arena. Hoshoryu established a strong inside position from the jump and stayed largely in control despite Kotozakura denying him a belt grip. The Mongolian yokozuna staved off a last-ditch arm-lock throw attempt before hoisting the ozeki over the straw bales. Sekiwake Kirishima (11-3) showed veteran poise as he thrusted out talented 21-year-old No. 7 maegashira Hakuoho (8-6). By logging his 11th win, the Mongolian-born former ozeki has set himself up for a run at promotion back to the second-highest rank in coming meets. Komusubi Wakatakakage also advanced to 11-3 by pushing out No. 3 maegashira Hiradoumi (6-8) and consigning him to a losing record for the tournament. Exciting Ukrainian No. 9 maegashira Aonishiki moved up to 10-4 with a force-out victory over No. 12 maegashira Atamifuji (7-7). The 21-year-old Aonishiki has now racked up double-digit win totals in both tournaments since his debut in the elite makuuchi division in March. Related coverage: Sumo: Onosato clinches championship, certain to become yokozuna Sumo: Onosato on verge of title, promotion, with 3-bout lead Sumo: Ozeki Onosato marches on with 11th win, Hoshoryu 2 wins back
The Mainichi
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Sumo: Onosato clinches championship, certain to become yokozuna
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Ozeki Onosato secured his promotion to yokozuna by winning back-to-back championships Friday at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. The 24-year-old defeated fellow ozeki Kotozakura to improve to 13-0 and take an unassailable three-bout lead over his nearest rivals into the final weekend of the 15-day competition at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan arena. With the Japan Sumo Association's Yokozuna Deliberation Council having never denied promotion to an ozeki winning consecutive tournaments, Onosato's ascent to grand champion is a formality. The Ishikawa Prefecture native, who debuted in the elite makuuchi division in January last year, will join Mongolian Hoshoryu at the sport's highest rank. He will become the first Japanese-born yokozuna since his stablemaster, the former Kisenosato, who retired from competition in January 2019.
Kyodo News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Sumo: Onosato clinches championship, certain to become yokozuna
KYODO NEWS - 3 minutes ago - 18:13 | Sports, All, Japan Ozeki Onosato secured his promotion to yokozuna by winning back-to-back championships Friday at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. The 24-year-old defeated fellow ozeki Kotozakura to improve to 13-0 and take an unassailable three-bout lead over his nearest rivals into the final weekend of the 15-day competition at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan arena. With the Japan Sumo Association's Yokozuna Deliberation Council having never denied promotion to an ozeki winning consecutive tournaments, Onosato's ascent to grand champion is a formality. The Ishikawa Prefecture native, who debuted in the elite makuuchi division in January last year, will join Mongolian Hoshoryu at the sport's highest rank. He will become the first Japanese-born yokozuna since his stablemaster, the former Kisenosato, who retired from competition in January 2019. Related coverage: Sumo: Onosato on verge of title, promotion, with 3-bout lead Sumo: Ozeki Onosato marches on with 11th win, Hoshoryu 2 wins back Sumo: Onosato improves to 10-0, moves 2 wins ahead in title race
