Toyota to Continue Loan of Century Convertible for Sumo Tournament Victory Parades
The automaker revealed the plan on Saturday ahead of the opening of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday. During a general shareholder meeting on June 12, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda had mentioned the possibility of suspending the loan of the car for such victory parades.
The special edition of its flagship Century was developed after former yokozuna Hakuho, who has a connection with Toyoda, proposed the development of such a car when he was the Miyagino stablemaster. The convertible is designed to prevent its body from sinking even when ridden in by heavy sumo wrestlers, such as by strengthening the suspension springs. The car has been used by the winning wrestler since the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in 2024, but the automaker has ownership of the car.
At the general shareholder meeting, Toyoda referred to the Japan Sumo Association's handling of Hakuho who left the association in June, saying: 'He is a great yokozuna who has supported sumo, which is a national sport. I honestly feel that this shouldn't be how [Hakuho's career in sumo] ends.' Toyoda also expressed his desire to suspend the loan of the Century.
However, Toyoda was later informed by Hakuho that active sumo wrestlers are eager to ride in the Century should they win a tournament. That led the automaker to decide to continue the loan of the car, according to sources.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kyodo News
15 hours ago
- Kyodo News
Sumo: Kotoshoho beats Aonishiki to claim maiden Emperor's Cup
NAGOYA - Dark horse Kotoshoho overpowered fellow championship contender Aonishiki to win the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament with a 13-2 record on Sunday. No. 15 maegashira Kotoshoho came into the 15th and final day leading young Ukrainian sensation Aonishiki and top-division debutant Kusano by one bout, with the Emperor's Cup guaranteed to go to a first-time winner from among the rank and file at the new IG Arena. Determined to avoid a loss that would force him into a championship-deciding playoff, Kotoshoho opened with a solid shoulder blast and thrusted Aonishiki (11-4) to the clay as the No. 1 maegashira attempted to get inside for a belt grip. The 25-year-old Chiba Prefecture native, who earned Fighting Spirit and Outstanding Achievement awards, said he tried not to "think too much" heading into the decisive match against Aonishiki. "After the initial charge my body just moved naturally," said Kotoshoho, who started thinking about the title "about two days ago" with his win against new yokozuna Onosato. Kotoshoho, who made his top-tier makuuchi division debut in Nagoya in 2020, came close to winning the title in January 2023 but lost a winner-takes-all battle against ozeki Takakeisho on the last day. "I learned from my previous experience not to be too nervous and just try to do my best," said Kotoshoho, who added the top-tier debut for his younger brother Kotoeiho this month gave him "motivation." Aonishiki's loss marked a disappointing end to an otherwise stellar meet for the 21-year-old, who came to Japan in April 2022 to escape the war raging in his home country. Sumo's new European star took home a Technique Prize, continuing his streak of a special award in each of his three top-division tournaments. The dynamic grappler reached 11 wins in each of those meets. Kotoshoho's victory also ended No. 14 maegashira Kusano's hopes of becoming the first wrestler to win the Emperor's Cup in his top-division debut since Takerufuji in March 2024. A day after knocking Aonishiki off the top rung of the leaderboard, former university sumo star Kusano (11-4) came off second-best in a thrusting battle with veteran komusubi Takayasu (10-5). The 24-year-old from Kumamoto Prefecture collected Fighting Spirit and Technique prizes as consolation. New yokozuna Onosato forced out ozeki Kotozakura to wrap up his debut tournament as a grand champion at 11-4. After a powerful opening collision, the four-time Emperor's Cup winner shifted Kotozakura over the straw bales and consigned him to another lackluster 8-7 finish. Onosato became the only yokozuna competing in Nagoya following the early withdrawal of Hoshoryu, who pulled out with a damaged big toe after going 1-3 over the first four days. Wakatakakage (10-5) put himself in contention to earn ozeki promotion at the next meet by forcing out fellow sekiwake Kirishima (8-7), who lost his last five bouts. No. 10 maegashira Atamifuji, who was knocked out of the title race a day earlier, finished at 11-4 with a force out of No. 13 maegashira Churanoumi (9-6). Veteran No. 4 maegashira Tamawashi (11-4) forced out komusubi Oshoma (3-12) and earned his third Outstanding Performance Prize, becoming the oldest recipient of the award at 40 years and eight months old.
The Mainichi
16 hours ago
- The Mainichi
Sumo: Kotoshoho beats Aonishiki to claim maiden Emperor's Cup
NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Dark horse Kotoshoho overpowered fellow championship contender Aonishiki to win the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament with a 13-2 record on Sunday. No. 15 maegashira Kotoshoho came into the 15th and final day leading young Ukrainian sensation Aonishiki and top-division debutant Kusano by one bout, with the Emperor's Cup guaranteed to go to a first-time winner from among the rank and file at the new IG Arena. Determined to avoid a loss that would force him into a championship-deciding playoff, Kotoshoho opened with a solid shoulder blast and thrusted Aonishiki (11-4) to the clay as the No. 1 maegashira attempted to get inside for a belt grip. The 25-year-old Chiba Prefecture native, who earned Fighting Spirit and Outstanding Achievement awards, said he tried not to "think too much" heading into the decisive match against Aonishiki. "After the initial charge my body just moved naturally," said Kotoshoho, who started thinking about the title "about two days ago" with his win against new yokozuna Onosato. Kotoshoho, who made his top-tier makuuchi division debut in Nagoya in 2020, came close to winning the title in January 2023 but lost a winner-takes-all battle against ozeki Takakeisho on the last day. "I learned from my previous experience not to be too nervous and just try to do my best," said Kotoshoho, who added the top-tier debut for his younger brother Kotoeiho this month gave him "motivation." Aonishiki's loss marked a disappointing end to an otherwise stellar meet for the 21-year-old, who came to Japan in April 2022 to escape the war raging in his home country. Sumo's new European star took home a Technique Prize, continuing his streak of a special award in each of his three top-division tournaments. The dynamic grappler reached 11 wins in each of those meets. Kotoshoho's victory also ended No. 14 maegashira Kusano's hopes of becoming the first wrestler to win the Emperor's Cup in his top-division debut since Takerufuji in March 2024. A day after knocking Aonishiki off the top rung of the leaderboard, former university sumo star Kusano (11-4) came off second-best in a thrusting battle with veteran komusubi Takayasu (10-5). The 24-year-old from Kumamoto Prefecture collected Fighting Spirit and Technique prizes as consolation. New yokozuna Onosato forced out ozeki Kotozakura to wrap up his debut tournament as a grand champion at 11-4. After a powerful opening collision, the four-time Emperor's Cup winner shifted Kotozakura over the straw bales and consigned him to another lackluster 8-7 finish. Onosato became the only yokozuna competing in Nagoya following the early withdrawal of Hoshoryu, who pulled out with a damaged big toe after going 1-3 over the first four days. Wakatakakage (10-5) put himself in contention to earn ozeki promotion at the next meet by forcing out fellow sekiwake Kirishima (8-7), who lost his last five bouts. No. 10 maegashira Atamifuji, who was knocked out of the title race a day earlier, finished at 11-4 with a force out of No. 13 maegashira Churanoumi (9-6). Veteran No. 4 maegashira Tamawashi (11-4) forced out komusubi Oshoma (3-12) and earned his third Outstanding Performance Prize, becoming the oldest recipient of the award at 40 years and eight months old.
Kyodo News
2 days ago
- Kyodo News
Sumo: Kotoshoho nears title as Kusano downs Aonishiki to stay in race
NAGOYA - No. 15 maegashira Kotoshoho took the outright lead and moved within a victory of his first Emperor's Cup on Saturday though Kusano's defeat of Ukrainian Aonishiki means any one of the three could still bag the title heading into the final day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. Kotoshoho (12-2) traded shoves and slaps with Kirishima (8-6) before the sharp-looking title chaser stepped to his right to dodge the outrushing sekiwake and threw the former ozeki out of the ring at IG Arena, having grabbed a right overarm belt hold. Kotoshoho has stagnated since making his top-tier makuuchi division debut in Nagoya in 2020, spending time both as a rank-and-filer as well as in second-tier juryo. The 25-year-old from Chiba Prefecture is on the verge of his first Emperor's Cup, however, following an impressive nine straight wins. Makuuchi debutant Kusano (11-3), who won back-to-back juryo championships to clinch promotion to the top tier, secured an fine victory over Ukrainian star Aonishiki (11-3) to keep his title hopes alive. The pair clashed head-on and it was Kusano who quickly seized a firm left overarm belt hold before the No. 14 maegashira immediately shifted his body attempting to pull the top-ranked maegashira down. A relentless Kusano grappled forward and Aonishiki stepped out before he was floored by an ensuing throw. Atamifuji (10-4) fell out of the title race after the No. 10 maegashira failed to make the most of his promising start against komusubi Takayasu (9-5). His vigilant attack had Takayasu on tiptoes on the straw but the lack of a final push allowed the former ozeki to recover and win with an emphatic right underarm throw. Yokozuna debutant Onosato (10-4), who was out of contention before appearing for the day's final bout, put aside his bad habit of backing off easily and instead kept driving at sekiwake Wakatakakage (9-5) in a one-sided push-out win. Ozeki Kotozakura (8-6) secured a winning record with a beltless arm throw against No. 5 maegashira Hiradoumi (7-7).
