Latest news with #Onosato
Japan Times
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
JSA's 100th anniversary event is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for sumo fans
With several stunning upsets in the first few days of what has so far been an utterly captivating Nagoya Basho, it's not surprising that another significant bit of news mostly slipped under the radar. On Monday, the Japan Sumo Association announced details of a special event to be held in October to mark the organization's centenary. Dubbed the 'Centennial Tournament — Ancient and Modern Sumo' the event, which takes place at Tokyo's Kokugikan, will feature a number of rarely seen ceremonies. Included in the program will be a performance of sandangamae by Hoshoryu and Onosato. Seen only on special or auspicious occasions, sandangamae is a set of three movements performed by a pair of yokozuna. Most recently it was part of the JSA's 'Ozumo 2020' events held in the run up to the Tokyo Olympics. In 2016, it was Kakuryu and Harumafuji in the spotlight in front of an invited audience at Kokugikan, and in 2017, Kisenosato and Hakuho performed sandangamae at the same venue. Harumafuji was also part of another rarely seen sumo performance during the second of those Olympic-related events. A topknot tying demonstration during the a special JSA event in 2016. | John Gunning In a special kind of bout called goningakari, the yokozuna took on five opponents in quick succession. Though ostensibly a demonstration of the power of men at sumo's highest rank, each individual contest was more performative than a real fight. Rarest of all at the centenary celebration will be a reenactment of sumo from the Heian Period (794 to 1185) with those involved wearing the attire from that era. It's been three decades since ancient sumo was last performed at a JSA event, and the fact that all of these rarely seen events will take place on the same day makes October's event a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for sumo fans. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Aug. 23, but given recent history, it's almost certain that the event will be virtually sold-out beforehand in special presales offered to members of the JSA's official fan club. Applications for fan club members begin on Aug. 12, with successful applicants being informed on Aug. 21. In addition to the three rarely seen ceremonies, fans lucky enough to procure seats will get to experience a four-hour program that includes drumming, children's sumo, dance and several other elements. The special tournament will be the first time the JSA has held an event marking an anniversary in two decades. The previous occasion celebrating the 80th anniversary in 2005 had numerous opportunities to interact with top wrestlers in a variety of settings. Included on the day, and rarely seen by the general public, was a demonstration of how the platform supporting the clay ring is lowered into an underground chamber when Kokugikan is being used for non-sumo events. Although it has been some time since the JSA held an anniversary event, sumo's governing body did hold a fan festival in 2022. Interaction was the focus during that two-day event with fans able to engage in a number of fun activities with their favorite wrestlers in various locations around Kokugikan. Highlights included the opportunity to take on legendary former yokozuna Hakuho at chess, Tobizaru and Enho at table tennis, or Tamawashi and Ichinojo in a pushing game. Visitors could also sit with a wrestler in the open-top car used during championship parades or have their caricature drawn by sumo elders. Former wrestlers in the food business pitched up in special food vans to sell their wares, while Kabutoyama elder (the father of current top-division rookie Fujinokawa) led 400 festival attendees and rikishi in synchronized shiko (sumo leg raises) that earned a Guinness World Record. The 100th anniversary event will have a different focus, and won't be nearly as interactive, but the opportunity to see so many unique and rarely performed sumo ceremonies on the same day makes it a must for any sumo aficionado. Yokozuna pair Kisenosato (left) and Hakuho perform the rare 'sandangamae' ceremony during a special event in 2017. | John Gunning Whether it's ancient ceremonies or fun games with current wrestlers, there is no doubt that over the past decade the JSA has been stepping up its game when it comes to providing unique experiences for fans. That's something that the organization would be wise to lean into even more as it heads into its second century. Throughout almost all of its 2000-year-long history, sumo has had an up close and personal relationship with its fans. Even in the digital age, the JSA continues to run regional tours, bringing the live product to far-flung regions of Japan. These days, in sumo, just as in every sport, there is virtually unlimited access on a scale previously unimaginable. Thanks to modern technology fans don't have to leave their seats to get high resolution views of every part of sumo — often in real time. Still, it's the in-person events that stand out and provide the most value for fans and sporting organizations alike. The only unfortunate aspect of October's event is that it will be a one-off when there is certainly enough demand to host a week's worth of similar ceremonies. For those fortunate enough to be in attendance, it'll be a day unlikely to be repeated for many decades, if not a lifetime.
The Mainichi
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Sumo: Onosato manhandles Aonishiki, but Hoshoryu suffers Day 2 upset
NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- New yokozuna Onosato blew away rising Ukrainian talent Aonishiki, but fellow grand champion Hoshoryu suffered his first loss in an upset against top-ranked maegashira Wakamotoharu at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday. Star attraction Onosato maintained his perfect record as a grand champion with an overwhelming victory against No. 1 maegashira Aonishiki in the final bout of Day 2 at IG Arena. The 21-year-old European had caused a sensation with his opening-day victory over ozeki Kotozakura, but he had no chance to spring another upset as he was bulldozed straight off the dohyo by the 192-centimeter, 191-kilogram yokozuna. Onosato, 25, is bidding for his third straight Emperor's Cup at the 15-day tournament after achieving yokozuna promotion at a record pace on the back of consecutive championships in March and May. Hoshoryu, winner of 13 of his 15 previous bouts against Wakamotoharu, narrowly avoided a slap down at the hands of the former sekiwake before appearing to establish the stronger position in the clinch. But Wakamotoharu (1-1) seized an opening when the yokozuna loosened his right hand while searching for an inside grip, forcing him back over the edge. "I thought I wouldn't be able to stop him if I faced him square, so the idea was to attack him from the side a bit," said Wakamotoharu, who earned his second "kinboshi" gold star prize for defeating a yokozuna as a rank-and-file wrestler. "I was trying to attack him patiently as I didn't have an overarm grip, but his body went up as he tried to alter his belt-holding position and I thought I just had to drive forward." Ozeki Kotozakura bounced back from his opening day loss to Aonishiki with a marathon victory against No. 2 maegashira Oho (0-2). The two grandsons of former yokozuna locked up in an extended stalemate before Kotozakura drove Oho backward over the straw bales. Kirishima, aiming to move back up to ozeki from sekiwake, stayed unbeaten by dispatching No. 2 maegashira Abi (1-1) with an overarm throw. Sekiwake Wakatakakage (2-0) continued his impressive start to the competition, getting an inside position and using solid footwork to force out winless No. 3 maegashira Onokatsu. Komusubi Takayasu (1-1) got off the mark by thrusting down No. 3 maegashira Kinbozan (1-1), but Mongolian Oshoma remained winless in his komusubi debut after being crushed out by No. 4 maegashira Hakuoho (1-1).
Kyodo News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
Kyodo News Digest: July 14, 2025
TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Japan emperor, empress describe trip to Mongolia as "truly memorable" TOKYO - Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on Sunday described their visit to Mongolia as "truly memorable" as they concluded a trip aimed at affirming the two nations' enduring friendship and commemorating war victims. "We were able to directly feel the rich history and culture of Mongolia, as well as its natural wonders," they said in a statement released by the Imperial Household Agency, recalling the first state visit to Mongolia by a Japanese emperor. ---------- Nearly 70% of A-bomb survivors concerned about nuclear arms use: poll OSAKA - Nearly 70 percent of atomic bomb survivors believe nuclear weapons could be used again, with many citing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and North Korea's weapons development, according to a Kyodo News survey conducted ahead of the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombings of Japan. Many respondents were also not optimistic that last year's Nobel Peace Prize win for Nihon Hidankyo, Japan's leading group of atomic bomb survivors, would help bring about a world without nuclear weapons, with more than 60 percent expecting little or no change. ---------- Sumo: Grand champions Onosato, Hoshoryu open Nagoya meet with wins NAGOYA - Onosato made a solid start to his yokozuna career, while fellow grand champion Hoshoryu overcame one of his most troublesome opponents Sunday as the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament opened at IG Arena. The 25-year-old Onosato, the first Japanese-born yokozuna since the January 2019 retirement of his stablemaster, the former Kisenosato, comfortably took care of new Mongolian komusubi Oshoma in the day's penultimate bout. ---------- Tennis: Oda fights back to win 2nd Wimbledon wheelchair crown LONDON - Japan's Tokito Oda won his second Wimbledon wheelchair tennis title in three years, coming from a set down to beat Britain's Alfie Hewett on Sunday. The top-seeded 19-year-old won 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 in a 2-hour, 16-minute final against the second-seeded host nation favorite at the All England Club. ---------- Taiwan rocket crashes in Japan's 1st launch backed by foreign capital KUSHIRO, Japan - A Taiwanese rocket crashed shortly after lifting off from a private spaceport in northern Japan, failing in what would have been the first successful launch from Japanese soil of a rocket developed with foreign capital. The 12-meter rocket dubbed "VP01" was launched by jtSPACE Co., a Japanese arm of a Taiwanese aerospace company, at 11:40 a.m. on Saturday, according to the operator of Hokkaido Spaceport. ---------- Figure skating: Uno completes 1st ice show series, promises for 2nd NIIGATA, Japan - Former Olympic figure skater Shoma Uno said Sunday that there will be a sequel to the ice show he produced for the first time, which just concluded. The two-time world champion made the announcement on the final day of "Ice Brave" in front of more than 2,000 spectators at MGC Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Ice Arena in Niigata, northwest of Tokyo. Video: Skateboarder Yuto Horigome wins JOC award
The Mainichi
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Sumo: Grand champions Onosato, Hoshoryu open Nagoya meet with wins
NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Onosato made a solid start to his yokozuna career, while fellow grand champion Hoshoryu overcame one of his most troublesome opponents Sunday as the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament opened at IG Arena. The 25-year-old Onosato, the first Japanese-born yokozuna since the January 2019 retirement of his stablemaster, the former Kisenosato, comfortably took care of new Mongolian komusubi Oshoma in the day's penultimate bout. Hoshoryu then brought the opening day to a close by toppling veteran former ozeki Takayasu, winner of 10 of their 12 head-to-head battles coming into the 15-day tournament. Onosato received a huge ovation inside the newly opened venue before blasting Oshoma to the edge and claiming their first career meeting by force out. The Ishikawa Prefecture native is aiming for his third straight Emperor's Cup and fifth overall after clinching promotion to the top rank with back-to-back titles in March and May. Hoshoryu fought decisively to improve his ledger against the 35-year-old Takayasu, currently fighting as a komusubi. The 26-year-old yokozuna exploded out of the blocks and delivered a powerful shove to the throat as he upended his opponent with an outside leg trip. The nephew of Mongolian former yokozuna Asashoryu is aiming for his third top-division title and first since earning promotion to grand champion with victory at the New Year tournament. Exciting young Ukrainian No. 1 maegashira Aonishiki sprang the biggest upset of the day by defeating ozeki Kotozakura with a seldom-seen winning technique. The 21-year-old European, gunning for his first promotion to the three "sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna, executed an "uchimuso" inner thigh propping twist down after the combatants came to a clinch in the middle of the dohyo. "I wanted to stay low and go forward," Aonishiki said. "I want to make everyone happy watching my sumo." Wakatakakage, back at sekiwake for the first time since March 2023, forced out No. 2 maegashira Oho. Fellow sekiwake Kirishima, meanwhile, forced out No. 1 maegashira Wakamotoharu, Wakatakakage's older brother. Sekiwake Daieisho missed the start of the tournament with a right calf injury, while his Oitekaze stablemate, No. 7 maegashira Endo, will not compete in Nagoya after undergoing right knee surgery Thursday.
Kyodo News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Sumo: Grand champions Onosato, Hoshoryu open Nagoya meet with wins
NAGOYA - Onosato made a solid start to his yokozuna career, while fellow grand champion Hoshoryu overcame one of his most troublesome opponents Sunday as the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament opened at IG Arena. The 25-year-old Onosato, the first Japanese-born yokozuna since the January 2019 retirement of his stablemaster, the former Kisenosato, comfortably took care of new Mongolian komusubi Oshoma in the day's penultimate bout. Hoshoryu then brought the opening day to a close by toppling veteran former ozeki Takayasu, winner of 10 of their 12 head-to-head battles coming into the 15-day tournament. Onosato received a huge ovation inside the newly opened venue before blasting Oshoma to the edge and claiming their first career meeting by force out. The Ishikawa Prefecture native is aiming for his third straight Emperor's Cup and fifth overall after clinching promotion to the top rank with back-to-back titles in March and May. Hoshoryu fought decisively to improve his ledger against the 35-year-old Takayasu, currently fighting as a komusubi. The 26-year-old yokozuna exploded out of the blocks and delivered a powerful shove to the throat as he upended his opponent with an outside leg trip. The nephew of Mongolian former yokozuna Asashoryu is aiming for his third top-division title and first since earning promotion to grand champion with victory at the New Year tournament. Exciting young Ukrainian No. 1 maegashira Aonishiki sprang the biggest upset of the day by defeating ozeki Kotozakura with a seldom-seen winning technique. The 21-year-old European, gunning for his first promotion to the three "sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna, executed an "uchimuso" inner thigh propping twist down after the combatants came to a clinch in the middle of the dohyo. "I wanted to stay low and go forward," Aonishiki said. "I want to make everyone happy watching my sumo." Wakatakakage, back at sekiwake for the first time since March 2023, forced out No. 2 maegashira Oho. Fellow sekiwake Kirishima, meanwhile, forced out No. 1 maegashira Wakamotoharu, Wakatakakage's older brother. Sekiwake Daieisho missed the start of the tournament with a right calf injury, while his Oitekaze stablemate, No. 7 maegashira Endo, will not compete in Nagoya after undergoing right knee surgery Thursday.
