Latest news with #Ozeki
Japan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
Will Wakatakakage bring balance to the banzuke?
One of the Japan Sumo Association's better-known rules is that there must be at least two ōzeki on the banzuke rankings at all times. When a situation arises in which there aren't enough rikishi at the sport's second-highest rank to occupy both the east and west sides of the banzuke, one (or two) yokozuna can be designated as yokozuna-ōzeki to ensure compliance with the aforementioned rule. Such was the case in the just-completed Nagoya tournament, where newly promoted grand champion Onosato had to cover the empty ōzeki slot created by his own elevation to sumo's highest rank. However, while the yokozuna-ōzeki designation is a solution that has been used for decades, the sooner there are two actual ōzeki on the banzuke the better for the sport. In addition to providing a greater number of matchups between marquee stars, and therefore better and more exciting tournaments, a full complement of ōzeki brings a natural balance to the banzuke. It also spreads out the burden of expectation and responsibility that comes with being at sumo's highest ranks, and takes some of the pressure off the yokozuna. As things stand ahead of next month's autumn meet, despite several men recently posting performances that suggest they could soon be pushing for promotion, there is one clear front-runner for the open ōzeki position. Wakatakakage's second-week turnaround in Nagoya, where he rebounded from a 3-4 start to finish 10-5, has set the Toyo University graduate up with a very good shot at making ōzeki following the September meet. Since May, Wakatakakage has posted 22 wins while in the sanyaku ranks, including a runner-up performance that earned a special prize. Those efforts, combined with sumo's keen need for a second ōzeki, means the longstanding (but unofficial) guideline of 33 victories in three tournaments almost certainly applies in this case. Should Wakatakakage win 11 bouts next month it's a virtual lock that he will be promoted to ōzeki. Even if he manages just 10 wins in the Kokugikan in September, that need for a second ōzeki, as well as the fact that Wakatakakage already won the Emperor's Cup in the past, could help tip the balance in his favor. Wakatakakage poses with a fan during the JSA Sumo Fan Festival at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo in October 2022. | John Gunning In terms of sumo style, the 30-year-old already fights like an ōzeki — or more accurately a yokozuna — but ironically that may be a reason why he hasn't already reached the former rank. Wakatakakage utilizes a direct, straightforward style of sumo that is heavily reliant on straight line power. But weighing in at just 136 kilograms, that style occasionally lacks the heft to overcome larger opponents or withstand counterattacks. Wakatakakage was the lightest man among the top 20 ranked wrestlers in the most recent tournament, with Tobizaru at maegashira 7 the next highest ranked rikishi who weighs less. Even in that case, the difference is just a single kilogram — well within daily fluctuations — and Tobizaru is a full 10 centimeters shorter than Wakatakakage. Given that speed is not a major part of his sumo, and with the knee injury that caused a fall to the third-tier makushita division in 2023 no longer a concern, Wakatakakage's promotion hopes could arguably be best served by the addition of 5 to 10 kg. Indeed, if he does make it to ōzeki, the Fukushima native should consider bulking up to around 150 to 155 kg. At that size Wakatakakage's chosen style of sumo would likely be far more effective. With the Arashio stable man's already impressive physique probably nearing the upper limits of hypertrophy, weight gain for Wakatakakage at this stage would primarily be in fatty tissue. Gaining fat is a much faster and easier process than gaining muscle, so were Wakatakakage to go down that route it's something that could be accomplished in a short time. Realistically, however, given his age and history to date, a jump in size likely isn't something the sekiwake is considering. And while it probably would benefit his career over the next couple of years, it's also not something that should prevent promotion or further glory. What sets Wakatakakage apart from several other trophy and rank hopefuls in recent years is a demonstrated ability not only to reach 11 or 12 wins in the top tier, but also to go toe-to-toe with its highest ranked wrestlers. Eighteen career bouts to date with former ōzeki Kirishima have been evenly split, while Wakatakakage leads 8-7 head-to-head against ōzeki Kotozakura, and just trails yokozuna Hoshoryu in a mirror image of that record. Going into 2025 he also had a 2-0 record against Onosato, but sumo's newest superstar has won all four of their matchups this year. Even when losing bouts against top rankers, though, Wakatakakage is rarely overwhelmed and generally more than able to hold his own. Consistency, whether from tournament to tournament or against lower ranked wrestlers, has been the main stumbling block preventing promotion to greater heights or adding to the Emperor's Cup he won in the March 2022 tournament. Now, however, with the best opportunity of his career at stake, that is of lesser concern. Wakatakakage has already done the bulk of the work with two solid back-to-back double-digit winning records at sanyaku ranks, and now he just needs a performance that is well within his capabilities in September. With all of sumo hoping he'll bring balance to the banzuke, the prospects for sumo getting a new ōzeki next month look good.
NHK
30-05-2025
- General
- NHK
Sumo wrestler Onosato promoted to Yokozuna Grand Champion
Japanese sumo wrestler Onosato has been promoted to the highest rank of Yokozuna Grand Champion, becoming the 75th wrestler to hold the title. The Japan Sumo Association decided to promote Onosato from the second highest rank of ozeki at an extraordinary meeting of its board of directors on Wednesday. Onosato became champion of the latest Summer Grand Sumo Tournament with 14 wins and one loss. This was his fourth career tournament victory and second in a row. He won the spring tournament in a playoff after he and his rival ended the 15-day event with 12 wins and three losses. After the association meeting, two messengers visited the Nishonoseki stable in Ami Town, Ibaraki Prefecture. They notified Onosato and his stable master of the promotion. In accepting, Onosato vowed to practice hard so as not to disgrace the title of the grand champion. He also said he would make an effort to become a unique yokozuna. The new yokozuna then said at a news conference that he is truly glad about the promotion. He said he will work even harder because he is entering an important stage. Onosato achieved the fastest promotion to yokozuna since 1909, when the position became an official title. It took only 13 tournaments for him to achieve the feat. About his speedy promotion to yokozuna, he said it was fast in terms of a record, but he did not think about the speed. He said instead he learned from every tournament and believed in his capability to reach the position he would finally be in. Onosato, who is 24 years old, was born in Tsubata Town in central Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture. He made his debut as a professional sumo wrestler in May 2023. He is the first Japanese-born wrestler to become yokozuna since 2017. In that year, his stable master Nishonoseki, formerly known as wrestler Kisenosato, was promoted to the top position after the New Year Tournament.
