Latest news with #SpringGrandSumoTournament
Kyodo News
6 days ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
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
Kyodo News
6 days ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Sumo: Onosato performs ring entry ceremony at Meiji Jingu shrine
KYODO NEWS - 7 minutes ago - 22:58 | 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
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.
Yomiuri Shimbun
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Sumo Scene / Rising Ukrainian Wrestler Aonishiki Looks to Make Waves in Summer Tourney
The Yomiuri Shimbun Aonishiki, right, launches an attack against Meisei on March 20 during one of his 11 wins in his makuuchi division debut at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka. The Summer Grand Sumo Tournament is fast approaching. If ozeki Onosato, fresh off winning a third career title in the Spring tourney, can achieve a similar result, it will heat up talk of his promotion to yokozuna. There is no dearth of topics for discussion regarding the tournament starting on May 11, but personally, I am most intrigued to see how Ukrainian wrestler Aonishiki fares in just his second tourney in the uppermost makuuchi division. Back in Ukraine, which has a rich history in combat sports, Aonishiki participated in amateur sumo and wrestling, and even competed internationally. However, following the Russian invasion into his homeland, he left his country in 2022 in search of a stable environment to continue practicing sumo. He made his way to Japan and joined the sumo club at Kansai University, where he immersed himself in his training. Through an introduction to stablemaster Ajigawa (former sekiwake Aminishiki) through a university connection, he turned pro and made his debut at the 2023 Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament. From there, he rapidly shot up the rankings, remarkably reaching the makuuchi division in just nine tournaments. Having just turned 21 in March, he has lofty ambitions. 'My goal is even higher,' he declared upon his promotion to the top tier. At the Spring tournament, early jitters led to a slow start. But as the competition progressed, he found his footing against the top competition. His style is particularly striking — despite standing a robust 1.82 meters, he consistently lowers his stance, rounds his back and drives forward relentlessly. His makuuchi debut notwithstanding, he found himself in contention for the championship until the closing days. On the final day, he defeated sekiwake Oho with a tenacious and well-executed attack to finish with an impressive 11-4 record that earned him the Fighting Spirit Prize. That drew high praise from Japan Sumo Association Chairman Hakkaku (former yokozuna Hokutoumi), who said: 'His core appears exceptionally strong. I look forward to seeing how he does in the future. 'Most importantly, his earnest commitment to sumo is noteworthy,' he added, a nod to the hardships Aonishiki has overcome. With a higher ranking — he is now a No. 9 maegashira — there is no doubt that the other wrestlers will be studying him, aiming to exploit any weaknesses. I am eager to see if he can create a Ukrainian sensation in the early summer ring, where his true potential will be tested. — Kamimura is a sumo expert.
