28-05-2025
Sumo wrestler Onosato officially 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.
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 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.
He is the first Japanese-born wrestler to become yokozuna since 2017. In that year, Onosato's stable master Nishonoseki, formerly known as wrestler Kisenosato, was promoted to the top position after the New Year Tournament.
