Latest news with #YokozunaHoshoryu
Yomiuri Shimbun
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Yokozuna Hoshoryu Pulls out of Nagoya Tournament; Tourney Was 1st Time in 5 Yrs to Feature 2 Yokozuna
The first sumo tournament featuring two yokozuna in five years lost one of its featured wrestlers after just five days. Yokozuna Hoshoryu submitted his notice of withdrawal from the ongoing Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament to the Japan Sumo Association on Thursday, a day after suffering a third consecutive loss through the first four days. It marks the second time Hoshoryu has pulled out midway through a tournament in three tourneys since earning promotion to the sport's highest rank. His fifth-day opponent in Nagoya, No. 2 maegashira Oho, earned a victory by default. His three losses were all to maegashira-ranked wrestlers, giving each a 'kinboshi,' a special award for a victory over a yokozuna. The promotion of Onosato for this tournament put two yokozuna on the ranking list for the first time since the Nagoya tourney in July 2020, which was actually held in Tokyo amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yomiuri Shimbun
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Sumo Scene / Yasukuni Shrine, Holy Ground for Amateur Sumo Aiming for Greatness at Ryogoku Kokugikan
The Yomiuri Shimbun Yokozuna Hoshoryu performs the ring-entering ceremony at the honozumo tournament in the outdoor ring at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on April 14. The Summer Grand Sumo Tournament is underway at Tokyo's venerable Ryogoku Kokugikan, but are you aware there is another sumo ring in the city considered to be a 'sacred place' in the sport? It is the permanent ring at Yasukuni Shrine in the Kudan district. Located on the shrine's grounds, the ring has a long history dating back to the founding of Yasukuni in the early Meiji era (1867-1912). There are records of 'honozumo' — a ceremonial sumo tournament used to raise funds for shrines — being held there in 1869. In addition, the ring served as the venue for a total of four grand sumo tournaments in 1918 and 1919 after the former Kokugikan arena, located on the grounds of Ekoin temple, was damaged by a fire and rendered unusable. While Yasukuni's ring sits outdoors with only a simple roof, it has left an indelible mark in the history of sumo. Currently, a number of tournaments are regularly held there, mainly amateur collegiate competitions. Many of today's pros have strong memories of honing their skills there when they were students. Ozeki Onosato appeared quite a few times during his days at Nippon Sport Science University. Doing well at Yasukuni is considered an important step toward achieving success at the major competitions held at the Kokugikan, such as the national collegiate tournament and the general All-Japan Championship. From there, the prospect can aim for the next level of turning pro. In April every year, the Japan Sumo Association holds a honozumo tournament at Yasukuni. At this year's event, yokozuna Hoshoryu performed the ring-entering ceremony for the first time since being promoted to the top rank. He said it brought back memories of watching the collegians when he was a student at Nippon Sport Science University's Kashiwa High School in Chiba Prefecture. 'Wakatakakage was a Toyo University student at that time, and I remember how strong he was.' When informed that the shrine's ring had hosted grand sumo tournaments in the past, he said, pondering the history: 'That's amazing. I'm honored [to be here].' The Yasukuni ring will be busy again this year as the setting for collegiate competitions. At this other 'sacred place,' the young wrestlers will shed sweat and tears as they aim to turn pro and someday reach the pinnacle of yokozuna. — Kamimura is a sumo expert.
