Japan Welcomes New Sumo Champion: A Historic Victory After Years of Non-Japanese Dominance

TOKYO — Japan has welcomed a new sumo grand champion, known as yokozuna, and the significant news is that he is Japanese. Onosato, who weighs an impressive 421 pounds, becomes the first Japanese competitor to achieve this esteemed rank since 2017. This milestone is particularly noteworthy given that the sport has been largely dominated by Mongolian wrestlers in recent years; six out of the last seven yokozunas were from Mongolia. Onosato expressed his commitment to his new role by stating, “I’ll devote myself to training so that I will not disgrace the title of yokozuna.” He emphasized his desire to become a truly unique champion as he spoke while dressed in a formal kimono.

The 24-year-old, whose birth name is Daiki Nakamura, was elevated to sumo’s highest rank by the Japan Sumo Association following his victory at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. This win came on the heels of another prestigious tournament he secured in March. Hailing from Ishikawa prefecture, Onosato is determined to uplift his hometown, which suffered a devastating earthquake and tsunami on January 1, 2024, resulting in around 600 fatalities and extensive damage, particularly in the Noto Peninsula area. “I will work hard as a yokozuna to encourage and cheer up the Ishikawa prefecture and the Noto region,” he remarked.

Sumo is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, regarded as the nation’s sacred sport, with roots extending over a millennium. The sport’s rituals draw heavily from Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion, and are composed of stringent traditions that govern many elements of the wrestlers’ lives. Onosato’s ascension sets the stage for an impending rivalry with Hoshoryu, another yokozuna from Mongolia, as they prepare to face off in a tournament in Nagoya this July.