For the first time in nearly a decade, Japan has a new yokozuna — and he’s Japanese.
Onosato, a 24-year-old sumo sensation from Ishikawa Prefecture, has been promoted to the highest rank in the sport, earning the prestigious title of grand champion after winning the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo. He also took top honors in March’s tournament, sealing his rise to the top.
Weighing in at 191 kilograms (421 pounds), Onosato – real name Daiki Nakamura – is the first Japanese yokozuna since 2017, ending a stretch of Mongolian dominance that saw six of the last seven yokozuna hail from outside Japan.
“I’ll devote myself to training so that I will not disgrace the title of yokozuna,” said Onosato at his formal promotion ceremony on Wednesday, dressed in a ceremonial kimono. “I will aim to become a one-and-only yokozuna.”
Symbol of Hope for Ishikawa
Onosato’s victory carries deep emotional significance. His hometown region, the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, was devastated by a New Year’s Day earthquake and tsunami in 2024, which claimed around 600 lives.
“I will work hard as a yokozuna to encourage and cheer up the Ishikawa prefecture and the Noto region,” he said with visible emotion. “Becoming a yokozuna was my goal from the day I entered sumo, and I’m truly delighted to achieve it.”
Ritual Meets Rivalry
Sumo is Japan’s national sport, steeped in more than 1,000 years of ritual and closely tied to Shinto traditions. Wrestlers like Onosato live and train in communal facilities, adhering to strict codes of conduct and discipline rooted in ancient customs.
His promotion sets the stage for an epic rivalry with fellow yokozuna Hoshoryu, the Mongolia-born champion who shares the sport’s highest honor. The two are expected to face off in a highly anticipated match at the Nagoya Tournament in July.
For Japanese fans, Onosato’s rise is more than just a personal triumph — it’s a revival of national pride in a deeply traditional sport.