Photo/Illutration Hoshoryu speaks to reporters in Tokyo’s Taito Ward on Jan. 27, the day after winning the championship at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. (Okuto Ko)

Fresh off his crowd-pleasing championship at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, Hoshoryu expressed excitement and disbelief at his victory.

With the triumph, the 25-year-old ozeki is likely to be promoted to yokozuna, the highest rank in sumo.

“I’m happy. It’s kind of hard to believe,” the Mongolian wrestler said on Jan. 27.

Hoshoryu initially faced dim prospects for promotion after suffering three losses in the first nine days of the 15-day tournament at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.

However, he managed to right the ship and emerged victorious in a playoff against rank-and-filers Oho and Kinbozan on the final day on Jan. 26, after all three finished with 12-3 records. 

This marks Hoshoryu's second Emperor’s Cup, following his previous win in the July 2023 Nagoya tournament, when he was a sekiwake, the rank just below ozeki.

The Yokozuna Deliberation Council, scheduled to meet on Jan. 27, is expected to formally recommend Hoshoryu for promotion to yokozuna, making him the 74th wrestler to hold the title.

“I’m excited, waiting for good news,” Hoshoryu said.

Born Sugarragchaa Byambasuren in Mongolia in 1999, Hoshoryu is a nephew of Asashoryu, the first Mongolian yokozuna and one of the greatest rikishi from the country, who retired in 2010 after having won 25 Emperor's Cups. 

Hoshoryu's promotion would bring excitement to sumo fans as Terunofuji, the lone yokozuna, has battled knee injuries in recent years, forcing him to miss repeated tournaments. 

Terunofuji, 33, retired from competition on Jan. 17, leaving a huge void in the sport, as he had been the only yokozuna competing in recent years. 

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