Photo/Illutration Onosato, left, declares his resolve to be the best as the 75th yokozuna on May 28 in Ami, Ibaraki Prefecture. (Sayuri Ide)

The Japan Sumo Association launched a new era in the sport on May 28, making Onosato's promotion official to the highest rank as the 75th yokozuna.  

And just as he vowed to be the best when promoted to the second-highest rank of ozeki in September, Onosato repeated that pledge. 

“I will devote myself to training so as not to disgrace the rank of yokozuna. I aim to be the one and only grand champion,” the 24-year-old wrestler said in his acceptance speech at his Nishonoseki stable in Ami, Ibaraki Prefecture.

Association envoys visited Onosato at his stable to deliver the good news, as is tradition. 

The phrase “one and only” echoed Onosato's earlier declaration upon being promoted to ozeki. On that occasion, he similarly promised to become a unique and unmatched rikishi. 

“I hadn’t originally planned to use those words again, but they just felt right,” Onosato said. “They were the only words that came to mind.”

Onosato's promotion follows his dominant performance in the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo, where he won 14 consecutive bouts from the opening day, securing his second consecutive championship and fourth overall.

His bid for an undefeated slate over the 15-day tournament ended on the final day on May 25, by Hoshoryu, who was promoted to yokozuna in January. Hoshoryu ended with a 12-3 record, as sumo fans now look forward to the start of a heated rivalry between the two young yokozuna.

Onosato’s rise marks the first Japanese-born yokozuna in more than eight years, since the 2017 promotion of Kisenosato, who is now his stablemaster.

He is also the third yokozuna from Ishikawa Prefecture, following the renowned Wajima, who was promoted in 1973. Ishikawa Prefecture suffered devastation in the 2024 New Year's Day Noto Peninsula earthquake, so Onosato's rapid ascent to the top of his sport has brought much encouragement to residents affected by the disaster.

Onosato’s promotion comes just 13 tournaments after his professional debut, marking the fastest ascent to yokozuna in the modern era and surpassing the previous record of 16 tournaments set by Haguroyama and Terukuni in the 1940s.

With the debut of a new yokozuna, the upcoming Nagoya tournament in July will feature two yokozuna topping the East and West sides of the banzuke ranking list for the first time in nearly four years. 

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