NEXT YOKOZUNA???

Sumo: Hoshoryu makes winning start by pushing out Wakatakakage

Wires
May 11, 2025

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Lone yokozuna Hoshoryu made a confident start Sunday at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament with a push-out victory against komusubi Wakatakakage.

The 25-year-old Mongolian star delivered a powerful opening charge to secure a quick and decisive win, showing no signs of the right elbow and neck injuries that prompted his early withdrawal from a forgettable yokozuna debut tournament in March.

Bidding to join Hoshoryu as a yokozuna, March champion Onosato barely broke a sweat as he used a strong inside right-hand position to force out No. 1 maegashira Wakamotoharu and avenge his loss to the former sekiwake at the Spring tournament.

To earn promotion to the top rank, the 24-year-old Onosato must win the 15-day meet at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan arena or achieve an equivalent number of victories in the eyes of the Japan Sumo Association.

Ozeki Kotozakura lost his opening-day bout for the second grand tournament in a row, succumbing to No. 1 maegashira Oho's cleverly executed under-shoulder swing down.

"I knew that I had to stay patient, and it worked out," said Oho, who was demoted from sekiwake after going 6-9 in March. "I just want to make sure that I give my best performance, regardless of rank."

Sekiwake Daieisho, who can make his case for ozeki promotion with a big win total, thrust down No. 2 maegashira Abi following a fierce exchange of blows between the two Saitama Prefecture natives.

The other sekiwake, former ozeki Kirishima, showed balance and poise as he fought back from the edge to force out No. 2 maegashira Gonoyama.

No. 14 maegashira Kotoshoho has been ruled out of the entire tournament following his diagnosis with a torn right bicep.