SUMO

Terunofuji rebounds from stumbles to claim milestone 10th Emperor’s Cup

Terunofuji accepts the Emperor's Cup after winning the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday. | JIJI

by JOHN GUNNING
July 28, 2024

The Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, which at one point was threatening to turn into a procession, produced some unexpected drama over the final five days, before finishing with Terunofuji hoisting a milestone 10th Emperor’s Cup.
Thanks to a series of stumbles by the previously imperious yokozuna, the destination of the title was not decided until a playoff in the tournament’s final bout.

Terunofuji had looked to be on course for a first perfect 15-0 championship since November 2021 before rising star Onosato produced a perfectly timed pivot on day 11 and sent the veteran crashing to the clay.