“Pressure? What Pressure?” Yokozuna Hoshoryu Seen Enjoying Nightlife Before Dedication Ceremony
Toyoshoryu's appearance and character are a mirror image of his uncle, Asashoryu, who was fired up by the idea of "surpassing me!
“Yoisho!”
Amid the cheers of about 3,500 spectators, new Yokozuna Hoshoryu (25) performed his dedication ring-entering ceremony at Meiji Shrine on January 31. Watched over by his uncle, the 68th Yokozuna Asashoryu (44), Hoshoryu displayed a dignified presence, adorned with a pure white tsuna.
“In the January tournament, where his Yokozuna promotion was at stake, he suffered three losses by Day 9, making his promotion seem nearly impossible. However, he staged a remarkable comeback with six consecutive wins, ultimately defeating Oho (24) and Kinbozan (27) in a three-way playoff to clinch the championship. This dramatic turnaround secured his promotion to Yokozuna. Back in 2023, when he was vying for Ozeki promotion, he also seized the opportunity in his first attempt. His ability to rise to the occasion is truly impressive.” (National newspaper sports reporter)
The day before Hoshoryu showcased his grand dedication ring-entering ceremony, FRIDAY had witnessed his grandeur outside the ring as well.
On the night of January 30, just before 10 PM, a sleek black Mercedes-Maybach came to a stop in a bustling nightlife district of Minato Ward, surrounded by numerous restaurants and bars. With a starting price of 32 million yen, it was a rare sight, instantly drawing the attention of nearby street promoters. Soon, the rear door slowly opened.
“He’s huge.”
As Hoshoryu stepped out of the car, onlookers murmured in amazement. His imposing 188 cm, 148 kg frame was striking enough, but the sheer aura of a man who had reached the pinnacle of the sumo rankings was unmistakable—even a pair of glasses couldn’t mask his presence.
Yet, he seemed entirely unfazed by the surrounding buzz. Accompanied by what appeared to be his attendant rikishi, he strode with powerful, deliberate steps into a mixed-use building housing bars and clubs.
A veteran sumo writer chuckled.
“Asashoryu used to frequent Roppongi, Azabu-Juban, and Ginza for nights out as well. I guess you can’t fight blood. The promotion announcement ceremony, the rope-weaving ceremony, and the dedication ring-entering ceremony—three consecutive days of formal events would be nerve-wracking for anyone. His ability to still go out at night shows just how tough he is. People have been saying he looks more and more like Asashoryu in his prime, and now he’s even taking after his uncle in his private life.”
A shout-out from Asashoryu, his uncle
It has been ten years since Hoshoryu came to Japan from Mongolia, and now, as the 74th Yokozuna, he faces even greater pressure. With Terunofuji (33), who defended his Yokozuna status despite injuries and chronic ailments, now retired, Hoshoryu will be the sole Yokozuna starting from the March Osaka tournament. In October, the “Grand Sumo London Tour,” the first overseas performance in 20 years, is scheduled, meaning he will not only be expected to deliver strong results but also contribute to the event’s success.
However, the aforementioned sports reporter is confident about Hoshoryu’s future, stating, “The new Yokozuna’s future is bright.”
“After last year’s September tournament, he thoroughly revisited the fundamentals, shifting away from relying too much on throws and instead developing a powerful forward-moving style from the tachiai. Right now, he’s in a state of complete awakening, and there’s no need to worry about his performance. During the post-ceremony press conference at Meiji Shrine, Asashoryu encouraged him in his own way, saying, ‘Try to surpass my championship count.’ His mental toughness is also solid, so he should fulfill his duties as a Yokozuna admirably.”
Hoshoryu is now steadily forging his path toward becoming a “Great Yokozuna”, surpassing even his uncle, both inside and outside the ring.
From the February 21-28, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”
PHOTO： Kojiro Yamada
