Reiwa-Era Sumo’s Ideal: Four Yokozuna with Experienced Dignity and Individuality

Controversial Yokozuna’s dignity

On February 16, a parade celebrating Hoshoryu’s (25) promotion to Yokozuna was held around Kashiwa Station in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, attracting a massive crowd of approximately 25,000 spectators. For Hoshoryu, who graduated from Nihon University Kashiwa High School, Kashiwa City is known as his hometown in Japan, so the large turnout was no surprise. However, this was the first-ever parade in Kashiwa City for a sports athlete.

Moved by the overwhelming support, Hoshoryu expressed his gratitude:

“I was surprised by the huge crowd. It gave me courage.”

With Terunofuji (33) retiring after the January tournament, Hoshoryu’s promotion narrowly prevented a Yokozuna vacancy for the first time in 32 years. Following the Yokozuna Deliberation Council meeting that confirmed his promotion, composer and council member Shunichi Tokura (76) commented:

“Not all Mongolian Yokozuna had Yokozuna dignity, right? Fighting spirit is good, but I hope he becomes aware that this is Japan’s national sport. I trust Tatsuami Oyakata will guide him properly.”

This remark stirred controversy, yet expectations are high for the upcoming March Haru Basho at Edion Arena Osaka.

“There’s no doubt that excitement will build as this is the first tournament after the new Yokozuna’s debut,” said a sumo-focused sports newspaper reporter. “However, many sumo fans may feel that ‘a piece is still missing.’ After all, sumo thrives when both East and West Yokozuna are present, which has always been the case. There’s hope because there are several promising young wrestlers who could become the next Yokozuna. Of course, fans want Hoshoryu to demonstrate overwhelming strength and eventually become a dignified Yokozuna. But many sumo fans still hope for the presence of a Japanese Yokozuna to balance the prominence of foreign Yokozuna.”

When asked who was closest to becoming a Yokozuna alongside Hoshoryu, sumo journalist Reiko Yokono named two contenders: Ozeki Onosato (24) and Ozeki Kotonowaka (27).

“Onosato was once said to be closer to Yokozuna promotion than Hoshoryu, but he’s been struggling since his promotion to Ozeki, remaining stagnant for two tournaments. It seems his Oyakata has scolded him for not training enough. Onosato and Kotonowaka are likely feeling the most frustrated by Hoshoryu’s promotion. How they channel that frustration into their upcoming performances will determine who rises next. The Haru Basho should provide some clarity.”

The “heel” Yokozuna who was also popular

There’s actually one more wrestler that Yokono has high hopes for — Oho (25), who faced Hoshoryu in the January tournament’s championship playoff. His highest rank so far was Maegashira 1 in the November 2024 tournament, but he’s expected to reach the new san’yaku rank in the upcoming Haru Basho.

“His sumo style has clearly changed since last year. Especially in the January tournament, his fighting spirit stood out. He’s a late bloomer, and since he’s been building strength, if he reaches Ozeki, we can expect even greater things. If Kotonowaka and Onosato continue to stall, Oho may become Yokozuna before them,” said Yokono.

Sumo writer Shoko Sato, also known as “Dosukoi Hanako,” shares similar expectations for Oho.

“Oho has been making his presence felt in recent tournaments. He’s been rivals with Hoshoryu since their high school days, and they’re also close friends. Both were born in 1999, so they might eventually be called the ‘Flower of the Class of ’99’ (laughs). They debuted together in January 2018, but Hoshoryu pulled ahead in terms of career progression. That may have sparked a fire in Oho, who had previously seemed somewhat ‘pampered.’ Recently, he’s been actively seeking out training with other stables, which seems to have helped him break through.”

This brings to mind the “good rivalries” between Yokozuna in sumo history.

In the past, there was Wajima and Kitanoumi, the brother Yokozuna Wakanohana (54) and Takanohana (52), and Akebono, the first foreign-born Yokozuna. There’s also Takanohana versus Musashimaru (53), and Kisenosato (38) against Asashoryu (44) and Hakuho (39) — many of whom were seen as “heel” Yokozuna at some point.

“The trend of yearning for a Japanese Yokozuna while labeling foreign Yokozuna as heels ended with Kisenosato and Hakuho. Times have changed, and now they’re all just sumo wrestlers once they join the sport. However, it’s true that sumo popularity can waver without a Japanese Yokozuna. For now, Hoshoryu will have to carry sumo on his shoulders as the lone Yokozuna.

There are voices questioning his ‘dignity,’ but no Yokozuna is born with it. He has his uncle (Asashoryu) as a cautionary example. Hoshoryu himself is mindful not to become a heel. He’s injury-free, has great physical ability, and a strong competitive spirit. Among Hoshoryu, Onosato, and Kotonowaka, the sumo gods chose Hoshoryu first to become Yokozuna. With experience, he will grow into a respectable Yokozuna and firmly support sumo’s popularity,” Yokono concluded.

On the other hand, Sato offered the following analysis:

“Kitanoumi was so strong that he was seen as a ‘hateful’ rival by fans of his contemporaries, Yokozuna Wajima and Ozeki Takanohana. During the Waka-Taka boom, Akebono, being a Hawaiian-born Yokozuna, was treated as a heel. This began when Konishiki (61) was labeled the ‘Black Ship Invasion,’ and Musashimaru was also cast as a heel. Later, Mongolian wrestlers like Asasekiryu (51), a pioneer among Mongolian sumo wrestlers, were called the ‘Mongol Invasion.’

In pro wrestling and anime alike, heels are part of the battle. But now, it’s no longer about forcing a heel role; fans can simply enjoy the individuality and background stories of each wrestler. Oho is the grandson of the legendary 48th Yokozuna Taiho, Kotonowaka’s grandfather was the 53rd Yokozuna Kotonowaka, and Hoshoryu’s uncle was former Yokozuna Asashoryu, famously known as a ‘heel.’

These three all remind fans of past great Yokozuna. Meanwhile, Onosato rose rapidly through the ranks and is already seen as a major talent with strong fan expectations. The story of his future rise will be exciting as well. With these four wrestlers — Hoshoryu, Onosato, Kotonowaka, and Oho — each bringing their own personality, sumo has entered an era where fans can purely enjoy the sport.

Thanks to the Japan Sumo Association’s successful social media strategy, the number of young sumo fans is rapidly increasing. Without categorizing wrestlers by nationality or heel roles, Reiwa-era sumo is sure to thrive by embracing character-driven excitement.”

Following Hoshoryu’s promotion, fans eagerly await an era of four Yokozuna: Onosato, Kotonowaka, Oho, and Hoshoryu. What kind of battles will unfold at the Haru Basho?