Yokozuna Ōnosato’s Neat Towel-Folding Habit and the Unexpected Trait He Shares with Shohei Ohtani

“Huh!? Really? Are you sure? Thank you so much.”

A large young man politely expressed his gratitude and smiled at our magazine reporter, who had brought him some croquettes. It was Ōnosato (24), the first Japan-born yokozuna in eight years.

The setting was the preparation room at Ryōgoku Kokugikan (Sumida Ward, Tokyo). This happened just before his ring-entering ceremony at the retirement sumo event for Oguromoto Oyakata (former maegashira Kotokoeikō) on May 31. When the arena announcer called out “Shin-Yokozuna” (new yokozuna), Ōnosato proudly performed a splendid Unryū-gata ring-entering ceremony before a large crowd of fans.

His father, Tomoyuki Nakamura, who watched his son’s dohyō-iri at the Kokugikan, recalled:

“He did a magnificent job. Ever since he was a kid, I’d always been strict with him, telling him things like, ‘Don’t come home until you’ve become a sekitori.’ But when he reached yokozuna, I did something rare — I praised him. I said, ‘I’ve always believed you were the kind of man who’d make it, but I didn’t expect you to really go through with it. Congratulations.’ My son, though a little embarrassed, smiled happily.”

 

“I want him to grow into a dignified, great yokozuna.”

Ōnosato isn’t just exceptionally strong and skilled as a sumo wrestler. As mentioned earlier, he treats everyone with courtesy — bowing and thanking even a reporter he’s meeting for the first time. During tournaments, it’s become a topic of conversation how he neatly folds his sweat-drenched towel before handing it back to the yobidashi (ring announcer).

“A figure who’s kind to everyone and takes the initiative even with small things reminds me of Major League superstar Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani, for example, gave his entire 16.5 million yen prize from the All-Star Home Run Derby to his team’s staff and personally picks up trash on the field.

Their physical flexibility is also similar. Both stand over 190 cm tall with large frames, yet their supple bodies allow them to skillfully adapt to any opponent, achieving greatness without relying on brute strength alone. Though their sports differ — baseball and sumo — both possess world-class mastery in spirit, skill, and physique, making them true stars.” (Sports newspaper reporter)

Ōnosato’s father, Mr. Nakamura, added:

“It’s presumptuous to even suggest my son resembles Ohtani. But I do hope my son can become the kind of athlete children look up to and all competitors admire, like Ohtani. I want him to grow not just strong, but into a dignified yokozuna worthy of respect from everyone.”

Ohtani in the majors and Ōnosato in sumo — without a doubt, these two big stars, both grounded in courtesy and humility, are set to lead the future of the sports world.