May 2026– date –
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An Unexpected Finish: Kotozakura Wins His First Title
At the 2024 November (Kyushu) Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka, the ozeki Kotozakura won his first top-division championship at 14-1, when his co-leader Hoshoryu collapsed on a slipped grip in their final-day decider. Ozeki is the second... -
How Hoshoryu Won His First Title and Sealed Ozeki
On the final day of the 2023 July (Nagoya) Grand Sumo Tournament, the sekiwake Hoshoryu won his first top-division championship in a playoff over Hokutofuji. In the same instant, that victory clinched his promotion to ozeki. Sekiwake is ... -
Inside the Retirement Ceremony of Takakeisho
This was the retirement ceremony of the former ozeki (the second-highest rank, below only yokozuna) Takakeisho, held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in October 2025. His master made the final cut, and he stood to speak of never having reached y... -
Spirit Over Pain: Takerufuji Wins a Historic Debut Title
On an injured leg, in his very first top-division tournament, Takerufuji drove out Gonoyama on the final day to win the 2024 March Grand Sumo Tournament. It was the first debut-division championship — a title won in one's debut top-divis... -
The Fastest Ever: Onosato Wins His First Title in Seven Tournaments
At the 2024 May (Natsu) Grand Sumo Tournament, the new komusubi Onosato won his first top-division championship — and he did it in only his seventh tournament since turning professional, the fastest anyone has ever managed it. He sealed ... -
Inside the Retirement Ceremony of Yokozuna Terunofuji
This was the retirement ceremony of the former yokozuna Terunofuji, held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in early 2026. After his last dohyo-iri (ring-entering ceremony), his master made the final cut to the topknot, formally closing a career a... -
A Star Is Born: Aonishiki Wins His First Championship in Fukuoka
On the final day of the 2025 Kyushu tournament in Fukuoka, the 21-year-old Aonishiki won his first top-division championship — in only his fifth makuuchi tournament — by beating ozeki Kotozakura with an uchimuso and then defeating yokozu... -
The Onosato Streak: 17 Winning Tournaments and Counting
Since his professional debut, yokozuna Onosato has never once finished a tournament with a losing record. The January 2026 Hatsu basho stretched that run to 17 winning tournaments in a row — a streak that has survived every scare the spo... -
Kotoshoho’s Instant Title: A First Championship at the 2025 Nagoya Basho
At the 2025 Nagoya tournament, Kotoshoho won his first championship by beating Aonishiki on the final day. Kotoshoho came in on two losses, Aonishiki on three, so their head-to-head bout decided the title outright. It ended in an instant... -
Aonishiki’s Kubinage: How the Ukrainian Star Clinched Back-to-Back Titles
On the final day of the 2026 January tournament, Aonishiki forced out ozeki Kotozakura to set up a championship playoff with Atamifuji, then threw his rival over with a left-handed kubinage at the edge of the ring to clinch back-to-back ...
