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-highest rank in sumo, sitting just below yokozuna at the summit of the sport. The title was settled not by a separate playoff but by the final scheduled bout of the tournament — and the manner of its ending caught everyone off guard.
A rare two-ozeki decider on the final day
The championship came down to a head-to-head between two co-leaders, both carrying a single loss: the ozeki Kotozakura and the ozeki Hoshoryu. A title decided between two men of the second rank is a rare thing in sumo, and the draw delivered it in the cleanest possible form. The two were scheduled to meet in the final bout of the tournament, with the winner taking the Emperor’s Cup outright. No tie to break, no extra bout to arrange — one match, one champion.
That set the stage for a straight collision. Whoever won would walk away with the championship; whoever lost would finish a step short. For Kotozakura, it was the bout that could turn a long climb into a first title at last.
The bout: a fierce charge and a sudden fall
Hoshoryu came forward boldly. His assault went beyond ordinary fighting spirit — an attack with enough force to overwhelm even those watching from the stands. Kotozakura appeared to be pushed onto the back foot, caught a step behind the charge as Hoshoryu drove into him.
For a moment the bout looked to be running away from Kotozakura. Hoshoryu kept the pressure on, pressing his advantage and giving his rival little room to set himself. The crowd leaned into a finish that seemed to be tilting one way.
Then Hoshoryu suddenly crumbled. He fell flat to the clay, and the arena was stunned. The cause was simple and unforgiving: his overarm grip slipped. In the records, the winning technique went down as a hatakikomi — a slap-down, one of the techniques catalogued in the sport’s kimarite. An attack that had looked overwhelming ended with the attacker on the ground.
What the title meant for Kotozakura
Kotozakura had achieved his long-awaited first championship, and he had done it in an unexpected way. The number beside his name read 14-1 — a commanding record that left no question about the body of work behind the title. The final bout decided the trophy, but the fortnight that led to it told the fuller story.
Over the course of the tournament he had cut down on the slip-ups against lower-ranked opponents that can quietly sink a championship run. And when it came to the man standing between him and the Emperor’s Cup, he won the direct meeting with his title rival. After a long climb, his strength had finally bloomed.
Key Takeaways
- At the 2024 November (Kyushu) tournament in Fukuoka, the ozeki Kotozakura won his first top-division championship at 14-1.
- The title was decided by the final scheduled bout between two co-leaders on a single loss — ozeki Kotozakura and ozeki Hoshoryu — not by a separate playoff.
- Hoshoryu attacked fiercely and Kotozakura was pushed onto the back foot, but Hoshoryu then crumbled when his overarm grip slipped.
- The winning technique was recorded as a hatakikomi (slap-down), and the finish left the crowd stunned.
- Over the tournament Kotozakura cut down on slip-ups against lower-ranked opponents and won the direct meeting with his title rival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2024 November tournament?
The ozeki Kotozakura won his first top-division championship at the 2024 November (Kyushu) Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka, finishing with a commanding 14-1 record.
Was the title decided by a playoff?
No. The championship came down to the final scheduled bout of the tournament between the two co-leaders, ozeki Kotozakura and ozeki Hoshoryu, both on a single loss. The winner of that bout took the title outright.
How did the deciding bout end?
Hoshoryu attacked boldly and Kotozakura was caught a step behind the charge. Then Hoshoryu suddenly crumbled and fell flat to the clay when his overarm grip slipped. The winning technique was recorded as a hatakikomi, a slap-down.
Why was this title decider unusual?
The championship came down to a head-to-head between two ozeki, the second-highest rank in sumo — a rare thing in itself. Kotozakura won the direct meeting with his title rival, cut down on slip-ups against lower-ranked opponents over the tournament, and saw his strength finally bloom.
