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 it on the final day by overpowering Abi.
The final day came down to one man
Heading into the last day of the May tournament, the title race had narrowed to a single name. Onosato, competing at komusubi — the fourth-highest rank in sumo’s top division — sat alone as the only wrestler carrying just three losses. Everyone else chasing the Emperor’s Cup, which goes to the top-division champion, had already fallen further behind. That left the youngster in a position no one in his situation had occupied in a long time: control of the basho in his own hands.
Onosato had reached the final day at this tournament on the back of a run that already stood out. His three defeats over the fortnight had come against Takayasu, Hiradoumi and Hoshoryu. Beyond those losses, the rest of his bouts had gone his way, and the leaderboard reflected it.
The bout against Abi
Onosato’s bout fell in the slot before the final match of the day. Across the ring stood Abi, who arrived at 10-4 and had already toppled both of the participating ozeki — the second-highest rank in the sport — beating Hoshoryu and Kotozakura on his way through the tournament. Abi at full tilt was no easy obstacle for a wrestler with a championship on the line.
Abi went for his thrust, the weapon that had carried him past the ozeki, but it misfired. Onosato’s pressure was the greater force. He drove straight forward and finished it on the spot. In that instant the championship was his — the first top-division title of his career, claimed in his seventh tournament since his debut, a new record.
The fastest path through the divisions
To understand the scale of the record, it helps to walk the climb tournament by tournament. Onosato entered professional sumo in the makushita division — one of the lower divisions, below the salaried ranks — starting at the makushita-10 tsukedashi position reserved for elite amateur recruits. From there the ledger reads cleanly.
- Makushita (makushita-10 tsukedashi): 6-1
- Makushita: 4-3
- Juryo — the lower of the two salaried divisions: 12-3
- Juryo: 12-3
- Top division: 11-4
- Top division: 11-4
- Komusubi: 12-3 and the championship
Seven tournaments, every one a winning record, and the last one a title. He had collected no championships in the lower divisions along the way; this top-division crown was the first silverware of any kind in his career. The pace left no margin for comparison — no wrestler had ever reached a top-division title this quickly after debuting.
The win also extended several streaks that had been building quietly. Onosato was on a run of three straight double-digit-win tournaments in the top division, three straight tournaments taking home one of the three special prizes — the sansho, awarded for outstanding performance, technique or fighting spirit — and seven straight winning tournaments to open his career.
Where it sits in history, and what came next
A komusubi lifting the Emperor’s Cup is itself a rarity. The last time a sitting komusubi took the title was Annenyama, all the way back in May 1957 — a gap of decades between the two feats.
There is a natural point of reference for a champion out of the university ranks. Wajima, the only yokozuna ever to rise from the collegiate ranks, won his first title in his fifteenth tournament — more than twice the number Onosato needed. Like Onosato’s, Wajima’s first championship was a three-loss affair. And the trajectory after that first title is worth noting: Wajima was promoted to ozeki four tournaments later. For a wrestler who had just rewritten the speed record for a first championship, the precedent set by his most obvious forerunner pointed clearly upward.
Key Takeaways
- Onosato won his first top-division championship at the 2024 May tournament in his seventh tournament since debut — the fastest ever.
- He went into the final day as the sole wrestler on three losses and clinched the title by beating Abi (10-4) in the bout before the day’s last match.
- He was the first komusubi to take the title since Annenyama in May 1957.
- His three losses in the tournament came against Takayasu, Hiradoumi and Hoshoryu.
- The win extended a run of seven straight winning tournaments, three straight double-digit-win top-division tournaments, and three straight special-prize tournaments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tournaments did it take Onosato to win his first top-division title?
Seven. Onosato won his first top-division championship in his seventh tournament since his professional debut, which set a new record for the fastest first title.
Who did Onosato beat to clinch the championship?
He beat Abi, who stood at 10-4 and had already defeated both participating ozeki, Hoshoryu and Kotozakura. Abi attempted a thrust that misfired, and Onosato drove straight forward to win the bout and the title.
When was the last time a komusubi won the top-division title?
Before Onosato, the most recent komusubi to win the top-division championship was Annenyama in May 1957.
How does Onosato’s record compare to Wajima’s?
Wajima, the only yokozuna to come from the collegiate ranks, won his first title in his fifteenth tournament, and like Onosato it was a three-loss championship. Wajima was promoted to ozeki four tournaments after that first title.
