Hoshoryu (left) and Onosato prepare for the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament during a training session on July 7, 2025, in Fuso, Aichi Prefecture. (©KYODO)
Successful yokozuna generate excitement and capture the attention of sumo fans.
And now, starting with the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament (July 13-27), there are two active yokozuna for the first time since Hakuho and Kakuryu, both of whom have since retired, entered this tournament five years ago.
From a promotional standpoint, having two yokozuna is better than one ― and, indeed, more compelling for spectators at the arena and fans following the results on a daily basis.
Hoshoryu was promoted to the highest rank in January 2025 after winning the New Year Basho.
Onosato joined the Mongolian at the top after claiming the Emperor's Cup at the Summer Basho in May.
Hoshoryu is 26 and Onosato is 25. And both men could have many more years ahead of them in their chosen profession.
That said, a long, exciting rivalry at the top could materialize for the two newest yokozuna. And having a Japanese yokozuna is always an added boost for the sport.
Kisenosato's retirement in January 2019 marked the end of the last Japanese grand champion's reign. He now serves as Onosato's stablemaster and is known as Nishinoseki.
In sumo, the risk of injuries is an ever-present reality. Time will tell if the Hoshoryu-Onosato yokozuna era can deliver great achievements for either or both grapplers.
In recent tournaments, Mongolian Hoshoryu has dominated against Ishikawa Prefecture native Onosato, going 3-0 in that span. This included a victory on the final day of the Summer Basho to spoil Onosato's quest for a 15-0 record at Tokyo's Ryoguku Kokugikan.
Instead, Onosato went 14-1 and won his second consecutive tourney.
Preparations for the Nagoya Basho
The 15-day Nagoya Basho will be held at IG Arena, a newly constructed venue for the first time. In previous years, Nagoya Prefectural Gymnasium, aka Dolphins Arena, staged the fourth of six tournaments held on an annual basis.
Before Day 1 of the tournament, wrestlers have been busy making preparations for the grueling event.
On Monday, July 7, for instance, Hoshoryu and Onosato clashed in four practice matches in nearby Fuso, Aichi Prefecture. Posting a 3-1 record that day, Hoshoryu was in impressive form against his yokozuna rival.
Hoshoryu was satisfied with his performance. He also delivered words of encouragement for Onosato after the workout.
"It turned out to be a great session," Hoshoryu said, according to Kyodo News. "I want him to do well because the first tournament as a yokozuna is hard."
Valuable Workouts for Sumo Standouts
For Onosato, Monday's head-to-head clashes with Hoshoryu didn't produce ideal results. But he also thought it was beneficial.
"The way I fought him today wasn't good at all," Onosato was quoted as saying by Kyodo News, adding, "but it was good to face him."
Practice is only practice. Keep your eyes focused on the real duel between Hoshoryu and Onosato on July 27, Day 15 of the Nagoya Basho, when the latter hopes to wrap up a third straight title.
"I know I'll face him [Hoshoryu] on the physically demanding final day," Onosato said after Monday's practice at Sakaigawa stable's training facility in Fuso, Kyodo News reported.
Heading into the final days of training before the tournament gets underway, Onosato appears pleased with his physical condition.
"I've been working on the basics thoroughly, so my body is in shape," Onosato said, according to Kyodo News, on Wednesday, July 9. "Now I just need to focus on the finer details."
A Minor Injury for Hoshoryu
Hoshoryu skipped training sessions on July 5 and 6 due to an injury to his left big toe, according to published reports. He sustained the injury the day before his first skipped workout.
How did Hoshoryu evaluate the impact of two days off?
"It's much better," he said of his big toe, according to Nikkan Sports.
On the same day that Hoshoryu faced Onosato in four practice bouts, he compiled a 10-1 overall record against various opponents.
In other words, Monday was a successful day on the job.
"It was good practice, and even though it was hot, I tried to wrestle well even if I didn't have many matches," Hoshoru was quoted as saying by Sports Hochi.
Dining in South Korea, Training in Japan
Also sharing the spotlight with the two yokozuna in Nagoya will be lone ozeki Kotozakura, who finished with an 8-7 record in each of the last two tournaments.
Perhaps a change of scenery helped him refresh his mind. In mid-June, the Chiba Prefecture native "enjoyed meat and seafood dishes in Seoul," The Sankei Shimbun reported.
As for training in the run-up to the Nagoya Basho, Kotozakura expressed a positive mindset.
"I'm getting by, [and] I'm taking it slow, one step at a time," he said, according to The Sankei Shimbun.
With that in mind, Kotozakura, 27, has optimistic expectations for IG Arena's first-ever grand sumo tournament.
“I'll do my best and believe in what I'm doing,” Kotozakura was quoted as saying by the national newspaper.
RELATED:
- Summer Basho Champ Onosato on the Verge of Promotion to Yokozuna
- JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK | Hoshoryu Returns to Sumo Spotlight at the Summer Basho
- Onosato Defeats Takayasu in a Playoff to Win His 3rd Title at the Spring Basho
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
