Joined by his supporters for a commemorative photo, sekiwake Onosato holds the Emperor's Cup on September 22, 2024, the final day of the 15-day Autumn Basho at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. (©Pool/via KYODO)
A day after winning his second Emperor's Cup, Onosato was upset by fellow sekiwake Abi at the Autumn Basho on Sunday, September 22, but it didn't dampen the celebratory mood over his imminent promotion to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki.
As he did throughout much of the 15-day tournament in Tokyo, Onosato came charging out of the face-off but Abi (5-10) shifted to his side and executed a perfectly timed hand pull-down to defeat the tournament winner.
Onosato still finished the tournament with a superb 13-2 record, surpassing the benchmark of 33 wins over three consecutive tournaments required for promotion to ozeki.
"I really wanted to win today, but I won the championship and that is what matters most," Onosato said.
He added, "I didn't have my best results last tournament so I really wanted to step up this time. I had good training and practice this time."
Onosato went 9-6 in the July basho.
The 24-year-old Onosato, who won the May tournament with a 12-3 record for his first championship, is set to receive the fastest-ever promotion to ozeki, needing just nine tournaments since his professional debut.
An announcement by the Japan Sumo Association on his promotion is expected on Wednesday, September 25.
"I have done all the training possible and will keep aiming to move up," Onosato said. "Nothing has been decided yet but I will continue to do everything to become a more powerful wrestler."
Onosato also won a Fighting Spirit Prize and a Technique Prize.
The Future Looks Bright for Onosato
His success comes at an opportune time.
With former ozeki Takakeisho retiring, sumo is in need of a promising young star at the sport's second-highest rank.
And at the top of the ranks, Terunofuji's future is in doubt so a wrestler with yokozuna potential is also welcomed by sumo officials and fans.
Terunofuji won his 10th Emperor's Cup in the July tournament and then pulled out of the Autumn Basho as he wasn't in fighting condition.
At 32, Terunofuji's best years are behind him and many have speculated that he may retire now that he has 10 championships under his belt.
Onosato is the only grappler at this point that seems to have yokozuna potential. The current ozeki have mostly underachieved thus far.
In the day's final bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Mongolian Hoshoryu wrapped up a much-needed winning record when he shoved out fellow ozeki Kotozakura. That gave both wrestlers an 8-7 record.
Kirishima Tops Daieisho on the Final Day
In other major bouts on the final day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, sekiwake Kirishima completed a successful tournament when he thrust out Daieisho to finish at 12-3. Komusubi Daieisho closed out at 8-7.
Seventh-ranked Churanoumi shoved out No 13 maegashira Nishikigi to finish with a solid 10-5 record. Nishikigi closed out at 11-4 and was awarded a Fighting Spirit Prize.
"I was able to go forward aggressively from the very first bout," Nishikigi said. "My goal next time is to be involved in the championship bout on the final day."
Wakatakakage, also a seventh-ranked maegashira, shoved out Takayasu to finish at 12-3, a result which assures he will be moving up the ranks for the November tournament in Fukuoka.
On Sunday, Wakatakakage was awarded the Outstanding Performance Prize. No 15 Takayasu finished at a very respectable 10-5.
No 3 maegashira Wakamotoharu, the older brother of Wakatakakage, won his sixth straight bout when he shoved out fifth-ranked Ura (9-6) to move to 11-4.
Like his brother, Wakamotoharu is a strong candidate to move up when the next rankings are announced on October 28.
Takerufuji Finishes Autumn Basho with a 13-2 Record
In the juryo division, Takerufuji beat Tokihayate with a frontal force-out to improve to 13-2, a day after clinching the second-tier championship.
"I was not so sure of my physical condition so I relied on my fighting spirit," Takerufuji said.
He added, "I have some challenges I must overcome and will do my best to make the biggest contribution to the sumo world."
The native of Aomori Prefecture won the March tournament in the top division but then toppled down the rankings after being sidelined by injury. He likely will be returning to the elite ranks in November.
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Author: Jim Armstrong
The author is a longtime journalist who has covered sports in Japan for over 25 years. You can find his articles on SportsLook.
