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Shishi (left) wrestles Tokihayate at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center on Nov. 10.
SUMO / Inside Sumo
Feb 12, 2025

Could Ukraine be the next nation to produce a yokozuna?

The amateur powerhouse is starting to make its presence felt in professional sumo.
Newly promoted grand champion Hoshoryu (center) performs a dedication ceremony at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo on Jan. 31.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Feb 19, 2025

What is the ceiling for sumo’s newest yokozuna?

The ceremonies are complete, the celebrations are done, and now it’s time for Hoshoryu to get down to the daily task of leading Japan’s national sport.
Kotonowaka surely has his eyes on eventually emulating his grandfather, former grand champion Kotozakura.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 30, 2023

New sumo ranks highlight rise of next generation

Ahead of the autumn tournament in Tokyo, it's the up-and-coming wrestlers who are making waves.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 13, 2023

Sumo's big ticketing problem

Securing tickets for sumo's biggest matches can be a headache, particularly for sumo's many foreign fans, partially due to outdated information online.
The heights Akebono reached in sumo helped pave the way for future foreign-born yokozuna Asashoryu and Hakuho.
SUMO
Apr 15, 2024

Akebono's human side eclipsed his incredible sumo achievements

Talk to anyone personally acquainted with recently deceased former yokozuna Akebono and almost immediately the words “generous” and “kind” will arise.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 27, 2023

Hoshoryu's Nagoya triumph shows enduring power of Mongolian rikishi

Kirishima and Hoshoryu’s promotions to ozeki have shown that the Mongolian era of sumo dominance isn’t close to concluding just yet.
SUMO / Inside Sumo
Sep 6, 2023

Power of ozeki trio on display in muted return of open practice session

The first Yokozuna Deliberation Council sōken training session open to the public in four years has taken place at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 15, 2023

Top wrestlers' hot starts set stage for dramatic Kyushu tourney

The opening three days of action at the Fukuoka International Center has seen the six highest-ranked wrestlers that are taking part go a combined 17-1.
After his Emperor's Cup triumph in Tokyo last month, Onosato (right) is the clear favorite to be the next wrestler to earn promotion to ozeki.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 19, 2024

Onosato heads slim field of sumo wrestlers with ozeki potential

The wrestler's meteoric rise makes him the clear-cut favorite to become the sport's next "ozeki."
Takakeisho during a one-day tournament at Kokugikan in Tokyo in February 2020
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 25, 2024

As Onosato dominates the spotlight, former sumo stars exit the stage

Takakeisho, who announced his retirement last week, was must-watch TV for virtually all of his 6½ years in sumo's top division.
Shun Ikeda holds the trophy after winning his second consecutive amateur yokozuna title on Sunday at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 4, 2024

Lightning strikes twice for Shun Ikeda at All Japan Championships

Ikeda, now a corporate worker, has completed the rare feat of winning back-to-back amateur "yokozuna" titles.
Hoshoryu (right) practices against Kotozakura at Ryogoku Kokugikan on May 2.
SUMO
May 9, 2025

Hoshoryu dominates rivals in practice, but real test awaits at May Basho

Sumo is a sport where practice results are unreliable if taken as a predictor of future success.
Wakatakakage during a ring entering ceremony in February 2020
SUMO
Aug 13, 2025

Will Wakatakakage bring balance to the banzuke?

Recent performances and sumo’s need for two ōzeki should help the veteran’s promotion hopes.
Aonishiki (left) finished 11-4 in his first three tournaments in the top division
SUMO
Sep 5, 2025

Rising star Aonishiki set for another chance to strengthen promotion bid

Yokozuna duo Onosato and Hoshoryu still have to be considered the front-runners to lift the Emperor’s Cup in the upcoming autumn meet.
SUMO
Nov 10, 2023

Young ozeki duo may be ready to step into spotlight at Kyushu Basho

Kirishima and Hoshoryu have generated much of the excitement in Japan’s national sport over the past 12 months.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 20, 2023

Stablemaster Shikoroyama's lasting sumo legacy

The stablemaster √ leaves behind a legacy as a popular star who fostered respect for the sport and its participants among the general public.
SUMO / Inside Sumo
Mar 26, 2024

Takerufuji’s triumph is one for the ages

The Isegahama stable rookie arguably achieved one of most surprising sporting victories of all time.
Terunofuji won 10 titles in sumo's top division during his career.
SUMO
Jan 17, 2025

Yokozuna Terunofuji retires after injury-plagued career

Terunofuji, who has already acquired Japanese citizenship, will become a stablemaster after his retirement.
Onosato celebrates winning the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sunday.
SUMO / Inside Sumo
May 28, 2025

Historic rise to yokozuna just the beginning for Onosato

There is a good argument to be made that Onosato is already the most widely decorated wrestler in sumo history.
After decades of dominance by foreign wrestlers, last month Onosato became just the second Japanese this century to be named to sumo's highest rank of <i>yokozuna</i>.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 17, 2025

The national sport of Japan wrestles with a generational change

As one legend departs, another star is rising. In a new era, sumo is grappling with its future.
Onosato will be making his <i>yokozuna</i> debut during the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, which begins Sunday.
SUMO
Jul 11, 2025

Nagoya Basho shaping up to be another red-hot affair at new venue

With the IG Arena promising a far more pleasant viewing experience, anyone lucky enough to get tickets for the upcoming Nagoya tournament should be in for a treat.
Ichiyamamoto (left) defeats Gonoyama to secure a winning record at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, at IG Arena on Monday.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 23, 2025

Disappointing start to Nagoya tournament turns into fascinating final stretch

Sumo’s schedule makers will almost certainly ensure that if Ichiyamamoto is going to taste glory for the first time, he’ll have to do it the hard way.
Hoshoryu shoves down Hakuoho to move to 3-0 on Day 3 of the Autumn Basho at Kokugikan in Tokyo.
SUMO
Sep 17, 2025

Onosato and Hoshoryu off to hot starts as other contenders fall

Onosato has been dominant while Hoshoryu, who is returning from injury, has had to work harder for his wins.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 23, 2023

A closer look at sumo's 'hot hand' after Hokutofuji's Nagoya run

Hokutofuji’s career best 12-win outing in July not only came out of the blue, but was his first winning record of any kind since the previous September.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 21, 2024

Red-hot rookie Takerufuji off to historic start in Osaka tourney

In remaining unbeaten over the meet’s first 11 days, Takerufuji equaled all-time great Taiho’s record for the best-ever start for a debutant.
Onosato (left) and his stablemaster Nishonoseki celebrate after his victory at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in September.
SUMO
Nov 8, 2024

New ozeki Onosato tops list of contenders aiming for glory in Kyushu

Onosato could become the first wrestler since Hakuho in 2006 to win a championship in his debut at sumo’s second-highest rank.
Hoshoryu (center), sumo's newest yokozuna, performs the ring-entrance ceremony at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo on Friday.
SUMO
Jan 31, 2025

Tokyo crowd welcomes sumo's newest grand champion in ancient ceremony

Mongolian-born Hoshoryu became the 74th yokozuna in sumo history this week after winning the second tournament of his career.
Hoshoryu will make his debut at yokozuna during the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, which begins in Osaka on Sunday.
SUMO
Mar 7, 2025

New yokozuna Hoshoryu and rising star Onosato enter Spring Basho as favorites

Hoshoryu already has a pair of titles to his name, and is coming off perhaps the most impressive eight-bout stretch of his career to date.
Onosato (left) receives the Emperor's Cup from Japan Sumo Association Chairman Hakkaku in Osaka on March 23.
SUMO
Apr 2, 2025

Sumo’s 'Big 12' are an eclectic group

Only a dozen rikishi now active have lifted the Emperor’s Cup on the final day of a tournament.
Onosato's victory at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament gave him his fifth Emperor’s Cup at the age of 25.
SUMO
Sep 29, 2025

Onosato’s fifth title cements preeminent position in Japan’s national sport

The question now is just how many Emperor’s Cups can the massive yokozuna win?

Longform

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