TOKYO - Ōnosato has secured his place as the fastest wrestler in sumo history to be promoted to the rank of yokozuna, reaching the sport’s highest title in just 13 tournaments since his debut.
The 24-year-old from Ishikawa Prefecture began sumo in first grade and later moved away from home to attend a prestigious high school in Niigata. At Nippon Sport Science University, he won the title of amateur yokozuna two years in a row.
To understand the magnitude of this achievement, it's worth reviewing how the sumo ranking system works. Of the roughly 600 ranked wrestlers, everyone starts from the bottom in jonokuchi, then moves through jonidan, sandamme, and makushita, all unpaid ranks that involve serving higher-ranked wrestlers. Salaried status only begins at the jūryō level, from which a wrestler may advance into the top division known as makuuchi, starting at maegashira and then progressing through komusubi, sekiwake, and ōzeki.
Only those who win two consecutive championships at ōzeki rank or perform at an equivalent level are eligible for promotion to yokozuna. Ōnosato has done this in an extraordinary 13 tournaments—barely over two years.
Since the six-tournament annual system began, the fastest promotion to yokozuna had been Asashōryū’s 25 tournaments. Other legendary names such as Hakuhō, Takanohana, and Chiyonofuji took 38, 41, and 66 tournaments, respectively. Ōnosato’s 13-tournament rise is thus unparalleled.
One reason for his rapid ascent is the makushita tsukedashi system, which allows exceptional amateur wrestlers like Ōnosato to start their professional careers from the higher makushita division. Yet even under this system, only one other wrestler, Wajima, ever reached yokozuna—doing so in 21 tournaments. This further highlights the exceptional speed of Ōnosato’s rise.
What makes the feat even more historic is that Ōnosato has posted winning records in all 13 tournaments since his debut—something no other wrestler has achieved before.
What explains his extraordinary dominance? His physical attributes are a clear factor: standing 192 cm tall and weighing 191 kg, he combines size with agility. Most wrestlers in this weight class tend to lack speed and technique, but Ōnosato is the exception.
Former yokozuna Wakanohana, also known as Masaru Hanada, praised him, saying, "He doesn’t just rely on his power and thrusts—he adjusts his style based on the opponent. His ability to launch into his opponent at the tachi-ai is fast, and his athleticism is exceptional. With that body, it's like a demon with an iron club."
Hanada called him “a truly extraordinary talent—like the Ōhtani of the sumo world.”
Ōnosato, who declared his motto as “one of a kind” upon being promoted to ōzeki, is already making good on that promise. All eyes are now on what kind of yokozuna he will become.
Source: TBS
