Japan Celebrates First Homegrown Sumo Grand Champion in Years

For the first time in nearly a decade, Japan has crowned a native son as yokozuna — the highest rank in sumo wrestling — ending years of Mongolian dominance in the sport.

Meet Onosato, a 24-year-old powerhouse weighing in at 191 kilograms (421 pounds), who now stands at the pinnacle of Japan’s most sacred sport. Onosato, whose real name is Daiki Nakamura, was officially promoted on Wednesday by the Japan Sumo Association after back-to-back tournament wins — most recently at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament, following a major victory in March.

“I’ll devote myself to training so that I will not disgrace the title of yokozuna,” said Onosato, dressed in formal kimono, seated respectfully on the floor. “I aim to become a one-and-only yokozuna.”

A Big Win for Japan – In More Ways Than One

Onosato’s promotion is a milestone for Japan. He’s the first Japanese-born yokozuna since 2017, breaking a streak dominated by Mongolian wrestlers. In fact, six of the last seven grand champions have hailed from Mongolia.

This isn’t just a win for Japanese sumo — it’s a source of national pride and emotional uplift, especially for Onosato’s home region of Ishikawa Prefecture, which was devastated by a powerful earthquake and tsunami earlier this year. The January 1 disaster claimed about 600 lives and caused severe damage, particularly on the Noto Peninsula.

“I will work hard as a yokozuna to encourage and cheer up Ishikawa and the Noto region,” Onosato said.

A Dream Realized Through Discipline

Onosato’s rise was no accident. He set his sights on becoming a yokozuna from the moment he entered the sumo world.

“I determined that yokozuna should be my goal once I entered sumo,” he shared. “It’s not easy to achieve, and I’m really delighted.”

Sumo is steeped in ritual and tradition, with roots dating back over 1,000 years. It’s not only Japan’s national sport but also deeply tied to Shinto, the country’s indigenous religion. Professional sumo is contested only in Japan, and wrestlers live under a strict regimen in communal stables, following ancient customs in diet, dress, and discipline.

A New Rivalry on the Horizon

With his promotion, Onosato joins Mongolia-born Hoshoryu as the only other active yokozuna in the sport today. Their rivalry is already generating buzz, with the two set to face off in July at a tournament in Nagoya.

As the sumo world looks ahead, fans will be watching closely — not just for epic matches, but for what Onosato’s rise means for the future of Japanese sumo.