Overview

• Japan Sumo Association confirmed his promotion on May 28 following dominant 14-1 performances in the March and May grand tournaments.
• At 24 and after only 13 professional tournaments, he is the fastest in the modern six-tournament era to reach the sport’s highest rank.
• His elevation ends a six-of-seven Mongolian champion streak and crowns the first Japan-born grand champion in eight years.
• He will meet Mongolia-born yokozuna Hoshoryu in the Nagoya tournament in July, marking their first top-rank showdown.
• Onosato has vowed to uplift his native Ishikawa Prefecture after last year’s earthquake and tsunami, and his untarnished record is seen as a chance to restore interest in sumo following recent scandals.