The 25-year-old Mongolian sumo wrestler Hoshoryu has marked a historic achievement by winning the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament and securing his promotion to yokozuna, the highest rank in sumo.
Hoshoryu
The tournament concluded on January 26, 2025, at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan arena, where Hoshoryu rose to the top in dramatic fashion. Hoshoryu clinched his second Emperor’s Cup in a thrilling three-way playoff. After finishing the 15-day tournament with a 12-3 record alongside maegashira-ranked wrestlers Kinbozan and Oho, Hoshoryu triumphed by defeating both opponents consecutively. This victory follows his first title at the Nagoya tournament in July 2023, further cementing his place among Sumo’s elite.