Mongolian yokozuna Hoshoryu claimed victory at the Grand Sumo Tournament at Royal Albert Hall on October 19, defeating fellow grand champion Onosato in the final bout of the five-day exhibition. The tournament marked the first time sumo had been staged outside Japan in 20 years and drew approximately 27,000 fans across sold-out performances in the British capital.
Sumo Hoshoryu Earns Giant Soy Sauce Bottle
The awards ceremony drew enthusiastic reactions from the capacity crowd of 5,400 attendees when Hoshoryu received two unconventional prizes alongside his championship trophy. Tournament sponsor Kikkoman UK presented the 26-year-old wrestler with a giant inflatable bottle of soy sauce, while Sanrio awarded him an enormous Hello Kitty plush toy measuring 100 centimeters in height.