NAGOYA – The Japan Sumo Association has released the opening day matchups for the Grand Sumo Tournament starting this Sunday, with the debut of new Yokozuna Onosato taking centre stage. The tournament preparations, however, have been impacted by news that Sekiwake Daieisho and Maegashira Endo are expected to withdraw due to injury, altering the landscape of the top division.
Onosato of the Nishonoseki stable is scheduled to make his Yokozuna debut against new Komusubi Oshoma. The bout pits Onosato against a wrestler who was two years his senior at Nippon Sport Science University. The new Yokozuna’s university coach, Kazuo Saito, recently commented on his former student’s rapid progress, comparing his potential to that of former Yokozuna Takanohana. “I have met two people with great ability. They are Takanohana and Onosato,” Saito stated, noting his pupil’s analytical approach to the sport. “Becoming a great Yokozuna is his final destination.”
Onosato’s promotion has also drawn parallels with the late 54th Yokozuna Wajima. Like Wajima, Onosato is from Ishikawa Prefecture and rose from a student sumo background, breaking Wajima’s record for the fastest promotion to the top rank.
While Onosato begins his journey at the top, the sanyaku ranks will be missing a key figure. Sekiwake Daieisho of Oitekaze stable is contending with a right calf muscle injury. His stablemaster indicated a need for caution to prevent a more serious issue. Popular Maegashira Endo from the same stable is also expected to be absent, reportedly requiring knee surgery that will necessitate a recovery period of one to two months.
Other notable opening day bouts include the other active Yokozuna, Hoshoryu, facing veteran Komusubi Takayasu, an opponent against whom he has historically struggled. Ozeki Kotozakura is slated to meet Maegashira #1 Aoanishiki.
Further down the banzuke, other wrestlers are looking to the Nagoya tournament as a turning point. Maegashira #10 Atamifuji, a popular rikishi from Atami City, is aiming to break out of a performance slump that has seen him post six losing records in his last nine tournaments. Now part of a new stable structure under the leadership of Yokozuna Terunofuji (Isegahama-oyakata), Atamifuji is treating the tournament as a “quasi-local” event and has expressed a renewed determination. “My goal is to win all my bouts. I’m always aiming for that,” he said, citing motivation from the success of younger stablemates who have risen through the ranks.
The tournament will commence on Sunday at Nagoya’s new IG Arena.
The Chanko Pot 
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