NAGOYA – The Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament begins on Sunday at the new IG Arena, with high anticipation surrounding the debut of new Yokozuna Onosato and the move to the new venue. This excitement is reflected in a record number of prize money banners expected for a regional tournament. However, the competitive landscape has been significantly altered by the injury-related absences of popular top-division wrestlers, including Sekiwake Daieisho and Maegashira Endo.
Yokozuna Hoshoryu, aiming for his first championship in his third tournament at the rank, concluded his preparations on Friday. “I was able to train well,” he said. “All that’s left is to do it. I’m just thinking about concentrating and getting through the 15 days.” Despite facing Komusubi Takayasu on the opening day, an opponent against whom he has a difficult career record, Hoshoryu remains composed. “I know I’ll face him in turn, so I’m not too conscious of it,” he stated, emphasizing his focus is only on the opponent of the day rather than a potential final-day showdown with Onosato.
However, the top of the division has been weakened by injuries. On Friday, the diagnoses for two wrestlers from Oitekaze stable were announced. East Sekiwake Daieisho has a “ruptured right gastrocnemius muscle” and is expected to require about two months of medical treatment. West Maegashira #7 Endo underwent surgery on July 10 for multiple issues including a “right knee anterior cruciate ligament injury” and will require two months of hospitalisation and treatment. Daieisho’s absence complicates his Ozeki promotion hopes, while Endo’s full withdrawal makes his demotion to the Juryo division certain.
The injury list extends to the Juryo division, where West #10 Nabatame is expected to be out for approximately four tournaments following ligament transplant surgery on his knee. His stablemaster, former Ozeki Miyabiyama, confirmed that Nabatame will restart his career from the Sandanme division once he has fully recovered.
With Ozeki Kotozakura as the sole occupant of the rank, the promotion race is a key focus. Daieisho’s injury opens the door for other contenders, with attention turning to rising star Aoanishiki. The 21-year-old from Ukraine, now ranked at Maegashira #1, has earned two consecutive Fighting Spirit prizes since his top division debut. His technique, honed under his master, former Sekiwake Aminishiki, is highly regarded, and this tournament will be a crucial test as he faces the top-ranked wrestlers for the first time.
The overall excitement for the tournament is confirmed by the 2,391 prize money banners (kensho) that have been pledged, a number expected to set a new record for a regional tournament. New Yokozuna Onosato attracted the most designated banners with 287, more than double his total from last year’s Nagoya tournament, followed by Kotozakura and new Komusubi Oshoma. The tournament begins amidst these high expectations, tempered by the challenges of a depleted top division.
Sources:
The Chanko Pot 
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