With injuries limiting him to one full tournament in 2023, the sumo world faces the prospect of lone yokozuna Terunofuji retiring before another wrestler has ascended to the sport's highest rank.
Sekiwake Hoshoryu captures his first elite makuuchi-division championship after beating rank-and-file wrestler Hokutofuji in a playoff at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
Anchor, Play-by-Play Sumo Announcer
The New Year’s Grand Sumo Tournament took place under somewhat strained circumstances amid the resurgence of new coronavirus infections. Fortunately, the battle in the ring proceeded without any major hiccups, concluding its 15-day run on January 24 in Tokyo. And, the race for the championship was settled on the final day with the emergence of a new hero who hoisted the Emperor’s Cup for the very first time.
Coronavirus takes its toll
Prior to the tournament, the Japan Sumo Association conducted PCR testing on all its nearly 900 association members. So, the first tournament of the new year kicked off on January 10 minus 65 wrestlers. They’d either tested positive or came into contact with someone who did. In the Makunouchi top division, six wrestlers were sidelined to COVID-19 related issues, including Yokozuna grand champion Hakuho.