The headline story: Hoshōryū becomes Yokozuna
Hoshōryū’s 2025 began with the moment every fan will remember: his promotion to Yokozuna on January 29, 2025, approved at a Japan Sumo Association (JSA) board of directors’ meeting, following a 12–3 yūshō victory at the January (Hatsu) basho. The promotion was revealed in the ranking session prior to the March tournament, formally ushering in a new era at the top of the banzuke.
For a sport that measures greatness in both results and presence, Hoshōryū’s rise to the rope at age 25 instantly raised expectations—not just for titles, but for durability.
A turbulent Yokozuna debut: Haru withdrawal and unwanted history
Those expectations met reality quickly in March. In his first tournament as a Yokozuna at the March 2025 (Haru) basho, Hoshōryū lost on opening day and then three more matches, before withdrawing after Day 9 with a neck sprain and right elbow injury.
The historical footnote is stark: he became the first Yokozuna since Futahaguro (1986) to withdraw from his first tournament at the sport’s highest rank. It was an early reminder that Yokozuna sumo is judged not only by peaks, but by the ability to stay on the dohyo.
May rebound: 12–3 runner-up and a statement win
Hoshōryū answered in May with the kind of performance that stabilizes a Yokozuna narrative. Returning at the May 2025 tournament, he finished runner-up at 12–3.
One bout in particular stood out: he defeated Onosato on the final day, denying Onosato a perfect record. Even without a championship, it was a high-profile win that mattered—especially as Onosato’s own push toward the rope became one of the year’s defining storylines.
Nagoya setback: toe injury forces another withdrawal
July brought the season’s most troubling health update. At the July (Nagoya) basho, Hoshōryū started 1–3 and then withdrew due to bruising and a sprain of his left big toe, diagnosed as a crack in the bone with an estimated one month’s recovery.
The broader context made it even more concerning: he became only the third Yokozuna since 1958 to miss two of his first three tournaments. For fans, it shifted the conversation from “How many yūshō?” to “How often can he compete?”
Regional tour return: protective tabi and signs of progress
There was at least a tangible step forward in early August. After withdrawing in July, Hoshōryū returned to action by August 7, 2025, joining the JSA’s regional tour in Ibaraki. He took part in sparring, including sessions where he faced Onosato, and he did so while wearing split-toe “tabi” socks to protect his injured foot.
Reports from that tour noted the injury had been fractured and dislocated, underscoring how serious the Nagoya issue had been.
The JSA’s other major headline: Onosato joins him at the top
The other official announcement that reshaped the top division came on May 28, 2025, when the JSA promoted Onosato to Yokozuna, making him the 75th Yokozuna and ending the drought of Japanese-born Yokozuna.
That promotion also created a structural shift fans had been waiting for: for the first time since 2021, sumo has two active Yokozuna—Hoshōryū and Onosato.
Late-year results: playoff loss, then a strong Kyūshū scoreline
In September 2025, the rivalry sharpened further when Onosato defeated Hoshōryū in a playoff to win the tournament, marking Onosato’s first yūshō as Yokozuna.
By November 2025, Hoshōryū competed as West Yokozuna and posted another 12–3. The final day included a default win (fusenshō). It wasn’t a championship, but it was a strong record that suggested steadier footing late in the year.
Stable notes & injury watch: what we can responsibly say
There have been no verified JSA announcements identified regarding Hoshōryū’s future beyond the confirmed rank changes in 2025. Likewise, based on the verified information available here, no specific stable news items beyond his regional tour participation and injury management have been confirmed.
What is clear is the injury timeline that will hang over any 2026 conversation:
- March: neck sprain and right elbow injury (withdrawal after Day 9)
- July: left big toe injury (crack in the bone; later described as fractured and dislocated)
- August: returned on tour in protective tabi
Looking ahead to 2026: the standard is now consistency
As of the JSA’s official profile following the November tournament, Hoshōryū’s career record stands at 373–217–20, with a top-division record of 291–169–20. His most-used winning techniques are yorikiri (25%), oshidashi (13%), and hatakikomi (9%).
Based on recent reports, 2026’s key theme won’t simply be rivalry—it will be availability. With two Yokozuna active again, the sport has a clear top-tier storyline. For Hoshōryū, the path to defining the next year is straightforward on paper: stay healthy, stay present, and turn 12–3 quality tournaments into yūshō finishes.