A historic year ends with Ōnosato on top
Ōnosato Daiki closes out 2025 not just as the sport’s headline act, but as Yokozuna—the highest rank in sumo—according to the Japan Sumo Association’s official rikishi profile. It’s a status that now frames every expectation around him heading into 2026: dominance, dignity, and durability.
The defining moment came on May 28, 2025, when Ōnosato was promoted to Yokozuna after just 13 professional tournaments, the fastest rise in the modern six-basho calendar era (Kyodo News). The promotion carried extra significance: he became the first Japanese-born Yokozuna in eight years, since his stablemaster Kisenosato achieved the rank in 2017 (The Japan Times).
Recent events and developments: the 2025 results that shaped the narrative
Ōnosato’s year wasn’t just about the rope—it was about backing it up on the dohyo.
Key tournament markers from 2025:- March 2025 (Haru Basho): Ōnosato won the Spring tournament at 12–3, taking the Emperor’s Cup via a playoff win over Takayasu (Asahi). This was his third career championship and his first since being promoted to Ozeki (Asahi).
- May 2025 (Natsu Basho): He followed with a 14–1 championship, his second consecutive title and fourth career championship, which directly secured his Yokozuna promotion (Asahi).
- July 2025 (Nagoya Basho): In his Yokozuna debut, he posted 11–4 and finished runner-up. The tournament included his first Yokozuna-career loss on Day 4 to Ōhō, followed by losses to Hakuōhō, Tamawashi, and Kotoshōhō—with the latter result noted for producing a record number of kinboshi against a debuting Yokozuna. He finished with two straight wins to close (Wikipedia).
- September 2025 (Autumn/Aki Basho): Ōnosato captured his first championship as Yokozuna, defeating Hoshōryū in a playoff after both finished 13–2, marking his fifth career title (Asahi).
- November 2025 (Kyushu Basho): Ranked East Yokozuna, he went 11–4, with his final bout recorded as a default loss (fusenpai) (JSA profile).
As of the November 2025 tournament, the JSA lists his makuuchi career record at 136–44 and his overall career record at 170–54.
Official JSA announcements: promotion remains the centerpiece
In terms of official announcements, the major confirmed JSA-linked development in 2025 is Ōnosato’s Yokozuna promotion following his May championship run. Beyond that, there are no verified reports in the provided sources of additional JSA announcements tied to him this year.
Stable news and updates: the Kisenosato connection
One of the most resonant storylines around Ōnosato’s ascent is his link to his stablemaster Kisenosato—the last Japanese-born Yokozuna before him (2017). The symbolism matters: Ōnosato’s promotion ends an eight-year gap and places him in direct conversation with the modern identity of Japanese sumo.
(Additional stable updates are not confirmed in the supplied sources.)
Injury report: no kyūjō reported in 2025
For a Yokozuna, availability is part of greatness. Notably, there are no reports of injuries or kyūjō (withdrawal) affecting Ōnosato in 2025 in the provided sources. That clean bill of health—at least publicly—sets a strong baseline for 2026.
Looking ahead to 2026: the opportunities and pressure points
With Ōnosato already established at Yokozuna, 2026 becomes less about arrival and more about sustained excellence.
Based on recent reports and confirmed 2025 outcomes, storylines to watch include:
- Championship accumulation: Having won as Yokozuna in September, the next step is stacking titles across the full six-tournament calendar.
- The rivalry with Hoshōryū: Their September playoff, plus their earlier July meeting in Ōnosato’s debut Yokozuna tournament, sets up a rivalry that could define the top of the banzuke in 2026.
- Consistency and prestige: With no injury withdrawals reported in 2025, the question becomes whether he can maintain strong winning totals across all six tournaments while upholding the expectations of the rank.
Ōnosato’s 2025 gave sumo a new center of gravity. Now comes the harder part: staying there.