Yokozuna Onosato Captures Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament Title with Win in All-Yokozuna Playoff

The Japan News

17:51 JST, September 28, 2025

It took an extra match and a review by the judges, but in the end, yokozuna Onosato walked off with the title of the Autumn Grand Tournament.

Onosato defeated fellow yokozuna Hoshoryu in a thrilling playoff, minutes after losing to him in the final regulation bout, to capture his fifth career championship and first as a yokozuna on Sunday at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.

“I had a tough time at the last tournament and I didn’t want to experience that again, so I really devoted myself,” Onosato said of falling short at the previous tournament in his yokozuna debut. “I’m really happy I could win at this tournament.”

In the first championship playoff between yokozuna in 16 years, Onosato withstood Hoshoryu’s attempt at his patented overarm throw, managing to keep his foot in the ring just long enough as he sent Hoshoryu sailing out while he himself plopped to the ground.

The victory was declared following a judges’ conference after a few tense minutes.

“I wasn’t sure what the outcome would be, but I believed I had won,” Onosato said.

Hoshoryu entered the final day trailing Onosato by one win, but had a 6-2 advantage in head-to-head meetings between them, including victories in the last three — all by overarm throw. But this time, Onosato came up with a counter to the technique to turn the tide.

In the regulation bout, Hoshoryu stood up Onosato with stiff arms to his upper chest, then stayed low and pressed forward. The match ending quickly when Onosato’s left foot slipped over the edge as he tried to evade the charge, leaving both with 13-2 records.

“I got greedy and it hurt me,” Onosato said. “I didn’t want to have it finish like this, so I gave everything I had to win out at the end.”

In winning his third title this year, Onosato bounced back after struggling at the previous Nagoya Tournament, when he fell out of contention early and finished with a disappointing (for him) 11-4 record.

The last time that two yokozuna met in a championship playoff was in 2009, when Asashoryu defeated Hakuho for the Autumn Tournament title. It was the same result as a playoff between the two at that year’s New Year Tournament.

Not to be overlooked amid the excitement of the clash of yokozuna on Sunday was the performance of Ukrainian komusubi Aonishiki, who continued his remarkable run since leaving his war-torn country and turning pro in September 2023.

Aonishiki, who has never had a losing record at any level during his rise up the ranks, was forced out by No. 4 maegashira Wakamotoharu to finish with a still-impressive 11-4 record that included a win over Hoshoryu on the 12th day.

His exploits earned Aonishiki the Technique Prize, marking the fourth time in four tournaments in the upper-most makuuchi division that he has received an award.

Aonishiki made history when he earned promotion to komusubi after just 12 tournaments, setting a record for the fastest rise in the sanyaku — the three ranks below yokozuna. With both sekiwake facing demotion, he is all but assured of a move up.

No. 7 maegashira Takanosho topped off a strong tournament by keeping the pressure on sekiwake Wakatakakage as they slid around the ring before forcing him out to finish 12-3 and earn the Fighting Spirit Prize. Wakatakakage fell to 6-9.

The Outstanding Performance Award went to No. 2 maegashira Hakuoho, whose 8-7 record included a victory over Onosato on the fourth day.

In a clash between former ozeki with losing records, komusubi Takayasu prevailed in an intense slapping battle with sekiwake Kirishima. Takayasu finished at 7-8, while Kirishima ended up 6-9.