Sumo

Mitakeumi rises to second-highest rank in sumo

The Yomiuri Shimbun

13:50 JST, January 26, 2022

Mitakeumi was officially promoted on Wednesday from sekiwake to ozeki, the second-highest rank in professional sumo.

The Japan Sumo Association unanimously decided on Mitakeumi’s promotion at a meeting to set the rankings for the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka City in mid-March, and at an extraordinary meeting of its executive board.

Pool photo / The Yomiuri Shimbun
Mitakeumi raises his fists in the air at the Dewanoumi stable in Tokyo after being promoted to ozeki on Wednesday.

After the JSA’s decision, a messenger from the association delivered the news to the Dewanoumi stable in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, that Mitakeumi belongs to.

“I humbly accept the promotion,” Mitakeumi said. “I will devote myself further to sumo so as not to disgrace the title of ozeki with a sense of gratitude, while making the most of my strong points.”

Pool photo / The Yomiuri Shimbun
Mitakeumi holds a sea red bream, a symbol of good fortune, at the Dewanoumi stable in Tokyo after being promoted to ozeki on Wednesday.

When he was a student of Toyo University, Mitakeumi won the titles of “amateur yokozuna” and “student yokozuna.” He made his professional debut at No. 10 in the makushita division in the spring tournament in 2015. With his strong pushes, he won his third career makuuchi title at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament this year.

Mitakeumi is the second ozeki from Nagano Prefecture, following the powerful Raiden in the Edo period (1603-1867).