Ulaanbaatar
Ozeki Hoshoryu Byambasuren Wins Emperor's Cup at Hatsu Basho
Sports
Ulaanbaatar, January 27, 2025 /MONTSAME/. The 2025 Hatsu Basho, Grand Sumo Tournament, concluded at Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Arena after 15 days of fierce competition. Mongolian sumo wrestler Ozeki Hoshoryu Byambasuren Sugarragchaa emerged victorious, clinching his second Emperor’s Cup with a 12–3 record.
On the final day, Hoshoryu squared off in two additional bouts, defeating Kazakhstan’s Kinbozan and Ōhō Kōnosuke, the grandson of legendary Yokozuna Taihō, sealing his triumph. This victory marks the 103rd championship captured by Mongolian sumo wrestlers in the 23 years since they entered professional sumo and is Hoshoryu’s first as an Ozeki.
Following his outstanding performance, Hoshoryu Byambasuren’s promotion to the Yokozuna title will be deliberated by the Japan Sumo Association and the Yokozuna Deliberation Council. If approved, Hoshoryu Byambasuren will become the 74th Yokozuna in professional sumo history and the sixth Yokozuna from Mongolia.
In the history of professional sumo, Grand Champion Hakuho Davaajargal holds a record 45 championships, followed by Asashoryu Dagvadorj 25, Yokozuna Terunofuji Gan-Erdene 10, Harumafuji Byambadorj 9, and Kakuryu Anand with six championships. Hoshoryu Byambasuren is now a two-time champion, joining Maegashira Tamawashi Munkh-Orgil and Kirishima Lkhagvasuren, who also hold two championship titles each. Kyokutenho Tsevegnyam and Ichinojo Ichinnorov have each won one championship.
Kirishima Lkhagvasuren made an impressive comeback after three straight losses at the start of the tournament, ultimately finishing with 11 wins and earning the Kanto-Sho or the Fighting Spirit Prize. He is set to compete at the rank of Komusubi in the Spring Basho. Meanwhile, 40-year-old Tamawashi Munkh-Orgil posted nine wins, while Oshoma Delgerbayar finished with eight, Tamashoho Erdenebileg six, Onokatsu Choijilsuren seven, and Chiyoshoma Munkhsaikhan nine wins.
Of the 19 Mongolian wrestlers who competed in the Hatsu Basho, one secured the championship title, while 11 achieved kachikoshi, finishing with more wins than losses. Additionally, Yokozuna Terunofuji Gan-Erdene, the 73rd Grand Champion, withdrew from the tournament midway through and announced his retirement.
