First-Time Title Winners

DOSUKOI Sumo Salon.

Today we look at first-time title winners.

As Hakuho, you won an amazing 45 tournaments.

How did it feel when you won your very first title?

That's when I first truly believed I could make it to yokozuna.

Hakuho claimed his first title at the 2006 May Tournament.

The 21-year-old Hakuho was tied for the lead with his opponent Miyabiyama.

Hakuho goes for the mawashi belt
but can’t grab it.

Miyabiyama pushing and thrusting.
Hakuho looking to contain him.

Hakuho seizes a left overarm grip!

The crowd is roaring!

Hakuho maintains pressure.

He makes his move.

Yorikiri, frontal force out.
Hakuho wins his first title!

Winning my first championship made me believe I could do it again.

And seeing the happy faces of my supporters and family...I'll never forget it.

A maiden title is a career-defining moment that marks the arrival of a new star.

But becoming a champion is no easy task.

Kotoshogiku clinches
his first title!

Since the introduction of six tournaments a year in 1958, about 7000 rikishi have fought in the ring.

But only 71 have won a top-division championship.

That's one percent.

So it's no surprise each of them has a story to tell.

Over the past several years, the sumo world has seen a curious phenomenon.

A run of first-time champions.

The January Tournament in particular has crowned a first-time title winner six years in a row.

What's behind this trend?

Today we'll analyze the statistics behind first-time champions.

What does it take to win your first title?

It almost feels like heaven is on your side.

We'll uncover surprising new facts and dare to predict first-time title winners.

Welcome to DOSUKOI Sumo Salon.

Welcome to DOSUKOI Sumo Salon.

I'm Hiro Morita.

In this program, we dive deep into the world of sumo spotlighting techniques and key concepts and breaking down sumo statistics from a unique perspective.

And joining me today is Saya Ichikawa.

-Saya, welcome to the show.
-Hi, thank you for having me.

You know, today's our theme is the first-time title winners, so are there any first-time title winners that you remember?

One that I can't forget is it was on the clip just now, Kyokutenho.

Kyokutenho, ok.

In the final playoffs against Tochiozan.

And he won in like a second it was.

And then he immediately started crying.

It was really dramatic, emotional.

I remember really well.

Well, mine is Musoyama.

The way he fought, just straight into his fell and no gamesmanship or anything.

So, I love the way he fought and that's why I remember Musoyama.

Let's introduce our another guest for today's show who is Musashigawa oyakata.

Who knows Musoyama very well.

Musashigawa Oyakata, welcome to the show, Oyakata.

Can I go home now?

Hang on a second.

Not just yet.

All right.

Oyakata, you are the 67th Yokozuna grand champion, and we all remember your first title winning in 1994, July Basho.

And you remember that basho really well?

Yes, I do.

That was like first like 15 and 0 championship in like five years.

And what do you remember most from those title run?

The last five days was the hard days that, you know, I had to challenge the Ozeki.

In the last three days., I had to, I think was the Futagoyama I had to wrestle.

Yeah, I was nervous for the last three days.

Okay, why don't we take a look at Oyakata's final day match and clinching your championship in that tournament?

Here you are.

So Musashimaru on the right against Takanohana, My game plan was trying to push him, but.

But he got in my way of pushing, so he put out his right hand and, you know, trying to block me.

And he got in, you know, grabbed my belt.

Did you think you were in trouble right there? No.

What come from behind?

I was thinking I was going to lose because he had two hands on a belt.

Right.

What a memorable moment for you!

How did it feel to win afterwards?

It's just another day in the tournament.

Really?

Another day at the office?

Yeah, just another day at the office.

Yeah, went home, you know, started drinking.

-Just like another day and just another day, you know, okay.
-I think that's good.

All right.

Lets's move on.

We conducted an online interview survey to find out our viewers most memorable first-time title wins.

First let's look at numbers 15 through 6.

Nearly all of these rikishi clinched their first titles in and after the 90s.

Only one did so in the 80s...

Number 11, Chiyonofuji.

Many remembered the win signaling the start of "the era of the Wolf," which left an indelible mark on many young sumo fans.

Chiyonofuji, a.k.a. "Wolf," won his first title in 1981.

He entered the final day undefeated.

His opponent was 20-time champion Yokozuna Kitanoumi.

The Yokozuna pulls Chiyonofuji in.

He lifts him up!

Kitanoumi wins!

With both tied at 14 and 1, the title would be decided in a playoff.

Chiyonofuji presses with his head.

Kitanoumi makes his move.

Chiyonofuji wins!

TV audience ratings for the bout peaked at 62.5 %.

It was a match that went down in history.

The key to victory lay in their initial bout, the one Chinoyofuji lost.

As he was being lifted out of the ring, he saw Kitanoumi's leg buckle.

Is he having trouble with his left knee?

In the playoff, Chiyonofuji showed no mercy, applying torque to bring the great man down.

He shook my hand!

Next we spotlight number 8, Kotoshogiku.

Many were moved by the handshake he shared with his rival Toyonoshima after the championship match.

Despite repeated injury struggles, he'd managed to enter the tournament as ozeki.

On day 13, the undefeated Kotoshogiku faced Toyonoshima, who was 10 and 2.

The longtime friends had been sumo rivals since grade school.

Kotoshogiku falls outside the ring!

After securing a win the next day, he went into the final match with sole possession of the lead.

He gets his left arm inside
and pushes forward.

Kotenage, arm lock throw!

Kotoshogiku's first title at last!

Waiting to congratulate him was Toyonoshima, who'd handed him his only loss of the tournament.

We saw Toyonoshima waiting for you.
What did he say?

He said he was happy for me.
That made my day!

Next is number 6, Goeido.

He won all 15 bouts to clinch his first title.

But it was the post-tournament interview that touched the hearts of sumo fans.

The 2016 September Tournament.

Goeido had finished the previous tournament with more losses than wins-his ozeki ranking was on the line.

I thought I'd rather retire than be demoted.

That's why I was determined to leave it all out there.

With a series of powerful initial charges, he racked up 13 straight wins from Day one.

A 14th would guarantee him the title.

He gets an underarm grip.
He's in control.

He wins his first title!

A perfect finish.
He stands victorious.

In the post-victory interview, the usually stone-faced Goeido began to well up.

The camera starts to zoom in...

My focus was on my style of sumo.

And then...

I've been having a rough time.

There were some tough days.

But today makes up for it all.

When we showed him the footage...

Why'd they have to zoom in so close?

Stay tuned for the top five!

So we just took a look at those rankings.

The number six is Goeido, of course, but what are some of the memorable moments for you Saya?

Well for Goeido.

Like, I remember watching that on live TV and I was just you know, it was riveting.

I was emotional.

But now that I watched it just now, it just goes right into the eyes and then you see the reaction.

So it's kind of interesting.

Okay and we have prepared this list for you.

Do you have one?

And Oyakata.Here you go.

And please take a look at this list.

We've had 71 first time champion since 1958.

Anything strikes you from this list?

There's really this long time from this is 2000 what three.

Yeah something like that.

Asashoryu, hakuho, it's just you have just the same person most same few people winning.

Right those white blanks are won by the same person, Asashoryu, and Hakuho.

So that's what happens when someone dominates the ring.

Oyakata, look at the list, 2016.

For six straight years, you have first time winners in this January tournament alone.

Very interesting statistics right here.

All right.

Now, now Oyakata, out of the six grand sumo tournaments.

Which one do you think crowned the most first-time title winners?

It might be in a summertime.

Summertime.

I think summertime is the best.

So why don't we take a look at the results?

Here we go.

First time title winners by tournament, January with most 18.

How do you explain this, Oyakata?

I think the hangover from the new year's party.

So let's take another look.

And then what's behind the string of first time championships in January?

We spoke to Daieisho, who won his first title in the January Tournament in 2021.

So this is for real?

What do you mean?

First-time champions have won the January Tournament six years in a row, and the data actually shows that historically,

the January tournament has produced the most first-time champions.

Why do you think that is?

I'd say it's probably because it's the first tournament of the year.

So all the rikishi are fired up.

Takekuma Oyakata, a former ozeki, won his first title in the September Tournament.

I never did well in the January Tournament.

The weather's too cold.

I always wished they'd hold it in February.

How about former Yokozuna Hakuho?

After the holidays, training resumes on January 3rd or 4th, and the tournament starts soon after.

I used to push myself really hard, practicing 2 or 3 times a day to get back into shape.

Looking back, I'd overwork myself, spinning my wheels, so I would often run out of steam by the second half of the tournament.

Even top-ranked rikishi struggle to find their rhythm at the January Tournament.

We broke down Hakuho's 45 championship titles by tournament.

He won the January Tournament just four times-his worst tournament out of the six each year.

How about yokozuna throughout history?

They've claimed the fewest number of titles in the January Tournament.

With the cold weather and the year-end and New Year's holidays, it seems it's tough for them to get back into top form.

How about the rikishi who won their first title in the January Tournament?

Did they do anything special to prepare?

We asked five rikishi who achieved the feat.

Hidenoyama Oyakata, formerly Kotoshogiku, says he kept training over the holidays.

"Everyone takes the 31st and 1st off. That was my chance."

"I worked out hard without a break, which gave me confidence."

Tamawashi won his maiden title at 34.

He says he always watches his weight after the November Tournament in Kyushu.

We asked him why.

Everyone puts on weight during the November Tournament in Kyushu.

The food in Kyushu is just so good.

It's great!

He says rikishi tend to gain weight during the November tournament.

But not Tamawashi.

I work hard not just to manage my weight but to turn fat into muscle.

I weigh myself after waking up and again after going to the bathroom.

So I weigh myself twice a day.

Every day?

Every day.

More than at any other tournament, at the first one of the year, the title is up for grabs.

To tell you the truth about January, it's very hard because when you're coming from Kyushu, it's still warm.

When you come back to Tokyo, it's very cold.

It's the bodies have a hard time adjusting to the weather.

I also think that during the January tournament, you know, sumo rikishi like wright greeting card saying, you know, new year resolution

and they're like kind of extra motivated to start the year on a high note.

So I think everybody is kind of fired up.

I was never fired up.

You're always calm.

It's like everyday thing for me.

Okay.

Also just from a fan perspective, January, I think people in the crowds are the most riled up as well.

Like they're excited.

Like people who don't actually usually go to see Sumo, they go in January just because it's auspicious.

And so when there's like a dark horse coming up, I bet, like the crowds are really, you know, cheering for it.

The "IKIOI" when they win one or two.

Most of somo, during the the winter tournament, you got to look at the first five days.

Five days, you can see where the thing is going.

Oh, really?

-Yeah.
-Wow.

That's only for winter.

For January?

-No, no.
-For the tournament.

The first five days you watch, you're going to see where the thing is going if these guys is going to represent, win the cup at the end.

Yeah.

But keeping yourself in a good shape physically is a very important part in doing well in the January tournament.

But there are other elements at play that you might not expect.

Daieisho, a rikishi known for his trademark pushing and thrusting attacks, had an interesting insight.

I have to admit I don't do so well in the hot months.

I'm a pusher and thruster, and a sweaty opponent has a slippery body.

So in that respect I prefer the winter.

It's better for me.

Tamawashi is another pusher and thruster.

You can't ask your opponent to wipe off his sweat.

If my hands slip, that gives my opponent an advantage.

The January Tournament can be tough for some, but for others you can build momentum.

With pushing and thrusting the bout is over quickly, before they know what hit them.

Do pushers and thrusters perform well at the January Tournament?

Daieisho felt this firsthand during his run to his first championship title in the January tournament.

There was one match, I had maybe my best-ever tachiai initial charge.

My best sumo.

He says it all went according to plan in his Day 7 bout against Takanosho.

Great impact!

Very one-sided!

I felt like I'd found my top form.

I started to think that I might have a chance at winning the tournament.

Oyakata interesting.

Because Oyakata you were pusher and the thruster, tsukioshiman yourself.

And do you think what the Tamawashi and Daieisho were saying?

Do you understand?

Yes, I understand.

I would hate it because, you know, we push, but it's hard to push guys that sweat because you just go right through and hands go.

Wow. Very slippery, huh?

It's from the sweat. Yeah.

To tell you the truth, the most difficult technique is Oshi-zumo.

Really?

It's not Yotsu.

That's the easy part.

You got to be on a roll to do that every day.

Your rhythm got to be good.

Your mind's got to be set to hit.

Well, for yotsu sumo, even though you have a bad tachiai, you can still grab the belt.

I see.

But it's for oshi-zumo.

If you don't hit, everything goes, you're gonna end up losing.

So you have to be totally concentrated.

You got to be focused all the time.

-OK, that's interesting.
-Here we go.

Now, I think, it's time to move on from the January tournament and expand our discussion to first time champions in general.

Our team looked at their title runs and found that day 14 was often a day of make or break time.

How was Takekuma Oyakata feeling on Day 14?

The night before, I couldn't sleep.

I didn't think it would be good for me both mentally and physically to go to practice without enough sleep.

So on Day 14 I skipped morning practice, and that's just not acceptable.

Daieisho says he couldn't get to sleep on the night of Day 14 before his final match.

On the night of Day 14, every time I closed my eyes, I'd see Okinoumi, the rikishi I was facing the next day.

My mind was racing through different scenarios.

I'll never forget that night.

I was so anxious.

Tamawashi knew that if he won his bout on Day 14, he'd be the sole leader.

But moments before the initial charge...

I was up against Aoiyama.

I've never felt so nervous.

I had to say "not ready."

I went to put my fists on the ground and my mind went blank.

I couldn't remember what my style of sumo was.

"Oh yeah, I'm a pusher and thruster."

That's how nervous I was.

I just went blank.

After finding his bearings, the momentum was his.

Aoiyama with the initiative.

Tamawashi goes in low.
Oshidashi, frontal push out!

Now. Oyakata facing a championship.

Did your mind ever go blank because of the pressure?

Yeah. You get nervous, but not blank.

Okay.

Being nervous is good.

It is good.

It is good if you're not nervous.

And then you won't be there.

Your mind is not on the ring.

It's good to be nervous at all times.

Is this something specific to sumo, do you think?

Just because I can't really think of another sport where you have to concentrate so much for 15 days in a row.

When you come to the middle of the tournament, you're like you're like, you know, you make it or break it.

Yeah.

Because the body after that, what takes you through the half of the tournament is it's a mental part.

The first half is the physical part.

The other half, you've got to be mentally tough to win.

Yeah.

You mean, you have to believe in yourself.

Yeah, you got to be mentally tough. Yeah.

Our analysis revealed another key factor behind first-time champions.

Tears were shed when Kyokutenho won his first title.

But he'd received an indirect assist from another rikishi.

Aminishiki, who was at the fourth-highest rank.

Hakuho's lost his balance!
The yokozuna suffers a loss on Day 1.

Aminishiki created a stir by defeating one yokozuna and three ozeki.

Kisenosato won his first tournament with an assist from junior stablemate Takayasu.

Hatakikomi, slap down!
Kakuryu suffers another loss.

Takayasu defeated two yokozuna and three ozeki, which helped boost Kisenosato to victory.

For our purposes, we defined an assist as a tournament performance meeting these criteria.

Our research found that 74% of first-time title winners since 1989 had an unexpected helping hand.

It seems an assist can help clear a path for a first-time champion.

Dramatic turnarounds are another highlight of first-time title runs.

Take Daieisho, who claimed his first title in 2021.

To be honest, it almost feels like heaven is on your side.

Sometimes you're just able to turn the tables and win.

Here are some of Daieisho's bouts from that tournament.

He was pushed back until his feet were literally on the edge of the ring.

But he was able to turn it around.

In another bout, he was again pushed to the edge of the ring.

2 out of his 13 wins were last-second reversals.

What about Tokushoryu, who claimed his first title in 2020?

6 out of his 14 wins were last-second reversals.

Now, Oyakata, we just looked at the VTR.

What do you think?

Yeah, everybody has some days, you know, you have a bad day that you win by luck.

So, I think, one or two back in Nagoya that the guy got underneath me and I was in trouble.

I just, you know, when he was driving me, I just did this and he fell.

That's luck.

We actually have a video of the decisive moment that you can push back and you're winning at the edge.

So please take a look.

You were up against Hamanoshima.

Yeah.

Onoue Oyakata.

Hamanoshima likes to fight with the left- hand side position.

So you kept him away with that pushing and thrusting attack.

I try to get him away, but he got underneath me.

You try to keep him off off your mawashi, but he gets the mawashi right there.

Go, Yotsu-zumo right there. Chest to chest.

He buries his forehead.

So, did you think you were in trouble? Right here.

I tried to cut the mawashi, but yeah, see that.

Hamanoshima drives you to the edge.

But look at the move tsukiothoshi.

Nice win!

Ballet dancer.

But, you know, one thing I think we can say is that you never give up.

Yeah, it's luck, but you have to work to get that.

I guess.

You just gotta think that it's not over until they say it's over.

Yeah.

But you just got to wrestle to the end.

How did Tokushoryu manage to beat the odds time and time again?

I was ranked at the bottom.

I didn't think I had a chance at winning the tournament.

None at all.

At the time, Tokushoryu was the lowest ranking rikishi in the top division.

He defied all expectations to clinch his first title.

He says he was spurred on by his mentor and university sumo coach Ito Katsuhito.

Ito had scouted Tokushoryu in high school, and encouraged him to continue sumo at university.

That's why Tokushoryu used one kanji from his mentor's name in his ring name.

I had the chance to drink with him many times.

After a few drinks, he'd kinda mumble, "I wish I could've gone pro."

So it wasn't just for me, I wanted to do it for him, too.

The 2020 January Tournament marked his comeback to the top division.

But on the morning of Day 7, he received some shocking news.

His mentor had died.

I couldn't believe it.

I was determined to do my best sumo to honor him.

Remembering how Ito had always been there for him, he just had to make his late mentor proud.

I was constantly asking myself, what advice would he give me for facing this opponent?

Tokushoryu charges forward.

What a spirited display.

Despite being the lowest-ranked rikishi, he continued to win.

Whenever I found myself pushed to the edge of the ring, I could almost feel Coach pushing, keeping me from falling out.

He was telling me to "Stay in it." It was like he had my back.

Bolstered by the memory of his late mentor, Tokushoryu strung together a series of upsets.

On the final day he was just one win away from victory.

He faced off against Ozeki Takakeisho.

Coach was always telling me to charge forward and apply pressure-that was the only way to win.

Tokushoryu goes for a thrust down.

Both get a left hand inside.

Tokushoryu with the advantage.

Takakeisho driven to the edge of the ring.

Tokushoryu wins his first title!
He's in tears.

Tokushoryu stayed aggressive against a higher-ranking rikishi.

He kept up the pressure even when his opponent had the upper hand.

He stayed focused right to the end.

It's a really riveting story.

His mentor?

His mentor, you know, there's always something that I think a lot of sumo fans like besides, like the technique and the athletic aspect.

They also like kind of like that kind of spiritual cultural form.

That really, I think, struck a chord with a lot of people.

And, you know, that tournament I was watching, He was moving.

If the guy is moving, he has a lot of chance of winning because most of his winning is at the end.

He didn't stop.

He didn't give up.

That's what makes it a difference.

All right, she has some special segment that she would introduce to us today.

-Over to you, Saya.
-Okay, all right.

So after a major tournament, the champion will often celebrate by posing for photographers with this "tai".

It's a big sea bream, and "tai" is considered a symbol of good luck in Japan.

And they weigh more than ten kilos, which is about twenty two pound.

But when you're doing this with a twenty-pound fish, uh, it's not happening for your shoulders.

When you do it and you're holding, like, for about a minute.

It's "Itai".

It's ouch, Yeah.

If we were celebrating in Hawaii.

What? Like, what kind of fish would do?

-Probably get a mahi mahi.
-Mahi mahi? Yeah.

Or a black fin tuna, some sort of.

Tuna is pretty heavy.

You get Tuna, mahi mahi.

Yeah.

We got a lot of fish in Hawaii. Big fish.

Yeah.

-While we're at it, there's just one rumor that I'd like to confirm.
-Sure. I would like to hear that.

I read somewhere that Oyakata after your victory, you accidentally took home the Emperor's Cup?

Did you?

I did. Yeah.

Yeah, Oh, that's true.

Yeah.

Are you supposed to?

Um. You know, I didn't take it.

Yeah.

My 'deshis' put everything.

And it took it back in my car.

Yeah, but when I got home, You guys were not supposed to bring this home.

Now let's get back to our ranking of the most memorable first-time title winners as chosen by viewers.

Here are the results for numbers five through three.

Takakeisho and Tamawashi are tied for 3rd.

Takakeisho was showered with praise for clinching his maiden championship right after changing stables.

The senior rikishi at my new stable
helped me become stronger.

I'm grateful, and will keep training hard.

Tamawashi won his first championship on the final day of a tournament, just hours after his second son was born.

Many called it a miracle.

Endo moves forward.

Tamawashi wins his first title!

But Tamawashi took it in stride.

Can I be honest?

My kid was born that day.

If I had to say which brought me the most joy, it was the birth of my kid.

Sorry, folks!

Second place went to...

Tokushoryu, who had an inspired title run following the death of his mentor.

And number one is none other than...

Kisenosato.

It was a long-awaited title for him and sumo fans alike.

A nation rejoiced.

Kisenosato was the second youngest rikishi after Takahanada to break into the top division.

But there he faced stiff competition from top-ranked rikishi, and the Emperor's Cup remained out of his reach for a long time.

January 2017 -- more than five years after his promotion to ozeki.

Kisenosato racked up wins with his fierce initial charge.

Powerful sumo from Kisenosato!

On Day 14, he had his first shot at clinching the title.

He led Yokozuna Hakuho by a win.

Kisenosato was up first.

Double underarm grip.
Yorikiri, frontal force out.

If Hakuho lost his bout, Kisenosato's victory would be sealed.

Kisenosato's about to walk past Hakuho.
Hakuho just snuck a look!

Kisenosato returned to the warm-up room as Hakuho took to the ring.

Takanoiwa with a forearm block.

He goes for a yorikiri,
frontal force out!

Kisenosato has won his first title!

He just let out a deep breath.

How do you feel?

Just so grateful.

The final day of the tournament.

Hakuho with the face slap.
He launches a fierce attack.

Tsukiotoshi, thrust down!

He defeated Hakuho to cap off his first tournament victory.

How does he look back on the tournament?

I'd come close to becoming champion so many times.

You really must have unwavering conviction to go all the way.

In my career, nothing came easily to me.

So Kisenosato ranking number one as the most memorable first time title winning performance.

Yeah, well, everyone was rooting for him.

Well, he's going to win. He's going to win.

I think he kind of embodies a spirit of sumo that a lot of older fans like because, you know, it's sumo.

It's not just winning and losing, it's how earnest you are, how you know forth.

And he really has that, you know, essence down.

And so people really, really wanted him to win, you know, I did, too.

-So it really was a special moment.
-Yeah.

Our team put together some data that will provide us with clues to predict future first time champions.

Here's a pop quiz for you two Saya and Oyakata.

Most first title winners are ranked at Yokozuna, Ozaki, Sekiwake, Komusubi or Maegashira.

Which one is it?

What do you think?

I'll go with Maegashira.

OK, What about you oyakata?

Maegashira.

Let's take a look at the answer.

The answer is ozeki.

With the 28 first time champions.

I'll take that back.

How do you explain this, Oyakata?

I don't know.

But I think, Komusubi and Sekiwake on the first five days, they've got to face the top rank.

So they're going to have a hard time.

Right.

But when you go through Ozeki and Yokozuna, you know, it's towards the end they face each other, so they have more time to prepare themselves.

-Right.
-Yeah.

Okay.

So let's go to the next question.

It is.

How did first time title winners perform in the previous tournament?

Kachikoshi or Makekoshi, what do you think.

I think I did a kachikoshi, but I have no idea.

Okay, let's look at the answer.

How did first-time champions perform in their previous tournaments?

Blue signifies more losses than wins, red signifies more wins than losses.

79 percent of first-time champions ended the previous tournament with more wins than losses.

This suggests momentum is a key factor.

We then looked at how first-time champions since 1989 fared in the three tournaments leading up to their title runs.

How many times did they achieve a winning record?

19, that is, half of the first-time champions had finished all three previous tournaments with more wins than losses.

Many of those rikishi went on to become Yokozuna Grand Champions.

A lot of rikishi recorded a kachikoshi more wins and losses in those previous tournaments leading up to the championships.

But, which makes it even more special when someone like Goeido or Tokushoryu comes from, you know, down it.

It makes it all that more exciting, I guess.

Saya I think, you know, Oyakata holds a number one record for having 55 consecutive kachikoshi, more wins and losses record.

Oh, the good news or bad news?

Well, that's awesome news!

So now I just want, I want to ask you this.

In order to enjoy the success, success for like 9 years without a single makekoshi, you have to be in good shape right?

It's the style of sumo is that you've got to move forward all time.

You just got to keep on pushing, going front.

If you don't do that, then you're going to end up getting hurt.

You know, in my sumo, I don't know what it is.

I can't do this.

I can't do this.

I don't know how to do it.

All I know how to do is go forward, push.

So, the good technique for staying in good shape is drive.

Wow.

Yeah, that's deep.

Because that explains everything, huh?

Because in Osumo, every stable master says, go forward.

Right, and also just focus on day by day.

To predict future first-time champions, next, we looked at the number of tournaments between promotion to the top division and a first championship title.

The shortest span belongs to the 50th Yokozuna Grand Champion, Sadanoyama.

In 1961, Sadanoyama, then a rank-and-filer, won his first top-division championship after only 3 tournaments.

The longest span was Kyokutenho at 86 tournaments.

Here's the full breakdown.

First place was 11 to 20 tournaments, meaning a first title within 2 to 3 years.

Second place was a tie between 21 to 30 tournaments and 31 to 40 tournaments.

You know, in sumo, there's a saying called 'san-nen saki no keiko.' You know, you train yourself to be strong three years later.

I think that this signifies that that saying in sumo.

Oyakata, remember your days as well.

You did the Keiko you did all those fundamental Keiko basic exercises, but that bore fruit three years later, didn't it?

I think so, yeah.

I don't know how many tournaments took me, but.

Yeah, something like that.

You got to think positive at all times.

Everything is going to be from the heart.

You know, practice whatever you do.

You got to do it from the heart.

And, you know, at the end, the effort is going to catch you.

I think this teaches two things.

One is the patience.

And another thing is the perseverance.

Those two are huge, important elements in sumo.

Yeah.

Instead of instant gratification.

Right.

It is time to take what we've learned so far and look toward the future.

Yeah, this chart shows active top division rikishi who have yet to win a championship.

Their record for their three previous tournaments and the number of tournaments they have experienced since the first appearance in the top division.

So okay, who do you think will be the next first-time champion?

We start with you, saya.

I would love to see Hoshoryu.

Watching him improve every tournament is exciting and I like, you know, he goes in with a plan and if it doesn't work out, he does something tricky.

It's exciting.

So I think I think, you know, people don't think know what he's going to do.

I'll go with another blueblood who is Kotonowaka.

Again, Hoshoryu is the nephew of Asashoryu, the former Yokozuna.

Kotonowaka being the grandson of former Yokozuna Kotozakura, I think he's got what it takes.

He's powerful, he's got a big physique and his nimble for his size, and he really works well at the edge as well.

So Oyakata give us your name.

I'm with you, with Kotonowaka.

Okay.

Yeah, Kotonowaka is a great.

Yeah. And last tournament he did good.

Right.

But you know, because of the COVID, he had to step out.

But I think any time, you know, he can do it.

Okay.

Well, we're about to go from this program.

So Saya, your final comment, what's your impression of the show?

Did you enjoy it today?

Yeah, I had a lot of fun.

I love looking at data and like the technical reason.

It was fun doing it in English.

Oyakata, how was it for you?

That's all right, you know.

Yeah, yeah.

Did you have a good time？ It was all right you know, not all the time.

I don't like to do it, but, you know, sometimes.

yeah, coming on TV is great.

But, sumo is great sports.

Well, I hope the show was as much fun for you as it was for us.

So, it's time for us to go.

So, thank you very much for tuning into DOSKOI Sumo Salon.

Arigato for watching and see you everybody.Sayonara.

Good bye.