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The last sumo master retires, Japan in despair: There is no more yokozuna

2025-01-19 15:44:39Sport SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
The last sumo master retires, Japan in despair: There is no more yokozuna
Terunofuji Haruo

Japan is in shock after the decision of Terunofuji Haruo, the last reigning sumo master, who has decided to retire: "I feel that my body is no longer at the right level." A news that has shocked the entire nation, where this sport and its practice are almost like a religion, plunging millions of enthusiasts into despair.

With the departure of Terunofuji, Japan, after 30 years, is left without a yokozuna, the highest title that can be achieved in professional sumo.

"You shouldn't get in the ring if you're out of shape"

After an illustrious sumo career, 33-year-old Terunofuji has announced his retirement from all professional activities. After 14 years of fighting, he will leave his role as a wrestler to devote himself to training young talent: “I gave it my all, but during this tournament I couldn’t do what I wanted,” Terunofuji said during the New Year Tournament, which is currently underway. “You shouldn’t step into the ring if your body and mind are not in the best condition,” he declared at a press conference. “My body is no longer at the right level.”

Sumo sees first yokozuna in 30 years

To those unfamiliar with sumo, this may seem like a typical retirement at the end of a career. But in Japan, it has been experienced as a moment of national despair, as Terunofuji represented the current symbol of sumo, as the only and last incumbent yokozuna, the holder of the highest professional rank. With his sudden retirement, the title remains vacant, a rare situation that has not occurred in 30 years. What will happen now? The future of the yokozuna role is completely uncertain: another fighter of Mongolian origin, Hoshoryu, could achieve this status if his performance in the New Year Tournament, which is currently underway, continues to be convincing.

Yokozuna status: only 73 people have achieved it

Terunofuji was promoted to yokozuna in 2021, but in recent years he has struggled with numerous injuries and health problems, including diabetes. In 2024, he took part in only two of six scheduled tournaments. Now the role of yokozuna remains vacant: only 73 wrestlers have achieved this prestigious rank in sumo's centuries-old history. The title is awarded only after a long and difficult process, confirmed by the yokozuna advisory council. There are no precise and defined criteria for being promoted to yokozuna, and of the last seven, only one has been of Japanese origin, five from Mongolia and one from the United States.


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