Hōshōryū Tomokatsu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hōshōryū Tomokatsu
豊昇龍 智勝
Hōshōryū in January 2022
Personal information
Born	Sugarragchaagiin Byambasuren (1999-05-22) May 22, 1999 (age 26) Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Height	188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	150 kg (330 lb; 24 st)
Career
Stable	Tatsunami
Current rank	Yokozuna
Debut	January 2018
Highest rank	Yokozuna (January 2025)
Championships	2 (Makuuchi) 1 (Jonidan)
Special Prizes	Technique (2) Fighting Spirit (1)
* Up to date as of November 24, 2025.

Hōshōryū Tomokatsu (Japanese: 豊昇龍 智勝, born Sugarragchaagiin Byambasüren; May 22, 1999) is a professional sumo wrestler from Mongolia. He is known for his powerful throws. Many Mongolian sumo wrestlers are skilled at throws, just like in traditional Mongolian wrestling.

Hōshōryū is the nephew of Asashōryū, a famous 68th yokozuna (the highest rank in sumo). Hōshōryū has won two championships in the top sumo division. He also won a lower-division title without any losses in 2018, shortly after he started his career.

He achieved his first top-division championship in July 2023. This big win led to his promotion to the rank of ōzeki. After being the runner-up in the November 2024 tournament, Hōshōryū won his second top-division title in January 2025. This victory promoted him to the highest rank in sumo, making him the 74th yokozuna. He was the only yokozuna for a few months until Ōnosato was also promoted in May 2025.

Hōshōryū's Early Life and Sumo Start

Hōshōryū, whose birth name is Sugarragchaagiin Byambasüren, was born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. His family had a strong wrestling background. His father was the older brother of the famous sumo wrestler Asashōryū.

As a child, Hōshōryū was very active. He learned to ride horses when he was just three years old. At five, he started taking basketball and judo lessons. He even trained at the same club as Kirishima, who would also become a top sumo wrestler.

He grew up watching his uncle Asashōryū's sumo matches on TV. This inspired him greatly. At age 11, he began learning traditional Mongolian wrestling, called bökh, and had some success.

After middle school, a sumo coach from Japan, Tomohiro Ōsawa, noticed him. The coach visited Mongolia to find talented young athletes. Hōshōryū decided to try sumo and moved to Japan.

He attended Kashiwa High School in Chiba Prefecture. At first, he was a bit scared of sumo. But after visiting the famous Ryōgoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo, he became very interested. With his uncle's advice, he committed to sumo in high school. Even without much experience, he quickly showed great talent in amateur sumo.

Rising Through the Sumo Ranks

Hōshōryū in January 2019

After high school, Hōshōryū joined Tatsunami stable, a sumo training center. His uncle gave him important advice, like "build on your own strengths." Hōshōryū made his professional sumo debut in January 2018.

In his first official tournament, he almost won the jonokuchi division. He had six wins in a row but was defeated by Naya. Naya was also a new wrestler and the grandson of another famous yokozuna, Taihō. Hōshōryū and Naya developed a friendly rivalry.

In his next tournament, Hōshōryū won the jonidan championship without any losses. He continued to climb the ranks, moving through the sandanme and makushita divisions. During this time, he even trained with the great yokozuna Hakuhō.

In September 2019, Hōshōryū earned a promotion to the jūryō division. This was a big step, as it meant he was getting closer to the top. He received a special kimono from his uncle to celebrate this achievement.

In July 2020, Hōshōryū had a strong performance. He was part of a rare three-way playoff for the championship in his division. Although he didn't win, his efforts were enough to move him into sumo's highest division.

Reaching the Top: Makuuchi and Ōzeki

Hōshōryū entered the top-tier makuuchi division in September 2020. He was the 50th foreign-born wrestler to reach this level. In his first match, he surprised everyone by beating the much heavier Ichinojō.

In July 2021, he had his best result yet in the top division. He won ten matches and received his first special award, the Technique Prize. This prize recognized his skillful and exciting sumo style.

He continued to improve, and in March 2022, he was promoted to komusubi. This was his first time in the special san'yaku ranks, just below ōzeki and yokozuna. He kept winning, and by September 2022, he became a sekiwake.

By May 2023, Hōshōryū was performing very well. Sumo officials announced that if he had a strong performance in the July tournament, he could be promoted to ōzeki. Wrestlers usually need about 33 wins in three tournaments at a san'yaku rank to become an ōzeki.

Becoming an Ōzeki Champion

In July 2023, Hōshōryū aimed for the ōzeki rank. He had a fantastic tournament, winning 12 matches. This brought his total wins to 33 in three tournaments, meeting the requirement for promotion.

He even won a special playoff match against Hokutofuji to secure his first top-division championship! After this victory, Hōshōryū was filled with joy and emotion. He shared his happiness with his stablemaster and his uncle.

On July 26, 2023, the Japan Sumo Association officially promoted Hōshōryū to ōzeki. He became the first wrestler from Tatsunami stable to reach this rank in 37 years. He was also the seventh Mongolian ōzeki.

Journey to Yokozuna

Hōshōryū started his ōzeki career in September 2023. He managed to avoid being in a difficult "kadoban" situation (where an ōzeki is at risk of demotion) by winning his eighth match on the final day.

In November 2023, he received a warning for taking too long to start a match. Despite this, he continued to perform well. In January 2024, he injured his knee but still achieved a winning record. He continued to be a strong contender in tournaments throughout 2024.

In the November 2024 tournament, Hōshōryū was tied for the lead on the final day with Kotozakura. He finished as the runner-up with 13 wins. His excellent performance led the Sumo Association to consider him for promotion to yokozuna in the next tournament.

Achieving the Yokozuna Rank

In January 2025, Hōshōryū competed for the yokozuna rank. He had a strong start but then suffered a few unexpected losses. However, he fought back and won key matches against other top wrestlers.

He ended up in a three-way playoff for the championship. Hōshōryū won the playoff, securing his second top-division title! Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba personally presented him with the Prime Minister's Cup. Hōshōryū dedicated his victory to his high school coach, Tomohiro Ōsawa, who had passed away.

On January 27, 2025, the Yokozuna Deliberation Council recommended Hōshōryū's promotion. Two days later, on January 29, the Sumo Association officially promoted him to yokozuna. He became the 74th yokozuna in sumo history.

Hōshōryū chose the Unryū style for his ring-entering ceremony. This style was also used by his uncle, Asashōryū. He felt a strong fighting spirit from this ceremony. His promotion happened on the same date his uncle became the first Mongolian yokozuna in 2003.

Hōshōryū's Yokozuna Career in 2025

Hōshōryū's debut as a yokozuna in the March 2025 tournament was challenging. He lost his first match and had to withdraw due to an elbow injury. This was a rare occurrence for a new yokozuna.

He returned for the May 2025 tournament. He finished as the runner-up with twelve wins. He even defeated ōzeki Ōnosato on the final day, preventing Ōnosato from having a perfect tournament.

In July 2025, Hōshōryū faced another setback. He withdrew from the tournament on Day 5 due to a bone crack in his left big toe. His stablemaster said Hōshōryū's strong desire to win might have pushed him too hard.

Hōshōryū showed great determination in the September 2025 tournament. He won eleven matches in a row and led the tournament for a while. He ended up in a playoff against the other yokozuna, Ōnosato. This was the first playoff between two yokozuna since 2009. Hōshōryū lost the playoff, narrowly missing the championship.

In October 2025, Hōshōryū won the All Japan Rikishi Championship, a charity tournament. He also participated in special sumo demonstrations in London, marking professional sumo's first tour there since 1991.

In the November 2025 tournament, Hōshōryū was again in contention for the title. He reached the final playoff but was defeated by Aonishiki, finishing as runner-up for the second time as a yokozuna.

Hōshōryū's Fighting Style

Hōshōryū is known for his strong and athletic fighting style. His preferred grip on his opponent's belt, called a mawashi, is migi-yotsu. This means his left hand is outside and his right hand is inside.

He often uses powerful techniques like shitatenage (an underarm throw) and yorikiri (a frontal force out). He is also famous for his outside leg trip, called sotogake. His speed and fierce style make him exciting to watch.

Hōshōryū's Family Life

Hōshōryū comes from a very famous wrestling family. His father and uncles all have backgrounds in wrestling. His uncles include Dolgorsürengiin Sumyaabazar, a Mongolian politician and former Olympic wrestler, and Dolgorsürengiin Serjbüdee, a professional wrestler.

His grandfather, Donrovyn Dolgorsüren, was also a renowned Mongolian bökh wrestler. He achieved the high status of 'National Elephant'. In October 2024, Hōshōryū's cousin, Serjbüdeegiin Luvsangombo, also became a professional sumo wrestler.

Since Hōshōryū is the nephew of the 68th yokozuna Asashōryū, his uncle often comments on his matches. Sometimes, he and his uncle had disagreements about his sumo style. Hōshōryū has also mentioned that he feels constantly compared to his famous uncle.

In May 2025, it was reported that Hōshōryū was planning to apply for Japanese citizenship. This is often needed for wrestlers who want to become sumo elders after they retire.

Career Record

See Also

• Active special prize winners
• Glossary of sumo terms
• List of active sumo wrestlers
• List of non-Japanese sumo wrestlers
• List of sumo tournament top division champions
• List of sumo tournament top division runners-up
• List of yokozuna