Yokozuna

/ ˌjəʊkəʊˈzuːnə /

noun

1. a grand champion sumo wrestler

Word History and Origins

Origin of Yokozuna¹

from Japanese yoko across + zuna rope, from the sacred straw rope presented to the grand champion

Example Sentences

Aonishiki finished the 15-day tournament in Fukuoka, Japan, with a record of 12 wins and three losses and went on to win the championship play-off against Yokozuna grand champion Hoshoryu, a 26-year-old Mongolian who won last month's London tournament.

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Aonishiki, who was one of the most cheered wrestlers at last month's Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, is tipped by many to become the first-ever European to reach sumo's highest rank of Yokozuna grand champion.

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Japan Sumo Association will soon hold a special meeting to promote him to "ozeki", the second highest ranking under "yokozuna", or grand champion, national broadcaster NHK said.

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All 40 rikishi participated in the closing ceremony on Sunday, with the tournament's final remarks left to Japanese yokozuna Onasato Daiki.

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Each day the audience was fascinated by the many rituals and traditions on display, from salt throwing to ring-entering ceremonies, and participated enthusiastically when prompted to shout at every yokozuna foot stomp.

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