Crowds welcome sumo's newest grand champion in ancient ceremony

Drums thundered and priests chanted as sumo's newest grand champion strode onto the public stage Friday in a ceremony to mark his promotion to the ancient Japanese sport's highest rank.

Mongolian-born Hoshoryu became the 74th yokozuna, or grand champion, in sumo history this week after winning the second tournament of his career. The 25-year-old is the first new yokozuna since 2021 and the only wrestler to currently hold the exalted rank.

His promotion meant sumo avoided having no yokozuna for the first time in over 30 years. Around 3,500 fans turned out on a sunny January afternoon to catch a glimpse of Hoshoryu as he took part in a ceremony at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine.