(Reuters) - Onosato has been promoted to sumo's highest rank of yokozuna, the Japan Sumo Association said on Wednesday, attaining the honour in a record 13 professional tournaments.
The 24-year-old wrestler, who weighs 191 kilograms and is 1.92 metres tall, has become the 75th yokozuna in eight fewer appearances than the previous record held by the late Wajima.
Onosato is also the first Japan-born wrestler to reach the rnk since Kisenosato in 2017. He retired in January 2019.
"I am truly happy. Now, things will become more important than ever. I want to stay focused and continue to work hard," Onosato told reporters.
"This is a very much unknown territory for me. I want to maintain my style, be Onosato, and I will work hard to become a unique and unparalleled yokozuna."
Onosato is the second wrestler to reach the top rank within four months following Hoshoryu's promotion in January.
Onosato and Hoshoryu will face each other for the first time as yokozuna in July in Nagoya.
(Reporting by Suramya Kaushik in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)
