A Heartwarming Story About Hoshoryu

As many of you know, Hoshoryu won the January tournament and was promoted as the 74th Yokozuna.

During his victory interview, he shared that after experiencing the heartbreak of losing on the final day of the November tournament, he made a promise to "a certain person." He vowed to channel that frustration into the January tournament and win the championship no matter what.

That "certain person" is Ruri Kubota, whom Hoshoryu refers to as his "mother in Japan."

And the boy who sat beside Hoshoryu in the open car during the victory parade was none other than Ruri’s son, Teruchika, whom Hoshoryu calls his "younger brother in Japan." Teruchika has Down syndrome.

Hoshoryu first met Teruchika and his mother in 2019, when he was still in the Juryo division. Their connection began when Hoshoryu was invited to coach Teruchika through Kashiwa Sumo Club, where the club’s representative happened to be Hoshoryu’s former high school mentor.

Hoshoryu was deeply impressed by Teruchika’s dedication to sumo despite having Down syndrome. Their bond grew stronger as they shared meals and spent time together, even calling each other by nicknames.

When Hoshoryu won his first championship in the July 2023 tournament, he had planned to have Teruchika ride with him in the open car during the victory parade. However, unaware of the plan, Teruchika had already gone home. Disappointed, Hoshoryu promised, “Next time I win, I will make sure he rides with me.”

Teruchika was there again for the final day of the November tournament, where Hoshoryu faced Kotozakura in a decisive match for the championship. However, Hoshoryu lost, missing out on the title. That night, he vowed, “Next time, I will definitely win.”

This hidden story was behind Hoshoryu’s victory and championship parade in the January tournament.

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