Onosato’s Absence from the March Basho
The March 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka began with an unexpected development: yokozuna Onosato withdrew from the competition after only three days.
Onosato lost his first three matches of the tournament, an extremely unusual start for a yokozuna. After beginning the tournament with a 0–3 record, he officially withdrew on Day 4, meaning he would miss the remainder of the 15-day event.
For a yokozuna, the highest rank in professional sumo, such a start is rare and quickly became one of the biggest stories of the tournament.
Official Reason for the Withdrawal
The official explanation given by his stable and the Japan Sumo Association was a recurring shoulder injury.
According to reports, Onosato has been dealing with a left shoulder problem since late 2025. The injury already affected his performance during the January 2026 tournament, where he finished with a modest 10–5 record.
His stablemaster, former yokozuna Kisenosato Yutaka, stated that the decision to withdraw was made to prevent further aggravation of the injury.
In sumo, withdrawing from a tournament is known as kyujo, and wrestlers sometimes take this step when injuries prevent them from competing effectively.
What Commentators Are Saying
While the official reason was injury, some commentators have suggested mental pressure may also be playing a role.
Sumo analysts noted that Onosato appeared hesitant and less aggressive than usual during his opening matches. Observers pointed out that his normally powerful forward-driving style seemed subdued.
In addition, the chairman of the Japan Sumo Association commented that: his mind and body are not in sync. This phrasing is commonly used in Japanese sports reporting to suggest that a wrestler may be struggling with confidence or rhythm.
However, it is important to emphasize that no official statement has confirmed any mental health issues. The withdrawal itself was filed strictly as a physical injury absence.
What Is a Kinboshi?
One reason Onosato’s early losses drew so much attention is that they resulted in kinboshi, or gold star, victories for his opponents.
A kinboshi (金星) occurs when a rank-and-file wrestler (maegashira) defeats a yokozuna during a tournament bout.
Kinboshi are significant because they come with several rewards:
- A permanent record of the achievement in the wrestler’s career statistics
- Bonus salary payments added to the wrestler’s earnings for the rest of their career
- Prestige, as defeating a yokozuna is considered a major accomplishment
Only maegashira-ranked wrestlers can earn kinboshi. Wrestlers ranked komusubi, sekiwake, or ōzeki do not receive the award even if they defeat a yokozuna.
Because Onosato lost multiple matches to lower-ranked opponents early in the tournament, those victories became high-profile kinboshi, adding to the surprise surrounding the yokozuna’s difficult start.
