Sumo ‘Rocky’ becomes an overnight hero in Japan as the previously unknown wrestler bursts into tears when he wins major tournament where he was lowest ranked fighter
- Tokushoryu, 33, took victory at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo
- After defeating champion fighter Takakeisho on Sunday he got down and wept
- Fans were immediately drawn to the 414lbs underdog’s genuine response
- ‘I might have cried too much, but I felt relieved from all the pressure,’ he said
An underdog sumo wrestler has become an overnight hero after the unknown wrestler burst into tears when he won the first major tournament of his career.
Tokushoryu, 33, was the lowest ranked fighter going into the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
But he clinched victory against the well-backed champion Takakeisho in the sacred ‘dohyo,’ or ring, at the end of the 15-day contest on Sunday night.
The crowds went wild and Tokushoryu couldn’t contain his emotions, weeping tears of joy as he squatted his 414lbs frame down on his haunches.
Tokushoryu, 33, was the lowest ranked fighter going into the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sunday night (pictured: bawling after the win)
The crowds went wild and Tokushoryu couldn’t contain his emotions, weeping tears of joy as he squatted his 414lbs frame down on his haunches
‘I might have cried too much, but at that moment I felt relieved from all the pressure,’ Tokushoryu told Kyodo News following his first title in 11 years in the sport
‘I might have cried too much, but at that moment I felt relieved from all the pressure,’ Tokushoryu told Kyodo News following his first title in 11 years in the sport.
‘Deep down I’m feeling like, “Is it okay for me to win the championship?” I was the lowest-ranking fighter, so I had nothing to fear. I just had to give it everything I had.’
He later added that the death of his coach halfway through the competition had spurred him on, pledging to do it ‘for him.’
His emotional reaction – uncommon in the conservative sumo culture – has rocketed the previously unknown journeyman to stardom, with many fans saying they had been captivated by his story.
‘I have tears in my eyes. He is such a sympathetic person, true and brave,’ tweeted one.
While another wrote: ‘That was a great honbasho (tournament). Well done Tokushoryu! Can’t wait to see what happens in March.’
The fighters face off in the famous Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena in Tokyo
Tokushoryu hurls his opponent out of the ring on Sunday night to claim victory
The fighters during the intense title fight on Sunday night which saw the makings of a new hero
Empress Masako, Emperor Naruhito and Princess Aiko watch bouts on day fourteen of the Grand Sumo New Year tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan on Saturday, the day before the final
Tokushoryu is the first lowest-ranked fighter to win a top division title since March 2000.
But the new celebrity says he now plans to keep impressing the crowds. He told Kyodo: ‘Now that I’ve won a championship, I have to keep winning from here or I’d get laughed at.
‘The cheers are getting louder at the basho and that’s what motivates me. I want to hear that cheering again.’