Sumo Wrestler Tokushoryu is the New Champion Despite Being Bottom Ranked. He Cried. We Cried. This is Wholesome.

At the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokushoryu entered 33 years old, and placed at No. 17 maegashira, which is the very bottom rank. Using his skill, tenacity, and fighting spirit, he rose to the very top.

After 11 years of hard work and dedication, he obtained his first title as the champion. He immediately broke down into tears of joy and disbelief. We are living for it.

Kyodo News wrote:

“This is amazing. What have I done,” said the 33-year-old veteran and No. 17 maegashira, who became the first bottom-ranked wrestler in 20 years to win the Emperor’s Cup.

“It feels like a dream. I don’t feel like myself. I feel I’m walking on clouds,” he said.

At the morning-after press conference on Monday, Tokushoryu got choked up trying to find the right words when reporters asked him how it all happened — how he became co-leader by Day 11 and went on to beat ozeki Takekeisho for the first title of his 11-year career.

Tokushoryu won with a 14-1 record and delivered the first makuuchi championship for his Kise stable, despite spending 12 of the last 13 grand tournaments in the second-tier juryo division.

“I didn’t think about what it would take for me to win the championship. (During the 15-day tournament) I couldn’t even remember how many bouts I won or what day it was. I was that focused.”

Tokushoryu said he had no problem sleeping during the year’s first grand tournament, and it helped that his wife lightened things up with laughter in their house, but that last night he was so excited he couldn’t sleep.

Tokushoryu promised to learn from his failures, having finished 4-11 the last time he joined the makuuchi ranks in May 2019 after a long stint in the juryo division.

“I lost my appetite for victory then because I was satisfied competing in the makuuchi division, and that led to a bad record. I learned that I should never stop and should keep aiming to get better,” he said.

“After that change of heart, things have been different. 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.”

 

No. 17 maegashira Tokushoryu makes history by winning the title at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo. #Tokushoryu #sumo #NewYearGrandTournament https://t.co/kCN88jvJ4a pic.twitter.com/tSiyvuKPrg

— The Japan News (@The_Japan_News) January 26, 2020

His story is so inspiring and clearly showcases the fact that by never giving up, having drive, and walking with a positive attitude, anything is possible! We absolutely love stories like this!