Sumo’s natsu basho (夏場所), which ended yesterday in Tokyo, proved one of the most exhilarating in recent memory. The top three contenders for the Emperor’s Cup of this tournament each manifested some of the best traits of sumo today.

All three are foreign-born, yet have integrated into Japanese culture with humility and dedication. Two are yokozuna grand champions — with Hakuho arguably one of the greatest rikishi of all time, and Kakuryu one of the most persevering yet under-appreciated wrestlers — both Mongolian. Then we have the veteran from Georgia — Tochinoshin — who until this week had risen to the sport’s third-highest rank of sekiwake. Tochinoshin had won the January tournament this year, and he nearly pulled off his second trophy, which would have triggered an interesting debate for its contrast with stagnating Kisenosato, who had been promoted to yokozuna upon only one yūshō victory.

As it were, another of the hardest working men in sumo today, Kakuryu, plugged his way to a back-to-back tournament victory for a solid fifth championship of his career. Tochinoshin will undoubtedly receive a well-earned promotion to sumo’s ozeki rank. Hakuho demonstrated his longevity in spite of his seniority in the sport.