When Mitakeumi won the Nagoya sumo tournament this past July, I suggested it heralded the next generation of sumo rikishi. Further evidence of this generational transition presented itself yesterday when 22-year-old Takakeisho from Japan’s Hyōgo Prefecture secured the Kyushu yusho with a 13-2 record.

I had the honor of observing Takakeisho up close back in May at the Tokyo spring tournament. Takakeisho won 10 matches that time and struck me as a strong up-and-comer. Nice to see him win a whole tournament so quickly. Expect to see more impressive feats from this guy !