Congratulations to Mitakeumi, winner of sumo’s latest basho, the July tournament in Nagoya. This young rikishi from Nagano has demonstrated relative consistency at sumo’s third-best rank of sekiwake. Now he holds a championship trophy.

With all three yokozuna injured (one of whom, Kisenosato, might need to hang it up any day now), could it be that this victory from 25 year-old Mitakeumi combined with strong performances from other young wrestlers like Asanoyama, Hokutofuji, and Yutakayama may be a harbinger of regime change ? These are some of the most exciting periods in sumo. Looking forward to seeing more of Mitakeumi.