Hoshoryu Is Back — And Sumo Is Telling Him Not to Be

Hoshoryu’s return is the story of the Kyushu basho 2026, and not everyone in sumo wants it to happen. After a right knee injury, surgery and a full kyujo in September, the yokozuna is heading back to the dohyo. This video looks at why that comeback comes with so much pressure. We trace how the Hoshoryu knee injury unfolded in Nagoya, what the surgery meant, and why sitting out the autumn tournament only raised the stakes for the November basho. We also look at the long yusho drought, the talk of yokozuna retirement building in the Japanese press, and what Tatsunami stable is weighing. Then there’s the field waiting for him, with Onosato and the rising Aonishiki ready to test that knee. Hoshoryu carries the name of a Mongolian yokozuna lineage as Asashoryu’s nephew, and how he handles this moment could shape his whole legacy. On SumoSpirit, we follow grand sumo stories like this past the headlines and into the context behind them. Like the video if you think he deserves this shot, and subscribe so you’re here for every bout of his Kyushu run.