Yasuo Akao Wins July Sumo Tournament, Achieves Historic Ozeki Return

Sumo wrestler Yasuo Akao (安青錦) won the July tournament on July 26 at Nagoya’s IG Arena with a 12-3 record, capturing his third makuuchi division title. The victory is historic: Akao became the first wrestler ever to regain ozeki rank and win the tournament in the same event. He overcame a left-foot injury and a three-wrestler playoff to claim the trophy.

How Akao won the playoff

Akao entered the final day with a 12-2 record, one win ahead of sekiwake Atsumi Fujii and ozeki Kirishima, both at 11-3. In the main bout, Fujii pushed Akao out, dropping him to 12-3 and tying him with Kirishima and Fujii. The three-wrestler playoff followed. Akao defeated Fujii in the first match, then beat Kirishima to secure the title with two consecutive wins.

A rare ozeki comeback

Akao’s victory marks an unprecedented achievement under the current promotion system. He regained ozeki rank in the same tournament where he won, a feat never accomplished before. The wrestler had been recovering from injury while fighting through the 15-day tournament, earning his fourth technique prize in the process.

The oversized macaron prize

As a prize for his win, Akao received a giant pink macaron model from Pierre Hermé, the famous French patisserie. The oversized prize was so large that Akao’s attendants visibly reacted with surprise and laughter when receiving it at ringside, a moment captured by broadcasters. Previous winners had received green and gold versions of the symbolic macaron.

Life outside the ring

Akao, who studies Japanese with fluent skill, stays at Ajigawa stable’s dormitory on the Aichi Gakuin University campus in Nagoya. He regularly eats at the university cafeteria, enjoying dishes like chicken wing skewers with sweet sauce and soy ramen. He prefers ordering medium rice twice rather than large portions, joking that restaurants could boost sales by serving less rice and more meat to wrestlers.

Final Thoughts

Akao’s victory marks a watershed moment in sumo history. With ozeki status regained and injury overcome, he enters the September tournament as a serious yokozuna contender. The next tournament begins September 13 at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.

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