Yokozuna

/ ˌjəʊkəʊˈzuːnə /

noun

1. a grand champion sumo wrestler

Word History and Origins

Origin of Yokozuna¹

from Japanese yoko across + zuna rope, from the sacred straw rope presented to the grand champion

Example Sentences

He was the first foreign-born wrestler to reach the level of “yokozuna” — or grand champion — in Japan.

From Seattle Times

Born Chad George Ha’aheo Rowan in Hawaii and raised in the rural side of the Koolau mountains from Honolulu, Akebono became Japan’s 64th yokozuna in 1993.

From Seattle Times

Within six years he would become Japan's 64th yokozuna - or grand champion - an honour which the sumo council had previously ruled was off-limits to non-Japanese athletes.

From BBC

When he became Japan’s 64th yokozuna, or grand champion sumo wrestler, in 1993, he was the first foreign-born wrestler to achieve the sport’s highest title in its 300-year modern history.

From New York Times

Akebono, who was 6-foot-8 and 466 pounds when he was first named yokozuna at 23, towered over his Japanese opponents.

From New York Times