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Sumo tourney champ Takerufuji's triumphant return home

Takerufuji (R), who achieved a historic win in the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka in March, waves to fans and well-wishers as he returns triumphant to his native town Goshogawara in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan on May 1, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira at the time of the competition became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo tourney champ Takerufuji's triumphant return home

Takerufuji (R), who achieved a historic win in the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka in March, waves to fans and well-wishers as he returns triumphant to his native town Goshogawara in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan on May 1, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira at the time of the competition became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo tourney champ Takerufuji's triumphant return home

Takerufuji (R), who achieved a historic win in the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka in March, waves to fans and well-wishers as he returns triumphant to his native town Goshogawara in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan on May 1, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira at the time of the competition became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring champion Takerufuji at press conference

Takerufuji attends a press conference in Osaka on March 25, 2024, one day after winning the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring champion Takerufuji

Takerufuji smiles during a press conference in Osaka on March 25, 2024 one day after winning the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring champion Takerufuji

Takerufuji (R) is pictured in Osaka on March 25, 2024, with newspapers reporting his victory in the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament a day before. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring champion Takerufuji at press conference

Takerufuji attends a press conference in Osaka on March 25, 2024, one day after winning the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring champion Takerufuji

Takerufuji speaks at a press conference in Osaka on March 25, 2024 one day after winning the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji sheds a tear while meeting the media after winning the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on its final day on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji (R) waves during a parade held after he won the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on its final day on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji celebrates with his mother (front) after winning the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on its final day on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji (R) is pictured with yokozuna Terunofuji after winning the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on its final day on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji speaks with his mother after winning the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on its final day on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji speaks during an interview after winning the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on its final day on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji speaks during an interview after winning the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on its final day on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji speaks during an interview after winning the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on its final day on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji receives the Emperor's Cup from Japan Sumo Association head Hakkaku after winning the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on its final day on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji receives the Emperor's Cup from Japan Sumo Association head Hakkaku after winning the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on its final day on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji receives the Emperor's Cup from Japan Sumo Association head Hakkaku after winning the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on its final day on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji receives the Emperor's Cup from Japan Sumo Association head Hakkaku after winning the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on its final day on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

No. 17 maegashira Takerufuji receives the prize money after becoming the first sumo wrestler since 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut with his victory over Gonoyama on the final day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 24, 2024.

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Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

No. 17 maegashira Takerufuji leaves the ring with the prize money after winning the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on its final day on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji (R) beats Gonoyama on the final day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji (L) beats Gonoyama on the final day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji is pictured after beating Gonoyama on the final day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji is pictured after beating Gonoyama on the final day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji leaves the ring after beating Gonoyama on the final day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji reacts after beating Gonoyama on the final day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji reacts after beating Gonoyama on the final day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Takerufuji (R) beats Gonoyama on the final day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 24, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira became the first wrestler since Ryogoku in May 1914 to win a championship in his top-division debut.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Top-division debutant Takerufuji is pictured after being beaten by former ozeki Asanoyama on the 14th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 23, 2024.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Top-division debutant Takerufuji (L) is pictured after being beaten by former ozeki Asanoyama on the 14th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 23, 2024.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Top-division debutant Takerufuji (L) is beaten by former ozeki Asanoyama on the 14th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 23, 2024.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Top-division debutant Takerufuji (R) is beaten by former ozeki Asanoyama on the 14th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 23, 2024.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Top-division debutant Takerufuji is pictured before taking on sekiwake Wakamotoharu on the 13th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 22, 2024. The bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira beat Wakamotoharu with a 12-1 record, coming close to becoming the first makuuchi-division rookie to win the Emperor's Cup since 1914.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

Top-division rookie Takerufuji (L) beats sekiwake Wakamotoharu on the 13th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 22, 2024.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

No. 17 maegashira Takerufuji looks dejected after being beaten by ozeki Hoshoryu on the 12th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 21, 2024. The top-division debutant's perfect run came to a halt.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

No. 17 maegashira Takerufuji (L) is beaten by ozeki Hoshoryu on the 12th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 21, 2024. The top-division debutant's perfect run came to a halt.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

No. 17 maegashira Takerufuji (L) is beaten by ozeki Hoshoryu on the 12th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 21, 2024. The top-division debutant's perfect run came to a halt.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

No. 17 maegashira Takerufuji (top) beats ozeki Kotonowaka on the 11th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 20, 2024, improving to 11-0 to match the record for a top-tier makuuchi-division debutant's perfect start set in January 1960 by legendary yokozuna Taiho.

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Sumo: Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

No. 17 maegashira Takerufuji smiles after beating ozeki Kotonowaka on the 11th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 20, 2024, improving to 11-0 to match the record for a top-tier makuuchi-division debutant's perfect start set in January 1960 by legendary yokozuna Taiho.