Fujinokawa First Kyoto-Born Rikishi to Reach Sekiwake in 198 Years

Quoted Fujinokawa Gives Kyoto 1st Sekiwake in 2 Centuries by The Yomiuri Shimbun (japannews.yomiuri.co.jp) According to the JSA, Fujinokawa becomes the first wrestler from Kyoto Prefecture to reach sekiwake in 198 years, following in the footsteps of Hiodoshi, who made it for the October tournament in 1828. The 2026 Aki banzuke (September Grand Sumo tournament) were released yesterday. 21-year-old Fujinokawa, one of the smallest wrestlers in the top-division, was expected to make his san’yaku debut after finishing 8-7 at maegashira-1 in July. The more burning question was whether he would make his san’yaku debut at Komosubi or the higher Sekiwake rank. Sekiwake is is for Fujinokawa. In makin. The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Fujinokawa is the first Kyoto-born sumo wrestler to make the san’yaku ranks in 198(!?) years, with the most recent prior to 2026 being Hiodoshi, he made it for the 1828 October tournament. Fujinokawa has been on a history-making run of late. Back in July he…