The March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament was full of ups and downs, heartbreaking losses, and exciting debuts. After fourteen days of action, it came down to the final day of competition to determine which rikishi would reign supreme. The pinnacle of dohyo action would come when Takerufuji met Gonoyama for the Top Division title.
Rookie Rikishi Tops March 2024 Basho, Crowned Spring Grand Sumo Champion
／#新入幕 として
110年ぶりの優勝を果たした #尊富士
＼初めての #幕内 の舞台で
歴史的快挙を達成した24歳が
場所中に語ったことばとは#sumo #nhksumo #大相撲
記事はコチラから 👇https://t.co/dQYOdDPwaX— NHK大相撲（公式） (@NhkSumo) March 24, 2024
With Yokozuna Terunofuji suffering a poor tournament and eventually dropping out, the field was wide open for any rikishi to emerge as the front runner. This role was filled by rookie Takerufuji. The Maegashira #17 would enter day fifteen at 12-2 and would meet Gonoyama for a chance to clinch the March basho. Takerufuji would clinch the tournament after thrusting out Gonoyama and would become the first rookie since 1914 to win the Top Division Championship. Takerufuji would also be awarded all three special prizes awarded in the tournament. The 24-year-old would claim the Outstanding Performance Award, Fighting Spirit Prize, and the Technique Prize.