The big question ahead of the upcoming November Grand Sumo Tournament is whether Onosato can become the first wrestler since Hakuho in 2006 to win a championship in his debut at sumo’s second-highest rank.

It’s a legitimate question and furthermore, given the 24-year-old’s already demonstrated superstar potential, the prospect of him becoming just the second newly promoted ozeki to lift the Emperor’s Cup while going unbeaten is one that can’t be ruled out either.

Musing on Onosato matching the feats of Futabayama — one of the greatest wrestlers in sumo history — might seem optimistic to the point of delusion, but with double-digit wins in all but one of his sekitori tournaments to date and two championships in his first five top division meets, it’s a plausible contention.