Japanese champion sumo wrestler receives Freedom of the City of London

·       City pays tribute to revered Japanese professional sumo wrestler and six-time appointed Chairman of Japanese Sumo Association

·       Nobuyoshi Hakkaku “very honoured to receive Freedom”, on behalf of all sumo wrestlers and members of the Japanese Sumo Association

·       Mr Hakkaku recalls heartfelt welcome by Londoners at sumo tournaments and “being engulfed by their warm cheers”

Nobuyoshi Hakkaku, Chairman of the Japanese Sumo Association, has received the Freedom of the City of London, in recognition of his significant achievements in participating in, and contribution to promoting, the ancient sport.

Born Nobuyoshi Hoshi in Hokkaidō in 1963, Nobuyoshi Hakkaku attained the highest rank and became the 61st Yokozuna “Hokutoumi” during his active years as a rikishi (professional sumo wrestler).

Throughout his 13-year career spanning from 1979 to 1992, Mr Hakkaku won eight Makuuchi (top division) championships. He was appointed chairman of Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association) in December 2015 and was reappointed in March this year to his sixth term.

Mr Hakkaku was nominated for the Freedom by former Lord Mayor of the City of London, Professor Michael Mainelli, and Laura Dobbie Miller, the City of London Corporation’s Clerk of the Chamberlain’s Court. He attended his ceremony at the City Corporation’s Guildhall headquarters this afternoon.

Speaking after his Freedom ceremony, Nobuyoshi Hakkaku said:

“I am very honoured to receive the Freedom of the City of London, on behalf of the rikishi and members of the Japan Sumo Association, because it is not an individual accomplishment, and owes much to everyone’s contributions to sustain the Japanese traditions and culture of Grand Sumo. 

“I was a Yokozuna when I participated in the 1991 London Basho and in 2025, I returned as the Chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, and I am grateful to have had two opportunities to further our ties and understandings. 

“On each occasion, I have wonderful memories of being welcomed by Londoners and being engulfed by their warm cheers.

“London sustains their heritage and tradition, and I feel that this is very similar to our values, especially, Royal Albert Hall’s legacy is a model example for the Japanese Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Arena).”

Professor Michael Mainelli said:

“The City of London Corporation treasures its relationship with Japan – from hosting His Majesty The Emperor of Japan for a State Banquet at Guildhall in June 2024 to its work with Japan’s financial and professional services communities.

“On a personal level, as a sumo fan myself and mindful that four generations of my family have lived in Japan, I have been particularly delighted to welcome Chairman Hakkaku to Guildhall for his admission to the Freedom of the City of London.”

City of London Corporation Policy Chairman, Chris Hayward, said:

“The Freedom of the City of London can be offered to individuals to recognise their outstanding talent or expertise in their chosen field and, as a much respected and revered figure in the sumo arena, Nobuyoshi Hakkaku has it in abundance.

“I am delighted to send my congratulations to Chairman Hakkaku on being admitted into the Freedom, and hope that he will have happy memories of the ceremony for many years to come.”

One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade.

As well as being nominated for, or applying for, the Freedom, it is also offered by the City of London Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.

Recent notable recipients include best-selling novelist, Ken Follett; artist and President of the Royal Academy of Arts, Rebecca Salter; two-time Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian, Cate Blanchett; and mental health campaigner and former professional heavyweight boxer, Frank Bruno.

ENDS