Approximately 2,000 guests from the political, business, and sports worlds attended the venue to celebrate the birth of the new Yokozuna, including Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara and Chairman Hakkaku of the Japan Sumo Association.
Nをはじめ= starting with; not only... but also (used to give a primary example)
Oonosato appeared wearing the white 'tsuna' (rope) that is the symbol of a Yokozuna. 'I was able to reach this position thanks to the support of many people. From now on, I will devote myself to training and strive to be a model for young wrestlers, both as a Yokozuna and as a human being,' he stated with determination, which was met with loud applause from the audience.
Vていただく= to have someone do something (humble; expresses gratitude)Nとして= as; in the capacity ofVるように努める= to try to; to make an effort to
25歳という若さで角界の頂点に立った新横綱に、ファンの期待も一層高まっています。
Learning Notes
Grammar Patterns
Pattern
Meaning
Nとなる
to become; to turn into
Nをはじめ
starting with; not only... but also (used to give a primary example)
Vていただく
to have someone do something (humble; expresses gratitude)
Nとして
as; in the capacity of
Vるように努める
to try to; to make an effort to
NというN
called...; the fact that...
Vocabulary
Word
Reading
Level
Meaning
昇進
しょうしん
N2
promotion
およそ
およそ
N2
approximately
象徴
しょうちょう
N2
symbol
締める
しめる
N2
to tie; to tighten
支える
ささえる
N2
to support
地位
ちい
N2
status; position
稽古
けいこ
N2
practice; training
若手
わかて
N2
young/up-and-coming person
力士
りきし
N2
sumo wrestler
一層
いっそう
N2
even more; further
横綱
よこづな
N1
Yokozuna (sumo grand champion)
披露宴
ひろうえん
N1
reception; banquet
門出
かどで
N1
setting out; new start in life
盛大
せいだい
N1
grand; splendid
政財界
せいざいかい
N1
political and business circles
綱
つな
N1
rope; cable
就く
つく
N1
to take up (a position); to assume
精進
しょうじん
N1
devotion; diligence
模範
もはん
N1
model; exemplar
角界
かくかい
N1
the world of sumo
頂点
ちょうてん
N1
pinnacle; top
Language Insights
•The term 'Yokozuna' refers to the highest rank in professional sumo. Reaching this rank is a major national event in Japan.
•The white rope (tsuna) mentioned in the text is a distinctive symbol only worn by Yokozuna during special ring-entering ceremonies (dohyo-iri).
•'精進' (shojin) is a formal term often used in resolutions to express a deep, almost spiritual commitment to continuous self-improvement.