Which wrestler became the youngest yokozuna in professional sumo history?

Kitanoumi Toshimitsu became the youngest yokozuna in professional sumo history.

Kitanoumi was promoted in 1974 at 21 years and 2 months old. His promotion followed a rapid rise through the professional ranks and came after he won the May 1974 tournament, his first championship as a top-division wrestler.

His early promotion reflected extraordinary dominance. Kitanoumi later won 24 top-division championships and spent many years as the leading wrestler of his generation. His name became closely associated with powerful, efficient sumo.

The age record is based on age at promotion, not age when entering professional sumo or age at a wrestler’s first championship. Kitanoumi later served as chairman of the Japan Sumo Association before his death in 2015.