The 26-year-old Yokozuna – the highest rank of sumo wrestler – won all five of his bouts in the capital, climaxing with victory over Onosato on Sunday afternoon.

There have only been 75 Yokozuna in the history of the sport – and only seven this century. Hoshoryu and Onosato were both promoted to the rank earlier this year, with Hoshoryu’s triumph in the London showpiece a major feather in his mawashi – or loincloth.

Wonderful photos of the wrestlers enjoying London last week went viral on social media, with Hoshoryu among those to visit Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace. Yet it was Stamford Bridge that the Mongolian was most excited to visit.

And it felt right that London’s Home of Trophies hosted the capital’s new sumo champion.

‘I have had a great time in London and I’ve done some sightseeing, but my ultimate dream was to come to the Chelsea stadium,’ Hoshoryu tells us. He is sitting in the home dressing room in front of a shirt with his name on the back, next to those of two of his heroes, Petr Cech and Didier Drogba.

‘On the last day I am in London, it is a dream come true to come to Stamford Bridge. This stadium and this changing room is amazing! It is hard to compare it to sumo. I want to stay here!’

In the dohyo, the platform where sumo matches take place, Hoshoryu cuts a serious figure. But he was full of quips and smiles as he visited the Chelsea Museum and then embarked on a stadium tour.

Hoshoryu had the time of his life. He performed a traditional shiko – or stomp – on the turf, answered questions in the press room, walked out of the tunnel to the Liquidator and finished his trip to SW6 by throwing salt in front of the West Stand, as wrestlers do ahead of bouts to purify the ring.

It may be in the world of sumo that Hoshoryu has made his name, but he has long held a passion for football, too.

‘I played football and basketball as a child, and I have always loved football and have watched it since I was a little boy,' he says.

‘Whenever there is a major tournament like the World Cup, I have always followed it on television, and I naturally just grew into being a Chelsea fan. Didier Drogba and Petr Cech were my favourite players, and Frank Lampard, too.’

He was a striker in his youth - inspired by Drogba - but now jokes he would probably suit being a goalkeeper better. Weighing 149kg and standing at 188cm tall, Hoshoryo is a formidable presence – he might even give Willie Foulke, our first ever goalkeeper, a run for his money!

While there may not be any obvious similarities between the sports, Hoshoryo notes how, in both, participating in duels in front of huge crowds tests your mental strength.

His triumph at the Royal Albert Hall, followed by a trip to Stamford Bridge, means this is a week Hoshoryo says he will never forget.

‘I was very happy to win, especially travelling all the way from Japan to London. To do sumo in front of the London public has been a great honour. I didn’t know how the people would react, but they were cheering names, clapping, and it really excited all the rikishi (wrestlers) who were involved.

‘I am so happy to be a winner after these five days of bouts, and now I am so excited to visit the Chelsea stadium.’

Next time he visits London, Hoshoryo dreams of going to watch the Blues in action. We would be honoured to have him back.

- Find out more about our stadium tours and the Chelsea Museum!