Chiyotairyū Hidemasa (Japanese: 千代大龍 秀政; born 14 November 1988 as Hidemasa Meigetsuin (明月院 秀政, Meigetsuin Hidemasa)) is…
Chiyotairyū Hidemasa (Japanese: 千代大龍 秀政; born 14 November 1988 as Hidemasa Meigetsuin (明月院 秀政, Meigetsuin Hidemasa)) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Arakawa, Tokyo, Japan. A former amateur champion at university, he made his professional debut in May 2011, as a makushita tsukedashi recruit and reached the top division in May 2012. He earned his first gold star or kinboshi by defeating yokozuna Harumafuji in the March 2013 tournament. His highest rank was komusubi. He earned one special prize, for Technique. He wrestled for Kokonoe stable.
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Kazusada Higuchi (樋口和貞, Higuchi Kazusada; born October 24, 1988) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and sumo…
Kazusada Higuchi (樋口和貞, Higuchi Kazusada; born October 24, 1988) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and sumo rikishi (sumo wrestler). He is best known for his time in Japanese professional wrestling promotion DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT), where he is a two-time KO-D Openweight Champion. As a sumo rikishi, he was known as Hokudōzan (北道山); as a member of the Hakkaku stable, his highest rank was makushita 45. From January 2020 to July 2022, he was a member of Eruption (エラップション, Erappushon; stylized in English text), alongside Yukio Sakaguchi, Saki Akai, and later Hideki Okatani. Amid his departure, he created Harimao (ハリマオ, Harimao) with Naomi Yoshimura and Yuki Ishida. He captured both the KO-D Tag Team and KO-D 6-Man Tag Team titles in his run with both stables. He won the 2022 and 2025 King of DDT tournaments, won the vacant KO-D Openweight Championship in his first 2022 victory, and won the title in the challenge subsequent to the 2025 victory at the King of Kings event. He won the Japan Indie Awards' MVP Award in 2022 for his accomplishments in DDT. His retirement was announced on March 23, 2026, and his retirement ceremony to confirm it will be held on the April 5 DDT Korakuen Hall event.
Kyokushūhō Kōki (Japanese: 旭秀鵬 滉規; born August 9, 1988 as Tumurbaatar Erdenbaatar (Mongolian: Төмөрбаатарын…
Kyokushūhō Kōki (Japanese: 旭秀鵬 滉規; born August 9, 1988 as Tumurbaatar Erdenbaatar (Mongolian: Төмөрбаатарын Эрдэнэбаатар) is a former Mongolian professional sumo wrestler from Ulan-Bator. Making his professional debut in 2007, he reached the top makuuchi division for the first time in 2012. His highest rank was maegashira 4, achieved in January 2016. He had one juryō division yūshō, or tournament championship. He was a member of the Tomozuna stable, and retired in 2022.
Jōkōryū Takayuki (Japanese: 常幸龍 貴之; born August 7, 1988 as Takayuki Sakuma (佐久間 貴之)) is a Japanese former professional…
Jōkōryū Takayuki (Japanese: 常幸龍 貴之; born August 7, 1988 as Takayuki Sakuma (佐久間 貴之)) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler. He made his professional debut in 2011 after a successful college career in sumo. He currently holds the record for the most consecutive wins since entering professional sumo, with 27, and for the fastest rise to the top makuuchi division from the lowest jonokuchi division (nine tournaments). His highest was komusubi, which he reached in September 2014. However, because of injuries he fell down the rankings, reaching a low of sandanme 23 in November 2016. He returned to the jūryō division for four tournaments from November 2020 until May 2021, but announced his retirement in September 2022 having fallen to the makushita division.
Tochinowaka Michihiro (born Dae Won Lee on April 6, 1988) is a former sumo wrestler from Hyogo, Japan. His father is a…
Tochinowaka Michihiro (born Dae Won Lee on April 6, 1988) is a former sumo wrestler from Hyogo, Japan. His father is a Zainichi Korean and his mother is a Korean immigrant. He made his professional debut in 2007 and steadily rose through the ranks. His highest rank was maegashira 1.
Azumaryū Tsuyoshi (Japanese: 東龍 強; born 12 May 1987 as Sanduijav Todbileg (Mongolian: Сандуйжавын Тодбилэг)) is a…
Azumaryū Tsuyoshi (Japanese: 東龍 強; born 12 May 1987 as Sanduijav Todbileg (Mongolian: Сандуйжавын Тодбилэг)) is a former Mongolian professional sumo wrestler from Govi-Altai Province. His highest rank has been maegashira 11. After an amateur sumo career at the Kyushu Institute of Information Sciences, he turned professional in November 2008, reaching sekitori status in January 2013 upon promotion to the jūryō division. He was ranked in the top makuuchi division on nine occasions without earning a winning record before finally achieving it on his tenth attempt in January 2023. He was demoted to the makushita division in 2015, but won promotion back to jūryō in November 2015 and the top division in September 2019. He has one jūryō division championship. He wrestled for Tamanoi stable.
Tochiōzan Yūichirō (Japanese: 栃煌山 雄一郎; born March 9, 1987 as Yūichirō Kageyama (影山 雄一郎)) is a Japanese former…
Tochiōzan Yūichirō (Japanese: 栃煌山 雄一郎; born March 9, 1987 as Yūichirō Kageyama (影山 雄一郎)) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Aki, Kōchi. He made his professional debut in January 2005 and reached the top makuuchi division in March 2007, retiring in July 2020. At one point he was regarded as one of the most promising Japanese rikishi during a period of domination by foreign born wrestlers. His highest rank was sekiwake. His best performance came in May 2012 when he tied with Kyokutenhō after fifteen days but was beaten in a play-off. He earned six special prizes for his achievements in tournaments and six gold stars for defeating yokozuna. He made twenty-five appearances in the san'yaku ranks.
Takarafuji Daisuke (Japanese: 宝富士 大輔; born February 18, 1987 as Daisuke Sugiyama (杉山 大輔, Sugiyama Daisuke)) is a former…
Takarafuji Daisuke (Japanese: 宝富士 大輔; born February 18, 1987 as Daisuke Sugiyama (杉山 大輔, Sugiyama Daisuke)) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler. He made his professional debut in January 2009, reaching the top makuuchi division in July 2011. He wrestled for the Isegahama Stable. The highest rank he reached was sekiwake. He did not miss a bout in his career.
Myōgiryū Yasunari (Japanese: 妙義龍 泰成; born 22 October 1986 as Yasunari Miyamoto (宮本 泰成, Miyamoto Yasunari)) is a…
Myōgiryū Yasunari (Japanese: 妙義龍 泰成; born 22 October 1986 as Yasunari Miyamoto (宮本 泰成, Miyamoto Yasunari)) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Takasago, Hyōgo. Making his debut in May 2009 as a makushita tsukedashi out of university, he reached the top division for the first time in November 2011. His highest rank to date has been sekiwake. He has earned six special prizes for Technique and six kinboshi for defeating yokozuna. He was runner-up in the September 2021 tournament. Myōgiryū is popular with female sumo fans, some of whom call out his nickname "22" at tournaments, apparently a reference to his body fat percentage, which is one of the lowest in sumo and has even been mentioned in commercials. Due to his longevity in sumo's top division and popularity with the female audience, Myōgiryū is also nicknamed "otoko" (漢, lit. 'the man'). Myōgiryū has coached at Sakaigawa stable since his retirement from competition in September 2024. His elder name is Furiwake.
Ikioi Shōta (Japanese: 勢 翔太; born 11 October 1986 as Shōta Toguchi (東口 翔太)) is a Japanese former professional sumo…
Ikioi Shōta (Japanese: 勢 翔太; born 11 October 1986 as Shōta Toguchi (東口 翔太)) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Katano, Osaka. He began his career in March 2005. He won the jūryō championship in November 2011 in his very first tournament in the division and just two tournaments later made his makuuchi division debut. He was runner up to Jōkōryū in the jūryō division in September 2012. His highest rank was sekiwake. He won four special prizes for Fighting Spirit and five gold stars for defeating yokozuna. He did not miss a single bout from his professional debut until the last day of the January 2021 tournament. He retired in June 2021 to become a coach and elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name Kasugayama.
Kimikaze Toshiji (皇風 俊司) (born 23 September 1986 as Toshiji Naoe) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Chōfu…
Kimikaze Toshiji (皇風 俊司) (born 23 September 1986 as Toshiji Naoe) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Chōfu, Tokyo, Japan. His highest rank was maegashira 13. He won the jūryō championship in March 2012.
Tokushōryū Makoto (Japanese: 德勝龍 誠; born August 22, 1986 as Makoto Aoki (青木 誠, Aoki Makoto)) is a Japanese former…
Tokushōryū Makoto (Japanese: 德勝龍 誠; born August 22, 1986 as Makoto Aoki (青木 誠, Aoki Makoto)) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Nara. An amateur sumo competitor while studying at Kinki University, he joined Kise stable and made his professional debut in January 2009. He won championships in the jonokuchi, sandanme and jūryō divisions, and first reached the top makuuchi division in July 2013. After spending most of 2018 and 2019 in the second tier, Tokushōryū returned to makuuchi in January 2020 and recorded 14 wins to take an upset top-division championship victory at the age of 33. He retired from competition in September 2023 and is now coaching, first at Kise stable and then at Nishikido stable, as an elder. His highest rank was maegashira 2, and he earned one kinboshi and two special prizes in his career.
Kisenosato Yutaka (Japanese: 稀勢の里 寛, Hepburn: Kisenosato Yutaka; born July 3, 1986, as Yutaka Hagiwara (萩原 寛, Hagiwara…
Kisenosato Yutaka (Japanese: 稀勢の里 寛, Hepburn: Kisenosato Yutaka; born July 3, 1986, as Yutaka Hagiwara (萩原 寛, Hagiwara Yutaka)) is a Japanese sumo elder from Ibaraki. As a wrestler, he made his professional debut in 2002 and reached the top makuuchi division in 2004 at the age of just 18. After many years in the junior san'yaku ranks, he reached the second highest rank of ōzeki in January 2012. He earned three kinboshi or gold stars by defeating yokozuna in his career leading up to ōzeki and nine special prizes. He scored more than 20 double-digit winning records at the ōzeki rank. In 2016, he secured the most wins in the calendar year, the first wrestler to do so without winning a tournament in that year. After being a runner-up in a tournament on twelve occasions, he broke through at the January 2017 tournament, winning his first top division championship or yūshō with a 14–1 record and subsequently was promoted to yokozuna, the first Japanese-born wrestler to reach sumo's highest rank since Wakanohana in 1998. He had been a candidate four times previously (July 2013, January 2014, July 2016 and September 2016), but in each case, he failed to achieve the necessary number of wins. Kisenosato won his first tournament as a yokozuna in March 2017, but suffered a left chest muscle injury in the process and was not able to complete another tournament until September 2018. His eight straight missed tournaments were a record for a yokozuna. His 12 runner-up finishes are the most in history. In January 2019, he announced his retirement from sumo. He is now an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name of Nishonoseki Yutaka (二所ノ関 寛).
Gōeidō Gōtarō (豪栄道 豪太郎; born April 6, 1986 as Gōtarō Sawai (澤井 豪太郎, Sawai Gōtarō)) is a former sumo wrestler from Osaka…
Gōeidō Gōtarō (豪栄道 豪太郎; born April 6, 1986 as Gōtarō Sawai (澤井 豪太郎, Sawai Gōtarō)) is a former sumo wrestler from Osaka Prefecture, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 2005 and reached the top makuuchi division in September 2007. Long regarded as one of the most promising Japanese wrestlers in sumo, Gōeidō holds the modern record for the most consecutive appearances at sumo's third highest rank of sekiwake, at 14 tournaments. He was finally promoted to the rank of ōzeki following the July 2014 tournament, after scores of twelve wins against three losses in two of the previous three tournaments. However, he only managed to win ten or more bouts in a tournament as an ōzeki on six occasions, and was kadoban, or in danger of demotion, eight times. He won his only top division tournament in September 2016 with a perfect 15–0 record and was a runner-up seven times in his career. He retired in January 2020 after two consecutive losing records that would have seen him demoted, to become an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name of Takekuma.
Okinoumi Ayumi (Japanese: 隠岐の海 歩, Hepburn: Okinoumi Ayumi; born 29 July 1985 as Ayumi Fukuoka (福岡 歩, Fukuoka Ayumi)) is…
Okinoumi Ayumi (Japanese: 隠岐の海 歩, Hepburn: Okinoumi Ayumi; born 29 July 1985 as Ayumi Fukuoka (福岡 歩, Fukuoka Ayumi)) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Okinoshima, Shimane. He joined professional sumo in 2005, reaching the top division in 2010. He was runner-up in makuuchi three times in the January 2011, March 2013, and November 2017 tournaments, all with an 11–4 record. His highest rank was sekiwake, which he held for one tournament in March 2015 and then held again in November 2016. He has won four Fighting Spirit prizes, one prize for Outstanding Performance, and four gold stars for defeating yokozuna. He wrestled for Hakkaku stable. Upon his retirement, Okinoumi became a sumo coach under the name of Kimigahama.
Akiseyama Mitsuhiko (Japanese: 明瀬山 光彦; born July 18, 1985 as Mitsuhiko Fukao (深尾 光彦, Fukao Mitsuhiko)) is a former…
Akiseyama Mitsuhiko (Japanese: 明瀬山 光彦; born July 18, 1985 as Mitsuhiko Fukao (深尾 光彦, Fukao Mitsuhiko)) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kasugai, Aichi. An amateur sumo competitor while studying at Nihon University, he made his professional debut in January 2008. He has two lower-division championships in jonokuchi and makushita, and reached the top makuuchi division in March 2016. His highest rank was maegashira 12. He wrestled for Kise stable, where he now coaches under the name of Izutsu.
Homarefuji Yoshiyuki (誉富士 歓之; born 6 May 1985 as Yoshiyuki Miura) is a retired professional sumo wrestler from the town…
Homarefuji Yoshiyuki (誉富士 歓之; born 6 May 1985 as Yoshiyuki Miura) is a retired professional sumo wrestler from the town of Ajigasawa in Aomori prefecture, Japan. A former amateur champion, he made his professional debut in January 2008 and wrestled for Isegahama stable, one of the more successful stables in sumo today. He reached the top makuuchi division for the first time in May 2013. His highest rank was maegashira 6. He retired in 2019 to become an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name Tateyama.
Tosayutaka Yūya (born 10 March 1985) is a former sumo wrestler from Tosa City, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. He made his…
Tosayutaka Yūya (born 10 March 1985) is a former sumo wrestler from Tosa City, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 2007, reaching the top makuuchi division in July 2009. His highest rank was maegashira 1. After a long hiatus due to injury, he worked his way back up the ranks, logging several lower division championships on the way. In January 2015 he finally reached the top division again after an 18 tournament absence. His comeback from sandanme 84 was the lowest any wrestler since World War II has fallen and still managed to again reach the top division, until surpassed by Terunofuji. After further injury setbacks he announced his retirement in January 2016. He became stablemaster of Tokitsukaze stable in February 2021 after the Japan Sumo Association asked the previous stablemaster to retire.
Sadanofuji Akihiro (佐田の富士 哲博) (born December 25, 1984, as Akihiro Yamamoto) is a former sumo wrestler from Kazusa…
Sadanofuji Akihiro (佐田の富士 哲博) (born December 25, 1984, as Akihiro Yamamoto) is a former sumo wrestler from Kazusa, Nagasaki, Japan. He was a jūryō division champion in 2012. The highest rank he reached was maegashira 2. He retired in 2017 and was a coach at Sakaigawa stable under the name of Furiwake (振分) until 2024.
Toyohibiki Ryūta (Japanese: 豊響 隆太; born November 16, 1984 as Ryūta Kadomoto (門元 隆太)) is a former Japanese professional…
Toyohibiki Ryūta (Japanese: 豊響 隆太; born November 16, 1984 as Ryūta Kadomoto (門元 隆太)) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Toyoura, Yamaguchi. He turned professional in 2005, reaching the top makuuchi division in July 2007. He has earned two special prizes for Fighting Spirit, and one gold star for a yokozuna upset. His highest rank was maegashira 2. He was from Sakaigawa stable, which had four other wrestlers with top division experience for much of the time he was in makuuchi: Myōgiryū, Sadanofuji, Sadanoumi and Gōeidō, the last of whom joined at the same time as him. He had one of the most tournaments ranked in makuuchi without reaching ever san'yaku. His ring name roughly translates as "abundant echo". He retired in June 2021 to become a coach and elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name of Yamashina Oyakata.
Kiyoseumi Takayuki (born Takayuki Ichihara, 16 August 1984) is a former sumo wrestler from Nagoya, Japan. An extremely…
Kiyoseumi Takayuki (born Takayuki Ichihara, 16 August 1984) is a former sumo wrestler from Nagoya, Japan. An extremely successful amateur, his highest rank in the professional sport was maegashira 13. He was forced to retire in April 2011 after an investigation by the Japan Sumo Association found him guilty of match-fixing.
Masatsukasa Kōshin (born 7 June 1984 as Masahito Ono) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori Prefecture, Japan. His…
Masatsukasa Kōshin (born 7 June 1984 as Masahito Ono) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was maegashira 8. He was forced to retire in April 2011 after an investigation by the Japan Sumo Association found him guilty of match-fixing.
Tokushinhō Motohisa (Japanese: 德真鵬 元久; born May 13, 1984 as Motohisa Shiratsuka (白塚 元久)) is a Japanese former…
Tokushinhō Motohisa (Japanese: 德真鵬 元久; born May 13, 1984 as Motohisa Shiratsuka (白塚 元久)) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Matsusaka, Mie. His sumo stable was Kise (for a short time he belonged to Kitanoumi). His height is 193 cm (6 ft 4 in) and his peak weight is 224 kg (494 lb). His highest rank was jūryō 6. He is the first former amateur from Asahi University to reach the sekitori ranks. He retired in June 2020.
Ryūichi Yamamoto (山本 龍一, Yamamoto Ryūichi; born May 8, 1984), known by his shikona Yamamotoyama Ryūta (山本山 龍太), or…
Ryūichi Yamamoto (山本 龍一, Yamamoto Ryūichi; born May 8, 1984), known by his shikona Yamamotoyama Ryūta (山本山 龍太), or simply Yama, is a Japanese retired sumo wrestler from the city of Saitama in Saitama Prefecture. He made his professional debut in January 2007, and reached the top makuuchi division in January 2009. His highest rank was maegashira 9. At 265 kg (584 lb), Yamamotoyama is the heaviest Japanese-born sumo wrestler in history, and is also thought to be the heaviest Japanese person ever. In April 2011, he was told to retire by the Japan Sumo Association after he and several other wrestlers were found to be involved in match-fixing. He currently participates in sumo exhibitions and amateur tournaments, and has made a number of appearances in television shows, commercials and music videos.
Azumi Uehara (Japanese: 上原 あずみ, Hepburn: Uehara Azumi; born April 10, 1984) is a Japanese former Porn actress and…
Azumi Uehara (Japanese: 上原 あずみ, Hepburn: Uehara Azumi; born April 10, 1984) is a Japanese former Porn actress and Japanese pop singer.
Wakakōyū Masaya (born 24 February 1984 as Masaya Yakigaya) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Funabashi…
Wakakōyū Masaya (born 24 February 1984 as Masaya Yakigaya) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Funabashi, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi. The last two characters of his ring name were taken from his mentor and coach at Ōnomatsu, the former Masurao. He was only the second wrestler from his stable to reach the top division. He was runner-up in one tournament and earned one special prize, for Fighting Spirit. He is now a sumo coach.
Shōhōzan Yūya (Japanese: 松鳳山 裕也; born February 9, 1984 as Yūya Matsutani (松谷 裕也)) is a Japanese former professional…
Shōhōzan Yūya (Japanese: 松鳳山 裕也; born February 9, 1984 as Yūya Matsutani (松谷 裕也)) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Chikujō, Fukuoka. Wrestling for Hanaregoma stable, he made his professional debut in March 2006 and reached the top makuuchi division in November 2011. His highest rank was komusubi, which he achieved on five occasions. He earned three Fighting Spirit prizes, five kinboshi or gold stars for defeating yokozuna, and was runner-up in one tournament before retiring from competition in June 2022.
Kotoshōgiku Kazuhiro (Japanese: 琴奨菊 和弘; born 30 January 1984 as Kazuhiro Kikutsugi (菊次 一弘, Kikutsugi Kazuhiro) in…
Kotoshōgiku Kazuhiro (Japanese: 琴奨菊 和弘; born 30 January 1984 as Kazuhiro Kikutsugi (菊次 一弘, Kikutsugi Kazuhiro) in Yanagawa, Fukuoka) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler. Wrestling for Sadogatake stable, he made his professional debut in 2002, and reached the top division in 2005. In 2011 he achieved the standard for promotion to the second highest rank of ōzeki by winning 33 bouts over three tournaments, and was formally promoted by the Japan Sumo Association on 28 September. On 24 January 2016 he became the first Japanese-born wrestler in ten years to win a top-division tournament. He had a long-standing rivalry with Kisenosato against whom he fought a record 66 times, the most between two wrestlers in sumo history. He continued to fight after losing his ōzeki rank in January 2017, and in March 2020 became the oldest active sekitori. He announced his retirement from active competition on 14 November 2020. Kotoshōgiku earned seven special prizes in his career, won one top division tournament, and was runner-up in three others.
Toyonoshima Daiki (born June 26, 1983, as Daiki Kajiwara) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Sukumo, Kōchi…
Toyonoshima Daiki (born June 26, 1983, as Daiki Kajiwara) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Sukumo, Kōchi, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 2002, reaching the top makuuchi division in September 2004. He was a runner-up in five tournaments, and earned ten special prizes. His highest rank was sekiwake, which he first reached in September 2008 and held for five tournaments in total. Following a suspension in July 2010 he was demoted to the jūryō division, but upon his return to makuuchi in November 2010 he took part in a playoff for the championship. He won four kinboshi or gold stars awarded for yokozuna upsets, three of them earned by defeating Harumafuji from 2013 to 2015. He wrestled for Tokitsukaze stable. He retired in 2020 and was an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name of Izutsu-oyakata until his departure from the association in January 2023.
Chiyohakuhō Daiki (born 21 April 1983 as Daiki Kakiuchi) is a former sumo wrestler from Yamaga, Kumamoto, Japan. He…
Chiyohakuhō Daiki (born 21 April 1983 as Daiki Kakiuchi) is a former sumo wrestler from Yamaga, Kumamoto, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1999 and broke into the top makuuchi division nine years later in 2008. His highest rank was maegashira 6. He wrestled for Kokonoe stable. After he admitted to his involvement in match-fixing, he retired from the sport in 2011 following an investigation by the Japan Sumo Association.
Sakaizawa Kenichi (born 11 April 1983 as Kenichi Sakaizawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Saitama, Japan. He made his…
Sakaizawa Kenichi (born 11 April 1983 as Kenichi Sakaizawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Saitama, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 2006, and reached the top division in March 2008. His highest rank was maegashira 15. He was forced to retire by the Japan Sumo Association, as a result of the 2011 match-fixing scandal (yaocho).
Karoyan Andō (Japanese: 安藤 カロヤン, romanized: Andō Karoyan; born Kaloyan Stefanov Mahlyanov, Bulgarian: Калоян Стефанов…
Karoyan Andō (Japanese: 安藤 カロヤン, romanized: Andō Karoyan; born Kaloyan Stefanov Mahlyanov, Bulgarian: Калоян Стефанов Махлянов; born 19 February 1983), known professionally as Kotoōshū Katsunori (Japanese: 琴欧洲 勝紀) and in his coaching career as Naruto Katsunori (Japanese: 鳴戸 勝紀), is a Bulgarian-Japanese former sumo wrestler. He made his debut in 2002, reaching the top division just two years later. In 2005, he was the first European sumo wrestler to reach the rank of ōzeki or 'champion', the second-highest level in the sumo ranking system behind only yokozuna. On May 24, 2008, Kotoōshū made history by becoming the first European sumo wrestler to win an Emperor's Cup. He was one of the longest serving ōzeki in sumo history, holding the rank for 47 consecutive tournaments until November 2013. In January 2014 Kotoōshū obtained Japanese citizenship, a requirement of becoming an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, and he announced his retirement during the following tournament in March. In April 2017 he opened his own training stable, Naruto.
Kitataiki Akeyoshi (北太樹 明義, born 5 October 1982) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Machida City…
Kitataiki Akeyoshi (北太樹 明義, born 5 October 1982) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Machida City, Tokyo, Japan. Making his debut in March 1998, he reached the top division for the first time in September 2008, returning in January 2010. He won two second division jūryō championships in his career. His highest rank was maegashira 2. He retired in January 2018 and became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name of Onogawa.
Daidō Kenji (大道 健二) (born August 21, 1982 as Kenji Nakanishi) is a former professional sumo wrestler (rikishi) from…
Daidō Kenji (大道 健二) (born August 21, 1982 as Kenji Nakanishi) is a former professional sumo wrestler (rikishi) from Katsushika, Tokyo, Japan. He made his debut in 2005, reaching the top division six years later, debuting in the July, 2011 tournament. His highest rank was maegashira #8. He is now a sumo coach.
Masaru Maeta (前田勝, Maeta Masaru), known by his shikona Maeta (前田), (24 June 1982 – 26 August 2020) was a Japanese sumo…
Masaru Maeta (前田勝, Maeta Masaru), known by his shikona Maeta (前田), (24 June 1982 – 26 August 2020) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from the city of Tsuruoka in Yamagata Prefecture. He was a former amateur sumo competitor for Nihon University and made his professional debut in 2005. His sumo stable was Shibatayama and previously he belonged to Hanaregoma. His height was 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) and his peak weight was 213 kg (470 lb). His highest rank was makushita 3. He retired in 2018.
Yoshikaze Masatsugu (born March 19, 1982, as Masatsugu Ōnishi) is a former sumo wrestler from Saiki, Oita Prefecture…
Yoshikaze Masatsugu (born March 19, 1982, as Masatsugu Ōnishi) is a former sumo wrestler from Saiki, Oita Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was sekiwake. A former amateur sumo champion, he turned professional in 2004, reaching the top division two years later. Until his promotion to komusubi in May 2014 he had the active record for the longest serving makuuchi wrestler who had never reached a titled rank. His best performance in a tournament came in July 2015 when he was the runner-up and scored twelve wins against three losses. In the following tournament in September 2015 he defeated two yokozuna and won special prizes for Outstanding Performance and Technique. Yoshikaze is in second place for the slowest promotion from makuuchi debut to the third highest sekiwake rank in history, behind only his stablemate Takekaze. He won ten special prizes in total, and eight gold stars for defeating yokozuna. He retired in September 2019 and is now an elder of the Japan Sumo Association, known as Nakamura Oyakata.
Hōchiyama Kōkan (born January 18, 1982, as Yukimi Munakata) is a former sumo wrestler from Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture…
Hōchiyama Kōkan (born January 18, 1982, as Yukimi Munakata) is a former sumo wrestler from Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. He joined professional sumo in 2000. His highest rank was maegashira 14, achieved in 2006. After illness saw him demoted to the third makushita division in 2008, he returned to the second highest jūryō division in 2010 and the top makuuchi division in September 2011. After winning the sandanme division he had just been demoted to in November 2013, he chose to retire. He is now a coach at Sakaigawa stable under the name of Tatsutagawa (立田川).
Sagatsukasa Hiroyuki (Japanese: 磋牙司 洋之; born 21 December 1981 as Hiroyuki Isobe (磯部 洋之)) is a retired Japanese…
Sagatsukasa Hiroyuki (Japanese: 磋牙司 洋之; born 21 December 1981 as Hiroyuki Isobe (磯部 洋之)) is a retired Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Mishima, Shizuoka. A former amateur competitor at Toyo University, he made his professional debut in March 2004, reaching the top makuuchi division for the first time in March 2010. He won a makushita and a jūryō division championship. His highest rank was maegashira 9. He was one of the shortest wrestlers in professional sumo at 1.66 m (5 ft 5+1⁄2 in).
Asasekiryū Tarō (born Badarchiin Dashnyam, Mongolian: Бадарчийн Дашням; August 7, 1981) is a Mongolian-Japanese former…
Asasekiryū Tarō (born Badarchiin Dashnyam, Mongolian: Бадарчийн Дашням; August 7, 1981) is a Mongolian-Japanese former sumo wrestler. He made his debut in January 2000, reaching the top makuuchi division in March 2003. He won four special prizes, and spent a total of five tournaments in the titled san'yaku ranks. The highest rank was sekiwake. He was a runner-up in two tournaments in 2004 and 2007. After 2013 he was mainly ranked in the lower jūryō and makushita divisions. He acquired Japanese citizenship in April 2017 and retired from active competition the following month. He became a coach at Takasago stable under the elder name Nishikijima Oyakata. In November 2020 he became head coach of Takasago stable.
Kimurayama Mamoru (13 July 1981 – 6 July 2024) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler. His highest rank was…
Kimurayama Mamoru (13 July 1981 – 6 July 2024) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler. His highest rank was maegashira 7. He was a coach at Kasugano stable. He was the only wrestler in the elite ranks in his time from Wakayama Prefecture.
Satoyama Kōsaku (born May 31, 1981) is a retired professional sumo wrestler from Ōshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. A…
Satoyama Kōsaku (born May 31, 1981) is a retired professional sumo wrestler from Ōshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. A former amateur sumo champion at Nihon University, he entered professional sumo in 2004 and first reached the top makuuchi division in 2007. His highest rank was maegashira 12. He spent much of his career in the jūryō and makushita divisions, and won a yusho or tournament championship in each. He won promotion back to the top division in 2014 after a seven-year and 37-tournament absence, the longest ever. He was a member of Onoe stable. He retired in November 2018 and is an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name of Chiganoura.
Hōmashō Noriyuki (born April 16, 1981 as Yōsuke Yamamoto in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan), is a former sumo…
Hōmashō Noriyuki (born April 16, 1981 as Yōsuke Yamamoto in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan), is a former sumo wrestler. He turned professional in March 2004 and reached the top makuuchi division in May 2006 as the first sekitori from Shikoroyama stable, without any losing scores on his record. His highest rank was komusubi. He earned seven special prizes in his top division career and was a runner-up in three tournaments. In March 2014 he took the championship in the jūryō division. Hōmashō was a popular wrestler among sumo fans, and was noted for his deep and graceful bow at the end of a match. Upon his retirement in January 2015 he became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name of Tatsutagawa.
Asashōryū Akinori (Japanese: 朝青龍 明徳; born 27 September 1980, as Dolgorsürengiin Dagvadorj, Mongolian Cyrillic…
Asashōryū Akinori (Japanese: 朝青龍 明徳; born 27 September 1980, as Dolgorsürengiin Dagvadorj, Mongolian Cyrillic: Долгорсүрэнгийн Дагвадорж; [tɔɮgɔrsʊːrengiːn tagw̜atɔrt͡ʃ]) is a Mongolian former professional sumo wrestler (rikishi). He was the 68th yokozuna in the history of the sport in Japan, and in January 2003 he became the first Mongolian to reach sumo's highest rank. He was one of the most successful yokozuna ever. In 2005, he became the first wrestler to win all six official tournaments (honbasho) in a single year. Over his entire career, he won 25 top division tournament championships, placing him fourth on the all-time list. He is often referred to as one of the greatest sumo wrestlers of all time. From 2004 until 2007, Asashōryū was sumo's sole yokozuna between the retirement of Musashimaru and the promotion of fellow Mongolian Hakuhō, and was criticized at times by the media and the Japan Sumo Association for not upholding the standards of behaviour expected of a holder of such a prestigious rank. He became the first yokozuna in history to be suspended from competition in August 2007 when he participated in a charity football match in his home country despite having withdrawn from a regional sumo tour claiming injury. After a career filled with a multitude of other controversies, both on and off the dohyō, his career was cut short when he retired from sumo in February 2010 after allegations that he assaulted a man outside a Tokyo nightclub.
Katayama Shinji (born September 6, 1979) is a former sumo wrestler from Yaizu, Shizuoka, Japan. His highest rank was…
Katayama Shinji (born September 6, 1979) is a former sumo wrestler from Yaizu, Shizuoka, Japan. His highest rank was maegashira 13.
Takekaze Akira (born June 21, 1979 as Akira Narita) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Akita Prefecture…
Takekaze Akira (born June 21, 1979 as Akira Narita) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Akita Prefecture, Japan. A former amateur sumo champion, he turned professional in 2002, reaching the top makuuchi division the following year. He was a runner-up in one tournament, earned two special prizes for Fighting Spirit, and one gold star for defeating a yokozuna. Takekaze is in first place for the slowest promotion from makuuchi debut to the third highest sekiwake rank in history. Aged 35 years and two months, he is in first place for the eldest to make his sekiwake debut post World War II. He was a member of Oguruma stable. He retired in January 2019 to become an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name Oshiogawa-oyakata and is the owner of Oshiogawa stable.
Aminishiki Ryūji (born October 3, 1978, as Ryūji Suginomori) is a retired Japanese sumo wrestler and the oyakata of the…
Aminishiki Ryūji (born October 3, 1978, as Ryūji Suginomori) is a retired Japanese sumo wrestler and the oyakata of the Ajigawa stable. He made his professional debut in 1997 and reached the top makuuchi division in 2000. He earned twelve special prizes and won eight kinboshi or gold stars for defeating yokozuna. He was twice runner-up in a tournament. The highest rank he reached was sekiwake. After more than 22 years as an active wrestler he retired in July 2019 at the age of 40. He is in the all-time top ten for a number of sumo records, including most career wins, most top division appearances and most tournaments ranked in the top division. He wrestled for Isegahama stable.
Kakizoe Tōru (垣添 徹, Kakizoe Tōru) (born August 12, 1978 in Usa City, Ōita Prefecture, Japan), is a former sumo…
Kakizoe Tōru (垣添 徹, Kakizoe Tōru) (born August 12, 1978 in Usa City, Ōita Prefecture, Japan), is a former sumo wrestler. A former amateur champion, he turned professional in 2001 and reached the top division in 2003. His highest rank was komusubi, which he held for just one tournament. He won one special prize, for Technique. After injury problems he fell to the third makushita division in 2011 and retired in April 2012, becoming a sumo coach. He was part of ex-yokozuna Musashimaru's Musashigawa stable from 2013 until 2020, when he moved to Irumagawa stable. He is now a sumo elder, under the name Ikazuchi (雷).
Ushiomaru Motoyasu (born Motoyasu Sano; May 11, 1978 – December 13, 2019) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Shizuoka,.…
Ushiomaru Motoyasu (born Motoyasu Sano; May 11, 1978 – December 13, 2019) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Shizuoka,. He began his professional career in 1994 and first reached the top division in 2002. His highest rank was maegashira 10. He retired in May 2009 to take over the Azumazeki stable.
Shimotori Norio (born March 18, 1978) is a former sumo wrestler from Arai, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. A former amateur…
Shimotori Norio (born March 18, 1978) is a former sumo wrestler from Arai, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. A former amateur champion, he made his professional debut in 2000 and first reached the top division in 2002, although due to injuries he had trouble maintaining that position. He earned one special prize, for Fighting Spirit. His highest rank was komusubi. He was forced to retire in April 2011 after an investigation by the Japan Sumo Association found him guilty of match-fixing.
Kyokunankai Hiromitsu (born 14 December 1977 as Hirokazu Ken) is a former sumo wrestler from Amagi, Kagoshima, Japan.…
Kyokunankai Hiromitsu (born 14 December 1977 as Hirokazu Ken) is a former sumo wrestler from Amagi, Kagoshima, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1993 and reached the top division in September 2010. The 17 years it took him to reach the top division is the second slowest progress ever, in the history of professional sumo wrestling. His highest rank was maegashira 16. He was forced to retire by the Japan Sumo Association, as a result of the 2011 match-fixing scandal.