# Kusano Naoya

Kusano Naoya (Japanese: 草野 直哉, born June 25, 2001) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Uto, Kumamoto. He made his debut in May 2024 and currently wrestles for Isegahama stable. He reached the juryo division in March 2025. His highest rank as of 2025 is juryo 14.

## Early life

Kusano began practicing sumo at the age of five at a local club in his hometown of Uto, Kumamoto. During his third year at Uto City Kakujo Junior High School, Kusano won the All Japan Junior High School Sumo Championship to earn the title of Junior High School Yokozuna. He then attended Buntoku Gakuen High School where he finished runner-up in the All-Japan High School Selection Tournament during his second year. In his third year, Kusano achieved second place at the Inter-High School Championships and won the team competition at the World Junior Sumo Championships.
After high school, Kusano enrolled at Nihon University which is known for their strong sumo club. During his first year at Nihon, Kusano was the runner-up at the open weight category of the National Student Weight Class Championships, but he went on to win the same tournament In his second year. In addition, he also placed third at the National Student Sumo Championship during his second year. In his third year, Kusano secured victories in both the East Japan Student Sumo Championships and the open weight division at the National Student Weight Class Championships for the second time. In his fourth year, he won the National Student Sumo Championship which earned him the title of Student Yokozuna. Due to his amateur sumo accomplishments, Kusano was granted makushita tsukedashi status which allowed him to make his debut at the bottom of the makushita division instead of the lowest jonokuchi division. As a result, Kusano decided to turn professional and was scheduled to join Miyagino stable as his childhood friend Kihowas a member of the stable. However, following the abuse case and the retirement of then-Miyagino's top ranker, Hokuseiho, Miyagino stable was suspended for an indefinite period with all personnel transferring to Isegahama stable. Due to this situation, Kusano joined Isegahama stable.

## Career

Kusano made his professional debut in May 2024 at the bottom of the makushita division. He achieved six consecutive victories, including wins over former maegashira Amakaze and giving Aonishiki just his second professional loss. Kusano was aiming for the makushita yusho in his first professional tournament, but lost to former juryowrestler Fujiseiun in his final bout. Nevertheless, he finished with a strong 6-1 record. On the 14th day of the July 2024 tournament, Kusano was hit with a powerful slap (a completely legal move) in his match against Nishinoryu which caused him to lose consciousness and collapse. After five minutes and not having moved a muscle, Kusano was stretchered off the dohyo with Miyagino Oyakata (the 69th Yokozuna Hakuho) aiding him from the side. Kusano was rushed to a hospital in Nagoya by ambulance and reportedly complained of pain in his head and neck, symptoms of a concussion. Nevertheless, on the final day of the tournament, Kusano was seen in good spirits in the preparation room. Nevertheless Kusano continued to post winning records and was promoted to the rank of makushita 3 for the January 2025 tournament. In this tournament, he defeated juryo-ranked Kiryukoand finished with a 4-3 record, securing a promotion to juryo for the March 2025 tournament. This achievement marked his rise to the juryo division in less than a year since his professional debut. He won his first eight bouts in his first juryo tournament in March 2025, extending his career-long streak of winning records.

## Personal life

Kusano's hobby is visiting the sauna, his favorite food is sushi, his favorite artist is Shogo Hamada, and his favorite manga is Detective Conan. Kusano is childhood friends with stablemate Kawazoe as they attended elementary school, junior high school, high school, and university together.

## Fighting style

Kusano is a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favors a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). He won most of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out. His second most common kimarite in oshidashi, or push out.

## Career Record

Kusano Naoya :
| Year | January Hatsu basho, Tokyo | March Haru basho, Osaka | May Natsu basho, Tokyo | July Nagoya basho, Nagoya | September Aki basho, Tokyo | November Kyūshū basho, Fukuoka |
| 2024 | x | x | Makushita tsukedashi #60 6–1 | West Makushita #29 5–2 | West Makushita #17 5–2 | East Makushita #7 4–3 |
| 2025 | West Makushita #3 4–3 | West Jūryō #14 – | x | x | x | x |
| Record given as wins–losses–absences Top division champion Top division runner-up Retired Lower divisions Non-participation Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique Also shown: ★=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s) Divisions: Makuuchi — Jūryō — Makushita — Sandanme — Jonidan — Jonokuchi Makuuchi ranks: Yokozuna — Ōzeki — Sekiwake — Komusubi — Maegashira |||||||