Izutsu stable
He was born in the southern city of Ibusuki, in the southernmost prefecture of Kyushu. He is from the same area of Japan as his more famous stablemates, Terao and Sakahoko. He had done judo at high school, but decided to switch to sumo. He joined Kimigahama stable (later Izutsu stable), founded by former "sekiwake" Tsurugamine in January 1976. He initially fought under his own surname of Yoshizaki. He won the "yūshō" or tournament championship in his first appearance on the "banzuke" ranking sheets in the "jonokuchi" division with a perfect 7–0 record. However his progress up the ranks was slow. In 1982 he was given the "shikona" of Sasshunada, meaning "sea of Sasshu." He finally broke into the elite "sekitori" ranks after the May 1984 tournament when he won the "makushita" division championship and was promoted to "jūryō." (Terao made his "juryo" debut at the same time). He won the "jūryō" championship in September 1985 with a mere 10–5 record after beating Hidanohana in a playoff. He won promotion to the top "makuuchi" division after the July 1986 tournament at the age of 29, having spent ten years in sumo.