recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
List of Korean Sumo Wrestlers

This is a list of all sumo wrestlers who are from the Korea. Due to discrimination encountered from Koreans in Japan, many chose to hide their ethnicity and joined with Japanese names instead. Many ethnic Koreans have found success in the sport with 4 Yokozuna's, Sadanoyama, Tamanoumi, Wakanohana, and Mienoumi, being of Korean descent. The first Korean national to reach the top division was Kasugao in January 2003.

As of 2023, there have been 16 sumo wrestlers from South Korea with the majority coming from Seoul and South Gyeongsang Province (the closest province to Japan). Kasugao is the only wrestler to reach sekitori status while listing his birthplace as Korea, excluding Rikidozan and Chiinoyama, who were promoted in the 1940s, because Korea was a Japanese colony at the time. Over a dozen Zainichi-Koreans (ethnic Korean permanent residents of Japan) have reached the elite sekitori ranks with multiple reaching the Yokozuna and Ozeki rank as well.

This page also includes a separate list of Japanese sumo wrestlers of Korean descent.

## **South Korean Sumo Wrestlers**

* Green row indicates wrestler reached the elite sekitori ranks.

## **North Korean Sumo Wrestlers**

* Green row indicates wrestler reached the elite sekitori ranks.

**List of Sumo Wrestlers from North Korea**

## **Japanese Wrestlers of Korean Descent**

* Green row indicates wrestler reached the elite sekitori ranks.
Kinboshi

**Kinboshi** (金星, lit: gold star) is a notation used in professional sumo wrestling to record a lower-ranked (maegashira) wrestler's victory over a yokozuna.

It is believed that the term stems from the usage of the terms shiroboshi (lit: white star) to designate a bout victory, and kuroboshi (black star) to designate a bout defeat. Thus, a "gold star" designates it as a special victory.

The word kinboshi first came into popular use in the Taisho period (1912-1926), and the system of monetarily awarding a maegashira who defeated a yokozuna in an official tournament began in January, 1930.

A kinboshi victory increases the balance in the maegashira's mochikyukin account by 10 yen. This balance is converted using a multiplier, presently 4,000, and added to the wrestler's bonus in every subsequent tournament in which he competes as a sekitori. With six tournaments a year, this one victory corresponds to a pay increase of 240,000 yen per annum for the remainder of the wrestler's sekitori career.

The kinboshi record is held by former sekiwake Akinoshima who won 16 bouts against yokozuna when ranked as a maegashira.

## **Restrictions**

Kinboshi are not awarded to san'yaku ranked wrestlers who defeat a yokozuna, nor is it awarded if the maegashira beats a yokozuna with a default win (or fusensho). It is also not given if the yokozuna is disqualified for using an illegal move (or hansoku).

## **Other Uses**

Ginboshi (銀星 or silver star) is also used informally to denote a maegashira victory over an ozeki. However, there is no monetary bonus for such a win, nor are official ginboshi records kept. The unofficial record holder is Aminishiki, with 45 as of November 2014.

The term kinboshi is used outside sumo in informal language. It can mean a major victory, or (in slang) a beautiful woman.
Kitaoji Oto

Kitaoji Oto - 北欧司 音 (born November 28, 1984) is a former Estonian professional sumo wrestler from Pärnu County. He made his debut in May 2004 and last wrestled for Irumagawa stable. His highest rank was jonidan 114 and he retired in September 2004.

## **Early Life**

Ott Juurikas was born in Pärnu County and participated in amateur sumo tournaments prior to his professional career. Because of this, an official from the Kagoshima Prefecture Sumo Association, Kazuo Kurazono, encouraged him to join the professional sport. Due to the restrictions on foreigners entering sumo, the only stable with a place available was Irumagawa. He came to Japan with a friend from Estonia, Kaido Höövelson, who entered Mihogaseki stable and fought under the name of Baruto. He and Baruto trained at the Nihon University sumo club for around two and a half months, prior to their sumo debuts.

## **Career**

He made his debut in May 2004 and was given the shikona "Kitaoji" (北欧司). In his first professional tournament won five of his seven matches where both of his losses came from Baruto and the Brazilian Takaazuma. Nonetheless, he was promoted to the rank of jonidan 114 for the following tournament.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Even though Kitaoji was predicted to be as good as his Estonian counterpart, however, he could not adapt to Japanese lifestyle and felt homesick on many occasions. "He just couldn't get accustomed to this life. He is well built and all, and we were truly anticipating a great future for him. This is very regretful", said Irumagawa Oyakata. After the July 2004 tournament, Kitaoji announced his intention to retire and left Japan. His retirement was officially listed before the September 2004 tournament.

Upon retirement, he returned to Estonia where he competed in many amateur sumo tournaments. According to his Facebook, he currently resides in Godby, Åland, and works at a construction company called Arilo oü.

## **Fighting Style**

Kitaoji was proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. He won matches using the oshi-sumo techniques of oshidashi (push out) and tsukidashi (thrust out). He also won matches using yotsu-sumo techniques, such as yorikiri (force out), yoritaoshi (frontal crush out) and uwatenage (overarm throw).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 5-2-7/7 (3 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 0-0-7/0 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Kitaoji (left) with Baruto gets recruited into sumo (c. 2004)Kitaoji gets measured upon joining pro sumo (c. 2004)Kitaoji and Baruto become the first Estonians to join sumo (c. 2004)Kitaoji and Baruto during their time in maezumo (c. 2004)Kitaoji defeats Baruto in maezumo (c. 2004)Kitaoji (far right) during his time in maezumo (c. 2004)

## **Sources**

* Kitaoji Oto Rikishi Information
* Article on Baruto and Kitaoji
* Sumo Forum Thread on Kitaoji Retirement
Manazuru Teruhisa

Manazuru Teruhisa - 真鶴 照久 (born January 26, 1945) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Chitose, Hokkaido. He made his debut in November 1961 and last wrestled for Asahiyama stable. He reached the juryo division in July 1969. His highest rank was juryo 1 and he retired in September 1970.

## **Early Life**

Born the second son of a farmer, Nomura was able to carry a bale of rice since he was a child. He participated in sumo in elementary, but disliked it. However, his father was a big sumo fan, and the owner of a sushi restaurant in Sapporo, who also competed in amateur tournaments, introduced him to active rikishi Kotetsuyama who also came from Hokkaido. Nomura subsequently joined the same Asahiyama stable and made his professional debut in November 1961.

## **Career**

He initially wrestled under any different shikona before settling with "Manazuru" (真鶴) in March 1969. Three tournaments later he was promoted to juryo in July 1969. He produced three consecutive winning records from his juryo debut and was promoted to the rank of juryo 1 in January 1970. However, he went on a slump and posted three straight losing records.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

He announced his retirement after the September 1970 tournament. He returned back to Chitose, Hokkaido, and ran a transportation company.

## **Fighting Style**

Masutsuyoshi was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His favorite kimarite was tsuridashi, or lift out, which he used the most during his time as a sekitori.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 233-202/435 (54 basho)
* **Juryo:** 58-62/120 (8 basho)
* **Makushita:** 130-108/238 (34 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 18-17/35 (5 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 21-14/35 (5 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Takatsuryu Kazuhisa (1961.11 - 1963.11)
* Futasenada (1964.01 - 1967.03)
* Nomura Kazuhisa (1967.05 - 1967.09)
* Futasenada (1967.11 - 1969.01)
* Manazuru Teruhisa (1969.03 - 1970.09)

## **Sources**

* Manazuru Teruhisa Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Manazuru Teruhisa Rikishi Information
Kimura Shonosuke (born 1946)

The 35th Kimura Shonosuke - 35代 木村 庄之助 (born October 29, 1949) is a retired Japanese professional sumo referee from Nobeoka, Miyazaki. He debuted in the May 1962 tournament and he belonged to Tatsunami stable. He reached the Makuuchi rank in January 1994 and the sanyaku rank in March 2006. He was promoted to the position of deputy chief gyoji (Shikimori Inosuke) in May 2007 and to the position of chief gyoji (Kimura Shonosuke) in May 2008 and he retired in September 2011.

## **Career**

* May 1962 - Had his ring debut under Tatsunami stable
* July 1962 - Promoted to Jonokuchi-kaku gyoji and took on the name Kimura Junichi (木村 順一)
* March 1966 - Changed his ringname to Kimura Junichiro (木村 純一郎)
* September 1966 - Changed his ringname back to Kimura Junichi (木村 順一)
* November 1966 - Promoted to Jonidan-kaku gyoji
* July 1968 - Promoted to Sandanme-kaku gyoji
* January 1973 - Promoted to Makushita-kaku gyoji
* March 1976 - Changed his ringname to Kimura Shunichi (木村 旬一)
* May 1980 - Changed his ringname to Kimura Jonosuke (木村 城之介)
* January 1984 - Promoted to Juryo-kaku gyoji
* January 1994 - Promoted to Makuuchi-kaku gyoji
* March 2006 - Promoted to Sanyaku-kaku gyoji
* May 2007 - Promoted to Fuku-tate gyoji and took on the name Shikimori Inosuke (式守 伊之助)
* May 2008 - Promoted to Tate-gyoji and took on the name Kimura Shonosuke (木村 庄之助)
* September 2011 - Retired from sumo

## **Shikona History**

Kimura Junichi (木村 順一) → Kimura Junichiro (木村 純一郎) → Kimura Junichi (木村 順一) → Kimura Shunichi (木村 旬一) → Kimura Jonosuke (木村 城之介) → 37th Shikimori Inosuke (37代 式守 伊之助) → 35th Kimura Shonosuke (35代 木村 庄之助)

## **Gallery**

35th Kimura Shonosuke37th Shikimori Inosuke (c. 2008)Shonosuke is congratulated by Hakuho after officiating his last bout (c. 2011)Shonosuke celebrates Hakuho's 20th Yusho due to his retirement (c. 2011)
## **Sources**

* 35th Kimura Shonosuke Japanese Wikipedia Article
Kumagatani Stable

Kumagatani stable (熊ヶ谷部屋, Kumagatani-beya) was a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tatsunami ichimon or group of stables. It was set up in July 1978 by the former maegashira Yoshinomine, who branched out from Tomozuna stable. The stable closed in April 1996, with its personnel moving to Tatsunami stable.

## **History**

Kumagatani stable was established in July 1978 by former maegashira Yoshinomine, who branched out from Tomozuna stable. In 1982, the stable absorbed Takashima stable. The stable thus absorbed, Koboyama, who would go to be the stable's first sekitori. The stable later produced their second sekitori, Yoshinobori. The stable closed in April 1996, with its personnel moving to Tatsunami stable.

## **Owners**

* 1978-1996: 12th Kumagatani (former maegashira Yoshinomine)

## **Notable Former Wrestlers**

* Koboyama (former sekiwake) - *transferred from Takashima stable*
* Yoshinobori (former juryo)
Kayo Yasutoki

Kayo Yasutoki - 嘉陽 快宗 (born July 14, 1999) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Naha, Okinawa. He made his debut in May 2022 and currently wrestles for Nishonoseki stable. His highest rank as of 2024 is makushita 1.

## **Early Life**

Yasutoki Kayo was born on July 14, 1999, in Ichikawa, Chiba. However, he uses Naha, Okinawa, as his official birthplace as it is his parent's hometown. He began sumo wrestling during his fourth year at Arai Elementary School and he moved to Niigata to practice sumo at Itoigawa City Nou Junior High School and Niigata Prefectural Kaiyo High School. After graduating high school, he enrolled at Nippon Sport Science University where in his fourth year, he achieved top 8 in both the All Japan Sumo Championship and National Student Sumo Championship. Due to this, he qualified for sandanme tsukedashi and opted to go pro after graduation.

## **Career**

After graduating, Kayo joined Nishonoseki stable because it was home to Nakamura Oyakata (former sekiwake Yoshikaze) who was an alumnus of Nippon Sport Science University as well as Kayo's favorite wrestler. He made his professional debut in May 2022 at the bottom of sandanme and reached makushita in November 2022. While at the rank of makushita 6 in November 2023, Kayo produced a strong 6-1 record in September with another 6-1, even defeating former sekiwake Wakatakakage, placing himself at a makushita 1 for the January 2024 tournament.

## **Fighting Style**

Kayo is an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used is a straightforward oshidashi, or push out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 49-21/70 (10 basho)
* **Makushita:** 33-16/49 (7 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 16-5/21 (3 basho)

## **Gallery**

Kayo gets recruited into Nishonoseki stable (c. 2022)Kayo gets measured upon joining sumo (c. 2022)Kayo defeats Hidano (c. 2022)Kayo prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2023)Kayo loses the Makushita Yusho playoff match (c. 2023)Kayo defeats Wakatakakage (c. 2023)
## **Sources**

* Kayo Yasutoki Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kayo Yasutoki Rikishi Information
Kiyomidake Futoshi

Kiyomidake Futoshi - 清美岳 太 (born June 4, 1961) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Murayama, Yamagata. He made his debut in September 1978 and wrestled for Isegahama stable. He reached the juryo division in July 1983. His highest rank was juryo 13 and he retired in September 1986.

## **Career**

Kuronuma joined Isegahama stable and made his professional debut in September 1978. He was given the shikona "Kiyomidake" (清美岳) in March 1979. He was promoted to sandanme in September 1979 and makushita in September 1980. After five years in the unsalaried ranks, he was promoted to juryo in July 1983. In his first tournament, he could only manage a 6-9 record and was demoted down to makushita. He returned to juryo in November 1983, but injured his right knee on the twelfth dat and subsequently withdrew from the tournament. As a result he was demoted back down to makushita where he remained for the majority of his later career. He announced his retirement after the September 1986 tournament.

## **Fighting Style**

Kiyomidake was a tsuki/oshi specialist, who prefers pushing and thrusting at his opponents rather than fighting on the mawashi or belt. His most common winning kimarite was oshidashi, or push out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 186-159-7/344 (49 basho)
* **Juryo:** 11-17-2/27 (2 basho)
* **Makushita:** 113-106-5/219 (32 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 38-25/63 (9 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 18-10/28 (4 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Kuronuma (1978.09 - 1979.01)
* Kiyomidake Futoshi (1979.03 - 1986.09)

## **Sources**

* Kiyomidake Futoshi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kiyomidake Futoshi Rikishi Information
Kimura Asanosuke (born 1972)

The 4th Kimura Asanosuke - 4代 木村 朝之助 (born September 2, 1972) is a Japanese professional sumo referee from Yokohama, Kanagawa. He was recruited and debuted in the March 1991 tournament and he belongs to Takasago stable. He reached the Makuuchi rank in January 2023.

## **Career**

* March 1991 - Had his ring debut under Wakamatsu stable
* May 1991 - Promoted to Jonokuchi-kaku gyoji and took on the name Kimura Katsuya (木村 勝也)
* January 1992 - Promoted to Jonidan-kaku gyoji
* January 1994 - Promoted to Sandanme-kaku gyoji and changed his ringname to Kimura Katsujiro (木村 勝次郎)
* January 2000 - Promoted to Makushita-kaku gyoji
* March 2002 - Transferred to Takasago stable due to the closure of Wakamatsu stable
* January 2008 - Promoted to Juryo-kaku gyoji and took on the name Kimura Asanosuke (木村 朝之助)
* January 2023 - Promoted to Makuuchi-kaku gyoji

## **Shikona History**

Kimura Katsuya (木村 勝也) → Kimura Katsujiro (木村 勝次郎) → 4th Kimura Asanosuke (4代 木村 朝之助)

## **Sources**

* 4th Kimura Asanosuke Japanese Wikipedia Article
* JSA Kimura Asanosuke Personal Page
Kazuto Ko

Kazuto Ko - 一翔 幸 (born December 13, 2003) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yokohama, Kanagawa. He made his debut in May 2022 and currently wrestles for Tatsunami stable. His highest rank as of 2024 is makushita 23.

## **Early Life**

Kazuto Fujita was born on December 13, 2003, in Yokohama's Seya ward, and he began sumo wrestling during his time in elementary school. He moved to Chiba prefecture for junior high school and attended Kashiwa 2nd Junior High School where he was a member of the school's sumo club. Fujita won the group sumo championship during his second year at the school alongside future stablemate Kiryuko, who is one year his senior.

After completing junior high school, he enrolled at Aomori Prefectural Sanbongi Agricultural High School, where Kiryuko was also studying. During his time in high school, Fujita achieved strong results on the national scene, including finishing third at the Inter-High Sumo Championship. After graduating high school, he decided to join professional sumo and entered Tatsunami stable.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in May 2022 and unlike most new wrestlers who begin their careers under their family names he took his given name "Kazuto" (一翔) as his shikona. Despite losing his very first official match against Toshunryu in July 2022, Kazuto went on to win his following six matches, including his final match against the collegiate-experienced Takahashi. As a result, he qualified for a playoff against Takahashi for the jonokuchi yusho, however, he ended up losing the match. Nevertheless, he followed up with another 6-1 record in September 2022 and was promoted to sandanme in November 2022. In the November 2022 tournament, Kazuto won all seven of his matches, but he missed out on the sandanme yusho after losing to Hitoshi in a playoff. Regardless, he was promoted to makushita for the January 2023 tournament after only spending one tournament in the previous three divisions.

## **Fighting Style**

Kazuto is an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used is a straightforward oshidashi (push out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 41-23/64 (11 basho)
* **Makushita:** 22-21/43 (7 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 7-0/7 (1 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Kazuto gets measured upon joining professional sumo (c. 2023)Kazuto during his time in Maezumo (c. 2022)Kazuto pushes out and defeats Suyama (c. 2022)Kazuto prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2022)Kazuto pushes out and defeats Itadaki (c. 2022)Kazuto loses the Sandanme Yusho playoff to Hitoshi (c. 2022)
## **Sources**

* Kazuto Ko Rikishi Information
* Sumoforum Thread on Natsu 2022 Recruits
List of Tallest Sumo Wrestlers

The following is a list of the tallest professional sumo wrestlers. Only wrestlers measuring over 2.00 meters (6 ft 7 in) or over are included. During the Edo period, wrestlers often made their debuts as ozeki based on size alone, though their real competitiveness had not been tested. The system was called "guest ozeki" (看板大関 (kanban ozeki)). Most of these vanished from the banzuke soon after.

The first yokozuna Akashi was described as being of gigantic size, at 2.58 m (8 ft 6 in) tall, however, since his historical existence is disputed, he is not included in the list.

The tallest active sumo wrestler is Hokuseiho who stands at 2.04 meters (6 ft 8 in).

## **List**

* Names in bold indicate a still active wrestler.
* Green row indicates wrestler reached the elite sekitori ranks.
Maegashira

**Maegashira** (前頭) is the lowest of five ranks in the top makuuchi division.

All the makuuchi wrestlers who are not ranked in san'yaku are ranked as maegashira, numbered from one at the top downwards. In each rank there are two wrestlers, the higher ranked is designated as "east" and the lower as "west", so No. 1 east is treated as a higher rank than No. 1 west, and so on.

The number of wrestlers in makuuchi is fixed (at 42 since 2004) but the number in san'yaku is not. Thus the number of maegashira ranks can vary, but is typically between 15 and 17. (This gives a makuuchi division split of around 10 san'yaku and 32 maegashira).

Movement within the maegashira ranks can be minor or extreme, depending on a wrestler's score in the previous 15-bout tournament. For example, a maegashira 2 who has an 8–7 record might only be promoted one level to maegashira 1 for the next tournament. Conversely, a maegashira 14 that wins the division championship could be promoted as high as komusubi. Indeed, this happened in March 2000 when Takatoriki of the Futagoyama stable won the championship with a 13–2 record.

Maegashira ranked five or below are likely to only fight amongst themselves (unless their winning record in the middle of a tournament prompts their scheduling with higher-ranked wrestlers) while those ranked maegashira four or above are likely to have several matches against san'yaku wrestlers, including ōzeki and yokozuna. When a maegashira defeats a yokozuna, it is called a gold star or kinboshi and he is rewarded monetarily for the victory for the remainder of his career. A bout where a wrestler earns a kinboshi defeat of a yokozuna generally causes great excitement at a sumo venue and it is common and expected for audience members to throw their seat cushions into the ring (and onto the wrestlers) after such a bout, though this is technically prohibited.

## **See Also**

* Yokozuna
* Ozeki
* Sekiwake
* Komusubi
Kimura Katsunosuke

Kimura Katsunosuke - 木村 勝之介 (born September 29, 2001) is a Japanese professional sumo referee from Takaoka, Toyama. He was recruited in April 2017 and debuted in the May 2017 tournament and he belongs to Oshima stable.

## **Career**

* May 2017 - Had his ring debut under Tomozuna stable
* July 2017 - Promoted to Jonokuchi-kaku gyoji and took on the name Shikimori Tomotaro (式守 友太郎)
* January 2020 - Promoted to Jonidan-kaku gyoji
* January 2023 - Changed his ringname to Kimura Katsunosuke (木村 勝之介)

## **Shikona History**

Shikimori Tomotaro (式守 友太郎) → Kimura Katsunosuke (木村 勝之介)
Kunimiyama Etsukichi

Kunimiyama Etsukichi - 國見山 悦吉 (born March 28, 1876 - September 25, 1924) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Tosa District, Kochi. He made his debut in January 1895 and wrestled for Tomozuna stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1900. His highest rank was ozeki and he retired in May 1912.

## **Early Life**

Etsukichi Matsushita was born in Tosa District (currently Kochi city), Kochi prefecture. He worked at a coal mine in Ehime prefecture before he was recommended to try sumo by politican Itagaki Taisuke due to his size and strength.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He joined Tomozuna stable and made his professional debut in January 1895 under the shikona "Kagamigawa" (鏡川). Upon promotion to juryo in January 1899, he changed his shikona to "Kunimiyama" (國見山). He reached makuuchi in January 1900. He was promoted to komusubi in January 1902 and sekiwake in January 1903. After three years in the san'yaku ranks, he was promoted to ozeki in May 1905.

### **Ozeki Career**

Kunimiyama was known for his well-proportioned physique and won 79% of his top division matches. However, in May 1908 he dislocated his knee and his sumo declined rapidly. Nevertheless, in June 1910, he finished with a 7-1-2draw record and was runner-up to Tachiyama's 9-0-1draw record. This proved to be his last strong showing as he retired shortly after in May 1912.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring from sumo, Kunimiyama remained in the sumo world as an elder under the name Hanaregoma. At 1:30 AM on November 29, 1917, a fire broke out at the Ryogoku Kokugikan and Hanaregoma, who was on duty at the time, took out a fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire. The fire was eventually extinguished by 2:40 AM, but Hanaregoma suffered severe burns and fell into a coma. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he steadily recovered and was praised after his discharge.

He died on September 25, 1924, at the age of 48.

## **Fighting Style**

Kunimiyama was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). He was also fond of employing tsuppari (a series of rapid thrusts to the chest).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 125-30-91-26draws-5holds/186 (29 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 111-29-91-24draws-5holds/169 (26 basho)
* **Juryo:** 14-1-2draws/17 (2 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Kagamigawa Etsukichi (1895.01 - 1898.05)
* Kunimiyama Etsukichi (1899.01 - 1912.05)

## **Gallery**

Kunimiyama Etsukichi with his kesho-mawashi
## **Sources**

* Kunimiyama Etsukichi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kunimiyama Etsukichi Rikishi Information
Katsuyuki (yobidashi)

Katsuyuki - 克之 (born February 6, 1964) is a Japanese professional sumo usher from Osaka, Osaka. He was recruited in August 1979 and debuted in the September 1979 tournament and he belongs to Shibatayama stable. He reached the Makuuchi rank in September 1999 and the sanyaku rank in January 2004. He was promoted to deputy chief yobidashi in January 2024

## **Career**

* September 1979 - Had his ring debut under Hanakago stable
* January 1986 - Transferred to Hanaregoma stable due to the closure of Hanakago stable
* January 1995 - Promoted to Juryo yobidashi
* September 1999 - Promoted to Makuuchi yobidashi, overtaking Jiro in seniority until November 2000
* January 2004 - Promoted to Sanyaku yobidashi
* March 2013 - Transferred to Shibatayama stable due to the closure of Hanaregoma stable
* January 2024 - Promoted to Fuku tate yobidashi

## **Sources**

* Katsuyuki (yobidashi) Japanese Wikipedia Article
* JSA Katsuyuki Personal Page
Kyokusetsuzan Eiji

Kyokusetsuzan Eiji - 旭雪山 英二 (born May 5, 1973) is a former Mongolian professional sumo wrestler from Ulaanbaatar. He made his debut in March 1992 and last wrestled for Oshima stable. His highest rank was jonidan 91 and he retired in November 1992.

## **Early Life**

Munkhbold Sharaa was born on May 5, 1973, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. In late 1991, a Japanese sumo training stable master, Oshima-oyakata (the former ozeki Asahikuni) went to Mongolia to recruit promising wrestlers for sumo. The young Sharaa happened to notice the advertisement and applied along with 120 others. He was selected and went to Japan with five others, including Kyokutenho and Kyokushuzan.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 1992 under the shikona "Kyokusetsuzan" (旭雪山). In his first two tournaments he produced two winning records and was promoted to a career-high rank of jonidan 91.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After six months in sumo, due to cultural differences, language problems, and an extremely hard training regime, five of them including Kyokusetsuzan ran away from the training stable to the Mongolian embassy. Even though three out of the five Mongolians that ran away were eventually persuaded back, Kyokusetsuzan and Kyokujishi did not return to the stable and their retirements were officially announced after the November 1992 tournament.

### **After Retirement**

According to his Facebook, he currently lives in Longmont, Colorado, and owns a freight shipping and trucking company.

## **Fighting Style**

Like many of his Mongolian compatriots, Kyokusetsuzan was very technical in his sumo and won many bouts with trips and throws. His most common winning kimarite was ashitori, or leg pick. He never won a match by yorikiri (force out) which is the most common kimarite in sumo.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 9-5-14/14 (5 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 5-2-14/7 (3 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Kyokusetsuzan (second right) gets recruited with six other MongoliansKyokusetsuzan with his Mongolian stablematesKyokusetsuzan (standing right) gets measured with his Mongolian stablematesKyokusetsuzan (bottom, middle) become Mongolian sumo pioneersKyokusetsuzan (left) with Asahitaka in Maezumo (c. 1992)Kyokusetsuzan during his time in jonokuchi (c. 1992)

## **Sources**

* Kyokusetsuzan Eiji Rikishi Information
* BBM Article on Mongolians in Sumo
List of Filipino Sumo Wrestlers

This is a list of all sumo wrestlers from the Philippines. In September 1988, three Filipinos joined Kataonami stable to become the first Filipinos to join professional sumo, but, they ran away from the stable less than a year into the sport. As of 2023, only four sumo wrestlers have listed their birthplace as the Philippines, however, due to the large Filipino diaspora in Japan, many Japanese wrestlers are of Filipino descent such as ozeki's Takayasu and Mitakeumi. Furthermore, many Filipino-born Japanese wrestlers have reached the top division such as Masunoyama and Kotokuzan.

This page also includes a separate list of Japanese sumo wrestlers of Filipino descent.

## **Filipino Sumo Wrestlers**

* Names in **bold** indicate a still active wrestler.

**List of All Filipino Sumo Wrestlers**
 Tamahinada | Angelito Labampa
 Tamahiryu | Samson Pael
 **Furanshisu** | Teodoro Francis Robert Valles

## **Japanese Wrestlers of Filipino Descent**

* Names in **bold** indicate a still active wrestler.
* Green row indicates wrestler reached the elite sekitori ranks.
Minanosato Yasuyuki

Minanosato Yasuyuki - 男女ノ里 泰之 (born July 12, 1983) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Tsukuba, Ibaraki. He made his debut in March 1999 and wrestled for Takasago stable. His highest rank was sandanme 3 and he retired in September 2013.

## **Early Life**

Yasuyuki Okada was born on July 12, 1983, in Tsukuba, Ibaraki. He started judo in elementary school and reached the first dan rank. After graduating Ayabe Shiritsu Toyosato Junior High School, he joined Takasago stable.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 1999 and initially wrestled under his surname Okada before he was given the shikona "Minanosato" (男女ノ里) in January 2000. He reached the sandanme division in September 2002, but was unable to reach the makushita division, with his highest rank being sandanme 3. In November 2006, Minanosato missed out on the jonidan yusho after losing to Wakarikido in a playoff.

He was most known for serving as the official bow twirler which he started in May 2007. In March 2008, Minanosato accidentally dropped the bow in the middle of the ceremony and picking up the bow with your hands is seen as bad luck, so Minanosato picked up the bow with his feet. Since he picked up the bow with proper ettiequte, he was allowed to continue his bow-twirling duties. In March 2010, he dropped the bow again, but this time picked up the bow with his left hand instead of the correct way. This was the last time he performed the bow-twirling ceremony. Minanosato retired from sumo in September 2013.

## **Fighting Style**

Minanosato's favored techniques are oshi (pushing) and inashi (ducking and moving diagonally back from the opponent). His most common kimarite was yorikiri (force out) followed by hatakikomi (slap down) and oshidashi (push out). He was also fond of employing uwatenage (overarm throw).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 300-302/602 (87 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 216-232/448 (64 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 71-62/133 (19 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 13-8/21 (3 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Okada Yasuyuki (1999.03 - 1999.11)
* Minanosato Yasuyuki (2000.01 - 2013.09)

## **Gallery**

Minanosato loses the Jonidan Yusho playoff (c. 2006)Minanosato properly picks up the bow with his feet (c. 2008)Minanosato performs the bow-twirling ceremony (c. 2009)Minanosato improperly picks up the bow with his hand (c. 2010)Minanosato's retirement ceremony (c. 2013)
## **Sources**

* Minanosato Yasuyuki Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Minanosato Yasuyuki Rikishi Information
Kumanoura Tadayuki

Kumanoura Tadayuki - 熊乃浦 忠行 (born July 4, 1940) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yunoura, Kumamoto. He made his debut in January 1957 and last wrestled for Hanakago stable. He reached the juryo division in September 1965. His highest rank was juryo 9 and he retired in July 1966.

## **Career**

He joined Hanakago stable and made his professional debut in January 1957 under the shikona "Kumanoura" (熊乃浦). He was promoted to sandanme in March 1958 and makushita in May 1959. In July 1965 he produced a 4-3 record at the rank of makushita 2 and was promoted to juryo for the September 1965 tournament. He was ranked in makuuchi for a total of five tournaments, reaching as high as juryo 9 in March 1956. In May 1966, he injured his left ear-drum on the 5th day and had to withdraw from the tournament. He returned on the 8th day, but could only record one more win and was demoted back down to makushita. He retired from sumo in the following July 1966 tournament.

## **Fighting Style**

Kumanoura was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 241-207-3/447 (57 basho)
* **Juryo:** 34-39-2/72 (5 basho)
* **Makushita:** 142-129-1/271 (38 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 39-25/64 (8 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 21-11/32 (4 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-3/8 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Kumanoura Tadayuki (1957.01 - 1961.07)
* Yoneda Tadayuki (1961.09 - 1963.11)
* Kumanoura Tadayuki (1964.01 - 1966.07)

## **Sources**

* Kumanoura Tadayuki Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kumanoura Tadayuki Rikishi Information
Matsuhikari Masafumi

Matsuhikari Masafumi - 松光 正文 (born April 11, 1943) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hitachi, Ibaraki. He made his debut in May 1959 and last wrestled for Wakamatsu stable. He reached the juryo division in May 1964. His highest rank was juryo 10 and he retired in September 1966.

## **Early Life**

Kurosawa attended Hitachi Shiritsu Taga Junior High School where he was the captain of the soccer club. However, he was also a fan of sumo and opted to become a professional sumo wrestler after graduating junior high school. He initially wanted to write a letter of intent to join Tokitsukaze stable because it was home to ozeki Ouchiyama who also came from Ibaraki prefecture. However, Kurosawa worried that he would not excelled at a large stable like Tokitsukaze stable as he would not have enough personalized training time and instead wrote his letter of intent to the much smaller Wakamatsu stable.

## **Career**

He was accepted into Wakamatsu stable and made his professional debut in May 1959. He was promoted to sandanme in May 1960 and makushita in July 1961. He changed his shikona from his surname Kurosawa to "Matsuhikari" (松光) in November 1961. In March 1964 he posted a 5-3 record at the rank of makushita 2 and was promoted to juryo in May 1964. Matsuhikari was ranked in juryo for a total of five tournaments, reaching as high as juryo 10 in November 1964.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Matsuhikari retired from sumo in September 1966. After retiring, he returned back to his hometown in Hitachi, Ibaraki, and opened up a chanko restaurant called "Matsuhikari" (相撲茶屋 松光).

## **Fighting Style**

Matsuhikari was proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His favored grip on his opponent's mawashi was hidari-yotsu, a right hand outside, left hand inside position. His most often used winning kimarite was oshidashi (push out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 184-171/355 (45 basho)
* **Juryo:** 30-45/75 (5 basho)
* **Makushita:** 94-89/183 (26 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 31-19/50 (7 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 24-15/39 (5 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-3/8 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Kurosawa Masafumi (1959.05 - 1961.09)
* Matsuhikari Masafumi (1961.11 - 1965.07)
* Matsuhikari Mineo (1965.09 - 1966.09)

## **Sources**

* Matsuhikari Masafumi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Matsuhikari Masafumi Rikishi Information
Kiriyama Stable

Kiriyama stable (桐山部屋, Kiriyama beya) was a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tatsunami ichimon or group of stables. It was set up in January 1995 by the former komusubi Kurosegawa, who branched out from the now defunct Isegahama stable. The stable closed after the January 2011 tournament, with its personnel moving to Asahiyama stable.

## **History**

Kiriyama stable was established in January 1995 by former komusubi Kurosegawa, who branched out from the now defunct Isegahama stable and took with him the remaining members of the Onaruto stable which closed at the end of 1994. In 2000 it absorbed Kise stable, and in 2007 its parent Isegahama stable. The stable produced their first sekitori when Mongolian Tokusegawa was promoted to juryo in 2009. It was also the home of the chief yobidashi or usher. The stable closed after the January 2011 tournament, with its personnel moving to Asahiyama stable, except the yobidashi Kokichi who moved to Tomozuna stable, and gyoji Shikimori Kiichiro and tokoyama Tokosaku who moved to Oitekaze stable.

Later that year Tokusegawa was expelled after being found guilty in match-fixing.

## **Owners**

* 1995-2011: 20th Kiriyama (former komusubi Kurosegawa)

## **Notable Former Wrestlers**

* Tokusegawa (former maegashira) - *transferred to Asahiyama stable*
* Hayasegawa (former makushita)
* Hanasegawa (former sandanme) - *transferred from Isegahama stable, later transferred to Asahiyama stable*
Kiyomigawa Umeyuki

Kiyomigawa Umeyuki - 清美川 梅之 (born January 15, 1917 - October 13, 1980) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Jumonji, Akita. He made his debut in January 1934 and wrestled for Isegahama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1940 and has one kinboshi. His highest rank was maegashira 1 and he retired in November 1946.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Born in Jumonji, Akita, Umenosuke Sato was recruited into Isegahama stable by sekiwake Hatasegawa who also came from Akita prefecture. He made his professional debut in January 1934 under the shikona "Satsumagawa" (薩摩川). He steadily rose up the ranks and in May 1937 he was given the new shikona "Kiyomigawa" (清美川). He was promoted to juryo for the following January 1938 tournament. After two years in juryo, he was promoted to makuuchi in May 1940.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Kiyomigawa was ranked in the top division for a total of 13 tournaments, reaching as high as maegashira 1 in January 1943. In May 1942, Kiyomigawa defeated Yokozuna Futabayama by sotogake (outside leg trip) to earn his first and only career kinboshi. He retired from sumo in November 1946.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

### **Professional Wrestling Career**

Kiyomigawa began training for a professional wrestling career in 1953 and made his debut in February 1954, wrestling under the ring name "Umeyuki Kiyomigawa." He initially wrestled for Rikidozan's Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA). During the 1960s, Kiyomigawa left Japan and wrestled overseas in Spain, France, Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom and the United States. During his time in the United Kingdom and the United States, he wrestled under the name "Togo Tani." He returned to Japan in 1970 and wrestled for the International Wrestling Enterprise (IWE). He retired from wrestling in 1974.

### **Death**

Kiyomigawa died on October 13, 1980, in Shizuoka prefecture due to a stroke. He was 63 years old.

## **Fighting Style**

Kiyomigawa was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who preferred grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite were yorikiri (force out) and sotogake (outside leg trip).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 147-139-11-1a/286 (26 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 72-87-10-1a/159 (13 basho)
* **Juryo:** 36-33/69 (5 basho)
* **Makushita:** 24-11/35 (3 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 5-1/6 (1 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 7-5/12 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 3-2-1/5 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Satsumagawa (1934.01 - 1937.01)
* Kiyomigawa Umeyuki (1937.05 - 1943.01)
* Kiyomigawa Yasubee (1943.05 - 1944.01)
* Kiyomigawa Umeyuki (1944.05 - 1946.11)

## **Gallery**

Kiyomigawa poses with his kesho-mawashiKiyomigawa poses with his mawashiKiyomigawa during his time as a professional wrestler
## **Sources**

* Kiyomigawa Umeyuki Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kiyomigawa Umeyuki Rikishi Information
Miyagino Stable (Meiji period)

Miyagino stable (宮城野部屋, Miyagino-beya) was a stable of sumo wrestlers which was established in the early Meiji period and was shut down in November 1956. It was revived in 1960 by Yokozuna Yoshibayama *(see Miyagino stable page for reincarnation)*

## **History**

Miyagino stable was originally founded in the Meiji period. In February 1915, the stable's top wrestler Otori was promoted to Yokozuna. He later became the head coach of Miyagino stable from 1916 until his death in 1956 (there was no mandatory retirement age for oyakata at that time). He had insisted that his successor had to be a yokozuna, so it became inactive for a while, before 43rd Yokozuna Yoshibayama revived it in 1960.

## **Owners**

* 1916-1956: 7th Miyagino (the 24th yokozuna Otori)
* 1909-1916: 6th Miyagino (former maegashira Goshoguruma)
* 1894-1907: 5th Miyagino (former ozeki Hoo)
* 1866-1889: 4th Miyagino (former komusubi Miyagino)

## **Notable Former Wrestlers**

* Otori (the 24th yokozuna)
* Hoo (former ozeki)
* Kusunishiki (former maegashira)
* Fukunosato (former maegashira)
Koinose Torao

Koinose Torao - 鯉ノ勢 寅雄 (born January 21, 1930) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Imabari, Ehime. He made his debut in January 1950 and wrestled for Asahiyama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1957. His highest rank was maegashira 12 and he retired in March 1961.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Born in the village of Noma (later absorbed into Imabari city) in Ehime prefecture, he joined Asahiyama stable and made his professional debut in January 1950. Wrestling under the shikona "Koinose" (鯉ノ勢), he was promoted to sandanme in September 1950 and makushita in January 1952. In May 1954 he posted a 5-3 record at the rank of makushita 3 and was promoted to juryo for the following September 1954 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

In his first tournament ranked as a sekitori, Koinose lost his first match, but went on to win the following eight matches before losing his last six matches to finish with an 8-7 record. After a series of unspectacular results, Koinose posted four consecutive 10-5 records and was promoted to makuuchi in May 1957.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Koinose was ranked in the top division for a total of ten tournaments, reaching as high as maegashira 12 in January 1958. His last makuuchi appearance was in September 1959 and he remained in juryo for majority of his later career. He was demoted down to makushita in January 1961 and retired in March 1961.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring, he managed a towel factory in his hometown of Imabari in Ehime prefecture.

## **Fighting Style**

Koinose was proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His favored grip on his opponent's mawashi was hidari-yotsu, a right hand outside, left hand inside position. His most often used winning kimarite was oshidashi (push out), followed by yorikiri (force out). Although he had a rather small build, he made up for it with intense training.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 343-314-8/656 (50 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 67-83/150 (10 basho)
* **Juryo:** 170-145/314 (22 basho)
* **Makushita:** 60-54-8/114 (12 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 33-27/60 (4 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 10-5/15 (1 basho)
* **Shinjo:** 3-0/3 (1 basho)

## **Sources**

* Koinose Torao Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Koinose Torao Rikishi Information
Kototateyama Kaneshige

Kototateyama Kaneshige - 琴立山 兼滋 (born March 15, 1952) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Toyama, Toyama Prefecture. He made his debut in September 1967 and last wrestled for Sadogatake stable. He reached the juryo division in November 1976. His highest rank was juryo 7 and he retired in March 1981.

## **Career**

Takai made his professional debut in September 1967, wrestling under Sadogatake stable. He initially wrestled under his surname before switching to "Tominohana" (富乃花) in July 1968. He was promoted to sandanme in March 1969 and makushita in July 1972. He changed his shikona to "Tateyama" (立山) in March 1971 before changing it to "Kototateyama" (琴立山) in May 1975. In September 1976, he produced a 6-1 record at the rank of makushita 3 and was promoted to juryo in the following November 1976 tournament.

Kototateyama was ranked in juryo for a total of nine tournaments, reaching as high as juryo 7 in July 1978. His last appearance as a sekitori was in November 1979 and he announced his retirement in March 1981.

## **Fighting Style**

Kototateyama was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out. He was also fond of employing uwatenage, or overarm throw.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 322-317/639 (82 basho)
* **Juryo:** 56-79/135 (9 basho)
* **Makushita:** 145-128/273 (39 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 85-76/161 (23 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 31-32/63 (9 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Takai (1967.09 - 1968.05)
* Tominohana (1968.07 - 1971.01)
* Tateyama (1971.03 - 1975.03)
* Kototateyama Kaneshige (1975.05 - 1981.03)

## **Gallery**

Kototateyama during his days as a sandanme wrestler (c. 1972)
## **Sources**

* Kototateyama Kaneshige Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kototateyama Kaneshige Rikishi Information
Kenryu Hatsutaro

Kenryu Hatsutaro - 乾龍 初太郎 (born January 2, 1946) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Rubeshibe, Hokkaido. He made his debut in March 1964 and last wrestled for Oshiogawa stable. He reached the juryo division in January 1974. His highest rank was juryo 5 and he retired in March 1978.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in Mach 1964, wrestling under Nishonoseki stable. He initially wrestled under the shikona "Oyoshida" (大吉田) which was derived from his surname. He was promoted to sandanme in November 1964 and makushita in March 1966. In January 1973, he changed his shikona to "Kenryu" (乾龍) and he was promoted to juryo in January 1974 at the age of 28.

Kenryu was ranked in juryo for a total of nine tournaments, reaching as high as juryo 5 in May 1974. In 1975, he transferred to the newly established Oshiogawa stable which was created by his recently retired stablemate Daikirin. His last appearance was a sekitori was in March 1976 and he announced his retirement in March 1978.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring from sumo, he remained in the Japan Sumo Association and became a sewanin (assistant). He was associated with Oshiogawa stable before it closed and he transferred to the affiliated Oguruma stable in 2005. After reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65, he left the Japan Sumo Association in January 2011.

## **Fighting Style**

Kenryu was proficient in both oshi-zumo (pushing and thrusting) and yotsu-zumo (grappling). His favorite kimarite was uchigake (inside leg trip), but his most common winning kimarite was yorikiri (force out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 343-296-21/639 (85 basho)
* **Juryo:** 60-75/135 (9 basho)
* **Makushita:** 223-183-21/406 (61 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 45-32/77 (11 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 11-3/14 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Oyoshida (1964.03 - 1972.11)
* Kenryu Hatsutaro (1973.01 - 1978.03)

## **Gallery**

Kenryu during his time in the unsalaried ranks (c. 1972)Kenryu after retirement as a sewanin, or assistant (c. 2010)
## **Sources**

* Kenryu Hatsutaro Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kenryu Hatsutaro Rikishi Information