Hokutoarashi Ryota

Hokutoarashi Ryota - 北勝嵐 亮太 (born November 21, 1979) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ibaraki, Osaka. He made his debut in July 1995 and wrestled for Hakkaku stable. His highest rank was makushita 6 and he retired in May 2008.

## **Career**

In 1994, Hama joined Hakkaku stable and made his professional debut in July 1995. He finished with a strong 6-1 record in his first tournament, but was injured in March 1996 which forced him to miss three consecutive tournaments. As a result, he fell off the banzuke completely by September 1996. He returned to sumo in January 1997 and had to redo maezumo (pre-sumo). Upon returning, he almost captured the jonokuchi yusho, but lost his final match to Aoba to finish with a 6-1 record. In July 1997, he finished with a perfect 7-0 record, but missed out on the jonidan yusho after losing to Raiho in playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to sandanme for the following September 1997 tournament.

In November 1997, he was given the shikona "Hokutoarashi" (北勝嵐), meaning "North Victory Storm." He missed three tournaments, starting from January 1999, due to more knee injuries and was demoted to lower jonidan. Upon returning to sumo in July 1999, he won the jonidan yusho with a perfect 7-0 record. He was eventually promoted to makushita in July 2000. He won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record in September 2001. This propelled him up to the rank of makushita 6 in November 2001. However, he was unable to capitalize on a juryo promotion as he finished with a poor 1-6 record.

Hokutoarashi spent the remainder of his later career bouncing back and forth between makushita and sandanme. He also missed multiple tournaments due to his numerous knee injuries. Hokutoarashi missed four consecutive tournaments from November 2006 to May 2007 and was relegated back down to jonidan in July 2007. He returned to sandanme in January 2008, but retired shortly after in May 2008. His danpatsu-shiki, or retirement ceremony, was attended by Yokozuna Hakuho, ozeki Kotomitsuki, and his best friend Wakatenro.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

### **Professional Wrestling Career**

After retiring from sumo, Hama became a professional wrestler, signing with All-Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). He wrestled under his real name Ryota Hama and debuted in professional wrestling on November 3, 2008 losing to former Sumo champion Akebono.

On September 23, 2009, Hama and Akebono, known collectively as SMOP (Super Megaton Ohzumo Powers), won the All Asia Tag Team Championship, defeating Minoru Suzuki and Nosawa Rongai. With Akebono as his partner, Hama participated in the 2009 World's Strongest Tag Determination League, finishing 5th out of 9 teams with four victories and four defeats. While still holding the All Asia Tag Team Championship, Hama won the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, defeating champion Satoshi Kojima on March 21, 2010. Hama holds the record for fastest superstar to attain the Triple Crown title, winning the title 503 days after his debut.

On June 19, 2013, Hama announced his resignation from All Japan out of loyalty to Keiji Mutoh, who had left the promotion when Nobuo Shiraishi took over as its new president at the beginning of the month. On July 10, 2013, Hama was announced as part of Keiji Mutoh's new Wrestle-1 (W-1) promotion. He adopted clothing and mannerisms inspired on WWF's Rikishi, like his trademark thong and Stink Face maneuver. On June 28, 2016, Hama announced he was leaving Wrestle-1 due to his contract with the company expiring. After leaving Wrestle-1, Hama signed with Big Japan Pro Wrestling.

## **Fighting Style**

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

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 235-169-114/400 (76 basho)
* **Makushita:** 50-66-24/115 (20 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 132-85-49/216 (38 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 41-16-34/55 (13 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 12-2-7/14 (3 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (September 2001)
* 1 **Jonidan** Championship (July 1999)

## **Shikona History**

* Hama Ryota (1995.07 - 1997.09)
* Hokutoarashi Ryota (1997.11 - 2008.05)

## **Gallery**

Hokutoarashi prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2003)
## **Sources**

* Hokutoarashi Ryota Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Hokutoarashi Ryota Rikishi Information