Ryusei Shota

Ryusei Shota - 竜勢 昇太 (born July 17, 1986) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Katsushika, Tokyo. He made his debut in March 2003 and currently wrestles for Isenoumi stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 4.

## **Early Life**

Shota Kurotani was born on July 17, 1986, in Katsushika, Tokyo and his father was the active (now retired) makuuchi wrestler Tagaryu. During his childhood, Kurotani played baseball and rugby. He attended Shutoku Senior High School before dropping out to join his father's Kagamiyama stable.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 2003 and initially wrestled under his surname Kurotani before he was given the shikona "Ryusei" (竜勢) in May 2004. In November 2005, he finished with a perfect 7-0 record, but missed out on the jonidan yusho after losing to Nakaita in the playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to sandanme for the following January 2006 tournament. However, Ryusei was unable to establish himself in sandanme until July 2008. Ryusei finally reached makushita in September 2012 after nine years in the sport, but he did not become a makushita regular until September 2015.

In July 2016, Ryusei defeated Yamaguchi on the 13th day to finish with a perfect 7-0 record and claimed the makushita yusho. He was promoted to a career-best rank of makushita 4 in September 2016, however, he withdrew midway during the tournament and was unable to capitalize on a juryo promotion. In January 2021, he finished with a 6-1 record and was placed in a nine-man playoff for the makushita yusho, however, he lost to Shiba in the first round. In the following March 2021 tournament, while ranked a makushita 7, Ryusei faced off against juryo-ranked Yago on the final day, however, he lost by oshidashi, or push out. Nevertheless, this was the first time he donned an oichomage, usually reserved for sekitori, after 18 years in the sport.

In July 2021, Kagamiyama stable closed down and he transferred to Isenoumi stable. Kagamiyama stable had stopped recruiting wrestlers since 2004, and Ryusei and stablemate Kagamio had been the only wrestlers in the stable since May 2007. Kagamio's retirement in March 2023 makes Ryusei the only active wrestler who wrestled for Kagamiyama stable.

## **Fighting Style**

Ryusei is a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won majority of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 432-416-7/846 (123 basho)
* **Makushita:** 175-176-7/349 (51 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 150-144/294 (42 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 97-92/189 (27 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 10-4/14 (2 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (July 2016)

## **Shikona History**

* Kurotani Shota (2003.03 - 2004.03)
* Ryusei Shota (2004.05 - )

## **Gallery**

Ryusei joins sumo alongside stablemate Kagamio (c. 2003)Ryusei wins his first Makushita Yusho (c. 2016)Ryusei loses the Makushita Yusho match to Yago (c. 2017)Ryusei defeats Kitanowaka (c. 2021)Ryusei in Juryo as a Makushita vistor (c. 2021)Ryusei prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2022)
## **Sources**

* Ryusei Shota Rikishi Information
* Hibiomo Article about Ryusei