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List Of Non-Japanese Sumo Wrestlers
This is a list of foreign-born professional sumo wrestlers by country and/or ethnicity of origin, along with original name, years active in sumo wrestling, and highest rank attained. Names in bold indicate a still-active wrestler. There are 186 wrestlers who have listed a foreign country as their place of birth on the ''banzuke'' or official ranking sheets. The first foreign born wrestler to reach the top ''makuuchi'' division was the Hawaiian born Takamiyama in January 1968, who was also the first to win a top division tournament championship or ''yūshō'' in 1972. He was followed by fellow Hawaiians Konishiki who was the first foreigner to reach the second highest '' ōzeki'' rank in 1987, and American Akebono who became the first foreign ''yokozuna,'' the highest rank, in 1993. In 1992, following the entry of six Mongolians to Ōshima stable, there was an unofficial ban (called ''enryo'' or "restraint") instigated by the Japan Sumo Association's head Dewanoumi on any more fo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sumo
is a form of competitive full-contact wrestling where a ''rikishi'' (wrestler) attempts to force his opponent out of a circular ring (''dohyō'') or into touching the ground with any body part other than the soles of his feet (usually by throwing, shoving or pushing him down). Sumo originated in Japan, the only country where it is practiced professionally and where it is considered the national sport. It is considered a ''gendai budō'', which refers to modern Japanese martial arts, but the sport has a history spanning many centuries. Many ancient traditions have been preserved in sumo, and even today the sport includes many ritual elements, such as the use of salt purification, from Shinto. Life as a wrestler is highly regimented, with rules regulated by the Japan Sumo Association. Most sumo wrestlers are required to live in communal sumo training stables, known in Japanese as ''heya'', where all aspects of their daily lives—from meals to their manner of dress—are dic ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Heya (sumo)
In sumo wrestling, a is an organization of sumo wrestlers where they train and live. It can also be termed ''sumo-beya''. All wrestlers in professional sumo must belong to one. There are currently 43 ''heya'' (as of 2022), each of which belongs to one of five ''Glossary of sumo terms#ichimon, ichimon'' (groupings of ''heya''). They vary in size, with the largest ''heya'' having over thirty wrestlers and smallest just one wrestler. Most ''heya'' are based in and around the Ryōgoku district of Tokyo, sumo's traditional heartland, although the high price of land has led to some newer ''heya'' being built in other parts of Tokyo or its suburbs. Most ''heya'' have a network of scouts, who may be former wrestlers themselves, friends of the head coach, or supporters of the ''heya'', who keep a look out for any powerful or athletic young men and follow the results of local sumo (and judo) competitions. Most new recruits join at the age of 15 or 16, straight from junior high school. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Tenta
John Anthony Tenta Jr. (June 22, 1963June 7, 2006) was a Canadian professional wrestler and sumo wrestler (''rikishi'') best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation as Earthquake, though initially known as Canadian Earthquake. After a promising start to his sumo career, using the name Kototenzan, Tenta switched to professional wrestling and became a high-profile star for the WWF, feuding with Hulk Hogan and winning the WWF Tag Team Championship with partner, and personal friend, Typhoon. His professional wrestling career also encompassed runs in World Championship Wrestling, where he was known as Avalanche and The Shark, All Japan Pro Wrestling and a return to WWF as Golga. Tenta died in 2006 after a long battle with bladder cancer. Early life John Tenta was born in Surrey, British Columbia. Named after his father, he was a large baby weighing 11 pounds, 3 ounces at birth. Inspired by professional wrestlers Gene Kiniski and Don Leo Jonathan, Tenta decided ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kotoōshū Katsunori
Kotoōshū Katsunori ( ja, 琴欧洲 勝紀) (legal name: Karoyan Andō, born February 19, 1983 as Kaloyan Stefanov Mahlyanov, bg, Калоян Стефанов Махлянов) is a former professional sumo wrestler or ''rikishi'' from Bulgaria. He made his debut in 2002, reaching the top division just two years later. In 2005, he reached the rank of '' ōzeki'' or 'champion', the second-highest level in the sumo ranking system behind only ''yokozuna.'' On May 24, 2008, Kotoōshū made history by becoming the first European sumo wrestler to win an Emperor's Cup. He was one of the longest serving ''ōzeki'' in sumo history, holding the rank for 47 consecutive tournaments until November 2013. In January 2014 Kotoōshū obtained Japanese citizenship, a requirement of becoming an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, and he announced his retirement during the following tournament in March. In April 2017 he opened his own training stable, Naruto. Early life and sumo background He wa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Aoiyama Kōsuke
), lead=yes is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler or ''rikishi'' from Elhovo, Bulgaria. He made his professional debut in 2009, reaching the top division two years later, debuting in the November 2011 tournament. Aoiyama has won four Fighting Spirit awards, one Technique award and one ''kinboshi'' for defeating a ''yokozuna''. He has twice been runner-up in a tournament. His highest rank has been ''sekiwake''. Aoiyama is one of the heaviest competitors in sumo, weighing around 200 kg for most tournaments. In March 2022, he obtained Japanese citizenship. Early life and sumo background After wrestling for ten years and doing amateur sumo for three, he entered the professional sumo world at the introduction of fellow countryman, '' ōzeki'' Kotoōshū, becoming only the second Bulgarian ''rikishi''. He joined Tagonoura stable, run by former ''maegashira'' Kushimaumi. When asked by his coach whether he preferred mountains or rivers, he chose mountains and so was given th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wakaazuma Yoshinobu
Wakaazuma Yoshinobu ( Japanese: 若東 吉信, born April 21, 1976 as Fernando Yoshinobu Kuroda (黒田 吉信 フェルナンド, ''Kuroda Yoshinobu Ferunando'')), is a retired second generation Japanese Brazilian professional sumo wrestler ('' rikishi'') from São Paulo, Brazil. Making his debut in September 1991, he reached the ''jūryō'' division in May 2001. His highest rank was ''jūryō'' 13. He retired from professional sumo in May 2003, going back to Brazil, where he opened many successful restaurants. Early life and sumo background Yoshinobu started training when he was 4 years old, as his father was a coach in a sumo club in São Paulo, in addition to sumo wrestling he also practiced swimming and soccer. In junior high school, Yoshinobu visited Fujishima stable to train alongside professional sumo wrestlers. When he was 15 years old, he met future ''ozeki'' Tochiazuma while he was in a trip to Brazil, where they became good friends. After graduating from junior ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ryūkō Gō
Ryūkō Gō (born 26 May 1968 as Luis Gō Ikemori) is a former sumo wrestler from São Paulo, Brazil. Career As a youth he did judo, turning to sumo at age 16. At age 18 he went to Japan and won an international tournament, and in 1990 competing for Takushoku University he became the first Brazilian to win the Japanese National Collegiate Sumo Championship. He turned professional in May 1992, joining the Tamanoi stable. He was the first foreign wrestler ever to be granted ''makushita tsukedashi'' status, meaning that because of his amateur sumo achievements he could start at the bottom of the third highest ''makushita'' division. He reached elite ''sekitori'' status in March 1994 when he was promoted to the ''jūryō'' division. Ryūkō was his final ''shikona'' or fighting name – he was also known as Ikemori and Ryūdō. His highest rank was ''Jūryō'' 8, achieved in March 1995. He had Japanese parentage and adopted Japanese citizenship on 22 April 1996 (the same day as Akebono ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kaisei Ichirō
is a retired third generation Japanese Brazilian professional sumo wrestler (''rikishi'') from São Paulo, Brazil. Making his debut in September 2006, he reached the top ''makuuchi'' division in May 2011. His highest rank was ''sekiwake''. He was runner-up twice, once in the July 2013 tournament and another in the March 2018 tournament. He received three Fighting Spirit prizes. Early life and sumo background In his childhood, unlike his friends Sugano had no interest at all in football, not even watching games on TV. He was more interested in grappling sports, such as judo, which he practiced for a time. When he was sixteen a friend of his father's suggested that his already large size would be very suitable for sumo. Sugano used to train in many sumo clubs in São Paulo, where he ended up meeting the retired ''rikishi'' Wakaazuma Yoshinobu, who is also Brazilian. Yoshinobu would strictly train him, knowing that as Sugano wanted to become a professional sumo wrestler, he sho ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hoshitango Imachi
is an Argentine-born Japanese former professional sumo wrestler and current professional wrestler. His highest rank was ''jūryō'' 3. Life and career A former swimming instructor, Salomon was spotted by a visiting Japanese coach at a gym in Buenos Aires who encouraged him to try sumo. After studying at Chuo University, he joined Michinoku stable in May 1987 at the age of 21 to support his family. He was the first, and to date only, Jewish professional sumo wrestler. He was given the ''shikona'' (ring name) of Hoshitango, with "Hoshi" (star) a common prefix in Michinoku stable, and "tango" a reference to the popular dance. He reached the second highest ''jūryō'' division for the first time in September 1992, but lasted only one tournament there before being demoted back to the unsalaried third ''makushita'' division. He managed another three tournaments in the second division in 1994 but once again fell back. In September 1998, at the age of 33, he demonstrated his fighting sp ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
