“The Onami Brothers”: Eldest Brother Becomes a Wakamonogashira — Wakatakamoto’s Strong Feelings for His Younger Brothers

Grand Sumo

The three Onami brothers come from a sumo family: their grandfather was former komusubi Wakabayama, and their father was also a former sumo wrestler who reached the makushita division. The eldest brother, Wakatakamoto, the second brother, Wakamotoharu, and the youngest, Wakatakakage, all entered the world of professional sumo. They are known as the “Three Onami Brothers,” after their family surname at birth.

Wakatakamoto also suffered injuries, including one to his left knee, and retired from active competition after the May Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. He then transitioned to the position of wakamonogashira, a role within the Japan Sumo Association that includes assisting with the operation of official tournaments.

Now 34, he has taken on a supporting role behind the scenes. Speaking with a calm, refreshed expression, he said:

“I no longer have that feeling that I, too, need to do my best in the tournaments. Because of that, my feelings for my younger brothers have grown even stronger. I hope they will work hard for my sake as well.”

Originally from Fukushima Prefecture, he joined the Arashio stable and made his professional debut at the November 2009 Kyushu Tournament. His two younger brothers later joined the same stable.

In contrast to his brothers, who both rose to the sekitori ranks, he himself was unable to advance as far as he had hoped. Even during those difficult years, however, he found renewed motivation whenever he saw videos or read articles in which Wakamotoharu and Wakatakakage said that the three brothers would all become sekitori.

Like the “Three Izutsu Brothers”—Kakureizan, Sakahoko, and Terao—it was not to be that all three brothers would reach the sekitori ranks. Nevertheless, the eldest brother climbed as high as the seventh rank in the makushita division.

“I felt that I had to keep working hard. If I had been on my own, I would have lost heart. I’m grateful to them,” he said earnestly, reflecting on those years.

After spending his active career serving as a tsukebito, or personal attendant, to his younger brothers, he now works for the Japan Sumo Association while continuing to support them in every way he can.

His stablemaster, Arashio-oyakata (the former makuuchi wrestler Sokokurai), praised his character and expressed his expectations:

“His younger brothers also became stronger because he was there. I hope he will work hard and live up to his role as a kashira.”

Wakatakamoto also repeatedly expressed his gratitude to the local fans who had enthusiastically supported him throughout his career.

During his active years, he would usually head down to the training area at around 7 a.m. Now, during tournaments, his routine has changed: he arrives at the venue shortly after 6:30 a.m.

“I’m still not used to it,” he repeatedly remarked.

His earnest and sincere personality shone through in those words.

Source: Jiji Press

Thought you might get a kick out of these.

Hello everyone!

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# Yokozuna Hoshoryu, absent for entire Autumn Basho, set to compete at Kyushu Basho; Tatsunami Oyakata hopes "he'll be a champion by then"; Ariake Spring Tour stop confirmed

Regarding Yokozuna Hoshoryu (27, Tatsunami stable), who sat out the entire recent Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, his stablemaster Tatsunami Oyakata (former Komusubi Asahitoyo) explicitly confirmed on October 20 that Hoshoryu will compete in the upcoming Kyushu Basho (starting November 8 at the Fukuoka International Center). "He has been participating in the current regional tour and will make his official comeback starting in Kyushu," he stated.

Hoshoryu aggravated a chronic right knee injury during the Nagoya Basho and underwent surgery in late July. His absence from the Autumn Basho marked his third consecutive tournament withdrawal. The number of tournaments elapsed without winning a championship (yusho) since his promotion to Yokozuna has reached 10. Since the modern six-basho-a-year system was established in 1958, this represents the second-longest post-promotion title drought in history, trailing only the 11 basho recorded by Asashio, Kashiwado, and Wakanohana III. Having joined the Autumn regional tour (which began October 6) starting at the Matsumoto stop in Nagano Prefecture on October 10, he continues fine-tuning his condition in pursuit of his maiden yusho as Yokozuna.

On the same day, it was officially announced that the Grand Sumo Spring Tour Ariake Event (Haru Jungyo Ariake-basho) will be held on April 15 next year at the Ariake Arena in Koto Ward, Tokyo. Tatsunami Oyakata visited the Koto Ward Office and remarked, "Holding an event on a 15,000-seat scale is likely a first for us. It's truly amazing and something to look forward to." Hoshoryu is also scheduled to participate, with his stablemaster adding hopefully, "I hope by that time he will have won a championship."

◇ **Hoshoryu Tomokatsu** (Real name: Sugaragchaa Byambasuren) — Born May 22, 1999 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (age 27). Came to Japan in 2015 as an exchange student for amateur wrestling at Kashiwa Nittai High School before transferring to the sumo club midway through his freshman year, achieving high marks such as runner-up at the High School Inter-High Championships. Joined Tatsunami stable and made his professional debut (hatsu-dohyo) at the 2018 Hatsu Basho. Promoted to Juryo at the 2019 Kyushu Basho and reached Makuuchi at the 2020 Autumn Basho. Promoted to Komusubi at the 2022 Spring Basho. Won his first makuuchi yusho at the 2023 Nagoya Basho, earning promotion to Ozeki immediately following the tournament. Claimed his second yusho at the 2025 Hatsu Basho, earning promotion to Yokozuna after the basho. He is the nephew of former Yokozuna Asashoryu. Favorite techniques: migi-yotsu (right-hand inside grip), yori force-outs, and throw techniques (nage). Height: 188 cm, Weight: 148 kg.

Source: Sponichi Annex

The 27th edition of the Sumo World Championships took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, last weekend, and there were several signs that amateur sumo may be moving into a new stage of development. ...while Japan and Ukraine took home the lion’s share of the gold, there were also medal finishes for countries including Hungary, Georgia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Poland, the United States and Canada.

Was surprised to get such a good card of Papayasu

With the Kyushu banzuke coming out on the 26th, I tallied every makuuchi record from Hatsu through Aki to see who has actually won the most this year. Some of it surprised me.

1. Kirishima 55-20. Never below 8 wins, four straight 11+ records (11, 12, 12, 12) before going 8-7 at Aki, and he picked up the Haru yusho along the way.
2. Atamifuji 50-25. Two 12-3s and never makekoshi. Half of his wins (25) were oshidashi.
3. Fujinokawa 44-31. Kachikoshi in four of five, capped by 11-4 at Aki as Sekiwake.
4. Asanoyama 43-29-3. Went from M16 East in January to M6 East in September, with kachikoshi in four of five (the exception was 7-5-3 at Natsu).
5. Aonishiki 42-18-15. Two yusho (Hatsu and Nagoya) despite sitting out all of Natsu. His 18 losses are the fewest in the top ten.

Then Yoshinofuji 41, Kotoshoho 40, Churanoumi and Asakoryu 39.

The yokozuna are the story here. Onosato is 31-18-26 and Hoshoryu 28-18-29, because each missed most or all of two basho. Onosato still won Aki at 12-3, and Wakatakakage took Natsu, so we've had four different champions in five tournaments.

Across the whole division this year, yorikiri (370) just edges out oshidashi (365), with hatakikomi a distant third at 110.

Who do you think ends the year with the most wins? Kirishima has a 5 win cushion over Atamifuji going into Kyushu.

Edit: For anyone curious how I made the chart, I pulled the numbers from Sumo-API for a free iPhone app I've been building called Oshi, which also does spoiler-free results and widgets for following your rikishi. Here it is if you're interested: apps.apple.com/app/sumo-wrestling-widgets-oshi

So we all love sumo. I guess thats why we're all here. When it comes to japanese sumo I like not only the sport itself but everything that surrounds it. All the rituals, traditions, etiquette, rules etc etc etc. It makes what sumo is - great.

Then I watch amateur sumo and I feel.... almost nothing. Sometimes even disapprove. The evident and open emotions, the lack of respect, the dohyo itself, the lack of all the traditional items, hell even underwear under mawashi.

Does anyone else feel in similar fashion towards amateur sumo? Especially international one.

the start and end drum beats for ozumo are completely complicated. no catchy beat, just this thing that never seems to repeat.

is there a specific reason for this? are people really expected to memorize it? if you break the drum beats down, does each one represent a certain aspect?

the long fast part I get. but the stuff between it just seems random. there seem to be a couple of repetitive patterns, but it's not like they are memorable earworms

https://youtu.be/F0--I5oNHtw

https://youtu.be/Vg8Qmgc3M8M

https://youtu.be/MEGBjLPWA-w

From his wiki:

Early life

Born as the youngest of three siblings, he began sumo in the second grade of Iwanaicho Municipal Iwanaihigashi Elementary School at his mother’s recommendation. He tried other sports as well, but they did not last long; his mother also persuaded him, saying, “Shoes cost money to buy. With sumo, all you need is a single mawashi,” so he continued sumo after entering Iwanaicho Municipal Iwani Daiichi Junior High School.

After graduating from university, he got a job at the Fukushima Town Hall in Hokkaido and was assigned to the Board of Education. Becoming a public servant was also a realization of the dream he had written in his elementary school graduation anthology. In addition, while working at the town hall, he worked to promote sumo at elementary schools in the town, and taught sumo as a coach at the Chiyonoyama and Chiyonofuji Memorial Hall.

Personality and episodes

In contrast to his cheerful character after entering the sumo world, during his university days he was shy and could not make friends.

He likes edamame rice. He is not good with plain white rice, but says there is no problem if it has flavor.

When he was promoted to makuuchi, he was presented with a kesho-mawashi designed by a designer from his hometown of Iwanaicho and depicting the Iwanaicho mascot character “Taramaru”.

In the 2022 sumo Tanabata project, he made a wish “Hachi-Yamamoto,” combining his shikona with “8 wins = winning record”. He did the same in 2023.

According to the Association’s official profile, his favorite artist is Genie High. His favorite food is edamame. His hobby is nanoblock. His favorite manga is Space Brothers.

Because he was the only active makuuchi wrestler from Hokkaido as of the end of the July 2024 tournament, after the Sapporo venue of the summer regional tour ended on August 17, he was appointed one-day police chief of the Sapporo Higashi Police Station.

To celebrate our boy Enhō's 32nd birthday yesterday, I would like to share this match from Enhō back in 2021.

On Day 9 of the Haru Basho 2021, fan-favorite former Maegashira Enhō faced fellow former Maegashira Akua as both battled to reclaim the Maegashira rank they has recently lost. After starting 6-0, Enhō lost two matches in a row to be 6-2 by the time this match happened. Akua was 4-4.

At this stage in his career, Enhō was a fan-favorite rising star from Miyagino Stable. He was recruited by Hakuhō in 2017 and won the first 21 matches of his career, winning championships in Jonokuchi, Jonidan, and Sandanme along the way. He reached Jūryō after only six basho, a record he shares with Asahifuji. By 2019, Enhō had reached the Makuuchi division and fought there for the next two years, reaching a career-high rank of Maegashira #4 before falling back to Jūryō by Hatsu 2021. After being absent due to COVID in Hatsu 2021, he attempted a speedy return to Makuuchi from the rank of East Jūryō #4 in Haru 2021.

Unfortunately, Enhō was unable to return to Makuuchi, remaining in Jūryō until his spinal injuries forced him down to Jonokuchi in 2023. He has since returned to Jūryō and continues to fight his way towards Makuuchi.

Akua, from Tatsunami stable, debuted in sumo in November 2010. He toiled in the lower divisions, mostly Makushita, for a number of years before finally reaching Jūryō in Hatsu 2018. After two unsuccessful attempts at salaried life, Akua established himself in Jūryō with the Kyūshū 2019 Basho. From there, it only took him a year to reach Makuuchi, though he returned to Jūryō after two basho. Fighting as West Jūryō #1 in Haru 2021, he was attempting to return to the Maegashira ranks. He would be successful, reaching a career-high rank of West Maegashira #10 before falling back to Jūryō. He has been fighting in Makushita since Haru 2024.

While Akua specializes in oshi-zumo, he is experienced in judo and is known for his love of the rare technique kakenage, or "hooking inner thigh throw." He has won using the technique 34 times throughout his career, far more than most other rikishi. Additionally, he has been known for attempting the technique even when it wouldn't be ideal. Additionally, he has served as Hōshōryū's bow twirler in the past.

After getting inside at the tachiai, Enhō drives Akua towards the tawara before pivoting and lifting Akua clean off the ground for an absolutely spectacular tsuriotoshi, or Frontal Lifting Body Slam.

Akua finished this tournament 8-7, while Enhō finished this tournament 9-6, though it was not enough to return to Makuuchi.

If anyone is interested, here are two more amazing displays of technique from Enhō:

• Abi vs. Enho, Hatsu 2020
• Enho vs. Meisei, Natsu 2026

Wondering if there has been any news on how his knees are doing as well as his diabetes.

Wasn’t sure if knee replacement is common in the sumo world post retirement or whether or not he was even a candidate for it.

I assumed he was going to try and drop a ton of weight right away in order to get the diabetes under control but despite some weight loss, he’s still pretty big from the pictures I’ve seen. Hope he’s doing ok.

I posted here a couple months ago looking for advice on running a sumo panel for my local convention titled “a brief introduction to professional sumo”. Thanks to your help, suggestions, and input, I hosted a successful panel this past weekend! Even though I had numerous technical issues, I filled a full hour with good information, content, and helped build hype for sumo in my community. You all helped me be knowledgeable enough to answer the slew of questions my audience threw at me. They were interested and hungry for more! I wanted to show my gratitude to the community here, you guys absolutely rock. I’m already planning for next year’s panel!

Includes clips from Japanology - Sumo

Anatomy of Athletes - Sumo

Samurai Spirit - Sumo

Sumo Prime Time - Hakuho’s Recipe for Success

I just saw that Hoshoryu is doing pretty good on tour practicing with the other Rikishi on Chris Sumo youtube channel.

That's comforting..., but i still hope that he sits out in November. Don't screw it up Hoshoryu. And I certainly don't hope that these Yokozuna council member smartasses are going to pressure him into competing in November. But it seems like they have accepted that he should come back, once he is ready to fight for the title.

Crossing fingers 🤞 it would be sad to see him go...

With the prevalence of injuries recently and how they impact a rikishi's performance in a given basho, I just wonder if a system that allows them time to recuperate would benefit the sport overall.

# Enho celebrates 32nd birthday aiming to wrestle "for as many days as possible," targets return to Makuuchi for first time since 2020 Kyushu Basho

The Grand Sumo Autumn regional tour made its stop in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture on October 18, where Juryo wrestler Enho (32, Isegahama stable) took part in an exhibition bout against Juryo wrestler Kitanowaka (26, Hakkaku stable). The day marked Enho's 32nd birthday. Entering his 10th year since his professional debut (hatsu-dohyo) at the 2017 Spring Basho, he continues to stand on the dohyo, overcoming repeated hardship.

"So much has happened, but to be able to keep going until 32... I'm genuinely happy," smiled Enho during his post-practice media session, recalling how he had originally set a goal upon entry to reach Juryo within two years.

After reaching his career-high rank of East Maegashira 4 at the 2020 Spring Basho, he suffered a devastating spinal cord injury at the 2023 Summer Basho that temporarily left him bedridden. Following a full year-long absence, he staged a comeback starting from the bottom Jonokuchi division, only to suffer an avulsion fracture in his left fibula that forced him to withdraw midway through last year's Nagoya Basho. To make matters worse, he fractured his left ankle at this year's Hatsu Basho.

Standing just 167 cm and weighing 107 kg, the lightweight wrestler returned to the salaried Juryo ranks after three years at the Summer Basho. He posted back-to-back 8-win winning records before finishing with 7 wins at the recent Autumn Basho.

"I want to step onto the dohyo for as many days as possible. I purely want to become stronger. It's the exact same feeling I had 10 years ago." The 32-year-old, whose eyes sparkle like a 22-year-old's, holds a return to the top Makuuchi division as one of his immediate goals—something he hasn't achieved since the 2020 Kyushu Basho. "I feel like I'm desperately living each and every day to the fullest." He believes that at the end of accumulating those days, the day his wish comes true awaits.

Source: Sponichi Annex

Unpacking Japan is a YT /podcast show which the host, Tobi (a foreigner living in JPN), interviews successful foreigners living in JPN and we learn about their stories and experiences while making a living in the land of the rising sun.

Obviously Hakuho fits the bill really well, and even though the talk is about himself and sumo, the atmosphere is quite different from the regular documentary about him (btw nth wrong with that imho), so we get some really cool insights about the man and sumo itself. We can see why he is the GOAT and why he will probably rock so many boats in sumo.

This interview is from seven months ago, but still worth a view if you have time (it is over an hour, but still great)

Link to YouTube:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EKUhZKXUBBU&app=no_hover&persist_app=1

Kyushu Basho: Fujiseiun, native of earthquake-affected Kumamoto City — "I want to do sumo that makes people say 'I received energy'"

The November Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament (Nov 8–22) is fast approaching. At the previous basho, wrestlers hailing from Kumamoto Prefecture—which was hit hard by the Kumamoto earthquakes—fought valiantly. Expectations are high that they will summon even greater strength in Kyushu, a home region of sorts.

One wrestler drawing keen attention is Fujiseiun (28), a Kumamoto City native who posted 9 wins at East Maegashira 7 last basho. Right after closing out Senshuraku with a win, he remarked in the shitokubeya (dressing room), "I wanted just one more win." It felt as though he was approaching the upcoming Kyushu Basho with a stern, determined attitude aimed at reaching double-digit wins.

When asked about the disaster-stricken areas, he replied, "I want to deliver sumo that makes people say, 'You gave me strength.'" The way he spoke, chewing on every word, exuded his deep self-awareness as a rikishi originating from an affected region.

At January's Hatsu Basho this year, his rank was Juryo. Based on his performance last basho, he is poised to reach a career-high rank for the Kyushu Basho. Alongside fellow Kumamoto native Yoshinofuji (25) from Uto City—who similarly notched 9 wins as West Maegashira 2 last basho—he will step onto the dohyo carrying a burning passion for his hometown in his heart. (By Kazuki Maruyama)

Source: Yomiuri Shimbun Online