List of past sumo wrestlers

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This is a list of past wrestlers (either retired or deceased) in the sport of professional sumo. They are listed in order by the era that they made their professional debuts. The information listed below was gleaned from the wrestlers' individual articles, refer to their links for more details.

Contents

[edit] 1600s

Fighting name Years active Highest rank Career and other notes
Akashi Shiganosuke 1624?-1643? Yokozuna yokozuna status conferred centuries later, historical existence disputed

[edit] 1700s

Fighting name Years active Highest rank Career and other notes
Ayagawa Gorōji 1715?-1725? Yokozuna yokozuna status historically conferred, actual yokozuna license never proven
Maruyama Gondazaemon 1735?-1749 Yokozuna yokozuna status historically conferred, died while an active wrestler
Miyagino Nishikinosuke 1766-1796 Sekiwake oldest top division wrestler at the age of 52, first Miyagino stablemaster
Tanikaze 1769-1795 Yokozuna streak of 63 wins held for 150 years, died while active
Onogawa Kisaburō 1779?-1798 Yokozuna first yokozuna to perform dohyo-iri along with Tanikaze
Raiden 1790-1811 Ōzeki considered one of the best wrestlers ever, but never promoted to Yokozuna, possibly for political reasons

[edit] 1800s

Fighting name Years active Highest rank Career and other notes
Kashiwado Risuke 1806-1825 Ōzeki rejected a yokozuna license to avoid conflict between prominent families
Ōnomatsu Midorinosuke 1815-1835 Yokozuna fighting style was often criticized
Inazuma 1821-1839 Yokozuna received yokozuna licenses by Gojo family and Yoshida family
Hidenoyama Raigorō 1828-1850 Yokozuna shortest yokozuna ever, wrestlers outside his stable once staged a strike against his authority
Shiranui Dakuemon 1830-1844 Yokozuna coach of Shiranui Kōemon
Unryū Kyūkichi 1847-1865 Yokozuna unryū dohyō-iri style named for him
Jinmaku 1850-1867 Yokozuna erected monument to former yokozuna, first time first 3 yokozuna recognized
Shiranui Kōemon 1850-1869 Yokozuna considered the actual innovator of the unryū dohyō-iri style
Kimenzan Tanigorō 1852-1870 Yokozuna at 43 oldest wrestler ever to be promoted to yokozuna
Sakaigawa Namiemon 1857-1881 Yokozuna a number of dubious yokozuna titles were awarded in his period, diluting the integrity of the title, his title is the only one from his time still recognized
Umegatani I 1871-1885 Yokozuna died at 83, longest lived yokozuna after retirement, helped build first Ryōgoku Kokugikan
Nishinoumi Kajirō I 1882-1896 Yokozuna first wrestler actually listed on banzuke at the rank of yokozuna
Konishiki Yasokichi I 1883-1901 Yokozuna although competitive, never won a championship as yokozuna
Ōzutsu Man'emon 1885-1908 Yokozuna strength greatly declined after fighting in Russo-Japanese War
Onigatani Saiji 1886-1907 Komusubi retired from active sumo at age of 51
Wakashima 1891-1907 Yokozuna first official yokozuna from Osaka sumo, retired young due to a cycling accident
Hitachiyama 1892-1914 Yokozuna last wrestler to win over .900 of his bouts in top division, considered to be the most honorable yokozuna ever by many, did much to increase the popularity of sumo
Umegatani II 1892-1915 Yokozuna youngest ever yokozuna at that time
Takamiyama Torinosuke 1895-1913 Sekiwake won first officially recognized sumo top division championship
Tamatsubaki Kentaro 1897-1916 Sekiwake at 158 cm, the shortest wrestler in history
Ōnishiki Daigorō 1898-1922 Yokozuna

[edit] 1900-1909

Fighting name Years active Highest rank Career and other notes
Ōkido Moriemon 1899-1914 Yokozuna only yokozuna who spent his whole career in Osaka sumo
Nishinoumi Kajirō II 1900-1918 Yokozuna oldest yokozuna in the 20th century, committed suicide later in life
Tachiyama 1900-1918 Yokozuna never had a losing tournament in 18 year career, only lost 3 bouts as a yokozuna
Ōtori Tanigorō 1903-1920 Yokozuna has a monument built for him in Inzai, Chiba
Ryōgoku Yūjirō 1909-1924 Sekiwake only wrestler to win the top division on his first attempt since the 1909 yusho system was established

[edit] 1910s

Fighting name Years active Highest rank Career and other notes
Ōnishiki Uichirō 1910-1923 Yokozuna reached Yokozuna after only 5 top division tournaments which is an all time record, trained under Hitachiyama
Nishinoumi Kajirō III 1910-1928 Yokozuna promoted to yokozuna without winning any championships, which caused controversy
Tsunenohana 1910-1930 Yokozuna attempted suicide as a sumo elder after being blamed for JSA troubles
Miyagiyama 1910-1931 Yokozuna achieved fame in Osaka, helped save integrity of much maligned Osaka sumo by achieving success in Tokyo after Osaka sumo was disbanded
Tochigiyama 1911-1925 Yokozuna lost only 3 bouts in rise to top division, ended the 56 victory streak of Tachiyama
Shimizugawa 1917-1937 Ōzeki won three top division championships, but never promoted to yokozuna
Tamanishiki 1919-1938 Yokozuna one of very few top division wrestlers who did not walk out in a strike, later brought great success to Nishonoseki stable as head

[edit] 1920s

Fighting name Years active Highest rank Career and other notes
Minanogawa Tōzō 1924-1942 Yokozuna
Musashiyama Takeshi 1926-1939 Yokozuna promotion considered controversial by some
Futabayama 1927-1945 Yokozuna won 69 consecutive bouts, the longest run in the history of sumo, after retirement admitted was blind in one eye
Maedayama 1929-1949 Yokozuna former head of Takasago stable

[edit] 1930s

Fighting name Years active Highest rank Career and other notes
Akinoumi Setsuo 1932-1946 Yokozuna ended the 69 bout win streak of Futabayama
Haguroyama 1934-1953 Yokozuna longest serving yokozuna in history at 12 years, 3 months
Terukuni 1935-1953 Yokozuna youngest yokozuna ever until Taihō
Azumafuji Kin'ichi 1936-1954 Yokozuna first yokozuna to turn to pro-wrestling after retiring
Tamanoumi Daitaro 1937-1961 Sekiwake first wrestler to wear a brightly colored mawashi, flouting JSA rules and won first championship with 15-0 record while wearing it, had 9 gold stars in career
Toyonishiki 1938-1945 Maegashira 17 first Japanese-American to reach the top division
Yoshibayama 1938-1958 Yokozuna though successful, he overall ability was hindered by injuries from World War II before he entered sumo
Tochinishiki 1939-1960 Yokozuna know for small size and his tenacity, once fought back from seven straight losses to win his kachi-kōshi

[edit] 1940s

Fighting name Years active Highest rank Career and other notes
Rikidōzan 1940-1950 Sekiwake after retiring, moved on to become "the father of pro-wrestling in Japan"
Kagamisato 1941-1958 Yokozuna died at age 80, one of the longest lived former yokozuna
Chiyonoyama 1942-1959 Yokozuna founded Kokonoe stable
Wakanohana 1946-1962 Yokozuna former head of JSA,one of lighest yokozuna, older brother of Takanohana Kenshi
Tsurugamine 1947-1967 Sekiwake holds record for most technique prizes at 10, had ten gold stars
Asashio III 1948-1962 Yokozuna former head of Takasago stable
Wakahaguro 1949-1965 Ōzeki died of stroke after retiring at age 34

[edit] 1950s

Fighting name Years active Highest rank Career and other notes
Annenyama 1950-1965 Sekiwake former head of Tatsunami stable, earned 10 gold stars
Fujinishiki 1953-1968 Komusubi former head of Takasago stable, coached Konishiki, Mitoizumi to top division
Kitabayama 1954-1966 Ōzeki
Kashiwado 1954-1969 Yokozuna former director of JSA, overshadowed by rival Taiho
Wakamisugi 1955-1967 Sekiwake
Tochinoumi 1955-1966 Yokozuna former head of Kasugano stable, one of lightest yokozuna ever
Sadanoyama 1956-1968 Yokozuna former head of JSA
Kiyokuni 1956-1974 Ōzeki former head of Isegahama stable
Taiho 1956-1971 Yokozuna won all time record 32 championships, at the time was youngest yokozuna ever at 21
Kitanofuji 1957-1974 Yokozuna former head of Kokonoe stable, coached Chiyonofuji and Hokutoumi to yokozuna
Ryūko 1957-1975 Komusubi after retiring, found success as a TV actor
Wakanami 1957-1972 Komusubi only 103 kg at peak weight
Daikirin 1958-1974 Ōzeki sumo elder until June 2006
Kotozakura 1959-1974 Yokozuna was head of Sadogatake stable during a very successful period
Tamanoumi Masahiro 1959-1971 Yokozuna died during surgery while an active yokozuna

[edit] 1960s

Fighting name Years active Highest rank Career and other notes
Hasegawa 1960-1976 Sekiwake unusually, kept his family name as his fighting name, current director of the Nagoya tournament for the JSA
Tochiazuma Tomoyori 1960-1977 Sekiwake won ten special prizes, father of Ōzeki Tochiazuma
Maenoyama 1961-1974 Ōzeki Korean descent, broke his stable off from Ichimon to become independent
Yutakayama 1961-1968 Ōzeki runner-up for top division championship 8 times, former head of Tokitsukaze stable and JSA
Oshio 1962-1988 Komusubi all time record for most bouts ever fought
Asahikuni 1963-1979 Ōzeki won 6 technique prizes, broke off to form own stable, Oshima stable
Mienoumi| 1963-1980 Yokozuna took all time record 97 tournaments to reach yokozuna
Futatsuryu Junichi 1963-1982 Komusubi former Tokitsukaze stable head, stripped of position and arrested over hazing death scandal
Tenryu 1963-1976 Maegashira #1 after a dispute with the JSA, went on to be a pro-wrestler
Takamiyama 1964-1984 Sekiwake first foreigner to win top division, holds many longevity records, held the gold star record until Akinoshima
Kongō 1964-1976 Sekiwake now head of Nishonoseki stable
Daiju 1965-1977 Ōzeki briefly held Ōzeki rank, now head of Asahiyama stable
Takanohana I 1965-1981 Ōzeki held Ōzeki rank for then record 50 tournaments, father of Yokozuna Takanohana II and Wakanohana III
Kaiketsu 1966-1979 Ōzeki two-time Ozeki, now head of Hanaregoma stable
Kitanoumi 1967-1985 Yokozuna won 24 tournament titles, now head of JSA
Masuiyama 1967-1981 Ōzeki at 31, oldest wrestler promoted to Ōzeki until Kotomitsuki in modern era
Washuyama 1967-1985 Sekiwake small wrestler, popular with tournament crowds, now head of Dewanoumi stable
Takanosato 1968-1986 Yokozuna late bloomer who became Yokozuna at nearly 31 years, now head of Naruto stable
Wakanohana II 1968-1983 Yokozuna now head of Magaki stable

[edit] 1970s

Fighting name Years active Highest rank Career and other notes
Wajima 1970-1981 Yokozuna only former collegiate sumo wrestler promoted to yokozuna, or to keep his family name as his fighting name, later became a pro wrestler
Chiyonofuji 1970-1991 Yokozuna tournament wins second only to Taihō, won more championships than any other yokozuna in his thirties, continued to triumph though older and lighter than most opponents, holds record for most top division bouts won, and most bouts won overall
Kotokaze 1971-1985 Ōzeki set up own somewhat successful stable, Oguruma, often a commentator on sumo for NHK
Tagaryu 1974-1991 Sekiwake once won a top division championship while a low ranked maegashira facing demotion, has exactly one championship in the top four of six divisions
Kirishima 1975-1996 Ōzeki took 91 tournaments for promotion to ōzeki, an all time record
Onoumi 1975-1977 Maegashira #4 retired to become a pro wrestler
Wakashimazu 1975-1987 Ōzeki started sumo after high school, which is unusually late; nicknamed "Black Panther" by fans for his good looks and lean figure
Hokutenyu 1976-1990 Ōzeki one of the longest serving ōzeki, had storied rivalry with Chiyonfuji; his stable was folded into Kitanoumi stable upon his death
Sakahoko 1978-1992 Sekiwake served in top division at the same time as his brother Terao, a very rare occurrence; record for longest serving sekiwake
Asashio IV 1978-1989 Ōzeki director of JSA until February 2008
Mitoizumi 1978-2000 Sekiwake fan favorite known for throwing a huge handful of salt in pre-bout ritual, retired at the late age of 38
Onokuni 1978-1991 Yokozuna often plagued by injury, also suffered from sleep apnea, published an autobiography in 2008
Itai 1978-1991 Komusubi after retirement, made allegations of match-fixing
Futahaguro 1979-1987 Yokozuna only yokozuna to have never won a top division championship
Hokutoumi 1979-1992 Yokozuna once one of four yokozuna, after his retirement the rank was vacant for 8 months until Akebono
Kotogaume 1979-1997 Sekiwake last to defeat Chiyonofuji before his 53 win streak
Masurao 1979-1990 Sekiwake had a record 5 Jūryō championships
Terao 1979-2002 Sekiwake has a long sumo pedigree, holds a number of longevity records
Takanofuji 1979-1992 Komusubi stablemate of Chiyonofuji and Hokutoumi, now a professional wrestler

[edit] 1980s

Fighting name Years active Highest rank Career and other notes
Kotofuji 1980-1995 Sekiwake won a tournament championship from the maegashira ranks
Kyokudozan 1980-1996 Komusubi known for light weight, later became a politician
Asahifuji 1981-1992 Yokozuna his Ajigawa stable has produced the successful sekiwake Ama and Aminishiki.
Akinoshima 1982-2003 Sekiwake all time gold star record holder, 25% more than closest rival
Konishiki 1982-1997 Ōzeki at 265 kilos, the heaviest wrestler ever, first foreign ōzeki, now a widely popular celebrity
Takatoriki 1983-2002 Sekiwake record for most fighting spirit prizes, most gold stars against one opponent, Akebono; won his only top division championship while just above the demotion line
Ichinoya 1983-2007 Sandanme #6 studied physics at university, retired at 46
Kotonishiki 1984-2000 Sekiwake only wrestler ever to win two championships at maegashira
Kotonowaka 1984-2005 Sekiwake known for his countering techniques, and especially long bouts
Nankairyu 1984-1988 Maegashira #2 3rd foreign wrestler to reach the top division, career short and troubled
Kenko 1984-1998 Komusubi career ended early by extremely rare form of leukemia
Ryogoku 1985-1993 Sekiwake currently head of one of the strongest stables, Sakaigawa
Tochinowaka 1985-1999 Sekiwake current head of Kasugano stable
Kototenzan 1985-1986 Makushita #43 found success early, but retired due to inability to adjust to sumo/Japanese life; later became pro wrestler
Kotoryu 1987-2005 Maegashira #1 one of many top wrestlers at Sadogatake stable in the 1990s
Takanonami 1987-2004 Ōzeki had longest single wrestler rivalry in history with Musashimaru, often appears on television due to accessible personality
Takamishu 1987-1989 Makushita #2 Early star from Azumazeki stable before being overshadowed by stablemate Akebono
Hoshitango 1987-2004 Jūryō #3 first Jew in sumo, now a professional wrestler
Akebono 1988-2001 Yokozuna first foreign yokozuna, later became a pro wrestler
Takanohana II 1988-2003 Yokozuna long sumo pedigree, currently tied with Asashoryu at 22 tournament wins
Wakanohana III 1988-2000 Yokozuna brother of Takanohana II, never won a tournament as yokozuna, now operates a chain of chankonabe restaurants
Wakanoyama 1988-2005 Komusubi after demotion out of top division, fought his way back up after a record long 28 tournaments
Rikio 1988-1997 Maegashira #4 now a pro wrestler
Sentōryū 1988-2003 Maegashira #12 from St. Louis Missouri, only top division wrestler ever from mainland USA
Kōbō 1989-2007 Maegashira #9 top wrestler at Miyagino stable before the emergence of Hakuho
Hidenokuni Hajime 1989-1990 Jonidan #89 first and only wrestler from the UK, short career
Musashimaru 1989-2003 Yokozuna born in Samoa and raised in Hawaii; second foreign yokozuna; injury free until near end of career

[edit] 1990s

Fighting name Years active Highest rank Career and other notes
Daishoho 1990-1999 Komusubi career ended early due to pancreatic cancer
Mainoumi 1990-1999 Komusubi very popular for small size and variety of techniques, now a popular TV personality and sumo announcer
Yamato Gō 1990-1998 Maegashira #12 after short career in sumo, started his own restaurant in Roppongi, Tokyo
Toki 1991-2006 Komusubi known for distinctive sideburns, and later a bright orange mawashi, involved in an auto accident scandal
Chiyotenzan 1991-2008 Komusubi after quick rise to komusubi, eventually fell to the second lowest rank ever held by a former sanyaku wrestler
Asanowaka 1992-2005 Maegashira #1 the wrestler with the most wins in top division who never made sanyaku, popular with crowds for his ringside antics
Rikio 1992-1997 Maegashira #4 though successful in sumo, retired early to become a pro wrestler
Kyokushuzan 1992-2006 Komusubi first of a group of Mongolian wrestlers to make the top division, had an all record 58 tournaments at Maegashira
Kyokutenzan 1992-2007 Makushita #13 achieved only minor success, suspected of being involved in match-fixing
Shunketsu 1992-2008 Maegashira #12
Takanowaka 1992-2007 Sekiwake father was a pro baseball player
Musoyama 1993-2004 Ōzeki
Tochisakae 1993-2008 Maegashira #1
Oga 1993-2007 Jūryō #6 long serving bow-twirler at end of every tournament day
Wakatoba 1993-2007 Maegashira #11
Tochiazuma 1994-2007 Ōzeki won 12 special prizes, seven for technique, first wrestler since Kiyokuni to win top division in ōzeki debut
Tochinohana 1995-2008 Komusubi
Tokitsuumi 1996-2007 Maegashira #3 long time Maegashira, retired to take over Tokitsukaze stable after former head removed over hazing death scandal
Buyuzan 1997-2007 Maegashira #1
Hayateumi 1998-2006 Sekiwake very promising career hampered and eventually ended by injury
Kaido 1998-2006 Jūryō #4

[edit] See also