- List of past sumo wrestlers
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.1600s
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 120%"
-!Shikona|Fighting name!Years active!Highest rank!Career and other notes
-Akashi Shiganosuke
1624?-1643?
Yokozuna
"yokozuna status conferred centuries later, historical existence disputed"
-1700s
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 120%"
-!Shikona|Fighting name!Years active!Highest rank!Career and other notes
-Ayagawa Gorōji
1715?-1745?
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
1766-1796Sekiwake
"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 performdohyo-iri along with Tanikaze"
-
Raiden
1790-1811Ōzeki
"considered one of the best wrestlers ever, but never promoted to Yokozuna, possibly for political reasons"
-1800s-1850s
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 120%"
-!Shikona|Fighting name!Years active!Highest rank!Career and other notes
-Kashiwado Risuke
1806-1825Ōzeki
"rejected a yokozuna license to avoid conflict between prominent families"
-Tamagaki Gakunosuke
1806-1824
Ōzeki
"like Kashiwado, a yokozuna strength wrestler who had to reject a license"
-Ōnomatsu Midorinosuke
1815-1835
Yokozuna
"was often criticized for number of false starts"
-
Inazuma
1821-1839
Yokozuna
"received yokozuna licenses from Gojo family and Yoshida family"
-Tsurugizan Taniemon
1827-1852
Ōzeki
"offered a yokozuna license but rejected it"
-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 ofShiranui 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"1860s-1890s
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 120%"
-!Shikona|Fighting name!Years active!Highest rank!Career and other notes
-
Umegatani I
1871-1885
Yokozuna
"died at 83, longest lived yokozuna after retirement, helped build firstRyōgoku 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 inRusso-Japanese War "
-Onigatani Saiji
1886-1907Komusubi
"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"
-Araiwa Kamenosuke
1894-1909
Ōzeki
"had a winning average of over .800 "
-Takamiyama Torinosuke
1895-1913Sekiwake
"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
"active in Osaka sumo"
-1900-1909
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 120%"
-!Shikona|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
1909-1924Sekiwake
"only wrestler to win the top division on his first attempt since the 1909 yusho system was established"
-1910s
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 120%"
-!Shikona|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 underHitachiyama "
-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 ofTachiyama "
-
Shimizugawa
1917-1937Ōzeki
"won three top division championships, but never promoted to yokozuna"
-Hitachiiwa Eitarō
1917-1931
Ōzeki
"his only tournament championship caused great controversy"
-
Tamanishiki
1919-1938
Yokozuna
"one of very few top division wrestlers who did not walk out in a strike, later brought great success toNishonoseki stable as head"
-1920s
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 120%"
-!Shikona|Fighting name!Years active!Highest rank!Career and other notes
-Minanogawa Tōzō
1924-1942
Yokozuna
"popular with public but won no championships at yokozuna rank"
-Musashiyama Takeshi
1926-1939
Yokozuna
"promotion considered controversial by some, had only onekachi-koshi at yokozuna rank"
-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 ofTakasago stable "
-1930s
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 120%"
-!Shikona|Fighting name!Years active!Highest rank!Career and other notes
-Akinoumi Setsuo
1932-1946
Yokozuna
"ended the 69 bout win streak ofFutabayama "
-Nayoroiwa Shizuo
1932-1954Ozeki |
-Haguroyama
1934-1953
Yokozuna
"longest serving yokozuna in history at 12 years, 3 months"
-Terukuni
1935-1953
Yokozuna
"youngest yokozuna ever untilTaihō "
-Masuiyama Daishiro I
1935-1950
Ozeki
"father of ozekiMasuiyama Daishiro II , coach ofKitanoumi "
-Azumafuji Kin'ichi
1936-1954
Yokozuna
"first yokozuna to turn to pro-wrestling after retiring"
-Tamanoumi Daitaro
1937-1961Sekiwake
"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
1938-1945Maegashira 17
"firstJapanese-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 hiskachi-kōshi "
-1940s
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 120%"
-!Shikona|Fighting name!Years active!Highest rank!Career and other notes
-Rikidōzan
1940-1950Sekiwake
"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"
-
Matsunobori
1941-1961Ōzeki
"head of small Oyama stable after retirement"
-Chiyonoyama
1942-1959
Yokozuna
"foundedKokonoe stable "
-
Ouchiyama
1944-1959
Ōzeki
"one of the tallest wrestlers ever at 202cm"
-
Kotogahama
1945-1962
Ōzeki
"five times a top division tournament runner-up, turned down opportunity to runSadogatake stable "
-
Wakanohana
1946-1962
Yokozuna
"former head of JSA,one of lighest yokozuna, older brother ofTakanohana Kenshi "
-Tsurugamine
1947-1967
Sekiwake
"holds record for most technique prizes at 10, had ten gold stars"
-
Asashio III
1948-1962
Yokozuna
"former head ofTakasago stable "
-Wakahaguro
1949-1965
Ōzeki
"died of stroke after retiring at age 34"
-1950s
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 120%"
-!Shikona|Fighting name!Years active!Highest rank!Career and other notes
-Annenyama
1950-1965Sekiwake
"former head ofTatsunami stable , earned 10 gold stars"
-
Tochihikari
1952-1966Ōzeki
"member ofKasugano stable , an ōzeki for 22 tournaments"
-Fujinishiki
1953-1968Komusubi
"former head ofTakasago stable , coachedKonishiki ,Mitoizumi to top division"
-Kitabayama
1954-1966
Ōzeki
"held ōzeki rank for 30 tournaments"
-Kashiwado
1954-1969
Yokozuna
"former director of JSA, overshadowed by rival Taiho"
-
Wakamisugi
1955-1967
Sekiwake
"won a top division championship from the maegashira ranks"
-Tochinoumi
1955-1966
Yokozuna
"former head ofKasugano stable , one of lightest yokozuna ever"
-Sadanoyama
1956-1968
Yokozuna
"former head of JSA"
-Kiyokuni
1956-1974
Ōzeki
"former head ofIsegahama 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 ofKokonoe stable , coachedChiyonofuji andHokutoumi 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 ofSadogatake stable during a very successful period"
-Tamanoumi Masahiro
1959-1971
Yokozuna
"died during surgery while an active yokozuna"
-1960s
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 120%"
-!Shikona|Fighting name!Years active!Highest rank!Career and other notes
-
Hasegawa
1960-1976Sekiwake
"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 ŌzekiTochiazuma "
-Maenoyama
1961-1974Ōzeki
"Korean descent, broke his stable off fromIchimon to become independent"
-
Yutakayama
1961-1968
Ōzeki
"runner-up for top division championship 8 times, former head ofTokitsukaze stable and JSA"
-Fujinokawa
1961-1972
Sekiwake
"now head ofIsenoumi stable and a director of the JSA"
-
Oshio
1962-1988Komusubi
"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
"formerTokitsukaze stable head, stripped of position and arrested over hazing death scandal"
-
Tenryu
1963-1976Maegashira #1
"after a dispute with the JSA, went on to be a pro-wrestler"
-Takamiyama
1964-1984
Sekiwake
"first foreigner to win top division championship, holds many longevity records, held the gold star record untilAkinoshima "
-
Kongō
1964-1976
Sekiwake
"now head ofNishonoseki stable "
-
Daiju
1965-1977
Ōzeki
"briefly held Ōzeki rank, now head ofAsahiyama stable "
-
Takanohana I
1965-1981
Ōzeki
"held Ōzeki rank for then record 50 tournaments, father of Yokozuna Takanohana II and Wakanohana III"
-
Kaiki
1965-1987
Sekiwake
"Now head ofTomozuna stable and on board of JSA"
-
Kaiketsu
1966-1979
Ōzeki
"two-time Ozeki, now head ofHanaregoma stable "
-Kitanoumi
1967-1985
Yokozuna
"won 24 tournament titles, now head of JSA"
-Masuiyama Daishiro II
1967-1981
Ōzeki
"at 31, oldest wrestler promoted to Ōzeki untilKotomitsuki in modern era"
-
Kirinji
1967-1988
Sekiwake
"fought 84 top division tournaments, won akinboshi at age 35"
-Washuyama
1967-1985
Sekiwake
"small wrestler, popular with tournament crowds, now head ofDewanoumi stable "
-Takanosato
1968-1986
Yokozuna
"late bloomer who became Yokozuna at nearly 31 years, now head ofNaruto stable "
-
Wakanohana II
1968-1983
Yokozuna
"now head ofMagaki stable "
-1970s
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 120%"
-!Shikona|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 toTaihō , 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
1971-1985Ōzeki
"set up own somewhat successful stable,Oguruma , often a commentator on sumo for NHK"
-
Arase
1972-1981Sekiwake
"former college champion, became TV personality after retirement"
-
Chikubayama
1973-1989Maegashira #13
"now Hakuhō's coach atMiyagino stable "
-Tagaryu
1974-1991
Sekiwake
"once won a top division championship while a low rankedmaegashira 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 intoKitanoumi stable upon his death"
-Sakahoko
1978-1992
Sekiwake
"served in top division at the same time as his brotherTerao , 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 ofmatch-fixing "
-Misugisato
1979-1998
Komusubi
"promoted to komusubi without ever facing anysanyaku wrestlers"
-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 5Jūryō 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"1980s
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 120%"
-!Shikona|Fighting name!Years active!Highest rank!Career and other notes
-Kotofuji
1980-1995Sekiwake
"won a tournament championship from the maegashira ranks"
-Kyokudozan
1980-1996Komusubi
"known for light weight, later became a politician"
-Asahifuji
1981-1992
Yokozuna
"hisAjigawa stable has produced the successful sekiwake Ama andAminishiki ."
-Wakashoyo
1981-1997
Sekiwake
"now amixed martial artist "
-Akinoshima
1982-2003
Sekiwake
"all time gold star record holder, 25% more than closest rival"
-Konishiki
1982-1997Ōzeki
"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
1983-2007Sandanme #6
"studied physics at university, retired at 46"
-Kotonishiki
1984-2000
Sekiwake
"only wrestler ever to win two championships atmaegashira "
-Kotonowaka
1984-2005
Sekiwake
"known for his countering techniques, and especially long bouts"
-Nankairyu
1984-1988Maegashira #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
Komusubi
"currently head of one of the strongest stables, Sakaigawa"
-Tochinowaka
1985-1999
Sekiwake
"current head ofKasugano stable "
-
Kototenzan
1985-1986Makushita #43
"found success early, but retired due to inability to adjust to sumo/Japanese life; later became pro wrestler"
-Asahiyutaka
1987-1999
Komusubi
"now head coach ofTatsunami stable "
-Kotoryu
1987-2005
Maegashira #1
"one of many top wrestlers atSadogatake stable in the 1990s"
-Oginishiki
1987-2004
Komusubi
"his father and brother were also sumo wrestlers"
-Takanonami
1987-2004
Ōzeki
"had longest single wrestler rivalry in history withMusashimaru , often appears on television due to accessible personality"
-
Takamishu
1987-1989Makushita #2
"Early star fromAzumazeki stable before being overshadowed by stablemate Akebono"
-Hoshitango
1987-2004Jūryō #3
"first Jew in sumo, now a professional wrestler"
-Kushimaumi
1988-1998
Maegashira #1
"highly successful amateur, now head ofTagonoura stable "
-
Akebono
1988-2001
Yokozuna
"first foreign yokozuna, later became a pro wrestler"
-Takanohana II
1988-2003
Yokozuna
"long sumo pedigree, currently tied withAsashoryu at 22 tournament wins"
-
Wakanohana III
1988-2000
Yokozuna
"brother ofTakanohana II, never won a tournament as yokozuna, now operates a chain ofchankonabe 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 atMiyagino stable before the emergence ofHakuho "
-Hidenokuni Hajime
1989-1990Jonidan #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"
-1990s
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 120%"
-!Shikona|Fighting name!Years active!Highest rank!Career and other notes
-Daishoho
1990-1999Komusubi
"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
1990-1998Maegashira #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 orangemawashi , 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 formersanyaku wrestler"
-Asanowaka
1992-2005
Maegashira #1
"the wrestler with the most wins in top division who never madesanyaku , 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-time record 58 consecutive tournaments in theMaegashira ranks"
-Kyokutenzan
1992-2007Makushita #13
"achieved only minor success, suspected of being involved in match-fixing"
-
Shunketsu
1992-2008
Maegashira #12
"lightweight wrestler, had several different fighting names"
-Takanowaka
1992-2007Sekiwake
"father was a pro baseball player"
-Tomonohana
1992-2001
Komusubi
"joined pro sumo at nearly 28 years of age"
-Musoyama
1993-2004
Ōzeki
"former college champion and member of dominantMusashigawa stable , injury-prone"
-Tochisakae
1993-2008
Maegashira #1
"also had many injury problems, now a coach at Kasugano stable"
-
Oga
1993-2007Jūryō #6
"long serving bow-twirler at end of every tournament day"
-Wakatoba
1993-2007
Maegashira #11
"coached by formerDaikirin , now has his elder name, Oshiogawa"
-
Tamakasuga
1994-2008
Sekiwake
"had the longest ever gap between "sanshō" awards at 55 tournaments, has an asteroid named after him"
-Tochiazuma
1994-2007
Ōzeki
"won 12 special prizes, seven for technique, first wrestler sinceKiyokuni to win top division in ōzeki debut"
-Tochinohana
1995-2008
Komusubi
"Won two special prizes in his debut top division tournament"
-Tokitsuumi
1996-2007
Maegashira #3
"former amateur, long time Maegashira, retired to take overTokitsukaze stable after former head removed over hazing death scandal"
-Buyuzan
1997-2007
Maegashira #1
"former amateur champion, another top division wrestler from Musashigawa stable"
-Hayateumi
1998-2006
Sekiwake
"former amateur champion, very promising career hampered and eventually ended by injury"
-
Kaido
1998-2006
Jūryō #4
"another former amateur but failed to make top division, stablemate of ozeki Kaio"
-2000s
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 120%"
-!Shikona|Fighting name!Years active!Highest rank!Career and other notes
-
Hakurozan
2002-2008
Maegashira #2
"along with older brother Rohō, became first foreign siblings to wrestle in top division at the same time, later dismissed due to proven cannabis use"
-
Roho
2002-2008
Komusubi
"known for feisty nature, along with younger brother Hakurozan, was dismissed due to proven cannabis use"
-
Wakanohō
2005-2008
Maegashira #1
"a fast-rising star, one of the most successful Russian wrestlers, first active wrestler to be dismissed by the Sumo Association (after arrest for cannabis possession)"
-ee also
*
Glossary of sumo terms
*List of active sumo wrestlers
*List of sumo record holders
*List of sumo tournament winners
*List of sumo stables
*List of yokozuna
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