Making it big in Japan - Foreign-born rikishi in sumo

Total of 14 foreign-born rikishi compete in the top two divisions today. They come from 5 different countries. Not only they persevere rigorous daily sumo trainings, but also have to get acclimated to Japanese culture, language and diet in order to become a successful rikishi. We introduce five rikishi who’re from outside Japan and explain how they were able to reach stardom in pro sumo in Japan.
00:00 Hiro’s opening comment
00:38 Sumo’s 6 divisions
01:14 14 foreign-born rikishi in top 2 divisions
01:40 Hoshoryu introduction
02:35 Hoshoryu vs Shodai
03:14 Tochinoshin introduction
04:25 Tochinoshin vs Terutsuyoshi
05:05 Aoiyama introduction
05:26 Aoiyama vs Oho
05:57 Kinbozan introduction
06:46 Kinbozan vs Oshoma
07:22 Roga introduction
08:03 Roga vs Kotokuzan
08:35 Mitakeumi vs Midorifuji
09:46 Hiro’s closing comment
In “SUMO PRIME TIME” I’ll be sharing with you some of the most interesting and exciting things about sumo, so please make sure to subscribe!
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[@sumoprimetime7506]

Konnichiwa sumo fans. It's Day 10 at the Kyushu grand sumo tournament. As you know, we have so many foreign-born rikishi making impact these days and that's our topic this time. Total of 14 rikishi who're from outside Japan compete in Makuuchi and Juryo today. Because of their presence and great contributions, sumo is more exciting and thus receives an abundant international recognition. I personally have a ton of respect for all the foreign-born combatants for taking a crack at the tough sport in a country they don't have any clues about when they first get here. Please enjoy SUMO PRIME TIME's focus on some foreign-born rikishi who're hoping to make it big in Japan by overcoming difficulties and adversities.

[@coby7914]

Hiro you always do a fantastic job! Do you still work for NHK World? Do the Rikishi select their own name or does a committee pull names from a hat? With their meals, do they drink Eggnog?

[@genuinejustin6269]

What Tochinoshin has accomplished is something to be admired. He left his home country of Georgia when he was like 18. Then traveled to Japan and joined a Sumo stable knowing nothing about Sumo or speaking a word of Japanese. And he was able to make it all the way to Ozeki. Would have made Yokozuna without a doubt if he didn't ruin his knee. It's unreal what he's done.

[@crazzynez]

Its crazy hes still in Makuuchi. His knees are toast and he only has a fraction of his former power, yet his experience and versatility shines through. He completely had to changed his style and hes so tenacious. He improved in a lot of ways despite his heavy injuries

[@jdspencer60]

Georgia produces some huge men, Tochi is one but look up Levan Saganishvili! The strongest armwrestler in the world and Tochi's real name is also Levan lol

[@WrightViewLLC]

And what a remarkable win today!!!

[@d.g1663]

@@jdspencer60 dudes a mountain...cool to see him discussed, armwrestling is starting to be more mainstream.

[@bennybooboo6789]

@@jdspencer60 then of course there's Lasha Talakhadze in weightlifting, the GOAT by far.

[@TheWerewolfdark]

You gotta love Kaisei. Hiro, please do an interview with him. He was always a breath of fresh air. His interviews were so energetic and honest

[@erice5372]

❤ kaisei

[@4ngelo_]

[@LauraJdogmom]

He looks like he is enjoying life. It must be nice not to hurt all the time.

[@achevres]

Also love Kaisei. Always a gentleman.

[@verholdt]

I hope Big Dan Aoiyama joins him. Then add Tochi and you have the ultimate security trio of gentle giants.

[@austinhall3937]

3:58 I love this clip. As a reminder Hakuho fought off Baruto at the bales not once BUT TWICE in a single match yet Tochinoshin managed to get him over the bales. Such strength in one body

[@tommymartins1740]

Just seeing kaisei looking so full of beans made me grin!!

[@cf5397]

Tochinoshin was the first rikishi I watched fight and I've been hooked ever since. I only became a fan after he injured his knee and after Hakuho retired, so I somewhat feel like I missed a great era of sumo, many of the other Rikishi are very skilled however and the future of Sumo looks bright so there is much to look forward to.

[@TheFourth_Man]

This was my exact experience as well. Tochinoshin is my favorite rikishi and I now have a framed print of him in my home. Excellent video!

[@zdr7420]

My exact experience also, Tochi will always be my favorite rikishi

[@sdoijhadaoskdjfasokd]

Young Tochinoshin looks like a Baldwin brother

[@zobi280]

I love Tochinoshin, he’s my favorite. I really hope he gets a really good season in before he retires

[@armintor2826]

Havent seen him in years, absolutely crazy how hes still able to just pick up and walk people out the way he does. Guys a mountain!

[@masgkickmas0n821]

I’m sorry for your loss

[@xxxqwertxxx]

We love Tochinoshin! ❤️ Will you be selling some of that merch, Hiro? 😉

[@gw7477]

Since this channel came out, I've really taken an interest in sumo. I played offensive line in football growing up, so the similarities are really interesting. I even watched a re-run of grand sumo they had on TV the other night (USA) with my dad and we both enjoyed it! Thank you for getting all of this content for us!

[@Toropetskii]

Thanks for the spotlight, Hiro! Kaisei definitely had the best "Sumo Prime Time" yet!

[@RDG99]

Hoshoryu is such a beast! How cool would it be if he and Wakatakakage gets Ozeki promotion at the same time

[@Anthobvs]

Well that would make three Ozeki (considering Shodai is going to lose his rank) and two promoted at the same time, that's pretty unlikely.

[@emcee797]

I just love Hoshoryu’s sumo. Always the most exciting performance - even when he loses the match!🔥🔥🔥

[@joaopires1761]

A young Shohozan right in front of Tochinoshin on the new recruit introduction.

[@GoldenRakerRock]

With his adorable scowl!

[@joaopires1761]

@@GoldenRakerRock couldn't be any more recognisable, could it? Haha

[@GoldenRakerRock]

@@joaopires1761 I miss him and his fighting spirit!

[@Cygnus2F1]

Warm regards from Brazil! We love Kaisei! We wish him great success as the new Tomozuna-oyakata! We hope he can train great rikishi and perhaps even discover new Brazilian sumo talent!

[@bradybrapples]

When is the Japan Sumo Association going to start shipping all those sumo goodies to the rest of the world? Hiro keeps showing off all this stuff I'd buy in a instant if it were for sale!

[@LauraJdogmom]

Yeah, no kidding. They are leaving big bucks on the table. I'd go nuts just on fan towels.

[@annabellepries4050]

I was thinking that too! When is the sumo prime time merch store opening! I'm also wondering if they're going to open one soon because Hiro keeps getting more stuff in every video, so maybe at the start of 2023?

[@poetsrear]

​@@LauraJdogmom Japan always does. They don't care about international promotion and sales. If they productized and exported everything people would like to buy, it would probably be like 5% GDP increase to Japan, lol. But somehow they don't care. I suppose an archaic Japanocentric point of view still lives and they perceive outside world as a world of barbarians, whose easy and loose money they are too aristocratic and perfect to collect....

[@Chrree]

OMG! Finally a video about Tochinoshin! He is my absolute favourite ever since I first saw him! Even though his best days as a rikishi are over I hope to see him for a couple more years.

[@LauraJdogmom]

Once again, thank you for the great video. I'd love to hear more about your trip to Georgia. It is so nice to see Kaisei looking so happy. I imagine that he is not in constant pain any more. Poor Terutsuyoshi. Being picked up by the back of your mawashi like that must be beyond humiliating. Nevertheless, it is fun to see the Georgian Forklift doing forklift things. Hoshoryu is killin' it this basho. Ozeki run started! Poor Mitakeumi. At this rate, he might not even get a kachi-koshi. I wonder if the JSA will ever relax or eliminate the one-foreigner-per-heya limit. Japanese youngsters are not exactly beating down the doors of the various heya, and allowing more foreigners might help some of the small heya to expand. Tamawashi's heya has four rikishi total. Mitoryu is the only rikishi in his heya.

[@AAron-gr3jk]

Toshinoshin is my favourite. So hoping he'll recover

[@plihal203]

So happy to see Kaisei, go tomozuna-oyakata!!!

[@mikeoc77]

Kaisei sighting!

[@raymondsosnowski9717]

I am always rooting for the foreign-born rikishi - goes back to the days of the Hawaiian Takamiyama! Tochinoshin is my current favorite active rikishi! A special shout out for Ukrainian Shishi in Division 3!

[@TheKalihiMan]

Akebono and Konishiki were local favorites in Hawaiʻi when I was a kid. I was too young to know about it but my uncle followed them religiously.

[@raymondsosnowski9717]

@@TheKalihiMan Favorites of mine to in the day!

[@TheKalihiMan]

@@raymondsosnowski9717 They were so popular that Israel Kamakawiwoʻole (the one who sang Hawaiʻi ‘78 and Over the Rainbow) wrote a song dedicated to the 3 top Hawaiʻi-based rikishi at the time (Akebono, Musashimaru, and Konishiki). If you want to listen yourself the song is called “Tengoku kara Kaminari”.

[@marvintg2002]

I LOVE the poster you had when talking about Mitakeumi!

[@chrism4008]

Kinbozan is doing really well!

[@JohnDoe-bx8eg]

Tochinoshin has always been one of my favorite sumo wrestlers he is the legend who made me interested in the sport.

[@jorgecamargo629]

Thanks for your videos Hiro. I write you from Chile. Could you make a video where explains the meaning of the most popular rikishis's names. The same way that Roga's explanation. With your inside videos and the day by day (Nattosumo) of the currently basho, my passion for sumo keeps growing. Muchas gracias. Adiós.

[@austinhall3937]

I'm a simple man, I see Tochinoshin I click.

[@johnnixon1026]

Love love love your program! You truly bring the fan up and close to the Sumo world! Thank you Sir!

[@sophiko-lagvilava]

Thanks ❤️ huge love and respect from Georgia to beautiful and impressive sumo 💕

[@justinpopelka1148]

Chris Sumo brought me to this type of content. Your delivery is so positive and refreshing.

[@christofferthorsson607]

Wish there was a specific winning technique for what Tochonoshin does. Lifting your opponent and carrying them off the dohyo is in my mind more than a mere "frontal force out". Nice to see Kaisei. Although it feels strange seeing him in a suit I wish him good success as a coach.

[@Andromahlius]

"Forklift" kimarite is "Tsuridashi" for "frontal lift out". In this specific bout against Terutsuyoshi, he dropped him inside the ring and then pushed him out, hence the winning kimarite being called as yorikiri.

[@DrNaz]

this time he dropped Terutsuyoshi right before pushing him out so the kimarite is frontal force out.

[@GwazyJustCause]

Thank you so much for the spotlight! I'm a big Tochi fan, hope one day I can meet him. 😊❤️

[@paulbaker9434]

Tochis the man.and to do most of it with one knee is just outstanding

[@justaperson1812]

love hoshoryu

[@jdspencer60]

Hoshoryu's Judo is so strong he's a future Yokozuna for sure if he stays healthy

[@Andrew-ko6tb]

His improvisation and body control are something else! He and WTK are my two favorites to watch. Both remind me a little of the Wolf.

[@jdspencer60]

@@Andrew-ko6tb 100% Takakage is my favorite guy - he is only 2 lbs under Haramafuji at his prime but I think Waka should get crazy with the shoulder workout with his brothers like Chyonofuji did

[@luciagianquitto4010]

I'm really liking Hoshoryu

[@robhill4352]

This is such a great show. Thank you

[@Otrijka_bomja]

Great episode! Thank you !

[@chrism4008]

Thanks Hiro, excellent as always!!

[@chwhite6886]

Thanks for featuring these rikishi! I especially liked the archival video of Tochinochin's maezumo and everything about Hoshoryu!

[@chadhagans6687]

Thanks Hiro for another great episode. And thanks Kise for always being awesome

[@sampelletier5083]

Great coverage!

[@fengshuimma9160]

Fantastic informational video, thank you! It had a nice pleasant vibe.

[@Said17SV]

excellent reporting and informational video, keep up the great work!

[@BloodoperaBlackvomit]

I love this channel!

[@NavyGal]

This is so awesome. I can't believe it. I asked for more info on Foreign-born rikishi info and you are answering my request. Thank you so much Hiro-san.

[@waltermcinnis]

This is your best video yet! Tochinoshin is awesome. Hiro you're doing great work with your team. Cheers.

[@DrNaz]

Thanks for the content! I'm a bit envious of Hiro's props and posters too!! I want some hahaha. I see Tochi, i like!! I'm also a big Tochi fan. Strong and handsome, what a combination! Leaving your country to practice sumo and speak japanese muts not be easy, it is really heartwarming to see all these rikisih thriving in japan!!

[@himatstosh6236]

Takamiyama, who came to Japan alone in the 1970s when there were no mobile phones, no Internet, and no satellite TV, and he got the first foreign wrestler to win a tournament, is one of the wrestlers I respect the most.

[@hedanhercules]

Great Channel and vids thank you!

[@sondrexseth4988]

Great video!

[@amphimixis]

You gotta do a video on Kaisei!

[@nosake2]

Hiro, I'm so proud of your English. It must have been very hard for you to acquire such skill. I love listening to your broadcasts.

[@erinandres8135]

I love the shirt and other stuff around the office! Will you guys have an online store for us?

[@jonbauml225]

Tochinoshin is the strongest. When he can fight without injury he's unstoppable

[@JohnnySabu]

Thank you Hiro!

[@dougler500]

Great video! Sumo Prime Time!

[@oatman9714]

Kinbozan is handsome. If he slims down he can be a movie star

[@nightmaregirl06]

@9:01 i neeeed that adorable drawing of Tobizaru as a sticker omg

[@slidezone9056]

I began watching sumo about 3 yrs. ago. And one of the first things I noticed was the consistent displays of sportsmanship. Both Tochinoshin and Kaisei are/were 2 prime examples of that. I no longer pay attention to the mainstream sports that I USED TO enjoy. I grew tired of watching sloppy play...and over the top celebrations for routine performance. I've since grown to love sumo and am slowly learning the more subtle details that make it so interesting and exciting. All the best to Kaisei in his post sumo career. And I will enjoy watching Tochinoshin until he decides to retire. And thank YOU, Hiro! For helping me to learn more about the sport and the culture of sumo.

[@allennewborn936]

Good to see Kaisei!

[@abaranihei2608]

4:07 Hakuho not even mad about losing :D

[@marisoldominguez438]

Is there any way to get that sumo memorabilia that you showcased in this video. Love the sumo poster and the figurines.

[@nicklemming2556]

Nice to see Kaisei too!

[@oBuLLzEyEo1013]

Very exciting...

[@lssjbrogeta]

Loving the videos, a good choice to cover some foreign born wrestlers

[@PuuberZ]

Tochinoshin = views.

[@user-qx2jg6xo6n]

魁聖関のファンですが、 海外の方からもこんなにコメントされる程、ファンが多いのかと驚き、嬉しくなりました！

[@jhalent93]

A window to another world!!!

[@user-vx1lb6ff3e]

Спасибо за рассказ о рикиши из других стран. Один из самых древних традиционных видов борьбы становится только интереснее, когда в нём участвуют не только японские борцы. Конкурентное противостояние украшает турниры. Смотрю с удовольствием! Очень хочу, чтобы рикиши из России накопил силу и опыт, чтобы подняться в высший дивизион. Thank you for the story about rikishi from other countries. One of the most ancient traditional types of wrestling becomes only more interesting when not only Japanese wrestlers participate in it. Competitive confrontation adorns tournaments. I look with pleasure! I really want rikishi from Russia to accumulate the strength and experience to rise to the top division.

[@AR-cw4he]

🇺🇸Loves Tochinoshin 👍🏼

[@ben3331]

All hail the Georgian Wolf, Tochinoshin!

[@patrickoneill5338]

Thanks, Mr. Morita, for bringing us this great content. Does it scramble your brain to introduce yourself with your name in the wrong order?

[@kylebarrett28]

Young Tochi. Great video thanks

[@SpodyOdy]

Very cool👍😎

[@jrlonergan6773]

Where can we get all that awesome sumo gear on the wall!?

[@jhonnydasbr5367]

My man, Kaisei!!!

[@wordsisnukes]

Shout outs to the big, smiling Brazilian, and long-time makuuchi competitor, KAISEI!

[@ApotheNZ]

Arigato Hiro!

[@EBaker0129]

Tochinoshin is popular in california too!!! I like him best.

[@sophiezena7034]

Tochinoshin is my favorite ❤

[@andresil8330]

Isn’t very unfair that they only allow 1 foreign Hikishi per stable? That is less than 10% of all if I’m not mistaken. The sport is slowly fading away with the lack of interest of young people and still there are these limitations.

[@QldChickenPuncher]

I met Tochi on Sunday and he was nice enough to take some photos with me.. Even had a cuddle with him!

[@lanae6282]

Hiro, where can we order the sweet JSA merchandise we see in your videos? The JSA website doesn't have an online shop :( I can't come to Japan but I want to purchase the goods!

[@augustinep6193]

Good.

[@kstxevolution9642]

Kaisei in a blue jacket and healthy is a sight for sore eyes.

[@jeffscheurkogel]

Reconsidering career paths now...

[@jackadder4014]

@SUMO PRIME TIME Hey Hiro! Are you guys selling any SPT merchandise? I'd really like to get some of those hats / shirts. If so, do you ship to England? :)

[@eurostar0711]

This might be a dumb quesiton, but those autograph tegatas, can you buy them somewhere? I been a fan of Tochinoshin for a while and i'd love to get one of his.

[@sophiko-lagvilava]

Pls help 🙏❤️ where can I get the poster which appears at 08:38 min. Thanks in advance ❤️🇬🇪

[@johnprestenbach9950]

Hiro, what can you do about getting the show with English translation that comes on my TvJapan channel called “ Sumo Inside Out”

[@mait.3610]

I didn't know Kinbozan is this charming outside the dohyo :)

[@dinosaurtreesflowers]

Tochi 🥰

[@MarkH10]

I fail to understand why the association has not embraced Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Stem Cell Therapy. All would benefit, mostly Tochinoshin. However I would say 25% of the rishiki enter the ring with wraps and braces. Health is timeless and it would greatly improve Sumo to have the top full of men who can heal quickly between tournaments.

[@michaelhealey2122]

ABI Yokozuna 2023?? Or shortly after! Congratulations ABI!!

[@Normandy1944]

Arigato Hiro, ...a lot of talk about Hoshoryu and Ozeki in the same sentence, can he string together the needed 30 wins in 3 basho? I like calling him stone eyes because of his cold stare...SUMO PRIME TIME!

[@LucidFlameX]

Tochi Power!

[@willy1986tralara]

Where can I find the rikishi poster???

[@mizuhoamvs]

Where can I get some sweet SPT gear?

[@215Daniel]

Tochinoshin put on a lot of weight from his younger days.

[@ddist0rtt]

Tochi could've been Nicolas Cage's stunt double back in the day