To really enjoy sumo you should really know a little about the wrestlers. Who are the up and comers, who’s moving down and who’s fighting with a lot on the line. In this post, I’ll cover some of the major players and my observations about them. If you’re new to the sport, I hope my little write up can help you understand the drama behind the match ups. Here is my watch list with the wrestler’s name, rank (as of the March 2007 tournament), birthplace, and size. Remember, because sumo rankings are dynamic many wrestlers will have a different position at the time of the Grand Sumo Tournament in Hawaii in June 2007. See my one of my earlier posts for a complete definition of the sumo rankings, and be sure to check out my brief on the history of sumo in Hawaii.

Asashoryu (Yokozuna, from Mongolia, 6′, 326lb) - What can you say about the Yokozuna. He is simply the best guy out there today. He is small (by sumo standards) proving that size does not matter; instead he wins with speed, amazing power and an intensity level above all others. He is also on pace to become the winningest Yokozuna of all time. Here is a great video of Asashoryu dominating a variety of opponents - this is why he’s the top dog. Posted a 13-2 March record but lost the tournament title to Hakuho in a play off.

Hakuho (Ozeki, from Mongolia, 6′3″, 339lb) - Beat Asashoryu to claim the March 2007 tournament title with a 13-2 record and is looking for the chance to get promoted to Yokozuna after the May 2007 tournament. (See a bout of Asashoryu vs Hakuho where Hakuho wins). He could come to Hawaii as the 2nd Yokozuna. Even if he doesn’t get promoted, keep your eyes on him to see how he handles the matches in Hawaii. He is hungry. See my sumo primer for info on promotion criteria.

Kotooshu (Ozeki, from Bulgaria, 6′7″, 335lb) - Tall and muscular (and popular with the ladies), he doesn’t have the bulky frame of most sumo wrestlers. Even more noticeable is the fact that unlike Asashoryu or Hakuho, who are not Japanese but are Asian, Kotooshyu is a white man in this most Japanese of sports. Kotooshu brings deceptive power and great speed to the game. As a relatively new Ozeki, he seems to be starting to settle in at this rank, but he is not yet in a position to shoot for Yokozuna. Posted a lackluster 8-7 in March. See a video of Kotooshu in action.

Kaio (Ozeki, from Japan, 6′1″, 385lb) - Big barrel chested Kaio is the prototype sumo wrestler. When he’s winning, he looks unstoppable and can pull some of the most wicked, arm breaking throws you ever saw. But, Kaio is an older wrestler and has had a long career filled with a lot of nagging injures. After posting a series of marginal tournament records (including an 8-7 March tournament), many are looking for Kaio to retire soon.

Chiyotaikai (Ozeki, from Japan, 5′10″, 352lb) - Watch Chiyotaikai to see one of the two major fighting styles of sumo. While many wrestlers favor the belt grabbing style where one can pull many combinations of throws (like Kaio), Chiyotaikai is classic “pusher thruster” wrestler who will rely on fast, well placed thrusts to shove his opponent from the ring. At the start of the match, Chiyotaikai will unload a barrage of fast, piston-like hits to his opponent, and if he wins, he usually will do so very quickly. (See a video of Chiyotaikai in action). Chiyotaikai is a veteran Ozeki, but has never had the consistency to be a strong Yokozuna candidate. After posting a losing record in March, he will have to bounce back in May or face demotion.

Tochiazuma (Ozeki, from Japan, 5′10″, 341lb) - Like Asashoryu, Tochiazuma is on the smaller side, but brings great skills and techniques to the game. But, where Asashoryu is ferocious, Tochiazuma is a thinking mans wrestler and will win with great finesse that is just fun to watch. But Tochiazuma’s career has been one hampered by injury, and after making a couple of runs at Yokozuna, he doesn’t appear to be as strong today. Pulled out of the March tournament after picking up his all important 8 wins. Could retirement also be looming?

Kotomitsuki (Sekiwake, from Japan, 5′11″, 348lb) - Kotomitsuki has been a steady Sekiwake performer for a while, he has the power to go far, but has liked the consistency to make it to Ozeki. Posted a strong 10-5 record in the March tournament and could be again making a run for promotion with a strong May tournament. Look for Kotomitsuki to be hungry when he comes to Hawaii.

Kotoshogiku (Sekiwake, from Japan, 5′10″, 339lb) - For a first time Sekiwake in March 2007, Kotoshogiku pulled out a not too bad 7-8 record. He will face demotion, but shouldn’t fall too far.

Ama (Komusubi, from Mongolia, 6′1″, 273lb) - Ama is fun to watch. At well under 300 pounds, Ama is the lightest wrestler in the top division. He relies on speed, speed and speed to win. Hitting an 8-7 mark in March, means that he will keep his rank in May or possibly take Kotoshogiku’s spot at Sekiwake. People like to cheer for Ama as he looks like such an underdog. Here is a video of Ama manhandling his much larger opponent.

Tokitenku (Komusubi, from Mongolia, 6′1″, 328lb) - Another smaller Mongolian wrestler, Tokitenku posted a 7-8 record in March and will surely slip back down to Maegashira. Tokitenku is a man fighting for the respect earned by his fellow Mongolians.

Toyonoshima (Maegashira 1, from Japan, 5′6″, 304lb) - The very short Toyonoshima should make his Komusubi debut in May after posting a winning record in March.

Homasho (Maegashira 5, from Japan, 6′1″, 330lb) - Had a great March tournament with an 11-4 record that should be enough to push him to the upper Maegashira ranks; possibly his highest rank ever. Homansho is relatively young, and if he can stay healthy, is one to watch in the future.

Takamisakari (Maegashira 6, from Japan, 6′2″, 308lb) - NHK’s English speaking announcers dubbed him “robocop” for his quirky yet entertaining demeanor. Takamisakari is solid wrestler even though he is nearly blind, but he is most popular for his unusual pre-match warm-up antics (see video). Win or loose, most sumo wrestlers are trained to show little emotion, but Takamisakari tends to wear his emotions on his sleeve making him one to watch for strong entertainment value. Still, I’m sure he’d rather be known for his wrestling.

Kokkai (Maegashira 7, from Georgia, 6′2″, 337lb) Kokkai is notable as being the first really successful Caucasian sumo wrestler. A powerful but somewhat reckless wrestler, Kokkai is at that stage in his career where he bounces up and down the rankings. When ranked low, as he was in March, he beats up on the lower ranked wrestlers and posts a strong record. Once promoted to the higher ranks, he is forced to fight the top notch wrestlers, posts a losing record, and falls back down into the mid-Maegashira ranks. After a 10-5 March, he should bounce back up again in May.

Baruto (Maegashira 13, from Estonia, 6′5″, 383lb) - Buruto is young, big and powerful and stormed the Makuuchi division with his size and power. Another Eastern European wrestler, Baruto is a definite up and coming wrestler. See an example of Baruto’s power as lift his opponent out of the ring. Did not participate in the March tournament.

Wakanosato (Maegashira 16, from Japan, 6′, 341lb) - Praised by many for having the perfect sumo body, Wakanosato has been somewhat of an enigma. On a couple of occasions, Wakanosato was poised to earn Ozeki promotion. But bitten by injuries Wakanosato eventually lost his Sekiwake rank and fell, way, way, way down the rankings. In fact, for 2 of the last 3 tournaments, he fell all the way out of the top Makuuchi division. After his return to Makuuchi and 11-4 March record, look for him to climb his way back up.

As I mentioned before, check out http://www.sumohawaii.com for more tickets and information about the June 9 & 10, 2007 Hawaii Grand Sumo Tournament.

Posted by Netsato on Tuesday, April 10th, 2007 at 10:31 am.