Asked what he knows better than anyone in sumo, Toshinofuji answers: the NBA. His team is the Sacramento Kings. That is already more memorable than “a tall wrestler who likes basketball.”
A favourite word, backed by results
He also lists “a winning record” among his favourite words. His first three Juryo tournaments deliver exactly that: 10–5, 9–6 and 11–4 in March, May and July 2026. That is 30–15 before his September top-division debut. July included a win over fellow September newcomer Asasuiryu.
The extra word in the throw
His recent six-tournament display lists force-outs at 36%, push-outs at 11% and pulling overarm throws at 9%, with 45 wins. This sample also includes Makushita, so it is separate from the 30 Juryo wins.
The pulling overarm throw draws the opponent forward as the attacker opens his body. It gives me something specific to follow after a left overarm grip: do they move forward together, or does the opponent get drawn past him?
A viewer as well as a wrestler
The Isegahama wrestler from Ulaanbaatar says he began sumo at 16. He attended Doshisha University and debuted professionally in March 2024. His earlier ring name was Seihakuhō. Alongside basketball, his questionnaire lists watching sumo as a hobby. I rather like that.
Checked 11 September 2026 JST. Technique shares reproduce the JSA’s previous-six-tournament display (September 2025–July 2026); they describe winning finishes, not success rates across all bouts. Official profile, results and wrestler questionnaire.