September 2026 profile. Ranks, measurements, announced pairings and the six-tournament breakdown below reflect the Japanese article’s source check on 11 September 2026.
The athlete he supports: Wakatakakage. His hobby: collecting Wakatakakage merchandise. As I read the official questionnaire, the same name returns in answers to different questions. Ichiyamamoto’s enthusiasm for his favourite wrestler feels familiar. And the sumo I want to watch is Ichiyamamoto’s own.
How does a 190 cm wrestler make the push reach?
The Association’s six-tournament breakdown lists oshidashi, a frontal push-out, at 40%; yorikiri, a force-out, at 15%; and hikiotoshi, a hand pull-down, at 13%. Push-outs are most common, but they are not the whole story. After the initial charge, do his hands still reach when the distance opens? When the opponent comes closer, does the pushing continue or turn into grappling? I want his height, 190 cm, to be a reason to notice that changing space.
From July’s 6–9 to an opening bout with Asanoyama
He finished July 6–9 at West Maegashira 4 and was ranked West Maegashira 6 for September. His announced opponents were Asanoyama, who favours a right-hand-inside grip, on opening day and Fujiseiun on Day 2. When a pusher faces someone who wants to grapple, the contest before either hand reaches the belt matters, too. His highest rank is Maegashira 1, with two Juryo championships, two Fighting Spirit Prizes and one gold star for defeating a yokozuna as a maegashira.
A favourite saying about having a favourite
His favourite saying also carries the idea of supporting your favourite while you have the chance. The questionnaire does not tell us why he became a Wakatakakage fan or what their relationship is outside the ring. Still, knowing that a wrestler understands the feeling of cheering for someone brings me a little closer when I call his name.
At a glance
| September 2026 rank | West Maegashira 6 |
|---|---|
| Stable | Hanaregoma stable |
| From | Iwanai, Iwanai District, Hokkaido |
| Height / weight | 190 cm / 160 kg |
| Listed strengths | Thrusting and pushing |
Meet his announced opening-day opponent, Asanoyama · Find a wrestler to follow
Source facts checked in the Japanese article on 11 September 2026: the Japan Sumo Association’s official profile (Japanese), including biographical details, tournament records, winning techniques and questionnaire answers. Percentages are the Association’s breakdown of winning finishes over the preceding six tournaments; they are not win rates across all bouts. The viewing suggestions are the writer’s interpretation. The official bout listings change with the tournament and day, so check the date shown there.