Sumo wrestling is a martial art that is considered among the oldest and most significant sports in Japan. It is a mixture of strength, discipline, tradition and strict physical competition. As opposed to most combat sports, sumo wrestling does not rely on weight categories. Due to this fact wrestlers tend to acquire as much mass as in their view will enable them to overcome their opponent in the wrestling ring. This has seen some sports even rise to prominence, not because of their prowess, but their sheer size. Speaking of the biggest sumo wrestler, a number of legendary names can be singled out based on their huge size and weight on the dohyo.
Most wrestlers have over the years weighed over 500 pounds. These giants train every day, eat special diets and exercise to compete in professional tour entertainment known as Basho. Nevertheless, it is not only the size that is going to make it. Technique, agility and balance are other aspects that wrestlers must develop. In this article, we shall see the biggest sumo wrestler of all times, other massive size legends and why massive size is playing such a significant role in sumo wrestling.
Why Size Matters in Sumo Wrestling
To begin with, one should know why the question of weight is such a big issue as far as sumo wrestling is concerned. The sumo competitions do not have any weight division as opposed to boxing, MMA, or wrestling. Thus, purposeful athletes with higher weights usually have a natural advantage. The larger the mass of a wrestler, the more difficult it is to push or to throw such a wrestler out of the ring.
In addition, high-calorie diet is a special diet used by sumo wrestlers to retain their size. The best known meal is the chanko-nabe, a protein rich stew composed of meat, fish, vegetables, and noodles. The wrestlers tend to consume huge quantities and sleep fortunately to build weight very productively. Due to this form of training, a typical biggest sumo wrestler will weigh approximately 150 kg (330 lbs).
Heaviest Sumo Wrestlers in History
Below is a table showing some of the biggest sumo wrestler figures in history based on their peak weight.
| Rank | Sumo Wrestler | Country | Height | Peak Weight |
| 1 | Ōrora Satoshi | Russia | 6’1″ | 292 kg (645 lb) |
| 2 | Konishiki Yasokichi | USA (Hawaii) | 6’1″ | 287 kg (633 lb) |
| 3 | Yamamotoyama Ryūta | Japan | 6’4″ | 277 kg (611 lb) |
| 4 | Kenho Mitsuo | Japan | 5’11” | 249 kg (550 lb) |
| 5 | Tominohana | Taiwan | 6’1″ | 241 kg (532 lb) |
| 6 | Susanoumi Yoshitaka | Japan | 6’0″ | 240 kg (530 lb) |
| 7 | Musashimaru Koyo | USA | 6’4″ | 235 kg (518 lb) |
| 8 | Akebono Tarō | USA | 6’8″ | 233 kg (514 lb) |
These wrestlers are often discussed whenever people search for the biggest sumo wrestler in the history of the sport.
Ōrora Satoshi – The Biggest Sumo Wrestler Ever
Orora Satoshi is popularly known as the largest sumo wrestler in history. He was born in Russia and was known by his unusual weight of approximately 292 kilograms (645 pounds) which made him famous. Being shorter than some of other wrestlers at approximately 6 feet 1 inch, his amazing bulk made him a formidable physical presence inside the ring.
Starting his professional sumo career in the early 2000s and immediately drawing attention to his size, Ōrora started a professional sumo career. He never got so far as to the highest ranks of sumo, however, he still made a success in the lower divisions and gained a loyal following of fans. His games were never boring as people could not believe how huge his body was and what unexpected agility he could have.
Konishiki Yasokichi – The Hawaiian Giant
Another legend personality that is likely to be referred to as far as the discussion of the biggest sumo wrestler is concerned is Konishiki Yasokichi. He was born in Hawaii but in the 1980s he moved to Japan to pursue a professional career as a sumo wrestler. The huge body soon left him to be one of the most well known wrestlers in the sport.
Konishiki could not have been more than 287 kilograms (633 pounds) when he was at his proper size. Since he was large and had explosive power, his fans called him the Dump Truck and Meat Bomb. But the very thing which made Konishiki really unique was not just his weights, but also his athletic power.
Yamamotoyama Ryūta – One of Japan’s Heaviest Wrestlers
Alternatively known as Yamamotoyama Ryu-ta, the name is regularly used when talking about the largest biggest sumo wrestler competitors. He was born in Japan in the year 1984 but he was soon noticed due to his huge physique and strong fighting techniques.
Yamamotoyama was one of the heaviest Japanese-born wrestlers in history at 6 feet 4 inches (18879 kilograms) and 277 kilograms (611 pounds) respectively. His size rendered him very difficult to carry about during matches.
Kenho Mitsuo – A Modern Heavyweight Rikishi
Kenho Mitsuo is the next generation of heavy weight wrestlers. Born in Japan in 1989, he became a professional sumo in 2011 and soon started to be known by his impressive size.
Mitsuo is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing about 249 kilograms (550 pounds). He is shorter when compared to most other wrestlers but has a strong build enabling him to compete effectively. Due to his masculine and aggressive manner of fighting, he is regarded as one of the biggest sumo wrestler competitors of the recent past.
Tominohana and Susanoumi Yoshitaka
Important names, as well, when it comes to discussing the largest sumo wrestler athletes will be Tominohana and Susanoumi Yoshitaka. The two wrestlers were over 530 pounds through their career and were exceptionally strong wrestlers in the ring.
Tominohana was a Taiwanese and competed in 1987-1992. His favorite form was yotsu-sumo where the emphasis was laid on the grappling methods and not pushing. His power to neutralize his competitors by balancing and leveraging them made him a fearsome competitor.
Meanwhile, Susanoumi Yoshitaka achieved his status by persevering and being determined. His professional career began in the year 1988 and he started enhancing and honing his skills through it. He was later successful in Makushita division and even became champions. His weight in conjunction with fast moves and good foot work saw him overcome numerous opponents.
Musashimaru Koyo and Akebono Tarō
Two of the best-known foreign-born wrestlers have ever competed in sumo: Musashimaru Koyo and Akebono Taro. The two sportsmen were terribly big and both very successful in Japan.
Museshimaru Koyo was approximately 235 kilograms (518 pounds) and 6 feet 4 inches tall. In his career he captured 12 tournament championships, and ultimately became Yokozuna. His mighty tachiai, or opening charge, frequently served him with a good opening in the matches.
Can Smaller Wrestlers Compete?
Remarkably, not all champion sumo wrestlers are very hefty. Other athletes are putting on speed, technique and intelligence instead of size. An example is Takanoyama Shuntaro of Czech Republic.
Takanoyama was relatively small compared to most of the competitors. But he employed superior tactics and prompt maneuvers to put down far heavier foes. We could observe in his matches that sometimes skill and strategy can surpass pure mass.
Conclusion
Sumo wrestling is also among the most special sports in the globe. Its culture is several centuries old and its sportspersons are not only appreciated but they are also regarded to be cultural figures in Japan. The largest sumo wrestler figures have never ceased the fans due to its monstrous size and unbelievable power.
The current record holder in the heaviest sumo wrestler is Ōrora Satoshi who weighs almost 292 kilograms. Other giants with also notable contributions to the sport are Konishiki Yasokichi, Yamamotoyama Ryuita, Musashimaru Koyo and Akebono Taro.
FAQs
Q1. What was the name of the biggest sumo wrestler of all time?
The most massive sumo wrestler in all of history was (formerly 292 kg) Ōrora Satoshi, and the youngest (32 years) is 235 kg (511 pounds) Asahara.
Q2. What is so fat about sumo wrestlers?
The sumo wrestlers knowingly and deliberately add weight as there are no weight categories in the sport. They have extra mass which helps them to push opponents out of the ring.
Q3. What is the food intake of sumo wrestlers to build weight?
Their primary foodstuff is chanko-nabe, rich protein stew which helps to restore large body weight and muscle strength.
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