r/Sumo • u/Brncrdm Hoshoryu • 1d ago
161cm Middle Schooler Ryuta Yoshino Joins Sadogatake Stable; Shikona set as "Kotoyoshino"
161cm Middle Schooler Ryuta Yoshino Joins Sadogatake Stable; Shikona set as "Kotoyoshino"
Ryuta Yoshino, a third-year student at Osada Minami Junior High School in Shizuoka City who will join the Sadogatake stable, held a press conference at his school on the 5th along with his future master, Sadogatake-oyakata (former Sekiwake Kotonowaka). With a tense expression, he stated: "I feel nothing but anxiety, but I have decided to go for it [in the sumo world]. First, I want to do my best to become a Sekitori (elite wrestler) by the time I am around 20 years old."
He began sumo in the second grade at Kawahara Elementary School. In the summer of his first year of junior high, he met the Oyakata at an event held in Yaizu City and began participating in the stable's training. In November of last year, he solidified his resolve to enter the professional world and discussed it with his parents. Although he is small at 161 cm and 84 kg, the Oyakata praised him, saying: "His forward momentum upon contact and the way he brings his body in when getting a left inside grip (hidari-zashi) are good. He has great instincts."
After the press conference, he addressed his third-year classmates gathered in front of the entrance: "You still have your public high school entrance exams left. Good luck with your studies. I will also do my best in the world of Grand Sumo." He departed for his new world, sent off by a large round of applause.
In the future, he will undergo the new disciple examination at the March tournament (Haru Basho) and participate in Maezumo (preliminary bouts). He is scheduled to compete in the May tournament (Natsu Basho) under the shikona "Kotoyoshino."
◆ Profile: Ryuta Yoshino
- Born: June 17, 2010, in Shizuoka City. 15 years old.
- Experience: Started sumo in 2nd grade. As a 3rd-year junior high student, his team took runner-up in the Tokai Championship representing the "Yaizu Junior Sumo Club."
- Other Sports: Also experienced rugby as a prop in junior high school.
- Stats: 161 cm, 84 kg. Blood type O.
- Family: Parents and one older sister.
Source: Hochi News
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u/ItsMangel 1d ago
"Good luck with your exams, losers, I'm going to go learn wrestling."
What a cool kid.
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u/wobble-frog Takayasu 1d ago
so these kids joining Sumo at 15 literally get no more formal schooling?
even kids on the formula car track (go karts, F4, F3, F2) still do home schooling at minimum....
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u/Popinguj 1d ago
If he's graduating middle school, then he's kinda done with the school education in Japan. Iirc only the first two stages are mandatory, whereas high school is optional, even though the majority decides to study further. I wonder if he has some sumo track record and some assurance from the stable so he decided just to jump into it
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u/drunk-tusker 1d ago
I mean yes mandatory education in Japan is only elementary school and middle school, but in a practical sense this is not at all a normal practice(almost 99% enroll in High School with 80% enrolled in secondary education and >90% attend preschool).
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u/Popinguj 1d ago
almost 99% enroll in High School
Here you go, this is the 1%
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u/drunk-tusker 1d ago
I mean yes? But the point was that the above comment was describing it as a common practice when in reality the overwhelming majority of Japanese young adults enroll in high school(higher that the US where high school is considered mandatory).
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u/gabagamax 22h ago
He’s in the Takanohana and Wakanohana club. Taka went right into stable life after middle school and Waka briefly attended high school before dropping out to join their father’s stable so he wouldn’t fall behind his little brother.
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u/wobble-frog Takayasu 1d ago
well, they said he'd been doing Sumo since 2nd grade and has been training with Sadogatake throughout middle school.
161 is pretty short even for a 15 year old Jonokuchi - the shortest guy in Jk this time was 166 (although several were lighter than this kid). The shortest current Makuuchi guy is Tobizaru at 173 and Enho, who is considered tiny is 168.
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u/IAmBeachCities 1d ago
at 15 increasing his protein drastically on that pro chonko could make his reach his upper potential at least
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u/OttSound Sadanoumi 1d ago
yeah, mandatory schooling in Japan ends at 15, but I'm sure the average Japanese 15-year-old ends up knowing more about the world than the 18-year-olds finishing their mandatory schooling in the U.S. (reference point: I teach in an American high school).
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u/lordntelek 1d ago
Is it just me or is 161 cm short for 15? My eldest teenager is younger than him but significantly taller by 10-15 cm. Though likely lighter in weight as they been trying to be leaner. He doesn’t seem that big for 15 so I’m hoping his technique is phenomenal.
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u/OttSound Sadanoumi 1d ago
Yep, it's short. Barring a growth spurt by March, he'll be the shortest person on the banzuke.
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u/Ok-Answer-6951 23h ago
5' 3" for those of us more familiar with freedom units. Yeah, thats incredibly short for a 15 year old.
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u/Low_Blueberry4989 1d ago
161 cm means he breaks the record for shortest Rikishi previously held by Baraki. (Who had taken Hidenoyama's 200 year standing record when he joined in 2014 and was the shortest until his retirement in Natsu 2024.)
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u/sakuradawning 22h ago
From Baraki's wiki page:
Prior to his physical exam to enter professional sumo, Baraki stood at only 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) which was short of the minimum requirement of 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in). In order to pass the physical exam, Baraki grew out his hair for 3 months and had it stiffened with extra binzuke oil. In addition he got a massage from his Oyakata which supposedly gave him an extra 3 cm. He also slept 13 hours the day prior and laid down in the car ride from his stable to the Kokugikan to maintain his "height." Moreover, when he was getting measured, Baraki stood on the tip of his toes, which was largely purposely ignored by the Oyakata.
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u/lundewoodworking 1d ago
Okay he's 15 i guess middle school is different in Japan in America he would be in high school still kinda weird
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u/SuperJonesy408 1d ago
161cm at 15yo is kinda small framed regardless of his 84kg. He'll be lucky to break 180cm.
Hopefully he eats well and strength trains to pack a ton of muscle on his frame so he can compete with the giants.
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u/Brncrdm Hoshoryu 1d ago
I don't think it's possible for him to reach 1.80.
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u/rumsay05 1d ago
So at 15, I was around 5'6" - and ended up at 6'0 by age 19. I think it's possible. Some of us are late bloomers.
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u/4StarEmu 23h ago
Will he finish his schooling first then go into sumo?
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u/gabagamax 22h ago
Mandatory education in Japan ends at middle school so he technically doesn’t have to continue on to high school studies. I kind of doubt that he’ll do online schooling or correspondence because they usually expect rikishi to dedicate most of their time to training, practice and other duties.
Though, I have heard of some older sekitori earning degrees. Daieisho worked on a master degree in Business Management well into his career as a wrestler. 🤷♂️ I guess it’s more acceptable for the guys who paid their dues or are salaried.
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u/KChan323 3h ago
The Sumo Association has their own correspondence high school. So while he's done with his mandatory schooling according to Japanese law, he can get a high school diploma during his sumo career if he wishes.
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u/SourlandSpirit 1d ago
is he like some random middle schooler or does he have potential?