Really Fat Rikishi

[Hakuyobaku 33]

Of course everyone noticed that there are no more superfat rikishis in makuuchi and Juryo these days.. not to mention guys like Konishiki, there is noone even close to even Musashimaru or Akebono.

Is this a trend?

[Jakusotsu 5,826]

The "trend" is that there are no more Hawaiians in Ozumo.

[hoshidango 0]

I put this somewhere else yesterday, but how about Susanoumi? Anyone please analize why he did not make it to anything major!

Edited September 11, 2004 by hoshidango

[Zentoryu 154]

I put this somewhere else yesterday, but how about Susanoumi? Anyone please analize why he did not make it to anything major!

Well he made it to Juryo and stayed there for a while. I'd consider that quite an accomplishment.

But then, just because you have enormous bulk does not mean you will become a Yokozuna or Ozeki. You have to have some kind of talent, be it pushing power or belt skills, to go with it. Susanoumi didn't have either, at least not in a quantity that could propel him any further up the banzuke.

From what I remember of him, he relied a LOT on various pulling tactics, often winning by Hatakikomi and Hikiotoshi. Also, for someone of his size, he was quite easily pushed around by his opponents.

He was good enough to stay in Juryo for a while, but just not good enough to go any further than that.

[Kintamayama 44,499]

I put this somewhere else yesterday, but how about Susanoumi? Anyone please analize why he did not make it to anything major!

Because he simply wasn't good enough. He was 210 kilos.

Fat=Success in Sumo is not an axiom, although it is widely believed to be so in the Western world.. He never even made it to Makuuchi. Juryo 2 was his best.

[Azumashida 1]

Towanoyama is still supposed to be close to 200 kg, and he's quite a good Rikishi, but unfortunately his career has been plagued with injuries, including the only time when he got to Makuuchi (with fairly high hopes): his record in the top division is 0-1-14 ;-) (the one defeat being by fusensho). I don't know whether he can get back to Sekitorihood, let alone a Makuuchi spot. He's Mk52W at present (still injured?). Here is his page on the NSK site

[Sasanishiki 57]

Of course, the weight isn't always an indicator of success, but it can help. However, when it comes to injuries, the weight of a rikishi is probably one of the major factors in how they might recover. Think of the pressures that extra weight is putting on knees, ankles and the lower back and how hard it is to deal with injuries to these areas.

[Kintamayama 44,499]

Towanoyama is still supposed to be close to 200 kg, and he's quite a good Rikishi, but unfortunately his career has been plagued with injuries, including the only time when he got to Makuuchi (with fairly high hopes): his record in the top division is 0-1-14 ;-) (the one defeat being by fusensho). I don't know whether he can get back to Sekitorihood, let alone a Makuuchi spot. He's Mk52W at present (still injured?).

He is said to have a serious injury that will take at least a year to heal. He should be back in action in lower Jonokuchi/higher Jonidan.

[Azumashida 1]

Of course, the weight isn't always an indicator of success, but it can help. However, when it comes to injuries, the weight of a rikishi is probably one of the major factors in how they might recover. Think of the pressures that extra weight is putting on knees, ankles and the lower back and how hard it is to deal with injuries to these areas.

Towanoyama seems to be a case in point, unfortunately... ;-)

[Doitsuyama 1,173]

I remember when Shikishima retired he had had to lose quite a bit of weight on doctor's order and he said something about there not being any idea to continue when being so thin (which wasn't particularly thin even after diet if I remember correctly...).

I'm really sorry to pick on you again, but which diet do you mean? I only know the one after his pretty quick Intai, and I think he lost about half his weight. Well, not half, but he slimmed down quite a bit.

[Jonosuke 28]

Since I seem to be in a measurement mode now , so hear is currently (as of several months ago) the heaviest rikishi :

Sandanme West 92 Oorora of Kitanoumi Beya is at whopping 240 Kg.

Actually no one even comes close at the next heaviest are Sandanme West 14 Kainowaka of Tomozuna Beya and Jonidan West 100 Fujinawa of Isenoumi Beya at 215.5 Kg.

Their progress seem to be rather pedestrian.

[Kaikitsune Makoto 203]

I remember when Shikishima retired he had had to lose quite a bit of weight on doctor's order and he said something about there not being any idea to continue when being so thin (which wasn't particularly thin even after diet if I remember correctly...).

Eurosport's Syd Hoare reported during his first absence basho that Shikishima had heart problems. Soon after he retired after doctors said his heart condition is not life-threating as such but would be if he would remain active. He then said after his intai that he vows to warn younger rikishi of overeating and overdrinking. The fact that he lost 50kg is a small amount of time pretty much means he was a SERIOUS overeater and overdrinker or that he was on heavy steroid "diet" or perhaps both and then leaving out steroids and overeating/drinking, he slimmed down very fast. Quite a scary transformation even. Only one year after his intai it certainly was difficult to believe he could once cause Musashimaru problems when he got right hand outside grip in one bout!

Sandanme West 14 Kainowaka of Tomozuna Beya 215.5 Kg.

He is getting fatter then. Couple of years ago he was at 190kg. Massive rikishi. Here is he resting in train few years ago:

[Kaikitsune Makoto 203]

put this somewhere else yesterday, but how about Susanoumi? Anyone please analize why he did not make it to anything major!

Don't remember his juryo days peak condition era but in makushita and sandanme he was just a sad stereotype. Vivid recollection of Ama vs Susanoumi bout when Ama was in sandanme and weighed about 90kg. He simply pushed Susanoumi almost out of the dohyo before taking a grip and throwing the behemoth down. It was tragicomic bout and if ever someone claims all you need is fat to do sumo, that bout should be shown immediately.

[Jonosuke 28]

Here's a bit of write-up on Shikishima in the September issue of Ozumo magazine.

At his retirement press conference:

"When I had a physical check done at the Kyokai clinic after I felt something unusual, I was told that my heart was enlarged. They said if I continued competing, there was a possibility I could have a sudden death. That pretty much did it for me. It was simply a total failure of managing my own health. I decided then that I'd choose life over sumo.

Around myself, I've seen Kenko-zeki and Daishofo-zeki passing away at a young age, I've been thinking for long time that I should not be like them. I became 30 years old last December so from a point of view of Ozumo, I still am young enough to compete effectively. But preventing such a untimely death, I felt I'd be choosing the right path and decided to retire."

Futher, Shikishima adds.

"Previously when I used to see a large rikishi, I thought he looked great. But recently I've come to see a slim person as looking cool."

"The doctors are telling me more I lose, better for me so I lost 30 kg in one month. I now eat one meal a day. I saw an actress proudly talking about losing 20 kg in one month after going to a clinic, hey, look at me, I lost more weight than her. I think I can write a book about diet."

"I just want to tell all my active rikishi friends that don't ever overeat nor overdrink. Please learn from my mistakes."

[Kintamayama 44,499]

Wow, thanks for a great report, and while I'm at it, I'm sure I speak on behalf of all Sumoforum members by saying welcome aboard and we are happy to have you among us!!

[hoshidango 0]

Thanks for the valueable comments; Kintamayama, Zentoryu, Kaikitsune.

It is quite interesting see how weight is not necessarily(at all) a factor. Makes all weight segregated sports 'fair' and boring; judo, boxing, wrestling etc...