Miyanokaze Eyes Return: Recovery Timeline and Training After Arm Surgery

Miyanokaze Yo is beginning the arduous process of climbing back up the ranks of professional sumo. After missing the entirety of the March (Haru) basho, the Makushita-ranked wrestler was spotted back in the training ring on Wednesday, April 8, focusing on the fundamental movements necessary to regain his competitive edge.

Training at the Nakamura stable in Sumida, Tokyo, Miyanokaze spent the session working through suri-ashi (sliding footwork) and other basic exercises. Even as the sight of him back on the clay is a positive sign, his road to recovery has been a grueling one, following a significant injury that threatened his momentum in the professional circuit.

The Injury: A Ruptured Tendon and Surgery

The setback began during the January basho. Miyanokaze was forced to withdraw from the tournament on the sixth day, a move that sidelined him for the remainder of the event and led to a total absence from the subsequent March tournament. The cause was a rupture of the triceps tendon in his left arm.

Following the January basho, Miyanokaze underwent surgery to repair the tendon. The recovery process has been methodical, with a rehabilitation program that began in earnest after the operation. By late February, he had transitioned from clinical rehab back into basic physical conditioning at the stable.

For those unfamiliar with the physical demands of sumo, the triceps are critical for the “pushing” (oshi) techniques that are Miyanokaze’s specialty. Regaining the strength and stability in that arm is not just about healing—It’s about reclaiming his primary weapon on the dohyo.

Cross-Training and the “Kanagawa Stairs”

Miyanokaze did not spend the March basho idling in Tokyo. While he remained in Sumida to avoid the travel to Osaka, he implemented a rigorous independent conditioning regimen designed to maintain his lower-body power while his arm healed.

Twice a week, Miyanokaze traveled to Kanagawa to tackle a staircase featuring more than 200 steps. His routine consisted of high-intensity sprints up and down the stairs to ensure his leg strength did not atrophy during his hiatus.

Interestingly, Miyanokaze found an unlikely training partner in Sotaro Fujiwara, a member of the Japanese national judo team. Fujiwara, who recently won the 81kg class at the All Japan Selection Weight Class Championships on April 4, shared these grueling sessions with the rikishi. The two are alumni of the Nippon Sport Science University (NSSU), and Miyanokaze noted that training alongside a top-tier athlete from another discipline provided a mental and physical boost during a lonely recovery period.

Career Trajectory and Current Standing

Miyanokaze, born Yo Miyagi in Nago, Okinawa, has a background rooted in combat sports. Before entering professional sumo, he excelled in wrestling during elementary school and later became a standout in lightweight amateur sumo, winning the 1st All Japan Individual Weight Class Championship (under 85kg) during his university years at NSSU.

Since his professional debut in May 2021, Miyanokaze has shown steady progress. He reached a career-high rank of West Juryo 10 in September 2025, marking his entry into the salaried ranks of the sport. However, the recent injury and subsequent absences have seen his rank slip. As of the March 2026 rankings, he sits at West Makushita 30.

His lifetime record currently stands at 119 wins, 97 losses, and 11 absences across 30 tournaments. For a wrestler of his stature, the goal is now clear: return to the Juryo division and regain the stability he had prior to the January injury.

The Path Forward: May or July?

The primary hurdle remaining for Miyanokaze is muscle atrophy. He has been candid about the physical toll of the surgery, noting that his left arm has become noticeably thinner. “First, I have to bring back the muscle strength in that arm,” he stated, emphasizing that strength recovery is the final step before he can engage in full-contact sparring.

While he is eager to return, the timeline remains flexible. Miyanokaze indicated that his return could happen as early as the May (Natsu) basho, though July remains a possibility depending on how his arm responds to increased loads.

For a global audience following the sport, Miyanokaze represents the resilience required in professional sumo. The transition from a university lightweight champion to a professional heavyweight is demanding enough; doing so while overcoming a major surgical recovery adds a layer of grit to his narrative.

The next confirmed checkpoint for Miyanokaze will be the official roster announcements for the May basho, which will determine if his recovery has progressed enough to allow a competitive return.

Do you think Miyanokaze can reclaim his Juryo rank quickly after this hiatus? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

For official updated rankings and profiles, visit the Japan Sumo Association.