Hayato Yamada, a 16-year-old judo standout from Akita Prefecture with a decorated junior career, is pivoting to professional sumo and aiming for an entry into the Shikoroyama stable, news reports indicate.
Meeting the Mayor of Akita
Standing 170.4 centimeters tall and weighing 130 kilograms, Yamada visited Akita Mayor Numaya to formally announce his decision to pursue a career as a professional sumo wrestler.
Yamada graduated from Katsuhira Junior High School this spring. He began practicing judo at age five and claimed prefectural titles in both individual and team competitions during his junior high school years.
An Accidental Meeting at a Judo Tournament
The turning point for Yamada arrived during the summer at a judo tournament, where he happened to sit next to Shikoroyama and his wife. Struck by the teenager’s imposing build, the stablemaster encouraged him to consider a future in sumo. Within days, Yamada approached the stablemaster directly to express his desire to enter the sport.
“I feel nervous, but at the same time, I realize what a huge and amazing thing it is to stand on this big stage,” Yamada said. “I want to become a wrestler who is supported by many people. My goal for these next three years is to reach the makushita division at least, and from there build my weight and daily training routine toward higher goals.”
Parallels to Akita’s Past Sumo Stars
Shikoroyama sees echoes of past Akita greats in Yamada’s physical profile and wrestling style. “He matches the height and build of Takekaze, the wrestler from Akita Prefecture who fought during the same era as I did,” Shikoroyama said. “I want to guide him carefully and watch him develop a similar style of thrusting and driving attacks, while enjoying the process of coaching him.”
Next Steps at the Shikoroyama Stable
Yamada has already relocated to Tokyo to begin training at the Shikoroyama stable. He is scheduled to take the official new recruit examination next month, which will clear the path for his formal induction into professional sumo.
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