The First Foreigner to Win a Tournament

I visited Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Ryogoku Kokugikan is a stadium for Sumo.

I saw Takamiyama (aka Jesse), now Azumazeki Oyakata at the ticket booth.



He came from Hawaii and started his Sumo career in 1964. He wrestled until he almost became 40 years old.

In 1972 he won a tournament as the first foreign sumo wrestler.

He went through many difficulties in feudalistic environment. Now he is a one of the stable masters developing Sumo wrestlers.

There are 59 foreign Sumo wrestlers now.

Are you developing a next generation?