Ikarigata Chugo - 碇潟 忠剛 (born February 24, 2007) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kyoto City, Kyoto. He made his debut in January 2025 and currently wrestles for Isenoumi stable. His highest rank as of 2025 is makushita 45.
Early Life[]
Chugo Saito was born on February 24, 2007, in Edogawa, Tokyo. His father was a former maegashira who wrestled under the shikona Oikari and currently works as a coach at Isenoumi stable. Saito began sumo wrestling from an early age at a sumo dojo in Taito, Tokyo. During his third year at Edogawa Kuritsu Harue Junior High School, he made it to the quarterfinals of the All Japan Prefectural Junior High School Tournament.[1]
Chugo Saito with his father, Kabutoyama Oyakata (c. 2024)
After junior high school, Saito enrolled at Saitama Sakae High School, a school famed for its strong sumo program. During his second year, he placed third in +100kg weight class at the All-Japan Weight Class Sumo Championship, led Team Japan to win Junior Sumo World Championships in 2023. In addition, he placed third in the National Sports Festival, one of the four major amateur sumo tournaments, earning him eligibility for sandanme tsukedashi status.[1]
After this, he turn professional and joined his father and older brother, Wakaikari, at Isenoumi stable.[2] This made him the first high schooler ever to debut using this system, despite others having qualified before. Anhibiki qualified for sandanme tsukedashi as a high schooler but declined the special dispensation[3], while Hakuoho also qualified as a high schooler but aimed for the more prestigious makushita tsukedashi status instead.[4]
Career[]
He made his professional debut in January 2025 at the rank Sandanme 80 and was given the shikona "Ikarigata" (碇潟), which uses his father's (former maegashira Oikari) character "Kari" (碇) as a prefix. He finished with a strong 6-1 record in his first tournament, with his only loss coming against Daikosho. He followed with another 6-1 record in March 2025 and was promoted to makushita in May 2025.[5]
Personal Life[]
- Ikarigata's father is former maegashira Oikari who currently works as a coach in Isenoumi Stable under the name Kabutoyama Oyakata. His older brother also wrestles in Isenoumi stable under the shikona Fujinokawa.[2] His brother used the name "Wakaikari" until reaching the top division, and in a news article it was mentioned that the Wakaikari name will be bestowed to Ikarigata at some point.[6]
- Ikarigata was born and raised in Edogawa, Tokyo, but lists Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto—his father's birthplace—as his official birthplace upon entering sumo.[5]
Fighting Style[]
Ikarigata defeats Amane by oshidashi (push out)
Ikarigata is proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His most often used winning kimarite are oshidashi (push out) and yorikiri (force out).[7]
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 15-6/21 (3 basho)
- Makushita: 3-4/7 (1 basho)
- Sandanme: 12-2/14 (2 basho)
Shikona History[]
- Ikarigata Chugo (2025.01 - )
Gallery[]
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sponichi Annex: Ikarigata wins his debut match
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Nikkan Sports: Oikari's second son takes the Ikarigata shikona
- ↑ Sanspo: Hasegawa Makes Unusual Decision
- ↑ Nikkan Sports: High school yokozuna Ochiai makes the top 8 of the All Japan Championships
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ikarigata Rikishi Information
- ↑ Wakaikari, now known as Fujinokawa, is expected by his father, the oyakata Kabutoyama, to perform well as the "Reiwa Ushiwakamaru" and inherit the shikona of the prestigious stable
- ↑ Ikarigata Kimarite Information