Osanai Koju

Osanai Koju - 長内孝樹 (born March 1, 1999) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Tsuruta, Aomori. He made his debut in March 2021 and currently wrestles for Takasago stable. His highest rank as of 2025 is makushita 5.

Early Life[]

Koju Osanai was born on March 1, 1999, in Tsuruta, Aomori. Osanai began sumo wrestling at a local dojo during his first year at Tsuruta Choritsu Umezawa Elementary School.^[1] After graduating from Tsuruta Choritsu Tsuruta Junior High School, Osanai attended Goshogawara Agricultural & Forestry High School where he participated in many national sumo competitions.^[1] After graduating high school, Osanai enrolled at Kinki University where he won a total of five titles during his four years at the school. Upon graduation from university, he joined Takasago stable at the recommendation of his family.^[1]

Career[]

Osanai made his debut in March 2021 and finished with a solid 6-1 record in his first professional tournament. In July 2021, Osanai won the jonidan yusho with a perfect 7-0 record. In January 2022, Osanai finished with another perfect 7-0 record, however, he missed out on the sandanme yusho after losing to Mukainakano in the playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to the rank of makushita 14 for the following March 2022 tournament where he posted a 4-3 record. This bumped him up to makushita 10 for the May 2022 tournament, however, he could only manage a 2-5 record in this tournament.

In November 2024, Osanai finished with a perfect 7-0 record and claimed the makushita yusho. He was promoted to the rank of makushita 5 in January 2025, however, he struggled during the tournament and could only manage one win.^[2]

Fighting Style[]

Osanai is proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His favored grip is (somewhat unusually) morozashi, or double hand inside.^[3] His most often used winning kimarite is oshidashi (push out). He is also fond of employing dashinage (pulling throw) techniques.^[4]