Rinko Yoshikazu - 麟虎 寛一 (born July 4, 2006) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Okaya, Nagano. He made his debut in March 2022 and currently wrestles for Nishonoseki stable. His highest rank as of 2025 is makushita 52.
Early Life[]
Rei Hayashi was born on July 4, 2006, in Okaya, Nagano, to a Japanese father and a Filipino mother.[1] He and his twin brother, Ryu, began sumo wrestling during their time in elementary school and attended the same sumo dojo as ozeki Mitakeumi. Hayashi went on to attend Kiso Choritsu Fukushima Junior High School where he was a member of the sumo club and was active in national competitions. After graduating junior high school, he and his brother joined Nishonoseki stable.[2]
Career[]
He made his professional debut in March 2022 and was given the shikona "Rinko" (林虎). In July 2022, he was aiming for the jonidan yusho and won his first six matches, however, he went on to lose his final match to Hitoshi. Nevertheless, he followed with another winning record and was promoted to sandanme in November 2022. In January 2024, he changed the kanji of his shikona to from "林虎" to "麟虎". Rinko was promoted to makushita in May 2024 while still only being 17 years old, however, he finished with a poor 1-6 record in his makushita debut.[3]
Fighting Style[]
Rinko defeats Kumanoryu by oshidashi (push out)
Rinko is an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used is a straightforward oshidashi, or push out.[4]
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 71-62/133 (19 basho)
- Makushita: 4-10/14 (2 basho)
- Sandanme: 53-45/98 (14 basho)
- Jonidan: 10-4/14 (2 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 4-3/7 (1 basho)
Shikona History[]
- Rinko Yoshikazu (2022.03 - )
Gallery[]
