Ryusei Shota

Ryusei Shota - 竜勢昇太 (born July 17, 1986) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Katsushika, Tokyo. He made his debut in March 2003 and last wrestled for Isenoumi stable. His highest rank was is makushita 4 and he retired in May 2025.

Early Life[]

Shota Kurotani was born on July 17, 1986, in Katsushika, Tokyo and his father was the active (now retired) makuuchi wrestler Tagaryu. During his childhood, Kurotani played baseball and rugby. He attended Shutoku Senior High School before dropping out to join his father's Kagamiyama stable.^[1]

Career[]

He made his professional debut in March 2003 and initially wrestled under his surname Kurotani before he was given the shikona "Ryusei" (竜勢) in May 2004. In November 2005, he finished with a perfect 7-0 record, but missed out on the jonidan yusho after losing to Nakaita in the playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to sandanme for the following January 2006 tournament. However, Ryusei was unable to establish himself in sandanme until July 2008. Ryusei finally reached makushita in September 2012 after nine years in the sport, but he did not become a makushita regular until September 2015.^[2]

In July 2016, Ryusei defeated Yamaguchi on the 13th day to finish with a perfect 7-0 record and claimed the makushita yusho. He was promoted to a career-best rank of makushita 4 in September 2016, however, he withdrew midway during the tournament and was unable to capitalize on a juryo promotion. In January 2021, he finished with a 6-1 record and was placed in a nine-man playoff for the makushita yusho, however, he lost to Shiba in the first round. In the following March 2021 tournament, while ranked a makushita 7, Ryusei faced off against juryo-ranked Yago on the final day, however, he lost by oshidashi, or push out. Nevertheless, this was the first time he donned an oichomage, usually reserved for sekitori, after 18 years in the sport.^[3]

In July 2021, Kagamiyama stable closed down and he transferred to Isenoumi stable. Kagamiyama stable had stopped recruiting wrestlers since 2004, and Ryusei and stablemate Kagamio had been the only wrestlers in the stable since May 2007.^[4]

Retirement from Sumo[]

Ryusei remained in makushita for the majority of his later career. However, he suffered a knee injury during the July 2024 tournament and eventually fell back down to sandanme in November 2024. After discussing retirement with his family during the November 2023 tournament, Ryusei retired from professional sumo after the May 2025 tournament. After retiring, he plans to interview for several job opportunities. He also has a passion for movies and dreams of becoming an actor.^[5]

Fighting Style[]

Ryusei is a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favors a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt).^[6] He won most of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out.^[7]