Sakurai Kotaro - 櫻井 浩太郎 (born March 15, 1997) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Inashiki, Ibaraki. He made his debut in May 2019 and wrestled for Naruto stable. His highest rank was makushita 57 and he retired in September 2023.
Early Life[]
Kotaro Sakurai was born on March 15, 1997, in Inashiki, Ibaraki. He began sumo wrestling during his first year of junior high school at a local sumo club. He attended Nippon Sport Science University Kashiwa High School where he was a member of the school's sumo club. During his time in high school, Sakurai finished third in team competition and reached top 32 at the National High School Sumo Championships.[1] After high school, he enrolled at Nippon Sport Science University to continue his amateur career. In his first year, he placed third at the East Japan Rookie Tournament and in his third year, he placed third in the under-135 kg weight class at the East Japan Student Weight Category Tournament. In 2018, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the semi-finals of a tournament in Uwajima, Ehime. Nevertheless, upon graduating university, he opted to go pro and was recruited into Naruto stable by Naruto Oyakata (former ozeki Kotooshu).[2]
Career[]
He made his professional debut in May 2019 and in his first tournament, he finished with a perfect 7-0 record, but missed out on the jonokuchi yusho after losing to stablemate Motobayashi in a playoff. Nevertheless, he followed up with a 6-1 record and was promoted to sandanme in November 2019. He reached the makushita division in July 2021 but could only manage to stay in the division for one tournament.[3]
Retirement from Sumo[]
In addition to his lingering left knee injury, which he had suffered during his college days, Sakurai injured his right knee as well. In November 2022, he underwent reconstruction surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament and had to miss four tournaments. He returned to the dohyo in July 2023, where he posted a strong 6-1 record in the lowest jonokuchi division. He followed up with a 5-2 record in September 2023 but his retirement from sumo was announced after the tournament.[1]
Fighting Style[]
Sakurai defeats Suzuki by yorikiri (force out)
Sakurai is a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won most of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out.[4]
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 81-52-42/133 (26 basho)
- Makushita: 3-4/7 (1 basho)
- Sandanme: 48-42-22/90 (16 basho)
- Jonidan: 16-5-14/21 (5 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 14-1-6/15 (3 basho)
Shikona History[]
- Sakurai Kotaro (2019.05 - 2023.09)
Gallery[]
