Sazanami Riku - 漣 陸 (born January 31, 2000) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Oshu, Iwate. He made his debut in March 2015 and currently wrestles for Isenoumi stable. His highest rank as of 2025 is makushita 27.
Early Life[]
Riku Sasaki was born on January 31, 2000, in Oshu, Iwate. He began sumo wrestling during his third year at elementary school and was achieved second place at a prefectural wanpaku sumo tournament. After graduating Oshu City Mizusawa-Minami Junior High School, he was recruited into Isenoumi stable.[1]
Career[]
He made his professional debut in March 2015 and initially wrestled under his surname Sasaki. Upon promotion to sandanme in January 2017, he was given the shikona "Sazanami" (漣). He was promoted to makushita in July 2021, however, he was unable to establish himself in the division and was demoted back down to sandanme in January 2022. In May 2023, he won the sandanme yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted to a career-best makushita 27 rank for the following July 2023 tournament.[2]
Personal Life[]
- Sazanami participated in a three-part video series in the Japan Sumo Association's English-speaking YouTube Channel "SUMO PRIME TIME" about sumo health exercises.[3]
Fighting Style[]
Sazanami defeats Taiga by yorikiri (force out)
Sazanami is proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His favored grip on his opponent's mawashi is migi-yotsu, a left hand outside, right hand inside position.[4] His most often used winning kimarite is yorikiri (force out), followed by hatakikomi (slap down).[5]
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 216-204/419 (61 basho)
- Makushita: 45-53/98 (14 basho)
- Sandanme: 128-117/244 (35 basho)
- Jonidan: 38-32/70 (10 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 5-2/7 (1 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Sandanme Championship (May 2023)
Shikona History[]
- Sasaki Riku (2015.03 - 2016.11)
- Sazanami Riku (2017.01 - )
Gallery[]
(c. 2019)
