Yamanashi 3,988 Posted September 1, 2020 Does anyone have any background on him? Nihon University; he entered Sumo with Shodai in March 2014 (& beat him in Maezumo). 4 basho to get to Makushita, and he's been there for 34 basho, in the top 10 for 14 basho, but never made it over the hump. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shumitto 418 Posted September 4, 2020 Nice that you asked. I used to follow him for a while, back when I had more spare time. I know nothing besides what's written on his Japanese wikipedia (weakpedia?) entry and elsewhere on the web. He was a big kid and placed 2nd in fourth grade at a local meeting, but becoming a pro wasn't actually part of his plans, but eventually in middle school he managed some good results which attracted the attention of some scouts. He then joined the sumo program of Saitama-sakae high school. Apparently he lost his interest when seeing Tsurugisho and Daishomaru perform, but after representing Saitama at an All-Japan, he decided to join pro sumo. To be honest, after watching Daishomaru I sometimes also lose my interest in sumo. I don't know if that is the All-Japan referred to (probably not), but here is some footage from the All-Japan 2010, which was 10 years ago but feels like yesterday. Shiba appears at around 1:25. This channel has his other bouts, by the by, but that's from round 3. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
