Sumo wrestling is a powerful and exhilarating form of wrestling. From this exciting world of sumo, one wrestler had achieved what can only be described as unprecedented.
Hakuho Sho (Japan, b. Mongolia), who has been a Yokozuna – the highest rank in sumo – for over 14 years, has achieved five Guinness World Records titles:
- Most top division sumo championship wins (45)
- Longest reigning yokozuna (sumo wrestling) (84 tournaments)
- Most sumo top division wins (1,093)
- Most matches won in a professional sumo career (1,187)
- Most undefeated top division sumo championship wins (16)
Hakuho Sho retired in September 2021 and now carries the name Magaki as a coach and elder stock, but Hakuho has set records that go well beyond the records of previous wrestlers, making it incredibly difficult for up and coming wrestlers to break.
For example, Hakuho's record for longest reigning yokozuna (sumo wrestling). He has been a yokozuna for 84 tournaments (there are six tournaments a year) which means he has been a yokozuna for 14 years! The previous record was set more than 30 years ago by Kitanoumi with 63 tournaments.
When speaking with Guinness World Records, Hakuho told us his fascination with sumo came early.
"In 1996, when I was 6, [the 45th yokozuna] Wakanohana came to Mongolia to see Mongolian wrestling. There he met my father and me. I remember he gave me some snacks – I think it was a popular Japanese puff called Umaibo. Since then, I watched sumo through Satellite TV. Soon, I wanted to try and become a sumo wrestler myself."
From early on, the taste of winning had motivated him.
"My father was [a five-time] Olympian [in wrestling], and I grew up with that. I also did sumo matches with my friends while I replayed the sumo matches that I watched on TV from the previous day in my head. And the joy I got from winning strengthened my feeling towards sumo even further."
However, Hakuho’s entry into the world of sumo wrestling was not smooth sailing – far from it.
When Hakuho arrived in Japan, he only weighed 62 kg. Being too lightweight, he had to endure strenuous training to become competitive. When recalling his earlier career, Hakuho said he kept "doing the obvious, or what I believed to be normal [training], in order to improve."
That meant he would have to eat within two hours of training, followed by a nap. And after a nap? More training.
Chankonabe is a popular pot dish for sumo wrestlers, but that in itself is not high calorie enough for growth. The secret, Hakuho says, is white rice.
"You have to eat a lot of white rice. Eating was undoubtedly a part of training."
Although Hakuho says it is impossible to choose the best or the most memorable match or tournament, if he had to pick one, it would be defeating yokozuna Asashoryu and winning a gold star (kinboshi) in 2004.
This match came only three years after his debut in professional wrestling. Kinboshi is where a lower-ranked wrestler defeats a yokozuna, so that’s undoubtedly a big deal. Hakuho and Asashoryu then went on to develop an intense rivalry.
In 2007, only three years after the milestone bout with Asashoryu, Hakuho became a yokozuna. Once a sumo wrestler becomes a yokozuna, one does not get ranked down (unless in exceptional cases).
Taiho (a star sumo wrestler from the 60s who previously held the record for the most championship wins), told Hakuho that he felt to remain as a yokozuna, one must keep winning; otherwise, one should consider retirement.
"I felt an extraordinary pressure [after hearing what Taiho said], and reaffirmed the weight I carry as a yokozuna." – Hakuho Sho
Hakuho said that the latter part of his sumo career has been difficult.
"I had to fight with injuries as I won for the 41st time and onwards. So, for example, I incorporated weight training as well as diet (such as having salad)."
He is also thankful to fans and other people he has met during his career.
"Meeting a lot of people and with their support, I was able to [achieve these records]."
When asked about tips to break records, setting your mind and sticking to it is vital.
"I feel that having dreams and goals is really important. I came to Japan when I was 15 and became a yokozuna. If you think about your dream or goal in your head and imagine it in your heart – take that into action, then they will come true. If you want to be number one in the world for something, you have to keep that motivation. Keep that in mind."
Now retired but very much in the world of sumo, his business with records is not over.
"As a coach, I want to develop strong wrestlers as a way of giving back to the Japan Sumo Association. I hope the wrestlers I coach can become Guinness World Records title holders as well."
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