This is a list of professional sumo wrestlers who are either foreign-born or of mixed heritage by country and/or ethnicity of origin, along with original name, years active in sumo wrestling, and highest rank attained. Noted if applicable are Japanese hometown, naturalization, and sumo elder status. Names in bold indicate a still-active wrestler.

As of September 2026, there have been 216 wrestlers listing a foreign country as their place of origin () on the official ranking sheet (); a figure not accounting for foreign-born wrestlers credited with a Japanese hometown.

History

The first foreign born wrestler to reach the top division was the Hawaiian born Takamiyama in January 1968,Discounting those such as Toyonishiki and Rikidozan who were born outside Japan but nonetheless listed a Japanese hometown with the Sumo Association. who was also the first to win a top division tournament championship or in 1972. He was followed by fellow Hawaiians Konishiki who was the first foreigner to reach the second highest rank in 1987, and American Akebono who became the first foreign , the highest rank, in 1993. In 1992, following the entry of six Mongolians to Ōshima stable, there was an unofficial ban (called or "restraint") instigated by the Japan Sumo Association's head Dewanoumi on any more foreign recruitment. Speaking at a Western Japan Press Club luncheon in Osaka in 1995, Dewanoumi reportedly said, "There are no official regulations, but stable masters have a tacit agreement not to scout foreigners actively because they have difficulty adapting to Japanese customs." In 1998 this ban was relaxed but there was also the first official restrictions, a cap of forty foreigners in professional sumo as a whole and each individual or training stable restricted to a maximum of two, not counting those who had obtained Japanese citizenship. In February 2002 this was changed to one foreigner per with no overall cap, although foreigners recruited prior to the rule change were not affected. Despite these restrictions, foreigners began to dominate the highest levels of the sport. By 2013, foreign born wrestlers made up just seven percent of the 613 wrestlers active in professional sumo, yet occupied one third of the 42 spots in the top division. No Japanese-born wrestler won a top division tournament between Tochiazuma in January 2006 and Kotoshōgiku in January 2016, with 56 of the 58 tournaments held in that period won by Mongolians.

Several foreign-born sumo wrestlers have become sumo elders after their retirement as wrestlers.

Annotations

# marks a foreign-born wrestler credited with a Japanese hometown () and hence not counted against the one-foreigner-per-stable restriction active since 2002.

‡ marks a foreign-born wrestler naturalized as a Japanese citizen only after joining professional sumo and thus still counted against the one-foreigner-per-stable restriction active since 2002.

§ marks a retired foreign-born wrestler who became a sumo elder, of which becoming a naturalized Japanese citizen is a necessary condition.

Japanese-born wrestlers Sumo name Birth Name Ethnicity Hometown Years active Highest rank Asakomiya Masahiro Masahiro Komiya Korean-Japanese Saitama 2006–2007 42 Baraki Genki Baraki Ito Filipino-Japanese Saitama 2013–2024 58 Chiyotaikai Ryūji Ryūji Sudō Taiwanese-Japanese Oita 1992–2010 Daishōyū Maabin Marvin Lee Sano Jr. American-Japanese Tokyo 2006–2008 18 Fujinohana Rei Rei Saito American-Japanese Miyagi 2009–2017 16 Fujinoumi Jun Jun Saito American-Japanese Miyagi 2009–2017 47 Fujiryōga Masaharu Masaharu Goshima Filipino-Japanese Aichi 2026–active 4 Gyokuōzan Yoshihito Hidetoshi Kanazawa Paraguayan-Japanese Aichi 2022–active 20 Hokuōzan Kōkichi Hikari Hagiwara Turkish-Japanese Hokkaido 2020–2023 35 Honoikazuchi Kurisu Li Bill Christopher Filipino-Japanese Kanagawa 2026–active 37 Ikazuchidō Neri Neri Yamada Nigerian-Japanese Saitama 2022–active 27 Itadaki Sennosuke Masahiko Kikuchi Canadian-Japanese Tokyo 2010–2024 18 Itsunoshima Naohide Naohide Takebayashi Korean-Japanese Aichi 2002–2004 91 Kaitōma Aron Mark Aron Justin Toma Brazilian-Japanese-Filipino Kanagawa 2017–2025 2 Kaneshiro Kōfuku Kofuku Kaneshiro Korean-Japanese Miyazaki 1974–1987 Kinkaiyama Ryū Ryusui Kin Korean-Japanese Nagasaki 1991–2006 6 Kotoeihō Hiroki Taiki Tebakari Korean-Japanese Chiba 2022–active 1 Kotoshōhō Yoshinari Toshiki Tebakari Korean-Japanese Chiba 2017–active sekiwake Maenoyama Tarō Kazuichi Kaneshima Korean-Japanese Osaka 1961–1974 Maikeru Shūki Maikeru Hayashi Filipino-Japanese Fukui 2017–2024 29 Matenrō Ken Ken Shirata American-Japanese Yamagata 1991–2003 12 Mienoumi Tsuyoshi Goro Ishiyama Korean-Japanese Mie 1963–1980 57th Nabatame Tatsuya Tatsuya Nabatame Thai-Japanese Tochigi 2020–active 5 Raō Nozomu Rao Ito Filipino-Japanese Saitama 2011–2024 37 Rinko Yoshikazu Rei Hayashi Filipino-Japanese Nagano 2022–active 46 Ryūga Tsunetaka Corvin Ryuga Delzatto American-Japanese Kanagawa 2018–2020 80 Onbashira Ryu Ryu Hayashi Filipino-Japanese Nagano 2022–active 22 Otani Masatada Masatada Otani American-Japanese Okinawa 2022–2024 27 Shōryū Yoshimitsu Yoshimitsu Kobayashi Thai-Japanese Nagano 2024–active 18 Taiga Kōji Taiga Tanji Russian-Japanese Fukushima 2018–2025 32 Taihō Kōki Koki Naya (Ivan Boryshko) Ukrainian-Japanese Karafuto 1956–1971 48th Takagenji Satoshi Satoshi Kamiyama Filipino-Japanese Tochigi 2013–2021 10 Takano Joji Joji Takano American-Japanese Fukuoka 1974–1976 34 Takanofuji Sanzō Tsuyoshi Kamiyama Filipino-Japanese Tochigi 2013–2019 5 Takayasu Akira Akira Takayasu Filipino-Japanese Ibaraki 2005–active Tamanoumi Masahiro Masao Takeuchi Korean-Japanese Aichi 1959–1971 51st Tamarikidō Hideki Hideki Yasumoto Korean-Japanese Tokyo 1997–2010 8 Tanji Jun Jun Tanji Russian-Japanese Fukushima 2022–active 10 Tochinowaka Michihiro Daewon Lee Korean-Japanese Hyogo 2007–2015 1 Tōhakuryū Masahito Masahito Shiraishi Taiwanese-Japanese Tokyo 2019–active 15 Tsuyukusa Kazuki Tsuyukusa Kazuki Polish-Japanese Kanagawa 2016–2020 51 Wakatōshō Toshio Toshio Kanemoto Korean-Japanese Chiba 1985–1993 9 Yonezawaryū Daiki Daiki Igarashi Filipino-Japanese Yamagata 2024–active 35

Foreign-born wrestlers

Argentina Sumo name Birth Name Years active Highest rank Hoshiandesu Hose José Antonio Juárez 1988–2000 2 Hoshitango Imachi Imachi Marcelo Salomón 1987–2004 3

Bolivia Sumo name Birth Name Years active Highest rank Notes Kirameki Takayoshi Daniel Vélez-García 2020–2021 70 # (Aichi)

Brazil Sumo name Birth Name Ethnicity Years active Highest rank Notes Agōra Kazuma Lucas Kazuo Iima Japanese-Brazilian 2023–active 54 # (Gifu) Azumakaze Futoshi Tuzatto Giuliano Kochinda Italian-Brazilian 1991–1999 29 Azumaō Yasuhito Yasuhito Marcio Morita Japanese-Brazilian 1994–2005 36 Hakusan Momotarō Pasquale Bosche Italian-Brazilian 1977–1986 9 Kaisei Ichirō Ricardo Sugano Japanese-Brazilian 2006–2022 § Kaishin Kikuzō Eiji Nagahama Japanese-Brazilian 2004–2012 49 Kawamura Kōsaku Kosaku Kawamura Japanese-Brazilian 1976–1983 41 Kitaazuma Kiyoshi Tetsuya Takeda Japanese-Brazilian 1991–1998 18 Kiyonomine Minoru Mario Minoru Akamine Japanese-Brazilian 1979–1989 18 Kotonomori Takamori Mario Fuchiue Japanese-Brazilian 1999–2000 69 Kotoōsako Shigeaki Shigeaki Julio Osako Japanese-Brazilian 1991–1994 106 Kuniazuma Hajime Wander Ramos 1991–2004 4 Kuninosato Toshio Roberto Toshio Wada Japanese-Brazilian 1980–1992 23 Ryūkō Gō Luis Go Ikemori Japanese-Brazilian 1992–1998 8 Takaazuma Katsushige Christiano Luis de Souza 2004–2008 24 Tatsunishiki Yoshihira Takeuchi Japanese-Brazilian 1967–1971 6 Wakaazuma Yoshinobu Yoshinobu Kuroda Japanese-Brazilian 1991–2003 13

Bulgaria Sumo name Birth Name Years active Highest rank Notes Aoiyama Kōsuke Daniel Ivanov (Даниел Иванов) 2009–2024 § Kotoōshū Katsunori Kaloyan Stefanov Mahlyanov (Калоян Стефанов Махлянов) 2002–2014 § Torakiō Daiki Ventsislav Nikolov Katsarov (Венцислав Николов Кацаров) 2017–2019 15

Canada Sumo name Birth Name Years active Highest rank Homarenishiki Yasokichi Brodik Mackenzie Philip Henderson 2015–2016 46 Kototenzan Toshimitsu John Anthony Tenta Jr. 1985–1986 43

China Sumo name Birth Name Region Years active Highest rank Notes Chiyohakuryū Kōto Guangdou Bai (白光斗) Inner Mongolia 2004–2011 22 Daiseizan Daisuke Altan-Ochir Asgakhad (Алтан-Очирын Асгахад) Inner Mongolia 2022–active 16 Kaiho I Yi Pan (潘毅) Shanghai 1990–1992 79 Kanōyama Sunyo Chengyue Xie (叶盛悦) 1991–1992 22 Kiyonohana Ōyo Lihua Zhang (张令华) Fujian 1974–1978 5 Kōkiryū Kaito Peihuang Chen (陈佩煌) Fujian 2022–2024 27 # (Osaka) Kōsei Kō Shiqiang Gao (高世強) Liaoning 2003–2017 14 Kotoō Shuton Shidong Wang (王世東) Shandong 1992–1993 9 Manazuru Hisashi Songsong Cheng (程颂颂) Beijing 2004–2015 13 Nakanokuni Shō Chao Lu (呂超) Beijing 2002–2012 12 Ryūtei Weifu Weifu Li (李伟福) Shandong 2004–2013 3 Sōkokurai Eikichi Enkhtuvshin (Энхтүвшин) Inner Mongolia 2003–2020 2 § Takaō Yu Yu Wang (王瑜) Shanghai 1991–2003 41 Wakashōji Ano Ano Cho (赵晏绪) Jilin 2010–2010 22

Czech Republic Sumo name Birth Name Years active Highest rank Takanoyama Shuntarō Pavel Bojar 2001–2014 12

Egypt Sumo name Birth Name Years active Highest rank Ōsunaarashi Kintarō Abdelrahman Alaa el-Din Mohamed Ahmed Shalan (عبد الرحمن شعلان) 2012–2018 1

Estonia Sumo name Birth Name Years active Highest rank Baruto Kaito Kaido Höövelson 2004–2013 Kitaōji Oto Ott Juurikas 2004–2004 114

Georgia Sumo name Birth Name Years active Highest rank Gagamaru Masaru Teimuraz Jugheli (თეიმურაზ ჯუღელი) 2005–2020 Kokkai Futoshi Merab Levan Tsaguria (მერაბ ლევან ცაგურია) 2001–2012 Tochinoshin Tsuyoshi Levan Gorgadze (ლევან გორგაძე) 2006–2023 Tsukasaumi Jōji Merab George Tsaguria (მერაბ გიორგი ცაგურია) 2005–2006 18

Hungary Sumo name Birth Name Years active Highest rank Masutōō Akira Attila Toth 2005–2021 8

Indonesia Sumo name Birth Name Ethnicity Years active Highest rank Kotoanbai Ken Ken Anbai Japanese-Indonesian 2015–2015 25

Kazakhstan Sumo name Birth Name Years active Highest rank Kazafuzan Taiga Suyenesh Khudibayev (Сүйініш Худибаев / Суйиниш Худибаев) 2003–2014 10 Kinbōzan Haruki Baltagul Yersin (Балтағұл Ерсін) 2021–active 3

Japanese-occupied Korea Sumo name Birth Name Years active Highest rank Notes Rikidōzan Mitsuhiro Shin-rak Kim (김신락) / Mitsuhiro Momota (百田光浩) 1940–1950 # (Ōmura, Nagasaki) Chiinoyama Shōichirō Shoichiro Toyokawa 1940–1945 3 # NOTE: Korea was ruled by the Empire of Japan from 1910 to 1945. Japanese-born Koreans are noted above.

South Korea Sumo name Birth Name Years active Highest rank Notes Harimayama Hanatarō Sangjin Hong (홍상진 洪相鎭) 1990–1994 58 Kaihakuzan Yungi Yoongi Baek (백윤기 白允基) 1999–2000 49 Kasugaō Katsumasa Sungtaek Kim (김성택 金成澤) 1998–2011 3 Kinryūzan Jongun Jonggeun Kim (김종근 金鍾根) 2003–2009 42 Kōraiyama Yoshisuke Gilryang Seo (서길량 徐吉亮) 1969–1981 11 Kotoyanagi Shigeki Nishimoto (西本重煕) 1983–1985 78 Born in Japan to Japanese parents, but raised in South Korea Kunimiyama Kiju Kim (김기주 金基柱) 1977–1988 27 Kuninofuji Kiifun Kihun Song (송기훈 宋基勳) 2001–2002 109 Kyōryū Yoshitsuru Seonhak Park (박선학 朴善鶴) 1975–1983 15 Nankaiyama Shigehide Naruhide Kan / Seongyeong Kang (강성영 姜成英) 1969–1971 57 Nanzan Shukō Suhyeong Chae (채수형 蔡洙亨) 1990–1992 54 Soranoumi Ichiriki Sooyong Kim (김수영 金樹泳) / Juei Ōzora (大空樹泳) 1999–2019 25 Watenkō Kazuo Hayashi 1966–1970 80 Yamada Narihide Seongyeong Yu (유성영) / Narihide Yamada (山田成英) 2004–2006 31

Mongolia