The Sumo Wrestler Who DESTROYED His Body to Become Yokozuna: Kisenosato

For 19 years, no Japanese-born wrestler could reach sumo's highest rank. Kisenosato ended that drought — but the price he paid was devastating. This is the story of a sumo rikishi who pushed his broken body past every limit, wrestling through injuries that would have ended any other career, just to carry the weight of an entire nation's hopes as Japan's long-awaited yokozuna. SumoSpirit breaks down the full Kisenosato biography: his grueling climb through the ranks, the moment he finally claimed yokozuna promotion, and the brutal injuries that cut his reign tragically short. From his iron determination on the dohyo to one of the most heartbreaking retirements in grand sumo history, this is the sumo wrestler story you need to know. If you love deep-dive sumo history and sumo documentary-style content, SumoSpirit is your home for English-language coverage of Japan sumo's greatest stories. Like this video if Kisenosato's sacrifice moved you, and subscribe to SumoSpirit for more yokozuna profiles, sumo legends, and the stories behind the sport's most iconic rikishi.