Mongolian-born top Japan sumo wrestler, 22, forced to retire over sadistic campaign of violence, theft, intimidation against young fighters

Callous grappler burned, struck, stole from junior fighters in reign of terror

Mongolian wrestler’s mentor demoted, given pay cut for turning blind eye

by Zoey Zhang
March 4, 2024

A Mongolian-born Japanese sumo wrestler has been forced to retire after a litany of his abusive and violent behaviour towards junior fighters was exposed.

The 22-year-old grappler, Hokuseiho Osamu, began his campaign of bullying a year ago.

His acts of violence included hitting fighters in the face, back, and genitals, applying powerful glue between their fingers, burning them with a makeshift flame thrower, and general intimidation. He also forced his juniors to eat 20 hamburgers in one sitting, repeating the abuses at least twice a week, according to Tokyo Sports.

Hokuseiho Osamu, right, and his mentor, Hakuho Sho, bow in apology after they were both sanctioned by the Japan Sumo Association. Photo: Yahoo Japan

Hokuseiho said he “found pleasure” in the painful reactions of his victims.

After the abuses were exposed, the wrestler submitted a notice of his retirement with the Japan Sumo Association (JSA).
On February 23, the JSA accepted Hokuseiho’s retirement and also punished his stablemaster with a demotion and pay cut for “lack of disciple management”.

The stablemaster Hakuho Sho said: “I feel a heavy responsibility for being unable to protect the abused proteges.”
Hakuho had won a record 45 tournaments before retiring in 2021.

Accompanied by Hakuho, Hokuseiho apologised for “betraying the trust of fans”.

After dismissal and a recommendation to retire, a demotion in rank is seen as the most serious punishment for sumo wrestlers.

Hokuseiho was born in Mongolia and settled in Japan when he was five years old, starting sumo from the first grade of junior school.

Standing at 2.04m tall, he achieved 21 consecutive victories when he debuted in 2020, earning him the tag of “extremely promising wrestler” by the Japanese media.

His transgressions did not stop at physical harm, he often stole money from juniors’ wallets during training, according to Nikkan Sports.

Hokuseiho’s stablemaster had reprimanded him several times, but he remained indifferent.

“Sumo brings joy to many people, but it is regrettable that such a promising wrestler committed such despicable acts of violence,” said a JSA spokesman.

Sumo originated in Japan, which is the only country where it is a professional occupation. It is considered the country’s national sport.

Shamed sumo fighter Hokuseiho Osamu in 2022. The Mongolian-born grappler was described as an “extremely promising wrestler” in the Japanese media. Photo: Wikipedia/TSUBAME98

Fighters attempt to force their opponent out of the ring or to touch the ground with any part of their body other than the soles of their feet, typically by throwing, shoving, or knocking down.

As wrestling is a traditional sport in Mongolia, people from the country can quickly adapt to sumo. As of 2023, 69 sumo wrestlers listed Mongolia as their place of birth, and 13 listed China.

The highest-ranked Chinese wrestler in the history of Japanese sumo, Sokokurai, hails from the Inner Mongolia autonomous region in northern China and is of Mongolian descent.