In the latter half of his second year of junior high school, Daiki transferred from the Iruma Junior Sumo Club to the Tachikawa Renseikan in Tokyo. Surrounded by many nationally ranked wrestlers, he trained at a much higher level. In his third year, he won his very first national tournament—an emotional victory so overwhelming that he even suffered hyperventilation afterward.
He went on to enroll at Saitama Sakae High School, a powerhouse in sumo. During his second year, he suffered a serious injury to his right knee. However, through dedicated treatment and rehabilitation with the help of his coach and trainers, he made a remarkable comeback. In his senior year, he achieved his long-cherished dream of becoming High School Yokozuna, the highest title for a student wrestler. That same year, he also won the World Junior Sumo Championships, earning the title of “World’s Best High School Sumo Wrestler.”
Daiki then entered Nippon Sport Science University, where he continued to sharpen his skills. As a sophomore, he claimed the prestigious title of Student Yokozuna. Although he had earned the rare opportunity for accelerated entry into professional sumo (known as Makushita Tsukedashi, allowing wrestlers to debut at an advanced rank) two years in a row, he chose instead to stay in school. His wish was to win the Intercollegiate Team Championship alongside his teammates, and he also felt a deep sense of gratitude to his parents for supporting his education through university.
His university years were filled not only with victories but also with strong bonds of friendship that transcended wins and losses. He also took his academics seriously, earning teaching licenses for junior high and high school.
Hokutofuji built an outstanding record in student sumo and earned the special qualification of Makushita Tsukedashi, which allows top amateurs to skip the lowest divisions and start their professional career at a higher rank.
However, out of deep gratitude to his parents—whom he credits for supporting his sumo journey—he declined this privilege and chose instead to begin from the very bottom, starting with Mae-zumo (introductory bouts). This decision reflected both respect for his family and his determination to build his career as a rikishi from the ground up.
In 2015, he joined Hakkaku Stable, making his debut under his given name, Daiki. Upon reaching the top division (Makuuchi), he adopted the shikona (ring name) Hokutofuji. With his trademark powerful pushing and thrusting style, combined with a sincere and dedicated attitude, he quickly rose through the ranks. Every time he stepped onto the dohyo, fans could feel his gratitude toward his family and his unwavering spirit—qualities that deeply resonated with supporters.
Armed with his trademark powerful pushing and thrusting style, Hokutofuji quickly made his mark in the professional sumo world. From the start of his career, he went on a remarkable run, and in 2017, just five tournaments after his top-division debut, he earned his first kinboshi (gold star victory over a yokozuna). In the following four tournaments, he defeated four different yokozuna—an unprecedented achievement in sumo history.
Hokutofuji fearlessly faced yokozuna and ozeki, thrilling fans with each gold star victory. Despite battling neck and knee injuries, he persevered with relentless effort and was promoted to the rank of Komusubi in March 2019.
What he valued most was the belief that “sumo is a sacred ritual.” He always bowed deeply at the edge of the dohyo, showing respect regardless of winning or losing. His conduct embodied the spirit and tradition of sumo, and his attitude of gratitude struck a chord with countless fans.
Even while overcoming injuries and hardships, Hokutofuji continued to fight with sincerity and determination. His sumo was remembered not only as competition but as an expression of spirit—a “sumo of the soul” that continues to inspire.
