The local hero who traded a teaching dream for the sumo ring
In short: Endō Shōta initially practiced sumo only to satisfy his father, yet he eventually fell in love with the sport's technique. Despite dreaming of a career in teaching, he became a national champion and a professional star, eventually retiring in 2025 to train the next generation of elite athletes.
Endō's path to the ring was defined by a shift from obligation to inspiration. He first began trying sumo in primary school primarily to please his father, initially disliking the sport. It wasn't until he observed the spirit and technique of the legendary yokozuna Asashōryū that he developed a genuine love for the craft. This personal evolution paved the way for a dominant amateur career, where he won two major national championship titles and became the amateur sumo yokozuna while studying economics at Nihon University.
His transition to the professional world in March 2013 was marked by a rare administrative exception. Due to his amateur success, he was permitted to debut at the rank of makushita 10—a privilege granted only once before in history. Despite the high expectations, his early professional years were a test of endurance. He battled chronic injuries, including a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus in 2015, and navigated the grueling demands of the makuuchi division while balancing the physical toll of his previous injuries.
Endō became a symbol of Japanese hope in a sport increasingly dominated by foreign athletes. He achieved several notable milestones, including winning back-to-back 'kinboshi' (gold stars) against top-tier wrestlers on the opening days of the 2020 Hatsu basho—a feat not accomplished since 1999. His career was characterized by technical mastery, earning him four Technique Prizes and multiple special awards for Fighting Spirit and Outstanding Performance.
His retirement in November 2025 followed a final realization during rehabilitation. After undergoing surgery for ACL reconstruction, Endō admitted that a match in May 2025 made him realize his competitive journey was nearing its end. He retired with no regrets, transitioning into a coaching role at the Oitekaze stable under the elder name Kitajin, fulfilling his long-term goal of training the next generation of strong wrestlers.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Endō Shōta
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