The improbable ascent of a sumo wrestler from the lowest ranks to the top
In short: After devastating knee injuries and a fall to the sport's second-lowest division, Terunofuji Haruo achieved what many thought impossible. His journey from the brink of retirement to the prestigious rank of yokozuna is a legendary comeback that redefined the limits of professional sumo.
Born in Mongolia as Gantulgyn Gan-Erdene, Terunofuji’s professional sumo career began in January 2011. After securing the September 2013 jūryō title during his first tournament as a sekitori, he ascended to the makuuchi division by March 2014, displaying great potential. By May 2015, he secured his first top-division championship, a feat that earned him promotion to ōzeki.
However, his ascent was met with severe physical setbacks. Chronic knee injuries and other health issues, including diabetes and kidney stones, led to a period of intense instability. He faced the threat of demotion, known as kadoban status, multiple times. By late 2017, his injuries forced a demotion from ōzeki, and by 2018, he had fallen as low as the jonidan division, the sport's second-lowest rank.
What followed is a historic resurgence. Terunofuji became the first wrestler to return to the makuuchi division after falling to the jonidan rank. He began winning championships again, including a July 2020 victory, and eventually climbed back to the rank of ōzeki. In July 2021, he reached the pinnacle of the sport, being promoted to the 73rd yokozuna.
His career is defined by resilience. Beyond his physical recovery, he navigated the complexities of professional life, including acquiring Japanese citizenship in 2021. After serving as the sport's sole active yokozuna following the retirement of Hakuhō, he officially retired in January 2025, leaving behind a legacy of ten top-division championships and a comeback described as unparalleled in sumo history.
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