The 10 Heaviest Sumo Wrestlers Of All-Time

Sumo is one of the most popular forms of wrestling in the world. Originating in Japan, the current style and set of rules are said to date back to the early 1600s. Now, the sport is recognized across the world.

The rules are relatively easy to follow. A win is awarded when a competitor forces the opponent out of the ring or makes them touch the ground with any part of their body other than the soles of their feet.

There are certain qualifications that need to be met. Japan Up Close says wrestlers must be over 167 cm tall (about 5.5 feet) and weigh more than 67 kg (147.7 pounds).

With that being said, there are many sumo wrestlers that tip the scales much heavier. There are 10 competitors that have weighed in at 520 pounds or more.

The 10 Heaviest Sumo Wrestlers Of All-Time

Here, we’ll take a look at the 10 largest Sumo wrestlers on record. We’ll detail both their top weights and their stables, or the organization of sumo association members which provided them a place to hone their craft.

Without further ado, here are the biggest wrestlers the sport has seen.

10) Akebono Taro

• Weight: 520 pounds
• Stable: Azumazeki

Akebono stood 6-foot-8 and tipped the scales at 520 pounds. He was an imposing force to his competitors.

He became the first non-Japanese born wrestler to win the highest ranking in the country’s national sport. The Hawaiian-born wrestler retired in 2001.

T-8) Musashimaru Koyo

• Weight: 522 pounds
• Stable: Musashigawa

Musashimaru weighed in at 522 pounds and followed in Akebono’s footsteps. He moved to Hawaii at the age of 10 before becoming the second non-Japanese born wrestler to win the highest ranking in the sport.

Musashimaru made his debut at 18 years old and stood 6-foot-4.

T-8) Kainowaka Naoya

• Weight: 522 pounds
• Stable: Tomozuna

Kainowaka started in 1995 at the age of 16. He retired after nearly three decades of competition in 2023.

He weighed 522 pounds, which is rather impressive given he stood just 5-foot-9.

7) Susanoumi Yoshitaka

• Weight: 530 pounds
• Stable: Kitanoumi

Susanoumi tipped the scales at 530 pounds in 1998 when he started his professional career. The 6-footer competed until 2003.

His Sumo stint was relatively short-lived. After retirement, he worked as a security guard and restauranteur.

6) Tominohana

• Weight: 531
• Stable: Takadagawa

Tominohana is one of the largest Sumo wrestlers of all-time. He made his debut at 317 pounds in 1988 but had ballooned to 531 pounds just four years later.

Born in Taiwan, his pro career didn’t last very long. He retired in 1992.

Heaviest Sumo Wrestlers: 5) Kenho Mitsuo

• Weight: 550 pounds
• Stable: Tokitsukaze

Kenho is one of the shorter Sumo wrestlers on this list at 5-foot-9. He is also one of the heaviest.

He weighed in at 550 pounds at his peak, which is quite the load given his short stature!

4) Dewanojo Yoshihide

• Weight: 569 pounds
• Stable: Dewanoumi

Dewanonjo is an astounding 569-pound behemoth that’s still competing as a pro. At 31 years old, he may still have a lengthy career ahead of him.

Dewanojo is on the taller side, standing 6-foot-3 to carry that near 600 pounds of mass.

3) Yamamotoyama Ryuta

• Weight: 611 pounds
• Stable: Onoe

Yamamotoyama is the first to break the 600-pound threshold on this list. He is believed to be one of the heaviest Japanese-born people of all-time.

He retired amid a match-fixing scheme in 2011 but has since given it a shot in Hollywood. He starred in John Wick 2 in 2017.

2) Konishiki Yasokichi

• Weight: 633 pounds
• Stable: Takasago

Konishiki was born in Hawaii and became the first non-Japanese born wrestler to advance to Ozeki, the No. 2 rank in Sumo.

He weighed 633 pounds at his largest and was a top competitor. Since retirement, he’s lost 150 pounds and carved out a career as a DJ.

1) Orora Satoshi

• Weight: 645 pounds
• Stable: Yamahibiki/Kitanoumi

Orora was born in Russia and had begun full-time training to become a Sumo wrestler by the time he was 16 years old.

He made his professional debut a year later, coming in at 6-foot-3 and weighing 420 pounds. By the time he retired, he’d added another 200+ pounds to tip the scales at 645 pounds.

Despite his massive size, he only won about half his matches. His weight proved to be a drawback as opponents would simply run around him in the ring. He retired in 2018.