A top 10 list of the biggest Sumo wrestlers and how much they weigh

A top 10 list of the biggest Sumo wrestlers and how much they weigh

Steve Njuguna
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:29 PM

Sumo is a form of martial arts that large competitors have predominantly dominated. Some of the fighters weigh as much as 500 pounds. Today we look at the biggest Sumo wrestlers and how much they weigh.

How big is the biggest wrestler?
Fighters at a past prize ceremony. Photo by Kyodo News
Source: Getty Images

Despite their huge size, these wrestlers are known for their agility and superb physical attributes. For their nutritional needs, wrestlers rely on a Japanese dish called Chanko- Nabe, which consists of stew, vegetables and rice. They are officially weighed right before their tournaments.

How big are Sumo wrestlers?

Most wrestlers weigh between 180 kilograms (397 pounds) and 220 kilograms (485 pounds). Despite their heavy weight, they are subjected to strict training and fitness regimens to prepare them for fights. Here is the ranked list of the top 10 heaviest sumo wrestlers.

10. Akebono: 236 kgs (520 lbs)

Akebono Tarō is an American former professional wrestler and fighter. He made history by becoming the first non-Japanese fighter to achieve the highest rank, the Yokozuna. He weighs 236 kilograms (520 pounds).

9. Musashimaru: 237 kgs (522 lbs)

Musashimaru Kōyō is another American who makes the list. The 1999 Yokozuna weighs 237 kilograms (522 pounds). After retiring from Sumo, Musashimaru dabbled in film and commercials.

How big are sumo wrestlers?
Musashimaru during an award ceremony during his competitive days. Photo by The Asahi Shimbun
Source: Getty Images

8. Kainowaka: 237 kgs (522 lbs)

Japanese Sumo specialist, Kainowaka's weight tied with Musashimaru. Born on 10 May 1979 in Miyazaki, Japan, Kainowaka is 237 kgs (522 pounds).

Kainowaka is one of the biggest sumo wrestlers ever
Kainowaka is one of the biggest wrestlers of all time. Photos by fandom.com
Source: UGC

7. Susanoumi Yoshitaka: 240 kgs (530 lbs)

Susanoumi was one of the most prominent fighters of the 90s. He won the Makushita Yusho tournament in 1996 and 1997. His peak weight was 240 kilograms (530 pounds).

Susanoumi is one of the biggest Sumo wrestlers ever.
Susanoumi garnered fans all over the world due to his aggressiveness. Photo courtesy: Sumowiki
Source: UGC

6. Tominohana: 241 kgs (531 lbs)

Taiwanese fighter Jia Wei Deng aka Tominohana, was active in the late 80s and early 90s. He introduced the unique technique of Yutso Sumo, which fighters still use to date. His peak weight was 241 kilograms (531 pounds).

Tominohana was the best Sumo wrestler from Taiwan.
Tominohana is one of Taiwan's most popular wrestlers. Photo by Kyodo news
Source: Getty Images

5. Kenho: 250 kgs (550 lbs)

Kenho Mitsuo is one of the most prominent wrestlers still active in 2023. Kenho's prime weight is 250 kilograms (550 pounds). His epic bouts with Dewanojo are much anticipated by fans as the two are the heaviest active sumo wrestlers.

How big is the biggest sumo wrestler?
Kenho is still active in 2023. Photo by sumo.or.jp
Source: UGC

4. Dewanojo: 258 kgs (569 lbs)

Dewanojo is another active wrestler on the list. The Japanese fighter weighs 258 kilograms (569 pounds). Aged 30 years as of 2023, he has achieved the rank of Makushita 56.

3. Yamamotoyama: 287 kgs (633 lbs)

Yamamotoyama is a retired wrestler from Aichi, Japan. He is the heaviest Japanese-born wrestler in history. Some speculate that he is the heaviest person in Japan overall. He weighs 287 kilograms (633 pounds).

Yamamotoyama is one of the heaviest wrestlers of all time.
Yamamotoyama interacts with his fans. Photo by Koichi Kamoshida
Source: Getty Images

2. Konishiki: 287 kgs (633 lbs)

Konishiki is one of the best Sumo wrestlers ever. He was the first non-Japanese fighter to achieve the second highest rank, the 'Ozeki'. For a long time, his weight of 287 kilograms (633 pounds) was the biggest in Sumo wrestling before Satoshi surpassed him.

1. Ōrora Satoshi: 288 kgs (635 lbs)

The heaviest man on the list is Anatoliy Valeryevich Mihahanov, aka Orora Satoshi, from Russia. Valeryevich broke the record in 2017 by achieving 288 kilograms (635 pounds). Ōrora suffered from health complications due to his massive weight, including hypertension and fatigue. He sometimes needs an oxygen tank to move around. He retired in 2017.

How big is the biggest sumo wrestler?
Orora is the heaviest sumo wrestler alive. Photo by Kyodo News Stills
Source: Getty Images

Who is the greatest Sumo wrestler of all time?

Mongolian fighter Hakuhō Shō is indisputably the most outstanding Sumo wrestler of all time. He first became Yokozuna in 2007. Shō made news headlines in 2009 when he won 86 out of the 90 bouts he participated in.

Sho is the greatest and strongest Sumo wrestlers of all time
Shō was known for his remarkable consistency. Photo by The Asahi Shimbun
Source: Getty Images

Who is the biggest Sumo wrestler in 2023?

Dewanojo is the biggest Sumo wrestler fighting in 2023. He weighs 258 kilograms (569 pounds). Dewanojo is the fourth heaviest Sumo wrestler of all time.

Weight can be an advantage over your opponents while competing in Sumo, as you will have more power over them. It can also be cumbersome, make you slow, and cause health effects, as Ōrora's case illustrates. With that, we conclude our ranked list of the top 10 biggest Sumo wrestlers and everything to do with how much they weigh.

READ MORE: Who are the 10 best sumo wrestlers ever to exist? A ranked list

SportsBrief recently ranked the 10 best Sumo wrestlers ever to exist. The sport started in Japan but has spread globally in the past 50 years. Some big names in history include Kitanoumi, Taiho and Asashoryu.? Click on the link above to learn more!

Authors
Steve Njuguna photo
Steve Njuguna
Steve Njuguna is a media professional with close to a decade of experience in the sports media industry. He has previously worked as a sports journalist with Bamba Sports TV, Vybez Radio and The Nairobian newspaper.