26 Facts About Abi Masatora

Abi Masatora is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Saitama Prefecture.

Abi Masatora made his debut in May, 2013 and wrestles for Shikoroyama stable.

Abi Masatora reached the top makuuchi division in January 2018 and has four special prizes for Fighting Spirit and one for Outstanding Performance.

Abi Masatora was a head taller than most of his classmates as a student.

Abi Masatora tried judo, but found he excelled more at sumo; taking the children's sumo championship in his city in both his first and second years of primary school.

Abi Masatora did not see sumo in his future but as most of his friends were involved in the sport, he continued.

Abi Masatora transferred to Nagareyama High School and joined the sumo club.

Abi Masatora was successful at the high school level, often placing in the best sixteen.

Abi Masatora's family hoped he would go on to university and continue sumo there, but Horikiri instead expressed interest in taking over the family business.

Abi Masatora's parents had not expected this sudden change and were reluctant to meet with his coach at first, but Horikiri convinced them of his fervor.

Abi Masatora was promoted to the salaried ranks of juryo for the March 2015 tournament along with Amakaze and Ishiura.

On this promotion, he chose the shikona of Abi which was the idea of his coach the aforementioned former sekiwake Terao.

Abi Masatora spent the next eight tournaments moving up and down the top third of the makushita division.

Abi Masatora won his second kinboshi in consecutive tournaments in July 2018 with a victory over Kakuryu on Day 5.

Abi Masatora clinched the prize on the final day by defeating Tamawashi, and said he was inspired by Asanoyama, who is the same age.

Abi Masatora was reprimanded by the Japan Sumo Association in November 2019 after he posted an image on Instagram of his friend and fellow wrestler Wakamotoharu tied up and gagged with tape as a prank.

Abi Masatora was ranked at komusubi on the January 2020 banzuke for the fourth tournament in a row; the first time this has happened since Kisenosato spent four straight tournaments at komusubi from July 2006 until January 2007.

Abi Masatora was withdrawn by his stablemaster partway through the July 2020 tournament after he admitted to twice visiting a hostess bar with a low-ranking wrestler from another stable, against the guidance on nonessential travel given by the JSA to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Abi Masatora then became tearful and the audience applauded him in support.

Abi Masatora was next eligible to compete in the March 2021 tournament, where he was ranked at makushita 56.

Abi Masatora received his third gold star for defeating a yokozuna by upsetting Terunofuji in their regulation bout on day 14 and was awarded his first shukun-sho special prize for Outstanding Performance.

The JSA at the time had yet to determine whether or not Abi Masatora could participate in the tournament.

However, Abi Masatora announced his withdrawal on the eve of the tournament due to knee and ankle injuries.

Abi Masatora was married in June 2020 after a three year relationship.

Abi Masatora is a tsuki-oshi specialist, meaning he prefers to slap and push his opponents rather than fighting on the mawashi or belt.

For example, during the three-way playoff in November 2022, Abi Masatora defeated Takayasu by a henka at the tachiai and a violent slap down, giving Takayasu a concussion as he was seen unable to walk off the dohyo on his own.