15 Facts About Midorifuji Kazunari

Midorifuji Kazunari is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yaizu, Shizuoka.

Midorifuji Kazunari began participating in sumo from elementary school and notably wrestled at the Wanpaku National Championship.

Midorifuji Kazunari attended Kindai University, where in his first year he won the National Student Sumo Individual Weight-class Championship in the under 100 kg category.

Midorifuji Kazunari however left during his second year, and eventually he returned to his hometown.

Midorifuji Kazunari turned pro at the same time as Nishikifuji, his former classmate from Kindai University, the two being in a friendly rivalry ever since.

In total, Midorifuji Kazunari used the katasukashi kimarite 4 times during the tournament.

Midorifuji Kazunari was the fifth top division wrestler from Shizuoka Prefecture since World War II and the first since Sagatsukasa in 2010.

Midorifuji Kazunari is only the seventh wrestler to receive this award in his makuuchi debut and the first since Tochinohana in May 2000.

Midorifuji Kazunari said he was happy to have received the award, but regretted that he had not managed ten wins.

Midorifuji Kazunari withdrew from the May 2021 tournament due to a herniated disc in his back, requiring two months of treatment.

Midorifuji Kazunari then went to lead the honbasho, recording ten wins in ten matches and securing a comfortable lead against Daieisho, the wrestler closest to his score, with two wins ahead of the former.

Midorifuji Kazunari was listed as a potential recipient of a Fighting Spirit award on Day 15, but it was contingent on an eleventh win.

Midorifuji Kazunari lost to Shodai and did not receive the award.

Midorifuji Kazunari has won 25 percent of his career matches to date with the latter technique, compared to an average among other wrestlers of just one percent.

Midorifuji Kazunari and his wife, whom he met because she is the daughter of one of his stable's patrons, have a daughter born in autumn 2023.