Who Is Kakuryū Rikisaburō? Age, Biography and Wiki
Kakuryū Rikisaburō, born on August 10, 1985, is a prominent Japanese sumo wrestler who has made a significant mark in the sport. As of 2025, he is 39 years old. Originating from Mongolia, Kakuryū moved to Japan to pursue his career in sumo wrestling, quickly rising through the ranks due to his exceptional skills and determination. He made his professional debut in 2001 and reached the highest rank of Yokozuna in 2014, becoming the first Mongolian-born wrestler to earn this title.
| Occupation | Wrestlers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 10, 1985 |
| Age | 40 Years |
| Birth Place | Mongolia |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | Mongolia |
Popularity
Kakuryū Rikisaburō's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Kakuryū Rikisaburō stands tall at 6 feet (182 cm) and weighs around 315 pounds (143 kg). His physical attributes contribute to his competitive edge in the ring, as sumo wrestling demands both strength and agility. With a well-built physique, he maintains a disciplined diet and rigorous training regimen to stay at the top of his game.
Kakuryū was forced to withdraw on the eve of the March 2015 tournament, after suffering a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. This was his first absence as a yokozuna and came so late that his opening match had already been drawn up and had to be forfeited.
He also sat out the summer Natsu basho in May as the injury had not fully healed, the first time a yokozuna has missed two full tournaments in a row since Musashimaru missed three in 2003. He made a respectable comeback in the July tournament, scoring 12–3 and being in contention for the championship until his defeat to Hakuhō on the final day.
With Harumafuji absent and Hakuhō pulling out on the third day, Kakuryū was the only yokozuna for most of the September tournament. He recovered from losses to Yoshikaze on day 2 and Myōgiryū on day 10 to enter the final day on 12–2, one win ahead of the ōzeki Terunofuji.
In the final scheduled match of the tournament, he was beaten by Terunofuji but won the ensuing playoff by uwatedashinage to take his second championship and his first since his promotion to yokozuna. After the playoff he commented; "The fact that I have long been away from a title has weighed on me. It was tough...
I thought I might lose a title once again, but then I came to think that all I needed to do was to execute my style of sumo...
I feel rewarded for continuing to work hard without getting down on myself." Despite his success he received some criticism for using the henka, a side-stepping technique, during the tournament, notably against Kisenosato on the penultimate day.
In November he never looked likely to win the tournament but ended with a 9–6 record after beating Hakuhō on the final day.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Kakuryū Rikisaburō keeps his personal life relatively private. While he remains focused on his wrestling career, there have been speculations about his dating life. However, no confirmed reports have surfaced regarding a girlfriend or any romantic relationships. Kakuryū values his family ties and often shares moments with his family on social media, but details about his dating status remain largely undisclosed.
His father was a university professor. He grew up dreaming of professional basketball, not sumo. At age 14, he decided to devote himself to sumo after seeing a tournament featuring fellow Mongolians Kyokutenhō and Kyokushūzan on TV. He wrote a letter about his desires and had a friend translate it into Japanese.
He then mailed the letter to several stables in Japan. Izutsu stable's head was impressed and invited Kakuryū to Japan. Kakuryū's family had no background in Mongolian wrestling, and he had no experience in wrestling before coming to Japan.
Net Worth and Salary
Kakuryū Rikisaburō has established himself not only as a top wrestler but also as a savvy investor. Currently, his estimated net worth is around $5 million. This impressive figure is attributed to his successful career in sumo, endorsements, and various business ventures. As a Yokozuna, he earns a significant salary from his matches, in addition to bonuses for tournament victories and exposure through merchandising.
2017 began disappointingly as Kakuryū suffered five defeats in the first ten days, including three kinboshi given up to maegashira ranked wrestlers. Kakuryū withdrew after Day 10 from the tournament with an injury to his right leg. He returned with ten wins in the Osaka tournament in March.
He pulled out of the May 2017 tournament after three losses in the first four days, citing a left ankle injury. He also withdrew from the following tournament in July on Day 4, this time with an injury to his right foot.
His stablemaster Izutsu said that Kakuryū would not pull out of a tournament upon his return and would have to retire instead – "If he can’t win next time he steps on the dohyo, there will be no option to pull out midway.
He would have to take the decision (to retire from the sport) as a man." On September 7, 2017, Izutsu Oyakata confirmed that Kakuryū would miss the Aki tournament as he has yet to recover from his right foot injury.
In November he was again forced to withdraw shortly before the tournament, this time owing to a lower back problem in addition to his ankle injury.
On December 20, 2017, the Sumo Association announced that he was being docked his salary for January 2018 for failing to act when Mongolian wrestler Takanoiwa was injured by Harumafuji at a restaurant and bar in Tottori in October. Fellow yokozuna Hakuhō was docked a month and a half's pay.
The chairman of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council said, "Hakuho and Kakuryu were not able to stop the incident from happening and being taken too far. Their responsibility should not be taken lightly. They should be given a strong warning."
Career, Business and Investments
Kakuryū's career has been illustrious, with numerous accolades, including multiple tournament championships. After retiring from active competition, he has taken on more business endeavors, such as coaching aspiring wrestlers and engaging in promotional activities for the sport. Additionally, he has invested in real estate, contributing to his financial growth.
Kakuryū is also passionate about promoting sumo culture internationally and actively participates in events and workshops to inspire the next generation of wrestlers, thereby broadening the reach of the sport beyond Japan.
He reached the third highest sekiwake rank in July 2009, and in March 2012 he secured promotion to the second highest rank of ōzeki after finishing runner-up to yokozuna Hakuhō and accumulating a total of 33 wins in his previous three tournaments.
After scoring 14 wins against one loss in both of the first two tournaments of 2014, and claiming the yūshō in the second, he was promoted to yokozuna.
He won his second tournament as a yokozuna, a playoff win over Terunofuji in September 2015, but did not win more than 12 bouts in a tournament at yokozuna rank until winning his third tournament in November 2016.
Social Network
Kakuryū Rikisaburō maintains an active presence on social media platforms, where he connects with fans and shares insights into his life and career. He is particularly popular on Instagram and Twitter, where he posts updates about his training, competitions, and personal milestones. His continued engagement with fans helps to promote sumo and its values globally.
Kakuryū began 2016 with 10–5 records in January and March, and did slightly better in May with an 11–4 record. He withdrew from the July 2016 tournament in Nagoya after suffering injuries to his lower back and left ankle. He returned in September and recorded ten wins.
In the November tournament he won his first ten matches before losing to Kisenosato on day 11. He rebounded to beat Kotoshōgiku and Hakuhō before securing his third yūshō with a win over Gōeidō on day 14.
After rounding off his tournament with a win over Harumafuji on the final day he commented "It’s really pleasing, I’ve been struggling with injuries for the past one, two years and physically and mentally things didn’t come together, but I didn’t sulk and it’s great that things turned out like this.
I feel I’m finally getting to wrestle my way, relaxed. I’ll not forget how I’m feeling now and keep working."
Education
Before entering the world of professional sumo wrestling, Kakuryū pursued his education in Mongolia. He completed high school prior to making the transition to Japan to follow his passion for sumo. His dedication to both academics and athletics has played a crucial role in shaping his character and work ethic.
