Who Is Shōdai Naoya? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Shōdai Naoya, born on November 5, 1991, is a prominent Japanese sumo wrestler who competes in the highest division of the sport. As of 2025, he is 33 years old and has made a significant impact on the sumo wrestling scene. His journey in sumo began at a young age, and his talent and determination have led him to secure his position among the elite wrestlers in Japan.
| Occupation | Wrestlers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 5, 1991 |
| Age | 33 Years |
| Birth Place | Uto, Kumamoto, Japan |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | Japan |
Popularity
Shōdai Naoya's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Shōdai stands tall at approximately 183 cm (6 ft 0 in), a common height among successful sumo wrestlers. His weight has fluctuated over the years, but he typically weighs around 120 kg (265 lbs). These statistics showcase not just his physical presence but also his commitment to maintaining competitive fitness levels as an elite athlete.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Shōdai Naoya is believed to be single, focusing heavily on his career. While there have been rumors and speculation about potential relationships, he has kept his personal life relatively private, allowing fans and commentators to concentrate on his achievements within the ring rather than his romantic interests. Information about his family—a supportive unit that has encouraged his ambitions—remains largely undisclosed, adhering to his preference for privacy.
In February 2025, Shōdai revealed that he had been married for three years and was the father of a son born in January 2022. By his own admission, he had chosen not to reveal it so that his fans wouldn't associate his underperformance in the ring with his recent marriage.
Having organized his wedding reception after the 2025 NHK charity tournament in February, he also disclosed that his wife would be wearing the equivalent of 3 billion yen in jewelry.
Net Worth and Salary
Shōdai's net worth in 2025 is estimated to be around $1 million. His earnings come from various sources, including prize money from tournaments, sponsorships, and public appearances. Top-ranked sumo wrestlers can earn substantial salaries, and Shōdai’s success has certainly contributed to a comfortable standard of living that reflects his hard work and dedication.
Career, Business, and Investments
Shōdai Naoya began his professional sumo career in 2014 and quickly rose through the ranks. His career highlights include winning several tournaments and earning a promotion to the top division, which has significantly increased his visibility and marketability. Beyond the ring, Shōdai is exploring business opportunities and investments, looking to secure his financial future beyond his wrestling career. His disciplined nature as an athlete translates well to the business world, where he aims to make smart, strategic choices.
In November 2016 he scored eleven wins against four losses from the rank of maegashira 3, sharing the Fighting Spirit prize with Ishiura. He defeated ōzeki Kisenosato in this tournament and was promoted to a career-high rank of sekiwake for the January tournament.
It took him only 17 tournaments from his professional debut to reach sekiwake, which is the second fastest (after Konishiki's 14) since the introduction of the six tournaments a year system in 1958 for those starting from maezumō.
He narrowly missed out on a winning record in his sekiwake debut, and remained in the junior san'yaku ranks for the following tournament at komusubi. However, he won only four bouts and was demoted back to the maegashira ranks for the May 2017 tournament.
In July, ranked at maegashira 1, he earned his first kinboshi or gold star by defeating yokozuna Harumafuji on Day 2. He remained near the top of the maegashira ranks in his next few tournaments. In November 2019 he was a runner-up to Hakuhō with an 11–4 record and earned the Fighting Spirit Prize by defeating Asanoyama on the final day.
In January 2020 he was in contention for the championship until the final day, finishing one win behind surprise champion Tokushōryū on 13–2. He also received the Fighting Spirit prize. He returned to the sekiwake rank in March 2020 for the first time since January 2017, and to san'yaku for the first time since March 2017.
He was one of only two men to defeat the tournament winner Hakuhō in March and maintained his sekiwake rank with an 8–7 record. In the July 2020 tournament he won his fifth Fighting Spirit prize after a 11-4 performance in which he was one of only two wrestlers to defeat the tournament winner Terunofuji.
Social Network
Shōdai Naoya is relatively active on social media platforms, where he connects with fans and shares his journey in the world of sumo. He often posts training updates, insights from his personal life, and motivational messages, engaging with his audience effectively. Engaging on platforms such as Instagram and Twitter has helped him build a dedicated following, further increasing his popularity.
On the seventh day of the January 2024 tournament, Shōdai at maegashira 4 earned his second kinboshi by defeating yokozuna Terunofuji. Shōdai later said that it had felt like a long time since he was on the offensive throughout a match and that his victory did not seem real to him until he saw the audience throwing cushions.
He tied with Jingaku for seventh longest consecutive tournaments between kinboshi.
Education
Although Shōdai Naoya is primarily known for his achievements in sumo, he also has a solid educational background. He attended high school, focusing on sports and physical education, which laid the foundation for his future in wrestling. His disciplined approach to both education and athletics showcases his drive for personal and professional growth.
In summary, Shōdai Naoya is not just an accomplished sumo wrestler; he is an individual with aspirations and goals that extend beyond the sport. As we look ahead to the future, fans and followers eagerly anticipate his continued successes both in and out of the ring.
Shōdai Naoya's talents were first noticed by the coach of the Uto Boys Sumo Club while he was playing sumo in the park at Uto Elementary School. In 5th grade he competed in the national sumo competition, and while at Kakujō Middle School he was an alternate member of the winning team at the All-Middle School sumo championship.
In his final year at Kumamoto agricultural high school he won the youth national sumo championship.
