Shintaro Haraguchi, a former member of Japan's U20 rugby team, has officially transitioned to professional sumo wrestling. This decision marks a major turning point in his athletic career as he leaves the rugby field for the clay dohyo.
Haraguchi received thorough training in Japan's youth rugby system, but he says his passion for sumo has long pulled at him. In the ring, he aims to leverage the physical foundation and techniques from rugby to create a powerful, distinctive fighting style.
Initially, adapting to sumo's rules and techniques was a significant challenge. However, with guidance from experienced coaches, Haraguchi gradually got used to the pushes and the balance required on the dohyo. He hopes to make his debut match soon and impress fans.
Moving from rugby to sumo is not common, but Haraguchi believes his previous team-sport experience gives him strong discipline and the ability to handle pressure. He emphasizes that his immediate goal is to rise through the ranks and establish himself in the world of Japanese sumo.
