Meet sumo legend Takanohana Koji: hit Netflix drama Sanctuary has revived interest in the Japanese sport – and in Koji, who owns a multimillion-dollar mansion and was once engaged to star Rie Miyazawa

Jun 13 , 2023

Takanohana Koji is known as a sumo legend. Photo: @megu.entertainment/ Instagram

Netflix’s latest hit drama series Sanctuary offers a rare glimpse into the world of Japanese sumo, with troubled teen protagonist Kiyoshi Oze played by Wataru Ichinose

It’s not the first time the sport caught the eyes of mainstream media – legend Takanohana Koji got plenty of attention for his 22 championship wins and 8 years holding the top yokozuna rank

The hit Netflix drama series Sanctuary has taken the world by storm recently, offering a rare glimpse into the mystery-shrouded world of Japanese sumo. The show follows the story of a troubled teen named Kiyoshi Oze (Wataru Ichinose) who works his way up the world of professional sumo through rigorous training and high-stakes matches.

Anticipation for the release of its second season is growing, sparking renewed interest in this centuries-old national sport that embodies Japan’s strength, discipline and spirit.

The hit Netflix drama series Sanctuary has taken the world by storm recently. Photo: @netflixjp/Instagram

Sumo is a combat sport that involves two wrestlers, known as rakishi, who attempt to force each other out of a circular ring. Wrestlers live in communal training facilities and adhere to an intensive training regimen and high-calorie diet of up to 8,000 calories per day to cultivate their awe-inspiring physiques. They are revered as almost godlike figures locally, enjoying high economic and social status. Top-ranking wrestlers can earn an annual salary of US$120,000, plus bonuses, sponsorships and endorsements, as previously reported.

Sumo wrestlers can earn millions for the sport. Photo: @steveway_nobuhiro/Instagram

The sport of sumo is highly hierarchical, and the ultimate rank of yokozuna in the top division of makuuchi is reserved for only the most skilled and accomplished. Only 73 wrestlers have made it to this pinnacle so far in history – and among them the name of Takanohana Koji is remembered as a legend, per Japan Times.

Takanohana Koji was the 65th man in history to reach sumo’s highest rank of yokozuna. Photo: @sumo_itapetininga/Instagram

Deemed one of the greatest sumo wrestlers of all time, Koji Hanada, known professionally as Takanohana Koji, made his sumo debut at the age of 15. He held the rank of yokozuna for nearly nine years and had won 22 top-division tournament championships during his career, which is the sixth-highest of all time.

Upon retiring in 2003, he reportedly received around US$72,000 (10 million yen), according to Daily Japanese. He’s also known to have built and owned a mansion in the Shinagawa Ward in Tokyo with an estimated value of US$3.6 million, per Friday News.

Rie Miyazawa is an actress in Japan. Photo: @vintageoustars/Instagram

Beyond his triumphs in the ring, Koji’s personal life has been equally captivating. In 1993, the sumo champion revealed his engagement to actress Rie Miyazawa, per The Guardian.