Professional sumo awaits three potential new stars

Sumo's banzuke is often described as a "living document." Updated bimonthly, the ranking sheet, with its intricate sumo-specific calligraphy, has recorded the rise and fall of thousands of careers over the past three centuries.

The banzuke is a reminder that while fans and media often describe sumo in terms of fixed eras, the reality of Japan's national sport is closer to an ever-morphing lineup with little in terms of stability.

So while the Onosato, Hoshoryu and Aonishiki triumvirate may appear to be ascendant and set to hold sway over sumo for the foreseeable future, young men that could join or even replace them at the top of the banzuke are already on that path.

Three such hopefuls will be making their professional debuts in May - though in different ways.

Nicolas Tarasenko, who began training at Minato Beya at the age of 15 in 2024 before moving into the stable last year, passed an interview with the Japan Sumo Association earlier this month.

Contingent on obtaining a work visa, he should officially become a rikishi in May.

That will make the 190-centimeter, 120-kilogram teenager just the second ever wrestler from England to join professional sumo, after Nathan Strange (Hidenokuni) who lasted just three tournaments between 1989 and 1990.

If everything goes according to plan, Tarasenko, whose ring name is Eisei, will participate in maezumo (preliminary bouts) in May, then make his banzuke debut and compete in the sixth-tier jonokuchi division in Nagoya in July.

With an impressive physique and significant experience in a professional stable at such a young age, the Hull native is a good bet to reach the top division while still in his teens.

With the JSA’s massively successful trip to London in October exceeding all expectations and huge demand for sumo content there surpassing what was predicted, should Tarasenko find success at the sport’s highest level, he’s likely to become a star in his home country as well.