Kaisei Ichirō

2.1. Childhood and path to sumo

Ricardo Sugano was born in São Paulo, Brazil, to a third-generation Japanese-Brazilian father and a German-Italian mother. From a young age, Sugano showed no interest in football, a sport highly popular in his home country, not even watching games on television. He recalled being forced by his father to play football and crying after practice. Instead, he was drawn to grappling sports, including judo, which he practiced for a period.

The turning point for Sugano came at age 16 when a friend of his father, whose son practiced sumo, suggested that Sugano's already large physique would be well-suited for the sport. This initial suggestion sparked his interest, and he began training at various sumo clubs in São Paulo. During this time, he met Wakaazuma Yoshinobu, a retired sumo wrestler and fellow Brazilian, who became his strict mentor. Wakaazuma, recognizing Sugano's aspiration to become a professional rikishi, pushed him intensely, often engaging in tough butsukari-geiko (charging practice). Despite the rigorous training, Sugano persevered, driven by his dream to become a rikishi and his belief that he had no other viable career path in Brazil. He found that in Brazilian amateur sumo, his size and power were sufficient for victory, which further fueled his commitment. He went on to win the All Brazil amateur sumo championship in the free weight category. However, he later acknowledged that amateur sumo training in Brazil, typically only one or two days a week, was far less demanding than professional sumo in Japan, a difference he acutely felt upon his arrival.

2.2. Entry into professional sumo

In July 2006, after being introduced by Wakaazuma Yoshinobu, Sugano traveled to Japan and joined the Tomozuna stable. The stable already housed another Brazilian wrestler named Kaishin. Upon entering professional sumo, he was given the shikona (ring name) of Kaisei Ichirō. The surname "Kaisei" was derived from "Kai," a traditional element of the Tomozuna stable's names, and "Sei" (聖), meaning Christ, reflecting his Christian faith. His given name, "Ichirō," was chosen in honor of his late Japanese grandfather.

Kaisei made his professional debut in maezumo in September 2006, achieving a record of two wins and two losses. He swiftly moved through the lowest divisions, earning 6-1 records in both Jonokuchi and Jonidan divisions, passing through each in a single tournament. He was promoted to the Sandanme division in March 2007.

3.1. Rise through lower divisions

After his quick progression through Jonokuchi and Jonidan, Kaisei entered the Sandanme division in March 2007. While he started with good results, he then experienced a period of stagnation, recording three consecutive losing records. However, he regained momentum with strong performances of 6-1 in January 2008 and 5-2 in March 2008, which led to his promotion to the Makushita division in May 2008.

In Makushita, Kaisei initially had two consecutive winning records but then faced another slump, losing three straight tournaments from September 2008. This resulted in his demotion back to Sandanme in March 2009. He quickly returned to Makushita after only one tournament and achieved a remarkable 7-0 undefeated record at West Makushita 46 in September 2009, advancing to the championship playoff, though he ultimately lost to Gagamaru. Following this, he maintained consistent winning records in the upper Makushita ranks. In May 2010, at East Makushita 2, he secured a 5-2 winning record, which earned him promotion to Jūryō for the July 2010 tournament. He was the second wrestler raised by the 10th-generation Tomozuna stablemaster to achieve `sekitori` status, after Kaidō in May 2003. This promotion made him the fourth Brazilian-born wrestler to reach the salaried `jūryō` division, following Ryūkō, Kuniazuma, and Wakaazuma, and he would eventually surpass all of them by reaching the top division. In November 2010, Kaisei won his first `jūryō` championship with an 11-4 record. He followed this with an 8-7 record at East Jūryō 1 in January 2011, securing his promotion to Maegashira 16 for the May Technical Examination tournament.

3.2. Debut in Makuuchi and early top division career

Kaisei's debut in the top Makuuchi division in May 2011 was notably impressive. He began the tournament by winning his first six bouts, a feat not achieved by a Makuuchi debutant since Takanonami in 1991. He extended his winning streak to 8-0, the first to do so since Sadanoumi Kōji in 1980, and then to 9-0, running alongside Yokozuna Hakuhō at the top of the leaderboard. His streak ended with a loss to Tochinoshin on Day 10, preventing him from matching Taihō Kōki's 11-0 start in 1960. Despite this, his final 10-5 record earned him his first Fighting Spirit Award. As a mark of honor for his strong debut, he was also selected to serve as Hakuhō's tsuyuharai (dew sweeper) during the Yokozuna's ring-entering ceremony.

For the July 2011 tournament, Kaisei was promoted to Maegashira 5. He recovered from a 1-4 start to reach 6-4, but then lost his last five matches, finishing with a 6-9 losing record. With the retirement of Ōzeki Kaiō Hiroyuki during the same tournament, Kaisei became the highest-ranked wrestler (heyagashira) at Tomozuna stable. Disappointing scores of 4-11 and 6-9 in September and November 2011 led to his demotion to the bottom of the Makuuchi division. A 5-10 record in the January 2012 tournament further resulted in his demotion to Jūryō in March. However, he swiftly made a comeback, producing a 10-5 record in the March tournament in Osaka, ensuring his return to Makuuchi.

In July 2012, Kaisei recorded an impressive eleven wins, earning him his second Fighting Spirit Award and a promotion to Maegashira 1. Despite this, he narrowly missed a winning record in September with 7-8, losing to Homasho on the final day. From then on, he largely alternated between winning and losing tournaments, proving his longevity in the top division. However, a significant challenge for Kaisei was his inability to defeat a Yokozuna, failing in all 37 attempts throughout his career.

3.3. San'yaku promotions and injuries

Kaisei achieved his San'yaku debut in the May 2016 tournament, where he was promoted to Komusubi following an 11-4 record at Maegashira 7. He became the second wrestler from Tomozuna stable to reach Komusubi since the current stablemaster took over in 1989, and the first since Kaiō in 1994, as well as the first Brazilian-born rikishi to reach the San'yaku ranks. At his promotion press conference, his stablemaster humorously remarked that Kaisei's slow pace of promotion was due to his "slow" approach to sumo, but added that he still had higher potential. Despite winning only one match against an Ozeki or Yokozuna (Terunofuji) at this rank, he secured an 8-7 winning record on the final day against Tochiozan. This immediately earned him a promotion to Sekiwake for the subsequent July tournament, allowing him to achieve the rank of Sekiwake before his master's mandatory retirement, a personal goal.

In the July 2016 tournament, as Sekiwake, Kaisei benefited from two fusenshō (win by default) victories. Despite this advantage, he struggled in the latter half of the tournament, finishing with a 7-8 losing record after losing to a kadoban Ozeki, Terunofuji, on the final day. He recorded losing records in the last three tournaments of 2016, dropping to Maegashira 9 before achieving an 8-7 in January 2017.

Before the March 2017 tournament, Kaisei suffered a major injury to his right knee-a torn anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus-during training with Hakuhō. This forced him to withdraw from a honbasho for the first time in his career, ending his streak of 739 consecutive matches from debut, which was the longest among active top division wrestlers at the time. Despite the severity of the injury, he controversially decided to compete from Day 6 to avoid demotion to Jūryō, managing three wins while clearly struggling with his knee. However, he still ended with a 7-8 record in the May 2017 tournament, which led to his demotion to the Jūryō division for the first time since 2012, ending his 31-tournament run in Makuuchi. He made an immediate return to Makuuchi by scoring a 10-5 record at East Jūryō 1 in July, where he notably defeated then-undefeated Asanoyama on Day 9.

In the September 2017 tournament, at West Maegashira 13, he achieved a 9-6 winning record, signaling his recovery. He continued with an 8-7 record in November 2017 and January 2018. The March 2018 tournament saw Kaisei promoted to East Maegashira 6, where he began with an impressive nine consecutive wins, a streak not seen from him since his Makuuchi debut. His winning streak was broken by Ichinojo on Day 10. On Day 13, in a controversial scheduling decision by the judging department, Kaisei was matched against Yokozuna Kakuryu (who was leading the championship race with 11 wins and 1 loss at the time), resulting in a loss. Despite this, Kaisei finished the tournament with a career-best 12-3 record, placing him as a runner-up alongside Takayasu. This was his second runner-up finish and earned him his third Fighting Spirit Prize.

In November 2018, Kaisei returned to the San'yaku ranks at Komusubi for the first time in 13 tournaments. However, he was hampered by a left calf injury sustained shortly before the tournament. He missed the first two days and then withdrew on Day 14 after aggravating the injury, finishing with only three wins. He was also forced to withdraw from the May 2019 tournament after injuring his right biceps tendon against Ryūden on Day 7. Fighting at Maegashira 15 in July, he again injured his right arm and eventually withdrew on Day 11 with only one win, leading to his demotion to Jūryō. He returned to the top division after an 11-4 record in November 2019, winning a four-way playoff for the Jūryō championship.

3.4. Later career and challenges

In January 2021, Kaisei was forced to sit out the tournament after a wrestler at Tomozuna stable tested positive for COVID-19, following protocols for close contacts. He recorded his 400th Makuuchi victory on Day 12 of the November 2021 tournament against Terutsuyoshi. "I didn't know (about 400 Makuuchi wins). Wow, that's amazing," he commented. In February 2022, his stable, Tomozuna, changed its name to Ōshima stable due to a change in the stablemaster's elder-stock name, and Kaisei's affiliation was also changed.

From July 2021, Kaisei suffered four consecutive losing records, resulting in his demotion to Jūryō in March 2022. He continued to struggle with losing records, finishing the July 2022 tournament at East Jūryō 11 with a 5-10 record. This demotion meant he would fall back to the unsalaried Makushita division after more than 12 years in the salaried top two divisions.

4.1. Decision to retire

Kaisei ultimately retired from professional sumo in late August 2022, with his retirement officially announced on the day the September 2022 banzuke (ranking list) was released, which showed him demoted to Makushita 1. When asked by reporters about his decision to retire rather than attempt a return to the salaried ranks, Kaisei explained, "Having been a sekitori for over ten years, being in the lower divisions is a bit... (In the September tournament) I was Makushita 1, so many people told me it was a waste. But unlike injuries, I fell because I became weaker." He acknowledged that his decline was due to a decrease in strength rather than a specific injury. In his retirement press conference, he reflected on his enjoyable sumo life and highlighted his match against Ozeki Takayasu on Day 10 of the July 2018 tournament as a memorable bout, noting the different atmosphere created by the audience. He expressed his aspiration to teach younger wrestlers not only about sumo but also about life, emphasizing the importance of gratitude towards fans.

4.2. Post-retirement career as Toshiyori

Kaisei acquired Japanese citizenship in November 2014, which allowed him to remain in the sumo association as a `toshiyori` (elder) after retirement. He assumed the name Tomozuna `oyakata` (elder-stock). Initially, he worked as a coach at his former stable, which was renamed Ōshima stable. However, on May 27, 2023, he transferred to Asakayama stable, led by his former stablemate, the former Ozeki Kaiō. This transfer of an elder before their retirement ceremony is considered unusual.

4.3. Retirement ceremony

Kaisei's danpatsu-shiki (hair-cutting ceremony) was held on October 1, 2023, at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. Approximately 340 invited guests took turns ceremonially snipping his ōichōmage (topknot). The final cut, known as the `tome-basami`, was performed by the master of Asakayama stable, the former Ozeki Kaiō, who had been an older stablemate to Kaisei. His mother, Rosana, and younger siblings, Renato and Natalia, made the arduous 30-hour journey from Brazil to attend the ceremony, providing a touching moment for Kaisei. He expressed deep emotion, stating that seeing his mother's appreciative words made him feel he had fulfilled his filial duty, especially recalling a past TV program where his mother watched him wrestle. As a stable elder, he articulated his ambition to be a supportive figure for young wrestlers, not just strict, but also someone they could consult with their problems.

5.1. Fighting style

Kaisei's official profile at the Japan Sumo Association lists his favored techniques as migi-yotsu (a left-hand-outside, right-hand-inside grip on the opponent's mawashi), yori (forcing), and oshi (pushing). His most common winning kimarite (deciding techniques) were straightforward: yori-kiri (force out) and oshi dashi (push out). He excelled in `yotsu-zumo` (grappling sumo) and was particularly adept when he could secure his preferred `migi-yotsu` grip, generating immense pressure. When unable to get a `mawashi` grip, he would sometimes resort to `tsuki-oshi` (thrusting and pushing) to keep his opponent at bay.

He found success against `oshi-zumo` (pushing/thrusting) wrestlers like Tamawashi and Toyohibiki, and those who preferred `ai-yotsu` (same-grip style) like Ikoi. However, he struggled against rikishi with greater physical power, such as Aoyama and Tochinoshin, and those who excelled at intricate techniques like nage (throws) or hiki (pulls), particularly `morozashi` (double inside grip) specialists like Shōhōzan and Tochiōzan. His chronic lower back pain often led to less resilient performances, causing him to fall out of the ring easily in some bouts. He was also vulnerable to `henka` (side-steps at the initial charge) and struggled against smaller, quicker wrestlers, often being caught off balance when attempting to secure a `mawashi` grip against them. In such cases, he would try to keep his distance and utilize pushing or thrusting.

5.2. Expert evaluations

Several former sumo wrestlers and commentators offered various assessments of Kaisei's style and mental approach:

• Former TV Asahi announcer Shiro Dōya noted in November 2014 that Kaisei possessed "tremendous pressure" when he secured his preferred `migi-yotsu` and `hidari-uwate` (left-hand-outside, right-hand-inside) grip.
• Conversely, Shinichiro Saka, a former Bunka Hōsō announcer, pointed out a mental weakness, suggesting Kaisei should "show more fighting spirit."
• Kazuo Hara, a former Nippon TV announcer, criticized Kaisei's high hips, stating that his "hips aren't low enough, so even when he pushes forward, he ends up in an overhanging posture, making him prone to reversal techniques."
• The 12th-generation Abumatsu (former Sekiwake Masurao) praised Kaisei's sumo around the time he reached Sekiwake, saying, "Before, even with a deep embrace, his legs were wobbly, but they've become a bit more stable."
• The 15th-generation Naruto (former Ozeki Kotooshu) commented in November 2016 that Kaisei had the "heaviness in his腰_{koshi (hips)}^Japanese of an Ozeki-class wrestler." However, he also noted, "His movements are slow, so he can't keep up with the top wrestlers' lateral movements." The 12th-generation Nishiiwa (former Sekiwake Wakanosato), who was also present, added, "I can't imagine him beating the top ranks. His sumo is too straightforward; Yokozuna and Ozeki probably find him easy to deal with."
• In 2016, Kaisei was notably susceptible to `henka` at the initial charge, losing four out of five bouts when opponents used this technique, ranking him third among Makuuchi wrestlers for losses by `henka` that year.
• In a 2019 magazine interview, Kaisei revealed that he was advised not to engage in unnecessary actions like throws because it put too much strain on his knees, and that his primary focus should be to push forward.
• He confessed in a March 2019 interview that he tried to "think nothing" at the initial charge. "It's gotten used to now, but when I first got promoted to Jūryō, I was so nervous in front of all those spectators that I couldn't do anything."

5.3. Peculiar records

Kaisei's career featured several distinctive statistical records. He maintained a winless record against Yokozuna throughout his career, with a total of 37 losses. This marks the highest number of consecutive losses against Yokozuna in sumo history, surpassing Tōga's previous record of 29. Additionally, Kaisei was known for an exceptionally high number of fusenshō (win by default) victories, accumulating 12 such wins in his career (including 3 in Jūryō), which is the second-highest total in sumo history, trailing only Tamawashi (14 as of May 2023).

6.1. Family and personal background

Ricardo Sugano is a third-generation Japanese Brazilian. His father is of Japanese descent, and his mother is of German and Italian heritage. In July 2020, Kaisei announced his marriage to a Japanese woman in her 20s. Their relationship had lasted for five years, and the marriage decision was expedited by the COVID-19 pandemic, as he felt "if we live together, we can see each other" despite living in the same city.

6.2. Interests and habits

Kaisei has openly declared himself the "top gamer in Makuuchi," with gaming being a major hobby. He is also known for his fondness for Coca-Cola, admitting to drinking three bottles daily. When playfully questioned about quitting soda for a body fat measurement (where he recorded the highest percentage among Makuuchi wrestlers at 38.9% in December 2013), he smiled and replied, "Hmm, no way." He enjoyed yakiniku (grilled meat) and hamburgers, and stated that he would eat over 2.2 lb ^{(1 kg)} of steak or 30 servings of yakiniku. He preferred lean red meat, explaining that this preference stemmed from the type of meat commonly consumed in Brazil. Kaisei is not fond of cold weather and prefers warmer seasons. He also developed a smoking habit due to the influence of his former stablemaster.

6.3. Personality and views

Kaisei is often described as witty and quick-thinking in interviews, with a humble and considerate demeanor. He frequently uses self-deprecating humor. He maintains a peculiar disinterest in football, even during major events. During the 2014 FIFA World Cup held in his native Brazil, he stated, "I'm curious about the results, but I don't really care much about it."

He also expressed a belief in spiritual influences. After suffering a 10-match losing streak in November 2016, he jokingly (or perhaps not entirely jokingly) commented, "My spirit is strong, but my body won't move. My body... maybe something is possessing it," making a prayer gesture. Following this comment, he remarkably recovered, winning three bouts by the end of the tournament. One of his `kesho-mawashi` (ceremonial aprons) featured an image of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Corcovado.

In a radio interview, he initially gave modest answers about his eating habits ("three Seven-Eleven hot dog buns," "ten plates of sushi") but then revealed his true capacity: "When I eat steak, it's from 2.2 lb ^{(1 kg)}. I can eat 30 servings of yakiniku." He also showed a love for Japanese pop culture, particularly the Dragon Ball anime, which he enjoyed since childhood in Brazil. During the 2016 Summer Tour, he drew Tokyo Tower for a newspaper's picture diary, explaining he wanted to go home and had never been up the tower, despite living near the Tokyo Skytree, which he saw every day.

He displayed a pragmatic attitude towards promotion, often downplaying expectations by saying things like, "I'm not going to expect anything. If I expect it and don't get it, I'll be disappointed." In a comment about his desire to return to San'yaku, he linked it to his father, who watched his matches early in the morning in Brazil: "If I get to a higher rank, my mornings will be more relaxed. I want to return to San'yaku," implicitly hoping to make it easier for his father to follow his career. During his COVID-19-related absence in January 2021, he changed his habit of playing games late into the night, instead stopping at 10 PM to get enough sleep, which he noted improved his physical condition.

7.1. Pre-sumo and new recruit anecdotes

When Kaisei retired, Wakaazuma Yoshinobu, who helped him enter sumo, shared details of their first encounter. Wakaazuma was struck by Kaisei's towering height of 75 in ^{(190 cm)} and weight of 353 lb ^{(160 kg)} at just 17 years old. Despite not intending to wrestle that day, Wakaazuma engaged Kaisei in sumo to show him the difference in skill. Kaisei, undeterred by repeated losses, would shout "Mais um! Mais um!" (Portuguese for "one more!") and relentlessly charge back, impressing Wakaazuma with his strong spirit. Kaisei confided in Wakaazuma, saying he saw no future in Brazil and wished to succeed in sumo to honor his parents. Wakaazuma, having also left home at a young age to move from Brazil to Japan, empathized. He rigorously warned Kaisei about the daily training in Japan, emphasizing, "You have to do this every day in Japan. Do you still want to go?" He also encouraged Kaisei to reach `sekitori` and Makuuchi ranks while his older stablemate, Kaiō, was still active, advising him to "develop your own style" to rise to the top.

Upon entering the stable in Japan, Kaisei found he could eat almost all of the `chanko` (sumo stew), with the exception of nattō, thanks to his grandmother's Japanese cooking in Brazil. However, he faced significant challenges with Japanese etiquette, particularly the use of honorifics and interacting with older stablemates. Despite initial anxieties about discrimination, he found his Japanese peers to be kind and welcoming. During his time as a new recruit, he experienced homesickness. New recruits were not allowed to own cell phones or smartphones, so he would buy telephone cards with his meager allowance, carefully monitoring the remaining credit as he called his family in Brazil. He also faced difficulties sending gifts and banzuke (ranking lists) back home, as packages often cost around 10.00 K JPY and sometimes were stolen before reaching his family, making his efforts to show filial piety challenging. His two 同期生_{dōkisei (same-class recruits)}^Japanese in September 2006 either missed their `maezumo` or retired shortly after their debut, effectively making him the sole representative of his entering class.

7.2. Interactions with fellow rikishi

From his early days in Japan, Kaisei deeply respected Asahitenpō. He recalled being impressed by Asahitenpō's elegance as a rikishi and asked to take a photo with him during his `torikumi` (apprentice) days. This admiration fostered a lasting friendship. He faced Asahitenpō twice in Makuuchi, winning by `oshi dashi` in July 2011 and losing by `yori-kiri` in September 2011. When the Ōshima stable closed in April 2012 due to the retirement of its stablemaster, Asahitenpō, along with other wrestlers, transferred to Tomozuna stable, making him Kaisei's stablemate. After Asahitenpō's retirement and assumption of the Oshima elder-stock, he later succeeded the 10th-generation Tomozuna as the 11th-generation Tomozuna, becoming Kaisei's master.

In November 2016, on Day 3 of the tournament, Kaisei faced Yokozuna Hakuhō and lost, a defeat that made him the third rikishi in sumo history to concede Hakuhō's 1000th career victory, thus marking his name in the record books for an unfortunate reason. In September 2018, during a match against Yokozuna Kisenosato, Kaisei was involved in a grueling 58.8-second bout, one of the longest in his career, before being forced out.

7.3. Media interactions and comments

Kaisei's interactions with the media often yielded memorable and humorous comments:

• During the 2016 summer tour, he drew Tokyo Tower for a newspaper's picture diary, explaining with a wry smile, "I want to go back to Tokyo soon. I'm homesick." When a reporter pointed out that his stable was near the new Tokyo Skytree, he responded, "No, I see the Skytree every day. I've never been up the Tokyo Tower. I drew it with the feeling that I want to visit it sometime."
• At his Sekiwake promotion press conference, he expressed a mix of surprise and humility, stating, "When I first joined, the highest rank for a Brazilian was Jūryō. My goal was also just to reach Jūryō. I never thought I would get to Makuuchi, let alone San'yaku." When asked about expectations for Ozeki, his stablemaster jokingly interjected, "That's enough. If he goes higher, he'll get a big head. It's better for him this way," which amused the reporters.
• Despite his disinterest in his home country's Olympics, Kaisei, as a gaming enthusiast, remarked that he "really wanted to see Prime Minister Abe's Mario impersonation live at the closing ceremony... Mario was great."
• After suffering an 8-match losing streak and securing a losing record on Day 8 of the November 2016 tournament, Kaisei made a self-deprecating comment, "I'm no good at all. I'll do my best next tournament. I'm going to hibernation now."
• During interviews for the 2017 summer tour, he expressed his love for the steak restaurant "Ikinari! Steak," especially its charcoal-grilled meat. He compared the charcoal flavor to churrasco and preferred lean red meat, saying, "In Brazil, we originally ate meat without much fat."
• In the same period, for a Nikkan Sports picture diary project, he drew Son Goku from Dragon Ball eating meat with a Coca-Cola, reflecting his childhood love for the anime.
• In a March 2018 interview, he expressed a desire to return to San'yaku, saying, "If I get promoted, I can sleep later in the mornings." This was partly out of consideration for his father, who would wake up early in Brazil to watch his matches live.
• After defeating Tokushōryū, who eventually won the Makuuchi championship, in the January 2020 tournament (Kaisei was the only one to beat him), he comically asked, "I was the only one who beat him, so wasn't there something (making a shield gesture for a prize) for me?"
• During the March 2020 tournament, due to COVID-19 protocols, wrestlers were instructed not to put the chikaramizu (power water) dipper to their mouths but merely simulate it. On Day 12, after securing his eighth win and a winning record, Kaisei admitted that he had accidentally taken a mouthful of the water.

7.4. Noteworthy records and events

Kaisei achieved the unique record of losing to Hakuhō on the day the Yokozuna achieved his 1000th career win. He was known for having a high number of `fusenshō` (win by default) victories. In the July 2016 tournament, he recorded two `fusenshō` (against Ōsunaarashi and Kotoshōgiku), becoming only the 21st rikishi in history to do so in a single tournament. Despite this fortunate occurrence, he still finished that tournament with a losing record, commenting, "It's a waste to have had two `fusenshō`. I was more nervous for the `kore yori san'yaku` (the ceremonial introduction of the highest-ranked wrestlers) than for my actual bouts." He recorded `fusenshō` in three consecutive tournaments from November 2017 to March 2018. When he received a `fusenshō` in March 2018 due to Takakeishō's withdrawal, he lightheartedly remarked, "I used up all my power yesterday and my muscles were sore." He added, "Everyone is so kind to withdraw against me," and joked, "I'm always a good boy, so the sumo gods favor me."

9.1. Career statistics

• Overall career record: 590 wins, 592 losses, 37 absences (over 94 tournaments)
• Makuuchi division record: 406 wins, 457 losses, 37 absences (over 60 tournaments)

9.2. Tournament championships and awards

• Jūryō division championship: 1 (November 2010)
• Special Prizes: 3 Fighting Spirit Prizes (May 2011, July 2012, March 2018)
• Makuuchi Runner-up: 2 (July 2013, March 2018)

9.3. Head-to-head records

Below are Kaisei Ichirō's Makuuchi division head-to-head records against notable active and retired rikishi, focusing on those who reached the ranks of Yokozuna or Ōzeki. Parenthetical numbers indicate wins or losses by fusenshō (win by default) or fusenpai (loss by default).