Sentoryū Henri

1.1. Childhood and Education

Henry Armstrong Miller was born on July 16, 1969, in Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan. His father was an African-American computer technician stationed at Yokota Air Base, and his mother was Japanese. His middle name, Armstrong, was given to him by his father in honor of Neil Armstrong, whose Apollo 11 lunar mission launched on the day of Miller's birth. He resided at Yokota Air Base until the age of six, at which point his family relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, where he grew up in Ferguson.

During his high school years in the United States, Miller harbored aspirations of becoming a professional American football player. However, a knee injury sustained in his senior year ultimately ended this dream. Despite this setback, he had also been actively involved in wrestling since elementary school, even qualifying for state championships, which demonstrated his early athletic prowess and fighting spirit.

1.2. Entry into Sumo

After graduating from high school in 1987, Miller returned to Japan, encouraged by relatives, to pursue a career in professional sumo. He joined the Tomozuna stable, a sumo stable that also housed future ōzeki Kaio. Upon his entry into the sumo world, he was given the shikona (wrestling name) Sentoryū, which means "fighting war dragon." This name also served as a play on words derived from his hometown of St. Louis. He made his professional sumo debut in July 1988.

2.1. Promotions and Stagnation

When he made his debut in July 1988, Miller was relatively small for a sumo wrestler, standing at 69 in ^{(174 cm)} and weighing 207 lb ^{(94 kg)}. Despite his size, he quickly made his mark, winning the yusho (tournament championship) in his first official tournament in the jonokuchi division in September 1988, where he notably defeated a fellow American wrestler named Shinnishiki.

In 1991, he reached the makushita division for the first time. However, persistent injury problems prevented him from establishing a stable position in this division until 1993. His perseverance paid off in November 1994, when he achieved the rank of sekitori for the first time, earning promotion to the jūryō division. This made him the first wrestler from the contiguous United States, as well as the first African-American, to reach the second-highest division in professional sumo. However, his initial stint in jūryō was brief, as he was demoted after only two tournaments.

Miller endured more than four years of arduous struggle in the unsalaried makushita division, during which he briefly changed his shikona to Kaishinzan in 1997. His dedication was rewarded in July 1999 when he earned promotion back to the jūryō division after an unbeaten 7-0 yusho in May. His victory on the final day over the former amateur champion Kototamiya (who would later become ōzeki Kotomitsuki) was considered one of the highlights of his career.

After reverting to the name Sentoryū, a strong 13-2 record in March 2000 propelled him to the top of the jūryō division. With an 8-7 record in May 2000, he finally achieved his long-term goal of promotion to the top makuuchi division in July. It had taken him 72 tournaments from his professional debut to reach makuuchi, a record for the slowest promotion among foreign-born wrestlers.

Sentoryū had a winning record of 8-7 in his makuuchi debut tournament. However, he was demoted back to jūryō after only recording a 5-10 score in September 2000. He had to withdraw from the following tournament in November and missed the January 2001 basho (tournament). Despite these setbacks, he managed to maintain his standing in jūryō and made one more return to the top division in January 2002. Nonetheless, a serious injury forced him to withdraw from the March and May 2002 tournaments, causing him to fall all the way back to makushita. Refusing to give up, he fought his way back to sekitori status in September 2003, becoming the fifth oldest wrestler in the postwar era to return to jūryō at the age of 34 years and one month. He also holds a notable win over yokozuna Asashōryū, whom he defeated in their only meeting in November 2000 while both were in the jūryō division. He also achieved three victories against Kotomitsuki in their four encounters.

2.2. Injuries and Retirement

Throughout his sumo career, Henry Miller was plagued by recurring injuries, particularly to his knees and shoulders. These physical challenges often led to periods of absence and demotion, but he consistently demonstrated a tenacious spirit by fighting his way back up the ranks. However, another injury sustained towards the end of 2003 ultimately convinced him to retire from professional sumo. His retirement took place at the end of that year, in the same tournament as the prominent yokozuna Musashimaru. His unwavering fighting spirit, despite the constant physical toll of injuries, earned him significant admiration from fans and peers alike. He concluded his career having spent 20 tournaments as a sekitori, marking the most successful career by far for any sumo wrestler from the contiguous United States.

2.3. Fighting Style and Shikona

Sentoryū's fighting style primarily favored aggressive pushing and thrusting kimarite (winning techniques). He won most of his matches through techniques such as oshi dashi (push out), hatakikomi (slap down), or hikiotoshi (pull down). While powerful, his reliance on these direct approaches sometimes left him vulnerable to opponents who employed evasive or counter-attacking techniques.

Throughout his career, Henry Miller used several shikona (wrestling names):

• Sentoryū Hiromitsu (戦闘竜 広光_{Sentoryū Hiromitsu}^Japanese): Used from his debut in July 1988 until May 1997.
• Kaishinzan Henri (魁心山 扁利_{Kaishinzan Henri}^Japanese): Used from July 1997 until May 1999.
• Sentoryū Henri (戦闘竜 扁利_{Sentoryū Henri}^Japanese): Reverted to this name from July 1999 until his retirement in November 2003.

2.4. Notable Episodes

Henry Miller's sumo career was notable for several reasons, including his unique background and various anecdotes that highlight his character and relationships within the sumo world.

He held a distinctive position as the only sekitori among American-born sumo wrestlers who did not hail from Hawaii. Although he was born in Tokyo, his registered domicile was in St. Louis, Missouri, solidifying his identity as a mainland American wrestler.

An anecdote from his early career illustrates his quick adaptation to Japanese culture: a fellow stablemate, former makushita Oguranishiki (later known as the talent and event producer Daisaku Tonohata), volunteered to study English to communicate with Sentoryū. However, after only about a year of English lessons, Oguranishiki's efforts were discontinued because Sentoryū had already become proficient in Japanese.

Upon his promotion to jūryō, Sentoryū received a unique keshō-mawashi (ceremonial apron) from his stable's support group, featuring a depiction of Ryotsu Kankichi, a character from the popular manga Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo (often shortened to Kochikame). While it is common for wrestlers today to have keshō-mawashi with manga characters, it was quite rare during Sentoryū's active years, marking him as a pioneer in the casualization of these traditional garments. Incidentally, in volume 76 of Kochikame, a powerboat named "Sentoryū" appears, creating a humorous connection.

Due to his head-first charging style in sumo, Miller's hair began to thin in his late 20s. By his 30s, he could no longer tie the traditional oichomage (ginkgo leaf-shaped topknot). During his efforts to return to jūryō between 1997 and 1999, his stablemate and close friend, Kaio, reportedly encouraged him by saying, "You better get back to jūryō soon, or you won't be able to tie your oichomage!"

Henry Miller's retirement marked a significant moment for American sumo wrestlers. Since the debut of Takiyama in March 1964, there had always been at least one American-born sumo wrestler on the official banzuke (ranking list). However, with Miller's retirement in November 2003, and Musashimaru also retiring during the same tournament, the number of American-born wrestlers on the banzuke temporarily dropped to zero.

Miller shared a particularly close bond with his stablemate Kaio, who became his best friend. Between 1995 and 1998, a series of knee and shoulder injuries caused Miller's ranking to plummet, leading him to consider retiring and returning to the United States. However, Kaio passionately persuaded him to stay, which deeply motivated Miller to make a strong comeback and eventually earn promotion to the makuuchi division. Their deep friendship was visibly evident in May 2000, when Kaio secured his first career yusho. Without exchanging words, they simply embraced and shed tears of joy together.

In July 2001, Miller had a memorable bout against Tamarikido, who had repeatedly dodged Miller's charges at the tachi-ai (initial charge) in previous matches. Miller decisively knocked out Tamarikido with a single powerful blow, settling the score and avenging an injury he had sustained in a November 2000 tournament, which he attributed to Tamarikido's evasive tactics.

Miller was married in September 2000. Additionally, at one point, there were reports in some media outlets regarding a cannabis suspicion. However, his stable master, the 10th Tomozuna Oyakata (formerly sekiwake Kurohimeyama), along with caretaker Ōko and his disciple Kaio, stood firmly by Miller. The stable master even expressed his resolve, stating, "If he's guilty, I will resign from the Sumo Association. The rest is up to you." This demonstrated the strong support Miller received from his sumo family.

3.1. Transition to Fighting and Early Activities

In 2004, after concluding his sumo career, Sentoryū decided to pursue a new path as a professional fighter. He was formally recommended for PRIDE in April 2004 by ōzeki Chiyotaikai Ryūji, who had observed Akebono Taro's similar transition a year prior. Miller's entry into the MMA world was publicly announced on February 15, 2004, at the PRIDE Bushido 2 event.

His mixed martial arts debut occurred on April 25, 2004, at the PRIDE Grand Prix 2004 Opening Round, where he competed in the heavyweight Grand Prix first round. He faced the towering Giant Silva and was defeated via chicken wing armlock. Despite this initial loss, Miller quickly secured his first victory in the new sport on October 14, 2004, at PRIDE Bushido 5, defeating Mal "The Twin Tiger" by knockout. Before this fight, Miller had publicly stated his intention to achieve a win before Akebono, a promise he fulfilled. Following his victory, he proclaimed on the microphone, "Sumo is strong!" On December 31, 2004, he faced former Judo Olympic gold medalist Makoto Takimoto at PRIDE Shockwave 2004, losing by unanimous decision. He also competed under his birth name, Henry Miller, in some international events, such as those held by Cage Rage.

3.2. Major Fights and Achievements

Miller's combat sports career included a series of significant bouts against notable opponents in both MMA and kickboxing. On March 23, 2007, he made his debut in the HEAT organization, securing a TKO victory over Kim Ji-Hoon at HEAT 3. Later that year, on August 5, he made his kickboxing debut at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Hong Kong Asia GP, where he was defeated by Taiei Kin via KO from a right high kick in the first round.

In December 2008, Miller entered the HEAT Openweight Tournament, winning his first-round bout at HEAT 8 against Junpei Hamada via KO. He continued his success in the tournament, defeating Ryuta Noji by KO in the semi-finals at HEAT 9 on March 28, 2009. However, his quest for the HEAT Heavyweight title faced a hurdle in the tournament final against Cristiano Kaminishi. Their first encounter at HEAT 10 on July 18, 2009, was ruled a No Contest due to a groin strike. In their rematch, the tournament final at HEAT 11 on September 26, 2009, Miller ultimately lost to Kaminishi via TKO in the third round (which was an extended round), thus failing to capture the HEAT Heavyweight title.

Miller also competed internationally in MMA. On November 27, 2009, he fought in Seoul, South Korea, at The Khan 2, where he secured a knockout victory over Kim Min-soo with a combination of punches and knees. On March 7, 2010, he made his debut in the Sengoku Raiden Championships (SRC) at SRC 12, losing to Yoshihiro Nakao via TKO from ground and pound. A unique event occurred on December 25, 2010, when Miller participated in the first-ever K-1 kickboxing match between two former sekitori, facing Yoichi Babaguchi (formerly sekiwake Wakashoyo). The match carried an extra layer of intensity as Miller attributed an injury he sustained in a sumo bout in November 1994 to Babaguchi. Miller ultimately won the kickboxing match by TKO in the first round.

3.3. End of Fighting Career

Henry Miller concluded his career in combat sports in 2013. His final mixed martial arts fight took place on August 25, 2013, at DEEP 63 Impact, where he suffered a knockout loss to Kazuhiro Nakamura due to a flurry of punches. His kickboxing career concluded with a TKO loss to Jairo Kusunoki at HEAT 26 on March 31, 2013. He finished his MMA career with a record of 6 wins, 16 losses, and 1 no contest, and his kickboxing career with 1 win and 4 losses.

4.1. Family and Marriage

Henry Miller was born to a Japanese mother and an African-American father, a US military computer technician. He married in September 2000. After concluding his fighting career, he has since remarried and is currently based in Thailand.

4.2. Life After Retirement

Following his retirement from professional fighting, Henry Miller initially worked in Thailand at a factory associated with his former wife's family business. He remained in this position until 2018, when he left the company. Currently, he is employed as the head of the Japan sales department for a food manufacturing company that is headquartered in Thailand. In this role, he has reportedly achieved significant success.

5.1. Unique Position in Sports

Miller's legacy is prominently defined by his distinctive role as one of the few American mainlanders and the only African-American to not only compete in but also achieve sekitori status and reach the prestigious top makuuchi division in the highly traditional Japanese sport of sumo. His success broke significant barriers and paved the way for greater diversity in sumo, establishing him as a pioneering figure for non-Hawaiian American wrestlers. His journey from an aspiring American football player to a successful sumo wrestler and later a mixed martial artist highlights his extraordinary adaptability and determination across various demanding athletic disciplines.

5.2. Evaluation of Fighting Spirit and Character

Henry Miller is widely admired for his remarkable resilience and persistent fighting spirit. Throughout his career, he faced numerous injuries and setbacks, particularly during his sumo years, yet he consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to returning to the ring and competing at a high level. This tenacious character earned him the respect of fans and peers. Beyond his athletic prowess, Miller was known for the strong bonds he forged with his peers, notably his deep friendship with ōzeki Kaio, which further exemplifies his admirable character and ability to connect with others within the rigorous world of professional sports. His ability to overcome adversity and his dedication to his crafts are central to his enduring legacy.

6.1. Sumo Career Record

Henry Miller's sumo career statistics are as follows:

• Total Career Record: 351 wins, 253 losses, 77 absences (Winning percentage: .581)
• Makuuchi Record: 19 wins, 26 losses (Winning percentage: .422)
• Career Length: 93 tournaments
• Makuuchi Division Tenure: 3 tournaments
• Division Championships:
  • Makushita Yusho: 1 time (May 1999)
  • Jonokuchi Yusho: 1 time (September 1988)

  Sumo Career Record

  Year	January
  1988	Maezumo			Jonokuchi 51e	Jonidan 119w	Jonidan 89w
  1989	Jonidan 59w	Jonidan 22e	Jonidan 56e	Jonidan 126w	Jonidan 52e	Jonidan 72w
  1990	Jonidan 25e	Sandanme 66w	Sandanme 18e	Sandanme 78e	Sandanme 44e	Makushita 60e
  1991	Sandanme 35w	Sandanme 35w	Makushita 55e	Sandanme 6e	Sandanme 6e	Sandanme 34w
  1992	Sandanme 61w	Sandanme 30w	Sandanme 18w	Sandanme 33e	Sandanme 51e	Sandanme 5e
  1993	Makushita 34w	Makushita 23w	Makushita 16w	Makushita 12e	Makushita 12e	Makushita 7w
  1994	Makushita 22e	Makushita 9e	Makushita 4w	Makushita 2e	Jūryō 12e	Jūryō 9e
  1995	Makushita 1e	Makushita 5w	Makushita 3e	Makushita 2w	Makushita 37e	Makushita 37e
  1996	Makushita 21e	Makushita 40w	Makushita 31e	Makushita 13e	Makushita 5e	Makushita 8e
  1997	Makushita 2e	Makushita 14e	Makushita 29w	Makushita 12w	Makushita 10e	Makushita 2e
  1998	Makushita 13w	Makushita 36w	Makushita 16e	Makushita 12w	Makushita 8e	Makushita 14e
  1999	Makushita 11w	Makushita 9e	Jūryō 11w	Jūryō 10w	Jūryō 13w	Jūryō 9w
  2000	Jūryō 11e	Jūryō 2e	Maegashira 13e	Maegashira 12w	Jūryō 1e	Jūryō 9w
  2001	Jūryō 9w	Jūryō 4w	Jūryō 6e	Jūryō 2w	Jūryō 3w	Maegashira 15e
  2002	Jūryō 3e	Makushita 1e	Makushita 41e	Makushita 26e	Makushita 44w	Makushita 18w
  2003	Makushita 9e	Makushita 6w	Makushita 3w	Jūryō 11w	Makushita 5w

  6.1.1. Makuuchi Match-up Record

  Rikishi Name	Wins	Losses	Rikishi Name	Wins	Losses	Rikishi Name	Wins	Losses	Rikishi Name	Wins	Losses
  Aoshōyama	1	0	Asanowaka	0	2	Aminishiki	1	2	Ōji	0	2
  Ōdate	0	1	Ojikin	1	1	Kaiho	1	1	Asashio	0	1
  Asatenho	1	0	Kinkaizan	2	0	Kōhō	1	0	Kotonowaka	0	1
  Kotoryu	1	0	Shikishima	1	0	Jumonji	0	1	Daishi	1	0
  Takamisakari	0	1	Tamakasuga	0	1	Chiyotenmiya	0	1	Tōki	0	1
  Tokitsumi	3	0	Tochiei	1	1	Hamanishiki	1	0	Hamanoshima	0	2
  Higonoumi	0	1	Takeoyama	0	1	Minatofuji	0	2

6.2. Mixed Martial Arts Career Record

Henry Miller's mixed martial arts record comprises 23 fights, with 6 wins (5 by KO, 1 by submission), 16 losses (13 by KO, 2 by submission, 1 by decision), and 1 no contest.

6.3. Kickboxing Career Record

Henry Miller's kickboxing record consists of 5 fights, with 1 win (1 by KO) and 4 losses (4 by KO).