1. Early Life and Background
Abdelrahman Shalan was born on February 10, 1992, in the Dakahlia Governorate near Cairo, Egypt, and was raised in the suburbs of Giza. As a youth, he initially developed an interest in bodybuilding. At the age of 14, he was first introduced to sumo. By 15, he described himself as adventurous and aggressive, recounting an incident where he single-handedly confronted 25 people, resulting in numerous injuries. He stated that he has always harbored a desire to "make history," and his pursuit of sumo, a sport with no prior African or Muslim professional wrestlers, aligned with this ambition.
1.1. Amateur Sumo and Pre-Sumo Activities
Shalan's involvement in amateur sumo began at the age of 16 through an acquaintance. Despite his initial confidence in his strength (weighing 265 lb (120 kg) compared to an opponent's 143 lb (65 kg)), he was surprised to lose all seven bouts in his first encounter, remembering the specific winning techniques used against him. This experience motivated him to seriously pursue sumo. He quickly achieved success, winning the Egyptian national open-weight championship in 2008. The same year, he earned a bronze medal in the open-weight category at the Junior Sumo World Championships in Estonia, followed by a gold medal in an amateur championship in Bulgaria in 2009. In 2010, he secured another bronze medal at the World Junior Championships in Estonia.
He enrolled at Cairo University to study accounting and business administration, but his passion for sumo remained strong. In August 2011, amidst the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, he decided to suspend his studies and travel to Japan, despite knowing very little about the country. His decision was largely influenced by watching professional sumo bouts on YouTube. Upon arrival, he sought entry into several sumo stables but was initially rejected by six. He was finally accepted by Ōtake stable, the only stable that had responded to his earlier letters of inquiry from Egypt, albeit initially with a refusal. His stablemaster, former Dairyū, noted Shalan's intense passion, which was uncommon among young people, and decided to accept him as an individual. For two months, Shalan lived as an observer with the stable, learning Japanese and assisting with chores like cleaning the toilets, before formally being allowed to join after his brothers confirmed his dedication and communication skills. He obtained his entertainment visa and made his official professional debut in March 2012.
2. Sumo Career
Ōsunaarashi's professional sumo career began in March 2012, marking him as a groundbreaking figure from the African continent. He quickly distinguished himself, rising through the divisions with remarkable speed and achieving significant milestones, though his journey was also marked by persistent injuries and a controversial retirement.
2.1. Move to Japan and Professional Debut
After receiving permission to participate in maezumō in the January 2012 tournament, Ōsunaarashi officially debuted as a professional sumo wrestler in the following May tournament in Ōsaka. He started at the rank of jonokuchi 5 and immediately made an impact, winning the yusho (championship) in this division with a perfect 7-0 record. His progress was briefly interrupted in the July 2012 tournament when he missed his first day due to a phlegmon inflammation. However, he recovered and returned to win all but one of his remaining bouts, finishing with a 5-1-1 record. From the September tournament onward, he maintained a strong performance, never recording more than two losses in any tournament. This consistent success led to his promotion to the salaried ranks of jūryō for the July 2013 tournament, following a second perfect 7-0 record and a championship win at makushita 7 in May 2013. This promotion made him the first sekitori (salaried wrestler) from the African continent and the first for the Ōtake stable since its current stablemaster took over.
2.2. Ring Name
Ōsunaarashi's chosen shikona (ring name), 大砂嵐 金崇郎Ōsunaarashi KintarōJapanese, carries significant meaning and cultural references. The first part, "Ōsunaarashi," translates to "great sandstorm," directly referencing his Egyptian heritage. The characters for "sand" (砂, sha) and "storm" (嵐, ran) are also a phonetic play on his birth surname, Shalan. The initial character "Ō" (大, meaning "big") was bestowed upon him by his stablemaster, the former Dairyū, whose own ring name also began with "Ō."
The second part of his name, "Kintarō," was chosen for two primary reasons. Firstly, his stablemaster believed he should have a distinctly Japanese-sounding name to balance his foreign background. Secondly, it is a direct reference to the legendary Japanese folklore hero, Kintarō, who is fabled for his extraordinary strength, even said to have wrestled and defeated bears. This choice was intended to invoke the hero's legendary power and fighting spirit, which aligned with Ōsunaarashi's own formidable physical attributes.
2.3. Career Progression and Achievements
Ōsunaarashi's ascent through the sumo divisions was rapid and marked by several significant achievements. After his promotion to jūryō, he continued his strong performance with two consecutive 10-5 records, earning him a promotion to the highest-ranked makuuchi division for the November 2013 tournament. He was the first Egyptian to reach this elite level.
In his top division debut at the rank of maegashira 15, he narrowly missed a winning record, finishing 7-8, his first losing record since his professional debut. However, he avoided demotion and achieved a strong 9-6 record in the January 2014 tournament. In the March 2014 tournament, he started impressively with seven consecutive wins, raising expectations for a championship run. However, he suffered a right thigh adductor muscle injury on day 8 in a bout against Endō, forcing him to withdraw from day 10. He returned on day 12 and managed to secure a winning record on the final day, despite three consecutive losses. During this tournament, he and Kitataiki were cautioned by judges after their match involved three false starts, reflecting a broader issue of frequent false starts in sumo at the time.
Following a solid 10-5 performance in May 2014, he was promoted to his then-highest rank of maegashira 3 for the July tournament. On day 5 of the Nagoya tournament, in his first-ever match against a yokozuna, he earned a kinboshi (gold star, awarded for defeating a yokozuna as a maegashira) by defeating Kakuryū with a scoop throw. The very next day, he achieved a historic feat by defeating another yokozuna, Harumafuji, with a pull-down technique, becoming the first wrestler in 11 years to earn consecutive kinboshi. This impressive performance led to him being considered for the Outstanding Performance Prize (Shukun-shō), but he ultimately did not receive it as he finished the tournament with a losing record of 7-8 after a final day loss to Myōgiryū.
Ōsunaarashi reached his career-highest rank of maegashira 1 at the November 2015 tournament, where he earned his third kinboshi by once again upsetting Harumafuji on Day 2. However, he was hospitalized after the tournament due to a left knee medial meniscus injury and withdrew from the following January 2016 tournament, marking his first full absence. Relegated to jūryō for the March 2016 tournament, he dominated the division with a 13-2 record, securing his second jūryō championship and an immediate return to makuuchi.
His struggles with injuries continued, leading to his withdrawal shortly before the start of the July 2016 tournament in Nagoya due to a recurrence of his knee injury. He was again relegated to jūryō for the September tournament, withdrawing on day 6 with a groin injury, though he returned on day 9 and finished with six wins. In November, he missed two bouts due to further injury problems but his nine wins were enough to see him promoted back to the top division. The January 2017 tournament saw Ōsunaarashi return to makuuchi at maegashira 16. He started strong with three consecutive wins but then suffered 11 consecutive losses, finishing with a 4-11 record and another relegation to jūryō. In March 2017, at jūryō 7, he achieved a 10-5 record, leading to a three-way playoff for the jūryō championship, which he lost to Toyohibiki. He remained in the jūryō division for the remainder of 2017, with records of 2-13 in May, 8-7 in July, 6-9 in September, and 9-6 in November. During the November 2017 tournament, his powerful kachiage (forehead slap) in a bout against Kenshō resulted in Kenshō suffering a concussion.
His final tournament was January 2018, where he withdrew on day 9 due to the aforementioned traffic accident, finishing with a 1-8-6 record and losing his sekitori status.
2.4. Fighting Style
Ōsunaarashi's fighting style was primarily characterized by tsuki/oshi, or thrusting and pushing techniques. His two most common winning kimarite (winning techniques) throughout his career were yori kiri (force out) and tsuki dashi (thrust out). He was particularly known for the immense power of his right arm.
Upon his entry into sumo, his stablemaster Ōtake noted his raw talent, describing him as having great arm strength but a stiff body and high hips. Ōtake advised him to develop a lower, more effective thrusting technique rather than relying solely on his upper-body power. Ōsunaarashi himself acknowledged that 80-90% of his sumo relied on sheer power, admitting that makuuchi sumo was "completely different" from his previous experience.
His aggressive kachiage (forehead slap) technique, especially its irregular, horizontal form aimed at the opponent's face, generated controversy, particularly during the July 2014 tournament. While he generally refrained from using it as frequently afterward, he notably caused a concussion to Kenshō with a kachiage in November 2017. Former yokozuna Musashimaru commented that Ōsunaarashi struggled when forced into his opponent's preferred style, leading to injuries, and suggested that overcoming this weakness could allow him to reach the sanyaku ranks. His powerful yet sometimes unrefined style contributed to a pattern of injuries, particularly after 2015. He would often achieve winning records when healthy but suffer significant losses or full absences when injured, causing fluctuations in his rank.
2.5. Injuries and Challenges
Throughout his professional sumo career, Ōsunaarashi was frequently hampered by a series of recurring injuries. These included issues with his right thigh adductor muscle, left knee medial meniscus, left shoulder blade fracture, left adductor muscle, and right knee joint sprain. These physical difficulties significantly impacted his ability to maintain consistent performance and rank in the demanding world of professional sumo. His aggressive, power-based fighting style, while effective, was also seen by some as contributing to his susceptibility to injury. The need to recover from these injuries often led to him missing tournaments or withdrawing mid-tournament, causing him to drop in rank repeatedly.
3. Religious Observances and Sumo
As a practicing Muslim, Ōsunaarashi faced unique challenges in balancing his faith with the strict demands of professional sumo. The primary concerns included dietary restrictions, daily prayers, and the observance of Ramadan.
Muslims adhere to halal dietary laws, which prohibit the consumption of pork and its by-products, as well as alcohol. This required Ōsunaarashi to have separate meals prepared for him in the sumo stable, distinguishing his diet from that of his stablemates, who typically consume large quantities of chankonabe (a stew often containing pork) and alcohol.
Another significant aspect of his faith is the observance of daily prayers (five times a day) and the month-long Ramadan fast, during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset. This posed a particular challenge for a sumo wrestler, who is expected to eat heartily and train rigorously every day, especially in their younger years, to build and maintain bulk. When sumo tournaments coincided with Ramadan, Ōsunaarashi admitted that it made his performances more difficult, as he had to train and wrestle on an empty stomach. He reportedly lost around 15 lb (7 kg) of weight during Ramadan in 2013, despite his efforts to manage it.
To cope with the fasting during training, his stablemaster Ōtake would initially try to cool him down by spraying water on his head and armpits. However, this practice was eventually stopped as it made him too cold to train effectively. Despite these difficulties, Ōsunaarashi viewed these challenges as part of his training, demonstrating his commitment to both his faith and his sport. He successfully navigated tournaments during Ramadan, such as the July 2012 and July 2013 tournaments, by eating pork- and alcohol-free chankonabe after sunset and adapting his routine.
4. Misconduct and Retirement
Ōsunaarashi's sumo career came to an abrupt end due to a serious misconduct incident involving unlicensed driving, which led to his forced retirement.
On January 3, 2018, Ōsunaarashi was suspected of causing a traffic accident in Yamanouchi, Nagano. He was driving without a valid license, a direct violation of the Japan Sumo Association's strict ban on wrestlers driving. Although he initially claimed to possess an international driving license, it was later discovered to have expired.
Following the accident, Ōsunaarashi initially denied being the driver, with his lawyer even claiming that his pregnant wife was behind the wheel. However, police investigations, including the review of surveillance camera footage, established that Ōsunaarashi was indeed driving. He subsequently admitted his involvement to the police.
The incident led to severe disciplinary action from the Japan Sumo Association. On February 1, he was placed under "house arrest" pending a decision from the public prosecutor. On February 7, the Nagano Prefectural Police referred his case to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act for unlicensed driving. On February 16, the summary court fined him 500.00 K JPY, which he paid immediately.
The scandal intensified with media reports of alleged bigamy or an affair, with a woman claiming to be his mistress. These allegations, combined with his dishonesty regarding the accident, prompted the Sumo Association to consider the harshest possible penalties, including dismissal. On March 9, 2018, the Sumo Association formally requested his retirement, the most severe punishment short of outright dismissal. Ōsunaarashi complied with the request, effectively ending his professional sumo career. As a further penalty, 30% of his retirement allowance was withheld. Unlike most retiring wrestlers, he was not granted a danpatsu-shiki (hair-cutting ceremony).
5. Post-Retirement Activities
After his forced retirement from sumo, Ōsunaarashi embarked on new ventures, including a brief career in mixed martial arts and a continued presence in the world of sumo as a coach and promoter.
On March 31, 2018, he made his first public appearance since retirement on Japanese television, with his head shaved, participating in sumo matches against Bobby Ologun and Josh Barnett. His entrance music for this event was Darude's "Sandstorm," a nod to his ring name.
5.1. Mixed Martial Arts Career
On May 2, 2018, it was announced that Ōsunaarashi would transition to mixed martial arts (MMA), with guidance from Josh Barnett, and would compete in the RIZIN organization. He made his MMA debut on September 30, 2018, at RIZIN.13 held at the Saitama Super Arena. In his debut fight, he faced Bob Sapp. While Ōsunaarashi showed dominance in striking during the first round, he struggled in the subsequent rounds and received a yellow card for a passive fighting style, ultimately losing by unanimous decision after three rounds. This remains his only MMA appearance to date.
His MMA career was short-lived. On October 26, 2018, RIZIN announced the termination of his contract after reports emerged that he had been involved in another unlicensed driving incident in April of the same year, which he admitted to through his representative.
5.2. Coaching and Other Ventures
Following his MMA stint, Ōsunaarashi continued to be involved in sumo. He served as the coach for the Egyptian sumo team at the 2022 World Games. However, the team was controversially banned from competing in the remaining sumo events due to "poor sportsmanship." This incident occurred after a gold medal win in the men's lightweight category by Abdelrahman El-Sefy, who celebrated excessively, and Ōsunaarashi was seen angrily arguing with officials.
Ōsunaarashi has since relocated to the United States, initially settling in California after his retirement in 2018. Since 2021, he has resided in Clifton, New Jersey. He continues to appear in amateur sumo exhibition tournaments in the United States, actively promoting the sport. In 2024, he revealed his involvement in "combat sumo" in the US, stating that tickets for his events were selling out and that he was ranked first in the sport.
He has also made various media appearances, including on Japanese television programs such as "Okaasan to Issho" (NHK E-tele, 2013), "Sumo Spirit ~Egyptian Rikishi Osunaarashi~" (NHK BS1, 2014), and "Hitachi World Mystery Discovery!" (TBS, 2016), where he explored ancient Egypt. In 2016, he became the first active sumo wrestler to provide a Japanese voice-over for a Western film, voicing the Sphinx in the Japanese dub of "Gods of Egypt".
6. Personal Life
Ōsunaarashi is a devout Muslim. He married an Egyptian woman in June 2016, whom he met at an Egyptian restaurant in Japan during his active sumo career. The couple has three sons. After his retirement from sumo in 2018, he and his family moved to the United States, initially to California, and later settling in Clifton, New Jersey, in 2021.
Beyond his athletic career, Ōsunaarashi has served as a cultural ambassador for his home country. In June 2016, he was appointed a tourism ambassador for Egypt, aiming to encourage Japanese people to visit the country despite political instability at the time. He produced a documentary promoting Egypt's monuments and historical sites, which garnered an estimated 15 million viewers, though he faced obstacles during its production. He is also active on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. He is known to be good friends with fellow sumo wrestler Chiyomaru.
7. Legacy and Impact
Ōsunaarashi Kintarō holds a unique and significant place in the history of sumo as the first professional sumo wrestler from the African continent and the first Muslim to compete in the sport. His presence generated considerable international attention, with media outlets like Al Jazeera and the BBC covering his career. He became a symbol of cultural exchange, promoting sumo in Egypt and encouraging tourism to his home country through his role as a tourism ambassador and his documentary efforts.
His rapid ascent through the ranks and his ability to defeat top-tier yokozuna earned him widespread popularity among sumo fans. He was seen as a trailblazer, breaking barriers for non-traditional sumo regions and demonstrating the global appeal of the sport. His participation highlighted the challenges faced by foreign wrestlers, particularly regarding religious observances like Ramadan, and his efforts to reconcile these aspects contributed to a broader understanding of cultural diversity within sumo. Despite the controversial end to his career, his pioneering role and the excitement he brought to the dohyō left a lasting impression on the sport and its international audience.
8. Criticism and Controversy
Ōsunaarashi's career was marred by significant criticisms and controversies, primarily centered around his conduct outside the sumo ring.
The most prominent incident occurred in January 2018, when he was involved in a traffic accident while driving without a valid license. This directly violated the Japan Sumo Association's strict rules prohibiting wrestlers from driving. His initial response to the police and the Sumo Association was to deny he was driving, falsely claiming his pregnant wife was behind the wheel. This act of deception, later disproven by surveillance footage, led to further disciplinary action from the Sumo Association. He was subsequently fined 500.00 K JPY by a summary court. This incident ultimately led to the Japan Sumo Association's formal request for his retirement, a severe punishment that also resulted in a 30% reduction of his retirement allowance and the denial of a traditional hair-cutting ceremony.
Further controversy arose when, after his retirement from sumo and transition to mixed martial arts, it was revealed in October 2018 that he had been involved in another unlicensed driving incident in April of that year. This second instance led to the termination of his contract with Rizin Fighting Federation.
Beyond these legal and disciplinary issues, Ōsunaarashi also faced criticism regarding his personal life, with media reports surfacing about alleged bigamy or an affair during the investigation of the first driving incident. Within the sumo world, he was sometimes criticized for his perceived "laziness" in learning Japanese, with his stablemaster noting that he primarily communicated with friends in Egypt via Skype. His aggressive kachiage technique, which sometimes caused injury to opponents, also drew criticism from some commentators.
9. Career Records
9.1. Sumo Career Record
| Year | January | March | May | July | September | November |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Maezumo | Jonokuchi 5 West 7-0 (Yusho) | Jonidan 8 West 5-1-1 | Sandanme 75 East 6-1 | Sandanme 20 East 6-1 | Makushita 38 East 5-2 |
| 2013 | Makushita 23 East 6-1 | Makushita 7 East 7-0 (Yusho) | Juryo 9 West 10-5 | Juryo 4 East 10-5 | Maegashira 15 West 7-8 | Maegashira 16 East 9-6 |
| 2014 | Maegashira 11 East 8-6-1 | Maegashira 10 East 10-5 | Maegashira 3 West 7-8 (**) | Maegashira 4 West 7-8 | Maegashira 5 West 4-6-5 | Maegashira 13 East 8-7 |
| 2015 | Maegashira 11 East 11-4 | Maegashira 3 West 4-4-7 | Maegashira 8 West 11-4 | Maegashira 2 East 8-7 | Maegashira 1 West 5-9-1 (*) | Maegashira 5 East 0-0-15 (Kyujo) |
| 2016 | Juryo 1 East 13-2 (Yusho) | Maegashira 7 West 9-6 | Maegashira 3 East 0-1-14 (Kyujo) | Juryo 1 West 6-8-1 | Juryo 6 East 9-4-2 | Maegashira 16 East 4-11 |
| 2017 | Juryo 7 East 10-5 (P) | Juryo 1 West 2-13 | Juryo 11 East 8-7 | Juryo 10 East 6-9 | Juryo 13 East 9-6 | Juryo 8 West 1-8-6 |
| 2018 | Maegashira 6 East Retired |
- Total Career Record: 238 wins, 178 losses, 53 absences (Winning percentage: .572)
- Makuuchi Record: 112 wins, 100 losses, 43 absences (Winning percentage: .528)
- Jūryō Record: 84 wins, 72 losses, 9 absences (Winning percentage: .538)
- Active Career: 36 tournaments
- Makuuchi Appearances: 17 tournaments
- Jūryō Appearances: 11 tournaments
Championships (Yusho):
- Jūryō: 1 (March 2016)
- Makushita: 1 (May 2013)
- Jonokuchi: 1 (May 2012)
Kinboshi (Gold Stars): 3
- Harumafuji: 2
- Kakuryū: 1
Notes:
- (*) Denotes a kinboshi earned.
- (P) Denotes participation in a playoff for the championship.
- Record given as wins-losses-absences.
- Divisions: Makuuchi - Jūryō - Makushita - Sandanme - Jonidan - Jonokuchi
- Makuuchi ranks: Yokozuna - Ōzeki - Sekiwake - Komusubi - Maegashira
9.2. Makuuchi Opponent Record
| Rikishi | Wins | Losses | Rikishi | Wins | Losses | Rikishi | Wins | Losses | Rikishi | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aoyama | 3 | 3 | Aminishiki | 3 | 2 | Amuru | 0 | 1 | Arawashi | 1 | 1 |
| Ikioi | 0 | 5 | Ishiura | 0 | 1 | Ichinojō | 0 | 3 (1) | Endō | 4 | 4 |
| Okinoumi | 2 | 3 (1) | Kaisō | 0 | 4 (1) | Gagamaru | 3 | 4 | Kagayaki | 0 | 1 |
| Kagamio | 2 | 0 | Kakuryū | 1 | 2 | Kisenosato | 0 | 5 | Kitataiki | 4 | 1 |
| Asahishō | 3 | 0 | Asatenpō | 1 | 1 | Gōeidō | 1 | 3 | Kotoshōgiku | 0 | 4 |
| Kotoyūki | 2 | 0 | Sadanoumi | 3 | 2 | Sadafuji | 2 | 3 | Satoyama | 1 | 0 |
| Jōkōryū | 4 | 0 | Shōtenrō | 0 | 1 | Shōhōzan | 3 | 1 | Sōkokurai | 3 | 1 |
| Daieishō | 1 | 0 | Daishōmaru | 0 | 2 | Takakeishō | 0 | 1 | Takanohana | 4 | 0 |
| Takayasu | 0 | 3 | Takarafuji | 3 | 0 | Gōfū | 4 | 2 | Tamaasuka | 0 | 1 |
| Tamawashi | 4 | 2 | Chiyofuji | 3 | 4 (1) | Chiyotaikai | 1 | 1 | Chiyōō | 1 | 0 |
| Chiyomaru | 3 | 0 | Terunofuji | 0 | 5 | Tokitenkū | 3 | 0 | Tokushōryū | 5 | 1 |
| Tochiōzan | 2 | 1 | Tochinoshin | 1 | 2 | Tochinowaka | 1 | 1 | Toyonoshima | 3 | 1 |
| Toyohibiki | 2 | 3 | Nishikigi | 1 | 1 | Hakuhō | 0 | 4 (1) | Harumafuji | 3 (1) | 1 |
| Fujiazuma | 1 | 0 | Toyoshō | 0 | 1 | Homarefuji | 3 | 0 | Masunoyama | 2 | 0 |
| Mitakeumi | 0 | 1 | Myōgiryū | 5 | 2 | Yoshikaze | 8 | 1 |
- Numbers in parentheses indicate the count of wins or losses by default (non-appearance).
9.3. Mixed Martial Arts Record
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 0-1 | Bob Sapp | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin 13 | September 30, 2018 | 3 | 9:00 | Saitama, Japan | Special Rules |
9.4. Name Changes
- Ōsunaarashi Kintarō (大砂嵐 金太郎): March 2012 - September 2014
- Ōsunaarashi Kintarō (大砂嵐 金崇郎): November 2014 - July 2017
- Ōsunaarashi Kintarō (大砂嵐 金太郎): September 2017 - March 2018