Hokutoumi Nobuyoshi

Life and work

The story behind the role.

Japanese sumo wrestler.

Hokutoumi Nobuyoshi (Japanese: 北勝海 信芳; born June 22, 1963 as Nobuyoshi Hoshi (保志 信芳)) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Hokkaidō. He was the sport's 61st yokozuna and won eight top division championships. He wrestled for Kokonoe stable. In 1989 he and Chiyonofuji were the first yokozuna stablemates to take part in a play-off for the championship. After a number of injury problems he retired in 1992, and is now the head coach of Hakkaku stable. In November 2015 he was appointed chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, following the death of Kitanoumi, initially to serve until the end of March 2016. He was then elected as head for a full term by his fellow board members in a vote held in March 2016. He was reappointed to a full term as chairman five times, most recently in 2026.

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