@diemly.me: Born in Prague, Czech Republic, he fell in love with sumo as a teenager, an unlikely dream for someone who never came close to the size of Japan’s giants. At just 18 years old, he moved to Japan, joined a stable, and began training full-time. Locals laughed at him. At barely 100kg (220 lbs), he was half the weight of most opponents. In a sport where size is everything, he was told he had no chance. He spent years mastering throws, trips, and leverage, using speed and timing to topple men literally twice his size. In 2011, after a decade of grinding in the lower ranks, he reached the elite Makuuchi division, sumo’s top stage. That made him one of the lightest wrestlers in modern history to compete at the highest level. He never became a Yokozuna. He never won a championship. But he was a fan favourite, cheered every time he stepped on the dohyo, because he represented something rare. Takanoyama Shuntarō retired in 2014, leaving behind a legacy as the smallest killer in sumo. #Takanoyama #Sumo #UnderdogStory #SportsHistory #SumoWrestling

LeBanan (Roberto’s version) :

“Small” takanoyama is 2.02m (6’8”)

Sharky :

“But he had a secret. Born in the Czech Republic”

Tony Davey :

hes a judoka... he used basic simple judo against sumo fighters

Σκευηλινι 🇨🇾 :

He looks tiny compared to them, yet he's 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)

Sarah⭐️Shine :

Netflix sitting here like....👀

m1nt1w0p4cc :

he reached Maegashira 12. that's not impressive at all.

Samer :

is that his birth name? or did he change it for the culture?

Themainplayer321 :

I'm only now just realizing that we don't have any top tier sumo anime.

#1 Kirby Fan :

Czechia mentioned 🇨🇿🇨🇿🇨🇿

Acerbitas :

🇨🇿

:) :

you know what, hell yeah

closedguard :

You can see the Judo 🥋 😮‍💨👌🏽

Appalachian Explorer :

When momma tells you can be anything you want to be when you grow up 😂

Jack :

Yiri before yiri

GabtheGreen🇨🇦 :

As a first generation Canadian born from a Czech immigrant, I love learning about notable Czechs. Very cool.

☆bugs☆ :

Kyle Vlasek :

The Czech blood runs strong

Kadyn Carter :

Takanoyama Shuntarō

Andrew Ellis :

" he had a secret" what was the secret then?

freakyunicornnn :

He’s doing judo moves

Honza🇨🇿 :

Clip :

the holy glaze saying all his opponents averaging 200kgs 😭😭 the average weight of a sumo wrestler is 130kg

✞ 𝕵𝖔𝖗𝖉𝖆𝖓 ✞ :

Proof size don’t matter

8730cabin :

In sumo size can help but technique wins matches. Sumo is one of those sports that the guy who works the hardest and puts in the time wins 90% of the time