British Teenager Pursues Sumo Wrestling Dreams in Japan
Nicholas Tarasenko, 17, leaves his Hull home for Tokyo with aspirations of becoming a grand champion, embracing a rigorous training and dietary regimen.
A 17-year-old from Hull, England, is pursuing a professional career in sumo wrestling in Japan, aiming for the sport's highest ranks. Nicholas Tarasenko, who wrestles under the name Eisei, relocated to Tokyo to train at the Sumo Training Academy.
Tarasenko's passion for sumo was ignited by his father, a lifelong fan. The teenager adheres to a demanding schedule, waking at 5 a.m. and going to bed at 11 p.m. His diet consists of 5,000 calories daily, primarily rice and chanko nabe, a traditional sumo stew. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches, he currently weighs 134 kilograms and aims to reach 150 kilograms.
Beyond training, Tarasenko performs domestic duties for other wrestlers, including preparing their mawashi (loincloths), cleaning the wrestling ring, and preparing chanko nabe. As a lowest-ranking wrestler, he has limited personal time, including restricted communication with his family and no opportunities to dine out until he advances in rank. He dedicates his free time to learning Japanese.
Tarasenko is the second Briton to achieve professional sumo status. His training master, Takayuki Minato, has expressed confidence in his potential, suggesting he could reach the level of yokozuna, the grand champion.
Before committing to sumo, Tarasenko excelled in judo and turned down a place on the British national team. He told The Times that while he was ahead in judo, he chose sumo because he enjoys challenging himself, finding satisfaction in completing difficult tasks. He noted that a week off after a tournament leaves him feeling bored.
His journey into sumo began three years prior at age 14 during a visit to his father's native Estonia, where he attended an amateur tournament. Following an introductory session, he defeated opponents several years his senior. A year later, during a holiday in Tokyo, he inquired about joining a training center after completing his GCSEs and was offered a trial.
Shortly before his 15th birthday, Tarasenko moved to Japan and made his debut in Nagoya, winning four of his seven matches. His current objective is to become a sekitori, a wrestler in one of the top two divisions, a feat that typically takes three to four years.