Yamamotoyama Ryūta
Ryūichi Yamamoto (山本 龍一, Yamamoto Ryūichi, born May 8, 1984), known by his shikona Yamamotoyama Ryūta (山本山 龍太), or simply Yama,[1] is a Japanese retired sumo wrestler from the city of Saitama in Saitama Prefecture. He made his professional debut in January 2007, and reached the top makuuchi division in January 2009. His highest rank was maegashira 9. At 265 kg (584 lb), Yamamotoyama is the heaviest Japanese-born sumo wrestler in history,[2] and is also thought to be the heaviest Japanese person ever.[1] In April 2011, he was told to retire by the Japan Sumo Association after he and several other wrestlers were found to be involved in match-fixing. He currently resides in Los Angeles and participates in sumo exhibitions and amateur tournaments, and has made a number of appearances in television shows, commercials and music videos.
In this Japanese name, the surname is Yamamotoyama.Yamamotoyama Ryūta
Yamamoto Ryūichi
May 8, 1984
Saitama, Japan
1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
272 kg (600 lb; 42.8 st)
131-107-34
January 2007
Maegashira 9 (May 2009)
April 2011
1 (Makushita)
1 (Jonidan)
Retirement[edit]
In April 2011, along with 18 other wrestlers, he was ordered to retire by the Japan Sumo Association (JSA) after an investigation into allegations of bout-rigging prompted by the discovery of text messages on the mobile phone of fellow juryo wrestler Kasuganishiki, which alleged Yamamotoyama's involvement in throwing matches. He responded angrily to the decision, saying "The JSA made up its mind from the start that I cheated without listening to me."[5] However, on April 5 he visited the Ryōgoku Kokugikan to hand in his retirement papers, alongside stablemates Sakaizawa and Shirononami who were also found guilty.[6] He had a retirement ceremony at the Tokyo Prince Hotel in September 2011, alongside Sakaizawa. Yamamoto told Sports Illustrated in 2022, "I was doing it although I knew it was wrong...To tell the truth, you were not fighting as hard as you could."[7] However, he felt that he was scapegoated and the practice was more widespread than the JSA was admitting.[7]