Takayasu Akira
A powerful Japanese sumo wrestler who reached the sport's second-highest rank, known for his fierce clashes and near-misses at the very top.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Japanese sumo wrestler·Birthday: February 28·Millennials
Biography
Takayasu Akira embodies the relentless spirit of a sumo wrestler who battled his way to the summit through pure strength and durability. Debuting in 2005, he was the first wrestler born in the Heisei era to fight his way into the top makuuchi division, a sign of the new generation he represented. His style was not one of finesse but of overwhelming force, using a powerful charge and a favored arm-barring technique to dominate opponents. For years, he was a fixture in the titled sanyaku ranks, engaging in legendary, earth-shaking clashes with yokozuna. His career is marked by a staggering nine tournament runner-up finishes, a testament to both his consistency and the agonizing brink of ultimate victory. Promoted to ōzeki in 2017, he held the sport's second-highest rank for over two years, defending it with grit even as injuries began to take their toll, securing his place as a modern pillar of the sumo world.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Takayasu was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Takayasu Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Takayasu's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Promoted to the rank of ōzeki, sumo's second-highest rank, in May 2017 after a strong performance.
- Earned 13 special prizes for Fighting Spirit, Outstanding Performance, and Technique during his career.
- Won six kinboshi (gold stars) for defeating yokozuna while ranked as a maegashira.
Did You Know?
His shikona (ring name) 'Takayasu' is derived from the name of a river in his home prefecture, Ibaraki.
He was a standout baseball player in junior high school before focusing on sumo.
He is known for a distinctive pre-bout routine where he slaps his chest and thighs vigorously.
“My sumo is straightforward: push forward and never step back.”
