Tokushōryū Makoto
A journeyman sumo wrestler who, at 33, staged one of the sport's most stunning upsets to win a top-division championship against all odds.
Born 1986 (age 40)·Japanese sumo wrestler·Birthday: August 22·Millennials
Biography
Tokushōryū Makoto's story is a testament to sumo's capacity for surprise. Unlike the prodigies who shoot to stardom, his was a slow, grinding climb. After a solid amateur career at Kinki University, he turned professional in 2009, methodically winning championships in the lower divisions. His first stint in the elite makuuchi division in 2013 was brief, and he spent years bouncing between the top flight and the second tier, seemingly destined as a solid but unremarkable competitor. Then, in January 2020, the script flipped. Returning to makuuchi after another demotion, the 33-year-old veteran caught fire, deploying his signature belt-grappling technique to rack up 14 wins and seize the Emperor's Cup. It was a victory that electrified Japan, a classic underdog tale proving that persistence can trump raw power. He retired in 2023, transitioning to a coaching role, his legacy cemented by a single, unforgettable tournament.
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.
Tokushōryū was born in 1986, 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 Tokushōryū Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Tokushōryū's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the top-division makuuchi championship in January 2020 with a 14-1 record at age 33.
- Captured championship titles in the jonokuchi, sandanme, and jūryō divisions during his ascent.
- Achieved a career-high rank of Maegashira 1 in the makuuchi division.
Did You Know?
His shikona (ring name) Tokushōryū translates to 'Victorious Dragon of Virtue'.
He was the first wrestler from Kise stable to win a top-division championship in over a decade.
His championship victory in 2020 was only the second time a wrestler ranked as low as Maegashira 17 had won the tournament.
“Even a low-ranked wrestler can win the Emperor's Cup if he never gives up.”
