A 15-year-old teenager from Hull, Nicholas Tarasenko, has embarked on a journey to Japan to pursue his dream of becoming a grand champion sumo wrestler, a goal set on a path only two Britons before him have treaded. Following his GCSEs, Tarasenko bypassed the comfortable familiarity of Yorkshire to seek out an opportunity at one of Japan’s professional sumo stables, Minato.
This ambitious young athlete, towering at 187cm, set himself apart by securing a rare spot at Minato after demonstrating exceptional aptitude in amateur tournaments and a steadfast dedication to learning Japanese – a fundamental requirement for his trial. His selection by the Minato stable, for the first time since Nathan Strange, better known by his ring name Hidenokuni, last tried to make a mark in the world of professional sumo in 1989.
Despite being one of the few foreigners allowed in the prestigious sport, which has traditionally been dominated by Mongolian-born wrestlers, Tarasenko’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. His father, Georgi Zilkin, expressed his confidence in Tarasenko’s abilities, explaining that the young man was embraced by the stable, which views him almost as if he were their own. Tarasenko rises each day at 5 AM to keep up with his Japanese tutoring, determined to make the most of his opportunity.
Tarasenko’s impressive rise to the prospect of becoming a full-time rikishi (wrestler) is underlined by an under-18 gold medal he won in a 90kg weight class at an amateur tournament in Estonia, once having had only an hour of formal sumo training before that event. Together with years of practice in judo and rugby, his raw ability and strong work ethic were central to his selection.
Life at the Minato stable will be a rigorous adjustment for Tarasenko, from mastering the Japanese language to adapting to the demanding sumo lifestyle. His career as a wrestler is set to begin at the spring basho (major tournament) in Osaka in March if he successfully passes his Japanese exams. The young athlete will have to perform various duties, including cooking, balance rigorous training sessions, twice-daily meals of chanko nabe—a hearty, protein-rich hotpot—and later adopt the iconic chonmage top-knot hairstyle.
“He will have to adjust to lots of things, such as diet and lifestyle,” stated a spokesperson for the Minato stable, “but he’s an earnest and honest boy, and his Japanese ability has improved considerably, so we are not particularly worried about him settling in.” The spokesperson also mentioned that Tarasenko’s integration has been a positive one—his friends among the other wrestlers and surrounded by supportive individuals.
Tarasenko’s endeavor to become the first European sumo grand champion is poised to add another chapter to the increasingly international story of sumo wrestling, a tradition that formally accepts foreigners and others outside its conservative cultural boundaries. The Minato stable is hopeful that Tarasenko will carry on the legacy of those before him, embracing the discipline and tradition of sumo as he strives for greatness.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/25/nicholas-tarasenko-15-year-old-hull-british-sumo-wrestler-japan
