Hull teenager heads to Japan to become pro sumo wrestler
A 15-year-old boy is preparing to head to Japan to become a professional sumo wrestler.Nicholas, from Hull, has become only the second Briton to earn a place in one of Japan's prestigious sumo academies, known as stables. Nicholas, who only took up the sport two years ago, said he was excited for the "amazing opportunity"."I've been given a chance and I intend to go as hard as possible at it. My hope is to reach the high ranks," he said.
Nicholas won three golds in the international Baruto Cup, held in Estonia, in 2023 and 2024. "I went over to Estonia to visit my grandmother and my dad had connections to a sumo wrestler who reached the second highest rank in Japan and he hosts a tournament every year. "I went to it, and I managed to win somehow."My opponents were very tough so I surprised myself with my abilities and, from then on, I realised sumo wrestling was the sport for me," he said.
Nicholas has practiced Judo since he was six years old and used to play for the East Hull youth rugby team.He credits the two sports for giving him some of the skills needed for sumo wrestling. His dad Georgi said: "I still can't believe it. It's amazing. I never even dreamed about this. "I think he has enough dedication to go far. He has been in Japan training through all the school holidays and he learned Japanese in a year."He is definitely dedicated."After completing his GCSEs, Nicholas will travel to Japan on June 19, shortly before his 16th birthday.British Sumo President Scott Findley, who is also head of the British national team, has been working with Nicholas ahead of his trip to Japan. "He literally is the second person to ever be offered a place at a stable in Japan and the last one was 1989," Mr Findley said. "I see Nicholas, as long as he stays injury free, there's no reason why he can't reach the highest rankings within the sumo community. "Basically, if he got there he would be revered in Japan as a god."Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
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