Sumo wrestler Hanada catches on quick as he learns to be a defensive lineman for Colorado State
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The newest Colorado State defensive lineman was recently called upon to lead his teammates in a series of pre-practice stretches.
Hidetora Hanada showed off some flexibility-testing poses straight out of a sumo wrestling handbook, including deep squats that had some players grimacing.
Just a tiny glimpse into why he’s a sumo grand champion.
Back in Japan, the 6-foot-1, 280-pound Hanada rose to the highest amateur ranks of sumo wrestling by refusing to be pushed around in the ring. He’s taking that same approach to the football field as he learns the ropes of being a run stuffer/pass rusher for the Rams.
Swapping his mawashi — the traditional loincloth sumo wrestlers wear — for shoulder pads and a helmet, the 21-year-old has quickly adjusted to life in the foothills of Fort Collins, about an hour’s drive north of Denver. His English has come a long way (learned in eight months), he knows the basic rules of football (offsides is bad) and is picking up some valuable “kimarite” (finishing moves). He’s also discovered a love of lasagna.
“While competing sumo in Japan, I started thinking that I wanted to fight many strong athletes worldwide. Football is the most popular sport in the United States and I wanted to see how I can compete in that environment,” Hanada explained through a translator. “I wanted to see my limit. That’s why I decided to challenge football.”
In July, Hanada wrote on social media he was attending Colorado State to play football. The news made a splash in Japan, where sumo wrestling is largely viewed as the national sport. He was on track to possibly becoming a rare professional Yokozuna, which is the highest rank a sumo wrestler can achieve inside the dohyo (ring).
He already was an amateur Yokozuna, in addition to earning gold at the 2022 World Games in the heavyweight division.
“Changing my focus to football might have disappointed some but I’d like to prove to them that I’m challenging something new and (will be) successful at it on the global stage,” said Hanada, whose team opens the season at home against Washington State on Sept. 2. “I’m thinking of each one of them all the time while pushing myself to the new challenge every day.”
