In the first installment of our two-part deep dive into the career of Taiho, one of sumo’s greatest Yokozuna, we explore the early years of his extraordinary journey. Born Koki Naya in 1940 on Sakhalin Island during a turbulent time in history, Taiho’s path to the dohyo was shaped by resilience, natural talent, and an unshakable determination to succeed.

Join us as we trace his rise from a promising young rikishi to the cusp of his dominant reign.