After more than two months of compiling data, collating, and going through our hybridized synergistic analytical models we are finally ready… Ok. We may have just gotten a little busy and this kept getting pushed to the back burner, but nonetheless we are ready to present the results of our first Bi-Annual Popularity Poll. As you may remember, after the Kyushu Basho we sent out a survey to determine how popular and unpopular different rikishi are, at least among English speaking fans. We had a great response to this poll and received over 600 responses. We plan to send out this survey again after the Natsu Basho to see what changes have occurred in rikishi popularity after the events of 3 more basho. That being said, lets find out who everyone liked and disliked following the Kyushu Basho in 2019 and after that, a quick look at the demographics of the English-speaking sumo community.
The most popular rikishi in the top division goes to exciting newcomer Enho. Dai-Yokozuna Hakuho follows him in second place. Tochinoshin, riding a surge from his Ozeki run in 2018, ranks 3rd. And young yusho winners Asanoyama and Takakeisho round out the top 5. See table below for full list of votes rikishi received. Note that this is only for rikishi that were ranked in Makuuchi for Kyushu 2019. Out of 42 rikishi, only 34 made it to this list. The 8 rikishi to not receive a single vote for favorite rikishi are: Tamawashi, Kotoyuki, Sadanoumi, Chiyotairyu, Takanosho, Daishomaru, Wakatakakage, Daishoho
Favorite |
Count |
% |
Enho |
132 |
21.85% |
Hakuho |
91 |
15.07% |
Tochinoshin |
67 |
11.09% |
Asanoyama |
61 |
10.10% |
Takakeisho |
44 |
7.28% |
Takayasu |
35 |
5.79% |
Mitakeumi |
24 |
3.97% |
Hokutofuji |
23 |
3.81% |
Ichinojo |
16 |
2.65% |
Abi |
13 |
2.15% |
Chiyomaru |
13 |
2.15% |
Ishiura |
12 |
1.99% |
Kakuryu |
10 |
1.66% |
Kotoshogiku |
9 |
1.49% |
Goeido |
8 |
1.32% |
Endo |
7 |
1.16% |
Shohozan |
5 |
0.83% |
Ryuden |
5 |
0.83% |
Terutsuyoshi |
4 |
0.66% |
Aoiyama |
4 |
0.66% |
Tomokaze |
3 |
0.50% |
Shodai |
3 |
0.50% |
Meisei |
2 |
0.33% |
Onosho |
2 |
0.33% |
Myogiryu |
2 |
0.33% |
Nishikigi |
1 |
0.17% |
Shimanoumi |
1 |
0.17% |
Kotoeko |
1 |
0.17% |
Yutakayama |
1 |
0.17% |
Kagayaki |
1 |
0.17% |
Daieisho |
1 |
0.17% |
Tsurugisho |
1 |
0.17% |
Takarafuji |
1 |
0.17% |
Okinoumi |
1 |
0.17% |
The list of least favorite Makuuchi wrestlers contains a lot of different names at the top of the list, with one exception. The least favorite rikishi, surprisingly to us at least, was Abi. None was the second most popular response. Hakuho comes in third in the least favorite list, making him the most polarizing rikishi in Makuuchi. Goeido and Aoiyama round out the top 5. See below for a full list of the least favorite rikishi. There is only one rikishi that did not receive a single vote for least favorite, and that is the injured Tomokaze.
Least Favorite |
Count |
% |
Abi |
73 |
12.09% |
None |
64 |
10.60% |
Hakuho |
53 |
8.77% |
Goeido |
50 |
8.28% |
Aoiyama |
46 |
7.62% |
Tamawashi |
31 |
5.13% |
Kotoyuki |
29 |
4.80% |
Takakeisho |
24 |
3.97% |
Endo |
18 |
2.98% |
Shodai |
17 |
2.81% |
Shohozan |
16 |
2.65% |
Daishoho |
13 |
2.15% |
Kagayaki |
13 |
2.15% |
Daishomaru |
13 |
2.15% |
Nishikigi |
13 |
2.15% |
Mitakeumi |
12 |
1.99% |
Ichinojo |
11 |
1.82% |
Ishiura |
10 |
1.66% |
Ryuden |
10 |
1.66% |
Takayasu |
9 |
1.49% |
Tochinoshin |
9 |
1.49% |
Enho |
6 |
0.99% |
Chiyotairyu |
6 |
0.99% |
Chiyomaru |
6 |
0.99% |
Terutsuyoshi |
6 |
0.99% |
Shimanoumi |
5 |
0.83% |
Meisei |
5 |
0.83% |
Myogiryu |
4 |
0.66% |
Asanoyama |
3 |
0.50% |
Yutakayama |
3 |
0.50% |
Tsurugisho |
3 |
0.50% |
Sadanoumi |
3 |
0.50% |
Onosho |
3 |
0.50% |
Kotoeko |
2 |
0.33% |
Wakatakakage |
2 |
0.33% |
Okinoumi |
2 |
0.33% |
Kakuryu |
2 |
0.33% |
Takarafuji |
2 |
0.33% |
Daieisho |
2 |
0.33% |
Kotoshogiku |
2 |
0.33% |
Hokutofuji |
2 |
0.33% |
Takanosho |
1 |
0.17% |
The list of favorites in Juryo was a runaway win for Ikioi. Makes sense that the long time Makuuchi favorite would dominate his Juryo cohorts. Kaisei was the second most popular, another Makuuchi mainstay, followed by first time Juryo rikishi Hoshoryu in third, and Yago and Tochiozan finishing out the top 5. See below for complete list.
Juryo |
Count |
% |
Ikioi |
192 |
33.86% |
Kaisei |
136 |
23.99% |
Hoshoryu |
37 |
6.53% |
Yago |
37 |
6.53% |
Tochiozan |
34 |
6.00% |
Gagamaru |
15 |
2.65% |
Toyonoshima |
12 |
2.12% |
Kiribayama |
12 |
2.12% |
Sokokurai |
10 |
1.76% |
Kotonowaka |
10 |
1.76% |
Chiyoshoma |
8 |
1.41% |
Kyokutaisei |
7 |
1.23% |
Azumaryu |
7 |
1.23% |
Wakamotoharu |
7 |
1.23% |
Akiseyama |
6 |
1.06% |
Takagenji |
5 |
0.88% |
Tobizaru |
5 |
0.88% |
Kotoshoho |
5 |
0.88% |
Akua |
4 |
0.71% |
Kizakiumi |
4 |
0.71% |
Daiamami |
4 |
0.71% |
Ichiyamamoto |
3 |
0.53% |
Tokushoryu |
3 |
0.53% |
Hidenoumi |
3 |
0.53% |
Irodori |
1 |
0.18% |
We also asked about people’s favorites in the lower divisions. This was mostly dominated again by former Makuuchi rikishi. Ura took the top spot, followed by Terunofuji at number 2. American rikishi Wakaichiro took the third spot. Another former Makuuchi rikishi, Chiyonokuni, was at number 4. Rounding out the top 5 is Jonokuchi mainstay Hattorizakura. Below is a list of all lower division favorites that received more than 1% of the responses.
Lower Div |
Count |
% |
Ura |
124 |
30.62% |
Terunofuji |
79 |
19.51% |
Wakaichiro |
69 |
17.04% |
Chiyonokuni |
33 |
8.15% |
Hattorizakura |
28 |
6.91% |
Roga |
12 |
2.96% |
Motobayashi |
10 |
2.47% |
Naya |
7 |
1.73% |
So who is the most popular rikishi overall through all divisions? Unsurprisingly it matches the top of the list for the Makuuchi favorites. The only differences in the top 10 are that Ura was the 8th most popular, and recently retired Yokozuna Harumafuji also made it in at number 10.
The favorite newcomer that made their debut in 2019 was a runaway victory for Enho. No one was within 60 percentage points of him.
Favorite New |
Count |
% |
Enho |
424 |
70.20% |
Tomokaze |
61 |
10.10% |
Wakatakakage |
41 |
6.79% |
Terutsuyoshi |
34 |
5.63% |
Yago |
12 |
1.99% |
Tsurugisho |
12 |
1.99% |
Shimanoumi |
9 |
1.49% |
None |
7 |
1.16% |
Takagenji |
3 |
0.50% |
Daishoho |
1 |
0.17% |
We also wanted to know if people had preferences for a favorite heya. Almost half of responders did not have a favorite heya, but among the people that did have a favorite the Miyagino stable, which houses the two most popular rikishi, Enho and Hakuho, was the most popular. Full list is below.
Favorite Heya |
Count |
% |
None |
271 |
44.87% |
Miyagino |
114 |
18.87% |
Kasugano |
25 |
4.14% |
Kokonoe |
22 |
3.64% |
Isegahama |
22 |
3.64% |
Naruto |
18 |
2.98% |
Musashigawa |
17 |
2.81% |
Chiganoura |
15 |
2.48% |
Tagonoura |
9 |
1.49% |
Oguruma |
9 |
1.49% |
Shikihide |
8 |
1.32% |
Shikoroyama |
6 |
0.99% |
Dewanoumi |
6 |
0.99% |
Kise |
6 |
0.99% |
Sadogatake |
5 |
0.83% |
Hakkaku |
5 |
0.83% |
Tatsunami |
5 |
0.83% |
Takasago |
5 |
0.83% |
Arashio |
4 |
0.66% |
Oitekaze |
3 |
0.50% |
Sakaigawa |
3 |
0.50% |
Minato |
3 |
0.50% |
Tokitsukaze |
3 |
0.50% |
Asakayama |
3 |
0.50% |
Otake |
3 |
0.50% |
Tomozuna |
3 |
0.50% |
Michinoku |
2 |
0.33% |
Azumazeki |
2 |
0.33% |
Fujishima |
2 |
0.33% |
Shibatayama |
1 |
0.17% |
Asahiyama |
1 |
0.17% |
Yamahibiki |
1 |
0.17% |
Nishiiwa |
1 |
0.17% |
Tamonoi |
1 |
0.17% |
And now to the demographics. Ever wonder what your fellow fans were like? Let’s take a look at location first. Not too surprisingly, the English-speaking sumo community is overwhelmingly from English-speaking countries. Full table and pie chart below:
Country |
Count |
% |
USA |
313 |
55.69% |
United Kingdom |
53 |
9.43% |
Canada |
25 |
4.45% |
Australia |
23 |
4.09% |
Germany |
19 |
3.38% |
France |
16 |
2.85% |
Sweden |
9 |
1.60% |
Italy |
7 |
1.25% |
Brazil |
7 |
1.25% |
Netherlands |
6 |
1.07% |
Norway |
5 |
0.89% |
New Zealand |
4 |
0.71% |
Ireland |
4 |
0.71% |
Portugal |
4 |
0.71% |
Finland |
4 |
0.71% |
Spain |
3 |
0.53% |
Belgium |
3 |
0.53% |
Switzerland |
3 |
0.53% |
Georgia |
3 |
0.53% |
Japan |
3 |
0.53% |
Indonesia |
3 |
0.53% |
Russia |
3 |
0.53% |
Philippines |
2 |
0.36% |
Mexico |
2 |
0.36% |
Denmark |
2 |
0.36% |
Austria |
2 |
0.36% |
Scotland |
2 |
0.36% |
Poland |
2 |
0.36% |
Romania |
2 |
0.36% |
Czechia |
2 |
0.36% |
Hungary |
2 |
0.36% |
India |
2 |
0.36% |
Israel |
2 |
0.36% |
Chile |
1 |
0.18% |
Hong Kong |
1 |
0.18% |
Saudi Arabia |
1 |
0.18% |
Latvia |
1 |
0.18% |
Bulgaria |
1 |
0.18% |
Ecuador |
1 |
0.18% |
Argentina |
1 |
0.18% |
Fiji |
1 |
0.18% |
Slovakia |
1 |
0.18% |
Nicaragua |
1 |
0.18% |
Thailand |
1 |
0.18% |
Peru |
1 |
0.18% |
Mongolia |
1 |
0.18% |
Lithuania |
1 |
0.18% |
Singapore |
1 |
0.18% |
Malta |
1 |
0.18% |
Rwanda |
1 |
0.18% |
Wales |
1 |
0.18% |
Croatia |
1 |
0.18% |
South Africa |
1 |
0.18% |

We also asked the age and gender of fans to help get a better picture of who follows online coverage and listens to our show. Apparently we need to #YOLO more to get those kids listening and more Enho on Insta for the ladies… and for the dudes… we all need more Enho pictures.


Our very last chart is my personal favorite. We asked how long you’ve been following sumo and the results paint a very cool picture of our little section of the internet. Nearly 80% of us have been following sumo for 5 years or less. How cool is that? That means in only 5 or so years, the online sumo community has exploded and reached hundreds of people that never followed the sport. I think that’s a very good sign for the future of the community as a whole.

Thank you to everyone who participated. It means a lot to have so many people interested and excited about sumo and we hope you’ll all join us again for our next survey. As always, feel free to reach out with questions or suggestions!
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