Souga 颯雅 · そうが

Souga (颯雅 · furigana そうが), real name Imai Souma (今井 颯真), holds a special place in the history of Futagoyama Stable as one of its founding members. Born February 9, 2003 in Ogano (小鹿野町), a small mountain town in the Chichibu district of western Saitama Prefecture known for its traditional culture and sumo heritage, Souga joined the stable when it was first established in 2018 and has been part of its journey ever since.

Per the JSA, he stands 180.0cm and weighs 165.4kg, Souga has a stocky, powerful build that lends itself to the pushing and grappling demands of sumo. After eight years in professional sumo, he is a seasoned veteran of the lower divisions with deep experience in competitive tactics, stable life, and the mental demands of the sport. Younger wrestlers like Shunta, Takahara, and Umeyama look to veterans like Souga as examples of stable commitment and professionalism.

His career high of East Sandanme 53, reached in July 2025, represents his best ranking over a career that has seen the full range of sumo experiences — the excitement of the stable's founding, the gradual development through the lower ranks, periods of progress and setback. The shikona (ring name) 颯雅 (souga) — combining the characters for "swift wind" and "elegance" — captures an aspiration toward graceful, powerful sumo.

Currently ranked East Jonidan 9 for the November 2026 Kyushu Basho — up 38 places after a 5–2 at East Jonidan 47 in the September 2026 Aki Basho — Souga's ongoing career is a testament to perseverance. In a sport where many wrestlers never make the salaried ranks, veterans who continue competing in the lower divisions are the backbone of professional sumo's vast roster. His depth of experience is a genuine asset to the stable's day-to-day training culture.

Current rank: East Jonidan 9 for the November 2026 Kyushu Basho (November 8–22, Fukuoka Kokusai Center). Career high: East Sandanme 53 (July 2025).

Trajectory: A 5–2 at East Jonidan 32 in March 2026 promoted him from Jonidan back to Sandanme, where he posted a narrow 3–4 at West Sandanme 76 in the May Natsu Basho — dropping him back to West Jonidan 13 for July. He finished 3–4 again at the July Nagoya Basho, which moved him down to East Jonidan 47 for the September Aki Basho — where he went 5–2, lifting him 38 places to East Jonidan 9 for the November 2026 Kyushu Basho. The next-step target: his stated 2025 New Year resolution targets are "reach upper Makushita" and "5 wins, 6 wins, a yusho" — from East Jonidan 9, a winning record at Kyushu would put a return to Sandanme within reach.

One of Futagoyama's founding-era wrestlers, debuting in May 2018 just two months after the stable opened. At 165.4 kg he is one of the heavier lower-division wrestlers in the stable.

Source: Self-introduction, New Year resolution, debut interview and Q&A videos on Futagoyama Stable's official YouTube channel 'Sumo food' (2024–2025), transcribed from on-screen captions.

From Ogano-machi, Saitama Prefecture, and one of Futagoyama Stable's original founding members. Loves his mother's home cooking (pizza included) when he visits home — also helpful for maintaining his weight. In his 2025 New Year's resolution he stated bold targets: 'Reach the upper Makushita ranks. Aim for 5 wins, 6 wins, a yusho.'