Tomokaze Sōdai

{{short description|Japanese professional sumo wrestler}} {{hatnote|In this Japanese shikona name, the surname is Tomokaze.}} {{Infobox sumo wrestler | image = Tomokaze Yuta20220718.jpg | image_size = 250px | caption = | native_name = 友風想大 | name = Tomokaze Sōdai | birth_name = Yūta Minami | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|12|02}} | birth_place = Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan | height = {{height|meters=1.85}} | weight = {{convert|183|kg|lb st|abbr=on}} | heya = Oguruma → Nishonoseki → Nakamura | university = Nippon Sport Science University | rank = see below | record = | debut = May 2017 | highestrank = Maegashira 3 (September, 2019) | retireddate = | yushos = 1 (Jūryō) 1 (Sandanme) 1 (Jonokuchi) | prizes = 1 Outstanding Performance | goldstars = 2 (Kakuryū) |update = 1 July 2024 }}

{{nihongo|'''Tomokaze Sōdai'''|友風想大||born December 2, 1994, as {{nihongo|'''Yūta Minami'''|南友太|Minami Yuta}}|lead=yes}} is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kawasaki, Kanagawa. He debuted in sumo wrestling in May 2017 and made his ''makuuchi'' debut in March 2019. His highest rank has been ''maegashira'' 3. Originally a member of Oguruma stable, he moved to Nishonoseki stable in 2022. In June 2024, he moved to the newly-established Nakamura stable.<ref name=ns300524/> He has one special prize and two ''kinboshi'' for defeating a ''yokozuna''.

After suffering a joint dislocation in his right knee in 2019, he was forced to withdraw from all competitions and did not return until March 2021. Following his injury, Tomokaze admitted in an interview given to the ''Tokyo Shimbun'' that he was certified as Level 5 disabled and issued a disability certificate in February 2021.<ref name="tokyo">{{Cite web |url=https://adv.tokyo-np.co.jp/today/special/20230512/ |title=三月場所（大阪）を８勝７敗で勝ち越し、５月１４日（日）から両国国技館で行われる五月場所をひかえる、川崎区出身でピアノ力士として人気の友風勇太関の登場です。 |work=Tokyo Shimbun|language=ja|date=10 May 2023|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref>

==Early life and background== Yūta grew up in a single-mother household.<ref name="juryoyusho">{{cite web|url=https://hochi.news/articles/20181226-OHT1T50120.html?page=1|title=新十両Ｖの友風が祝賀会女手ひとつで育ててくれた「母に感謝」|language=ja|work=Sports Hochi|date=26 December 2018|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> He is an accomplished pianist, his mother being a pianist herself and having taught him the instrument, and Yūta wanting to join a music college when he was younger.<ref name="tokyo"/><ref name="jiji">{{cite web|url=https://www.jiji.com/jc/v2?id=2017sumo_hope_16|title=友風ピアノも楽しむ尾車部屋の新しい「風」着々と関取の座に迫ってきた友風|language=ja|work=Jiji Press|access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref> As a child, his favorite wrestler was Kisenosato, whose ''deashi'' style inspired him enormously.<ref name="townnews">{{Cite web |url=https://www.townnews.co.jp/0206/2012/03/09/137983.html |title=全国選抜高校相撲弘前大会で準優勝した南友太さん |work=Kanagawa Town News|language=ja|date=9 March 2012|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> Yūta also participated in many sports at an early age competing in karate and basketball when attending elementary school before taking up judo at junior high school, where his coach was a former sumo wrestler.<ref name="townnews"/> Although his school did not have a sumo club, Yūta competed, although he had little interest in the sport, and went to win the team championship in the Kanto junior high school tournament.<ref name="townnews"/> When he was about to enter high school, he was invited to join a judo specialized school but decided to join Mukonooka Technical High School, a prefectural high school renowned for its sumo club, on the advice of his judo coach.<ref name="tokyo"/> During high school sumo competitions, he reached the final of a National High School Tournament; in which he was defeated by the Mongolian Altankhuyag Ichinnorov.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=http://www.nihonsumo-renmei.jp/kiroku/24.html |title=公益財団法人日本相撲連盟平成24年の試合記録・結果 |work=Japan Sumo Federation|access-date=28 August 2018|language=ja}}</ref><ref name="NHK">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nhk.or.jp/shutoken/yokohama/article/009/96/|title=大ケガから関取復帰の友風支えてくれた人たちへの思い川崎市出身|work=NHK|date=10 March 2023|access-date=24 July 2023|language=ja}}</ref> After graduating high school, he was advised to join a music college but instead chose to attend Nippon Sport Science University, and continued to compete with some success in national sumo competitions.<ref name="piano">{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1814000.html|title=ピアノ力士の南友太が尾車部屋入門音大より相撲|language=ja|work=Nikkan Sports|date=27 April 2017|access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref>

==Early career== In the spring of 2017, Yūta decided to turn professional sumo and joined the Oguruma stable, led by the former ''ōzeki'' Kotokaze, on his master's sixtieth birthday.<ref name="piano"/> He shared the same rookie inspection session with Yago Takanori, his stablemate, who was the 2016 amateur-''yokozuna''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2017/05/14/kiji/20170514s00005000182000c.html|title=矢後ら６人が合格夏場所新弟子検査|language=ja|work=Sports Nippon|date=14 May 2017|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> Since then, the two have been in a friendly rivalry.<ref name="hochishinmaku">{{cite web|url=https://hochi.news/articles/20190225-OHT1T50113.html?page=1|title=友風が史上４位タイのスピード昇進|language=ja|work=Sports Hochi|date=25 February 2019|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> He adopted the ''shikona'', or ring name, Tomokaze, combining the ''kanji'' for "friend" with the kanji for "wind" ''(風)'', the latter being often adopted by many Oguruma wrestlers including Yoshikaze and Takekaze. There, he first served as Yoshikaze's ''tsukebito'' (assistant),<ref name="jiji"/> a wrestler who is also an alumnus of Nippon Sport Science University, and whom he admires, saying in particular that he wants to emulate him and learn from him.<ref name="hochishinmaku"/><ref name="jonokuchi">{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1859233.html|title=ピアノ力士友風が序ノ口優勝「沸かせて勝つ相撲を」|language=ja|work=Nikkan Sports|date=21 July 2017|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref>

He made his debut in the Nagoya tournament, where he claimed the ''jonokuchi'' division championship (''yūshō'').<ref name="jonokuchi"/> He was moved up to the ''jonidan'' division in September and secured a second promotion as he posted a 6-1 record. In November he made his first appearance as a ''sandanme'' ranked wrestler and took his second ''yūshō'' as he won all seven of his matches and then defeating Tsuyukusa in a play-off.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/201711260000485.html|title=友風が三段目優勝「自覚持って」来場所幕下入り確実|language=ja|work=Nikkan Sports|date=26 November 2017|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> Tomokaze began 2018 in the ''makushita'' division and worked his way steadily up the ranks, although he found it very difficult to compete in the upper echelons of this division.<ref name="jiji"/> With four consecutive winning records (''kachi-koshi''), he was promoted to ''Makushita'' 4 for the September tournament, a rank that puts him in a position for potential promotion to ''sekitori'' status. He won five of his seven matches, securing his promotion to the ''jūryō'' division with a win over Gagamaru in his final match.<ref name="shinjuryo">{{cite web|url=https://hochi.news/articles/20180926-OHT1T50060.html?page=1|title=相撲協会が番付編成会議で友風、極芯道の新十両昇進を決定|language=ja|work=Sports Hochi|date=26 September 2018|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> Promoted along Toyonoshima, this promotion also meant that Tomokaze had been promoted to ''sekitori'' in eight tournaments, the same number as his mentor Yoshikaze, something he was pleased about.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2018/09/26/kiji/20180926s00005000259000c.html|title=友風ビックリ新十両昇進「ドッキリなんじゃないかと…」|language=ja|work=Sports Nippon|date=26 September 2018|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> At the time of his promotion to ''jūryō'', he unusually asked to be maintained as Yoshikaze's ''tsukebito'', because his stable lacked young apprentices who could serve as assistants and that he would benefit from continuing to learn from him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/column/sumo/news/201811130000330.html|title=関取でも付け人友風の思い|language=ja|work=Nikkan Sports|date=14 November 2018|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref>

On his ''jūryō'' debut, Tomokaze initially won his first match against Gagamaru thanks to a ''mono-ii'' called by the ''shimpan''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/201811110000767.html|title=新十両友風、物言いの末に関取初白星「相撲は最低」|language=ja|work=Nikkan Sports|date=11 November 2018|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> He then went to defeat Shimanoumi but lost the next three matches. During his second defeat by Mitoryū, he dislocated his right little finger and had to be taken to the infirmary immediately after his bout.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hochi.news/articles/20181114-OHT1T50150.html?page=1|title=友風、痛い２敗目右手小指脱臼で医務室に直行|language=ja|work=Sports Hochi|date=14 November 2018|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> He however managed to score nine consecutive wins to enter the final day one win ahead of former ''sekiwake'' Kotoyūki. He defeated his more experienced opponent by ''oshidashi'' to take the ''yūshō'' but his low rank of ''jūryō'' 14 meant that he was not eligible for direct promotion to the ''makuuchi'' division.<ref name="juryoyusho"/> In January, Tomokaze was ranked at ''jūryō'' 4, giving him a realistic prospect of promotion with a strong ''kachi-koshi'' but his chances appeared slim when he ended the eighth day with a 3–5 record. In the second week however, he went unbeaten in seven bouts to end the ''basho'' on 10–5 secure his elevation to the top ''makuuchi'' division along Terutsuyoshi and Daishōhō.<ref name="shinmaku">{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/201902240000754.html|title=友風、照強、大翔鵬が新入幕豊ノ島と石浦が再入幕|language=ja|work=Nikkan Sports|date=25 February 2019|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> Tomokaze's promotion makes him the seventh wrestler from Oguruma stable to reach that level in the rankings since the establishment of the stable and the seventh from his university to be promoted in ''makuuchi'' since Hokutofuji in 2016. His progress from his ''jonokuchi'' debut to ''makuuchi'' in eleven ''basho'' was the joint-fourth fastest in modern sumo.<ref name="shinmaku"/>

==''Makuuchi''== ===''Makuuchi'' promotion=== On his top division debut, Tomokaze was ranked at ''maegashira'' 13 and recorded nine wins. He was listed as a potential recipient of the special prize for Fighting Spirit but the latter was conditional on a tenth victory. Tomokaze lost on the final day of the tournament to Aoiyama and did not receive the award.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/201903240000308.html|title=貴景勝が技能賞逸ノ城は殊勲賞、碧山が敢闘賞|language=ja|work=Nikkan Sports|date=24 March 2019|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> At ''maegashira'' 9 in May, he made his twelfth consecutive ''kachi-koshi'' and secured a move up to ''maegashira'' 7 for the July ''basho'' in Nagoya. In July 2019, Tomokaze was in contention for the ''yūshō'' after winning nine of his first eleven matches but lost to his old high school rival Ichinojō on Day 12. On Day 13, he faced ''yokozuna'' Kakuryū, the first time he was paired against a grand-champion, and, in a major upset, he handed his only defeat of the tournament to Kakuryū and won his first ''kinboshi'' by ''Hatakikomi''.<ref name="kinboshi">{{cite web|url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2019/07/20/kiji/20190719s00005000342000c.html|title=友風最速金星、初土俵から14場所目横綱初挑戦で撃破|language=ja|work=Sports Nippon|date=20 July 2019|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> The victory tied Tomokaze with Konishiki for the fastest to win their first {{translit|ja|kinboshi}} since their professional debut, doing so in 14 tournaments; the joint record would stand until Aonishiki accomplished the same feat in his 12th tournament in 2025.<ref name="kinboshi"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202507150001573.html|title=安青錦の12場所目での金星は最速記録付け出しデビュー含むと５場所の逸ノ城が最速|date=15 July 2025|publisher=Nikkan Sports|language=ja|access-date=15 July 2025}}</ref> After the bout, Tomokaze commented: "I'm happy, but it still doesn't feel real."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/07/94dc3e096a9e-sumo-kakuryu-suffers-1st-loss-in-nagoya-tied-with-hakuho-on-day-13.html|title=Sumo: Kakuryu suffers 1st loss in Nagoya, tied with Hakuho on Day 13|work=Kyodo News|date=19 July 2019|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> He moved to eleven wins by beating Kotoekō but lost tamely to Terutsuyoshi on the final day to end with an 11–4 record. His achievements saw him awarded the ''shukun-shō'', or special prize for Outstanding Performance. On receiving the award, he said "It's still like a dream, but I'm really happy to win this award. I put out some good sumo, but some bouts weren't that good... I'm grateful for the opportunity to challenge the upper-ranked fighters but I have a long way to go. I'll do my best to grow and catch up with them".<ref>{{cite web|title=Kakuryu beats fellow yokozuna Hakuho on final day to clinch sixth title|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/07/21/sumo/basho-reports/kakuryu-beats-fellow-yokozuna-hakuho-final-day-clinch-sixth-title/|url-access=subscription|date=21 July 2019|access-date=24 July 2023|archive-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722091544/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/07/21/sumo/basho-reports/kakuryu-beats-fellow-yokozuna-hakuho-final-day-clinch-sixth-title/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/201907210000479.html|title=友風が殊勲賞、照強が敢闘賞、遠藤と炎鵬が技能賞|language=ja|work=Nikkan Sports|date=21 July 2019|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref>

In September, he defeated Kakuryū for the second straight tournament on Day 7 and afterwards dedicated the win to his stablemate and friend Yoshikaze, who had just announced his retirement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/201909140000866.html|title=友風が涙の金星「嘉関にやっといい相撲見せられた」|language=ja|work=Nikkan Sports|date=14 September 2019|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> He however picked up his first ''make-koshi'' or losing-record in his entire career on Day 14 of that same tournament, losing to ''Maegashira'' 2 Asanoyama.<ref>{{cite web|title=Unbeaten Okinoumi alone at top|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/09/14/sumo/basho-reports/unbeaten-okinoumi-alone-top/#.XX-tDuSWymQ|url-access=subscription|date=14 September 2019|access-date=24 July 2023|archive-date=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920235636/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/09/14/sumo/basho-reports/unbeaten-okinoumi-alone-top/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Injury and comeback=== Tomokaze had to forfeit (''kyūjō'') the tournament, after sustaining a serious injury to his right knee in his fight against Kotoyūki, on the second day of the November 2019 tournament in Kyūshū. The medical certificate submitted by his stable to the Japan Sumo Association stated: "Dislocated right knee joint with ligament damage. The treatment period is currently undecided."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20191112-QSADTZOWFVJYDE66QCIVPJKZ2U/|title=平幕友風が右膝関節脱臼で休場師匠「１年はかかる」|language=ja|work=Sankei Shimbun|date=12 November 2019|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> His stablemaster stated to the press he could be out for up to a year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sumo: Hakuho, elite wrestlers rebound on Day 3 of Kyushu tournament|url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20191112/p2g/00m/0sp/083000c|work=The Mainichi|date=12 November 2019|access-date=24 July 2023|archive-date=13 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113131927/https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20191112/p2g/00m/0sp/083000c|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was transported to a hospital in Fukuoka City by ambulance immediately after the bout,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/201911120000342.html|title=友風休場、右膝脱臼尾車親方「１年はかかる」|language=ja|work=Nikkan Sports|date=12 November 2019|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> the injury being so serious that it almost resulted in amputation.<ref name="tokyo"/> However, he was encouraged by his master, who, having suffered a similar injury in the November 1978 tournament, nevertheless reached the rank of ''ōzeki'' in November 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.daily.co.jp/general/2019/11/12/0012870278.shtml|title=友風が初の休場「右膝関節脱臼」靱帯も損傷|language=ja|work=Daily Sports|date=12 November 2019|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref>

Following his injury, he underwent surgery with a total of four different operations in five months to reconstruct his ligaments.<ref name="NHK"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hochi.news/articles/20210315-OHT1T50099.html?page=1|title=元幕内・友風膝の大ケガから復帰初戦で白星「僕のケガはゴールが見えない、何よりもそれがきつかった」|language=ja|work=Sports Hochi|date=15 March 2021|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> He then underwent rehabilitation, dividing his time between his hometown of Kawasaki, Kanagawa and his stable.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mainichi.jp/articles/20200702/k00/00m/050/238000c|title=休場続く大相撲・友風懸命のリハビリに励む愛弟子見守る師匠が近況を語る|language=ja|work=Mainichi Shimbun|url-access=subscription|date=4 July 2020|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> Since then, he cannot move his right leg from the ankle down due to the severed nerve.<ref name="NHK"/> He sat out the next six tournaments (not including the cancelled May 2020 tournament) and made his comeback in the March 2021 tournament, where he scored a 6–1 record in ''jonidan''. Two more winning records in May and July saw him progress to near the top of the ''sandanme'' division by September 2021, and he had reached upper ''makushita'' by January 2022. On the pressure of his injury, Tomokaze insists that he is recovering well and that his training with Yago is gradual.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202111140000448.html|title=２年前の九州場所で大けが友風「怖さと付き合い」白星発進|language=ja|work=Nikkan Sports|date=14 November 2021|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref>

Because Oguruma-''oyakata'' would reach the mandatory age of retirement, the closure of Oguruma stable was decided in January 2022, the personnel of the stable being mainly transferred to Oshiogawa stable. Tomokaze, however, was transferred to Nishonoseki stable in February 2022, along his coach and friend Yoshikaze.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202201270000491.html|title=尾車部屋力士の転属先決まる尾車親方、十両矢後ら新設の押尾川部屋へ転属|language=ja|work=Nikkan Sports|date=27 January 2022|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> March 2022 saw his first losing record since his return from injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hochi.news/articles/20220325-OHT1T51136.html?page=1|title=「全てが勉強の場所だった」友風が復帰７場所目で悔しい初の負け越し|language=ja|work=Sports Hochi|date=25 March 2022|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> In the following tournament, however, he scored a solid 6–1 and once again found himself in a position of potential promotion to the jūryō division.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202205210000582.html|title=幕内経験者の友風、幕下で６勝１敗の好成績７月名古屋場所で20年春場所以来の関取復帰懸ける|language=ja|work=Nikkan Sports|date=21 May 2022|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref>

===Return to ''sekitori''=== After four tournaments, in which Tomokaze stagnated at the top of the ''makushita'' division, it was finally announced that he would regain his ''sekitori'' status for the March 2023 tournament, after going 4-3 as ''Makushita'' 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202301250000137.html|title=19歳落合が新十両昇進！史上最速所要１場所で関取に 28日に引退相撲の元横綱白鵬に朗報届く|language=ja|work=Nikkan Sports|date=25 January 2023|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> This promotion made him the only ''sekitori'' in Nishonoseki stable at the time and the first one raised by former ''yokozuna'' Kisenosato.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202301250000145.html|title=玉鷲の義弟・玉正鳳が落合とともに新十両昇進、５部屋渡り歩いた苦労人友風と徳勝龍が再十両 |date=25 January 2023|language=ja|work=Nikkan Sports|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref>

During the July 2023 tournament, Tomokaze was in position to win the ''jūryō'' championship being neck and neck with Atamifuji. On Day 14, Daiamami also forced his way into the leading group, the three wrestlers now at 10 wins to 3 defeats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/733930|title=十両、最大7人の決定戦も… 3敗トップ並走の熱海富士と友風がともに敗れる【大相撲名古屋場所】|date=22 July 2023|language=ja|work=Chunichi Sports|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> However, Tomokaze was beaten on the fifteenth and final day by Kitanowaka, eliminating him from the title race, while Atamifuji won for the eleventh time and took the playoff against Daiamami.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2023/07/24/kiji/20230724s00005000196000c.html|title=熱海富士が決定戦制して十両優勝！「良い感じで帰れる」幕内復帰決め、30日の沼津巡業で地元凱旋へ|date=24 July 2023|language=ja|work=Sports Nippon|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> At the next tournament, in September, Tomokaze succeeded in achieving a positive ''kachi-koshi'' score as ''jūryō'' 3, reinforcing the likelihood of ''makuuchi'' repromotion for the first time in four years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hochi.news/articles/20230921-OHT1T51134.html?page=1|title=友風が勝ち越し来場所の幕内復帰が見えても「１日１番の結果で先が見えれば」|date=21 September 2023|language=ja|work=Sports Hochi|access-date=21 September 2023}}</ref>

After a good score as ''jūryō'' 3, it was announced that Tomokaze would make his return to the ''makuuchi'' division for the November 2023 tournament. This made Tomokaze the third wrestler in the sport's history to return to sumo's top division after dropping back down to the ''jonidan'' division, following Terunofuji in 2020 and Ura in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hochi.news/articles/20231029-OHT1T51223.html?page=1|title=友風が奇跡の幕内復帰幕内経験者の序二段陥落→再入幕は史上３人目|date=30 October 2023|language=ja|work=Sports Hochi|access-date=30 October 2023}}</ref> Following poor results, however, he was demoted for the March tournament to the ''jūryō'' division before regaining his ''makuuchi'' status for the May tournament. However, his results were not up to the standard of this level of competition, and Tomokaze went on to lose six consecutive matches from the first day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hochi.news/articles/20240517-OHT1T51155.html?page=1|title=友風が６連敗「しっかり準備した結果なので、受け止めるしかない」|date=17 May 2024|language=ja|work=Sports Hochi|access-date=17 May 2024}}</ref>

Following the May 2024 tournament, it was announced that Tomokaze would move to the newly-established Nakamura stable, owned by former {{Transliteration|ja|sekiwake}} Yoshikaze, effective on 1 June.<ref name=ns300524>{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202405300000523.html|title=元嘉風の中村親方、二所ノ関部屋から独立し新部屋創設友風や嘉陽らが転籍大の里は転籍せず|date=30 May 2024|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=30 May 2024|language=ja}}</ref> When the rankings for the July 2024 tournament were published, it was announced that Tomokaze had changed his first name from {{nihongo|Yūta|勇太|}} to {{nihongo|Sōdai|想大|}}. After notching the first {{Transliteration|ja|sekitori}} win for his new stable on the third day of that tournament, Tomokaze explained that his stablemaster Nakamura suggested the name change. He said that upon his return to the ring after injury, Nakamura told him that he was different from others and continued to do magnificent things, and that he was able to return to the ring because of the "feelings" ({{Transliteration|ja|sōdai}}) of others.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hochi.news/articles/20240716-OHT1T51120.html?page=1|title=「確信のはたき込み」で初白星の友風、改名の真相を明かす|date=16 July 2024|publisher=Sports Hochi|access-date=16 July 2024|language=ja}}</ref> Tomokaze subsequently dropped to {{translit|ja|jūryō}} division in March 2024, making a comeback to the top division in May before falling again in July.

After spending seven consecutive tournaments in {{translit|ja|jūryō}}, Tomokaze returned to the {{translit|ja|makuuchi}} ranks in September 2025. On Day 13, he secured a winning record in the top division for the first time in six years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202509260001797.html|title=友風が６年２カ月ぶり幕内勝ち越し障害者手帳保持の力士が壁超え残り２日も「気を抜かずに」|date=26 September 2025|publisher=Nikkan Sports|lang=ja|access-date=26 September 2025}}</ref>

==Fighting style== Tomokaze has shown a preference for ''tsuki'' and ''oshi'' techniques which involve pushing and thrusting rather than grasping his opponent's ''mawashi'' or belt.<ref name="jiji"/> His most common ''kimarite'' or winning moves are ''hatakikomi'', the slap-down and ''oshidashi'', the push-out.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sumo.or.jp/EnSumoDataRikishi/profile/3818/|title=Rikishi profile Tomokaze Yuta |website=sumo.or.jp}}</ref>

==Personal life== In February 2026, Tomokaze announced that he got married in January 2023 after several years of dating. He has one son, born in March 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202602240000722.html|title=元幕内の友風、パパになっていたこと明かす「ケガをした時もずっと支えてくれました」|date=24 February 2026|language=ja|work=Nikkan Sports|access-date=24 February 2026}}</ref>

Tomokaze has a passion for the piano. His favorite performer is Richard Clayderman.<ref name="piano"/> He has two younger sisters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/201904120000893.html|title=友風が兄弟子の貴景勝と稽古感謝、めいにはデレデレ|date=12 April 2019|language=ja|work=Nikkan Sports|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref>

==Career record== {{Sumo record box start|Tomokaze Sōdai<ref name="sumodb">{{cite web | author= | title=Tomokaze Yuta Rikishi Information | publisher=Sumo Reference |url=http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Rikishi.aspx?r=12427}}</ref>}} {{Sumo record year start link|2017}} {{Basho}} {{Basho}} {{Basho|MAEZUMOU}} {{Basho|jk|25|e|7|0 Champion}} {{Basho|jo|15|e|6|1}} {{Basho|sa|53|e|7|0|P Champion}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2018}} {{Basho|ma|31|e|5|2}} {{Basho|ma|18|e|4|3}} {{Basho|ma|13|e|4|3}} {{Basho|ma|10|e|5|2}} {{Basho|ma|4|w|5|2}} {{Basho|j|14|w|12|3 Champion}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2019}} {{Basho|j|4|e|10|5}} {{Basho|m|13|e|9|6}} {{Basho|m|9|w|8|7}} {{Basho|m|7|w|11|4|||o|*}} {{Basho|m|3|w|7|8|||*}} {{Basho|m|3|w|0|3|12}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2020}} {{Basho|KYUJO|rank=j|r-no=1|tozai=e}} {{Basho|KYUJO|rank=j|r-no=13|tozai=w}} {{Basho|CANCELLED|rank=ma|r-no=11|tozai=w|absent=0| State of Emergency }} {{Basho|KYUJO|rank=ma|r-no=11|tozai=w}} {{Basho|KYUJO|rank=ma|r-no=52|tozai=e}} {{Basho|KYUJO|rank=sa|r-no=35|tozai=w}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2021}} {{Basho|KYUJO|rank=sa|r-no=95|tozai=w}} {{Basho|jo|55|w|6|1}} {{Basho|sa|88|e|5|2}} {{Basho|sa|55|w|6|1}} {{Basho|sa|3|e|5|2}} {{Basho|ma|37|e|6|1}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2022}} {{Basho|ma|15|e|5|2}} {{Basho|ma|8|e|3|4}} {{Basho|ma|10|w|6|1}} {{Basho|ma|3|e|4|3}} {{Basho|ma|2|e|2|5}} {{Basho|ma|8|w|5|2}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2023}} {{Basho|ma|2|e|4|3}} {{Basho|j|13|w|8|7}} {{Basho|j|12|e|8|7}} {{Basho|j|9|e|10|5}} {{Basho|j|3|e|11|4}} {{Basho|m|14|e|7|8}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2024}} {{Basho|m|15|e|5|10}} {{Basho|j|3|w|9|6}} {{Basho|m|16|e|2|13}} {{Basho|j|7|e|5|7|3}} {{Basho|j|11|e|9|6}} {{Basho|j|5|w|7|8}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2025}} {{Basho|j|6|w|7|8}} {{Basho|j|7|e|7|8}} {{Basho|j|7|e|10|5}} {{Basho|j|2|w|9|6}} {{Basho|m|16|e|9|6}} {{Basho|m|12|w|7|8}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2026}} {{Basho|m|13|w|4|11}} {{Basho|j|2|w|6|9}} {{Basho|j|5|e|8|7}} {{Basho|||||}} {{Basho|||||}} {{Basho|||||}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record box end}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{Goo Sumo|3818}} {{Jūryō rikishi banzuke}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Tomokaze, Sodai}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:Japanese sumo wrestlers Category:Sumo wrestlers from Kanagawa Prefecture Category:Nippon Sport Science University alumni Category:Martial artists from Kawasaki, Kanagawa Category:Nishonoseki stable sumo wrestlers