Byamba sumo biography

Byambajav “Byamba” Ulambayar didn’t speak the language. He didn’t know the culture. He had never even tasted the food.

He didn’t know how challenging it would be.

Byamba also didn’t know that leaving his family in Mongolia when he was 16 years old to move to Japan and become a sumo wrestler would be the most important decision of his life.

“My parents told me it was my life, it was my choice,” Byamba said.

Byamba height

“ … I don’t think I could send my boy to Japan when he’s 16.”

Byamba grew up in Ulan-Bator, Mongolia. He was first introduced to Mongolian wrestling (Bokh) when he was 9 years old. He quickly lost interest, favoring basketball instead, but eventually returned to wrestling to improve his balance.

Byamba rocketed up the ranks in Bokh, judo, and samba, winning various national junior titles.

His success garnered the attention of Onokuni, a former Japanese Grand Sumo Champion, who was in Mongolia scouting