県大会優勝も「改善点が見られた」 女子相撲世界3位の中学生・草野珠穂さんを突き動かす強さの秘密

This is the official news channel of Fukushima Television. Please subscribe to our channel and watch the latest news from Fukushima Prefecture. #Fukushima #News Tamaho Kusano, a junior high school student from Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, won third place at the 2026 World Sumo Championships. She says her source of power is "self-discipline" and "the support of her family." Even after winning the Fukushima Prefectural Tournament, she doesn't rest on her laurels, but instead sets her sights straight on becoming "world champion." We unravel the secret to her strength. ■Junior High School Student Leading the Sumo Scene in Fukushima In June, the Fukushima Prefectural Sumo Tournament, where elementary and junior high school students compete for the top spot, was held at the sumo arena in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, where the pride of aspiring sumo wrestlers clashed. "You can do it! Forward, forward!" Tamaho Kusano, who cheers on her teammates with a loud voice, is one of the junior high school students leading the sumo scene in Fukushima Prefecture. "The number of female sumo wrestlers is steadily increasing, so I hope it grows even more and can become an Olympic sport," says Kusano. ■Theきっかけ… Lured by a prize Kusano attends a junior high school in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture. She's a normal second-year junior high student, but when asked about sumo... Kusano: "My strengths are in general studies and club activities." Male student: "Sumo, right?" Kusano: "Then let's do sumo, yeah!" Kusano stepped into the world of sumo when she was in fifth grade of elementary school. The reason was "lured by a prize," but her skills have improved remarkably. In practice, she holds her own against boys. Yoshifumi Aota, the representative of the Seishinkan Haranomachi Sumo Dojo, says, "Kusano has natural strength, and when she gets a hold of the mawashi (loincloth), she has power. We're trying to get her to use that in her sumo." ■ "Self-Discipline" is the Source of Strength At the World Championships held in Tokyo in February 2026, Kusano won third place amidst competition from older and international athletes. However, Kusano says, "While I was happy, the feeling of frustration was stronger, and I cried long after the competition ended." The source of her power is "self-discipline." It wasn't always smooth sailing. "I wasn't getting the results I wanted. To be honest, I got discouraged. There were times when I cheated and took a break, making excuses," she says. ■ Daily Routine: "Sumo Notebook" and Family Support Kusano's daily routine involves reviewing both the good and bad points in her "sumo notebook" to improve for the next day. Family support is also a source of her strength. Dinner, a feast of love, including fried oysters, fried squid, pork simmered in grated radish sauce, and grilled mackerel, is prepared by her father, Mitsuhiro. Her father, Mitsuhiro, says, "I'm tough on her during practice, so that she can eat plenty when she comes home." Kusano competes in the "light heavyweight" division, a class for wrestlers weighing between 65 and 75 kilograms, where weight management and diet are crucial parts of training. At the Fukushima Prefectural Tournament, Kusano won his class and secured his ticket to the Tohoku Tournament. "I was happy to win, but I also saw areas for improvement, like how I won in a dirty way. My goal is still to become the world's best." He's not satisfied with immediate victories! With no holding back and giving his all in sumo, this small wrestler is aiming for the top of the world.