“Would Regret It on My Deathbed”: 21-Year-Old Japanese Sumo Star Emphasises on American Dream That Forced Him Out of Legacy

Playing in the NFL is like playing in a league of its own. Boasting the highest value amongst the big 4 leagues of the country, the NFL becomes an eye-popping destination for athletes who want to pursue a career playing football. Throughout time, we’ve also seen two-sport athletes play in the league. Here, names like Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson, and Randy Johnson are worth recalling as these athletes achieved great heights in both sports.

And now, the prospects of being a footballer in the gridiron are calling out to one particular youngster from Japan. Initially, building a name as a sumo wrestler, this youngster now wants to build a name in the world of football.

Hidetora Hanada is now eyeing the NFL

Right from his early days growing up in Wakayama, Hidetora Hanada was always surrounded by martial arts. His father was a former wrestler, and even his mother was a retired judoka. Sumo became a part of his life right from second grade. Hidetora Hanada went on to win the Junior Sumo World Championship as a senior high school student, before joining Nippon Sport Science University. But football caught the 21-year-old’s attention. 

According to an article by The Asahi Shimbun, Hitedora Hanada took part in football tryouts in Japan. He played defensive linemen, owning up to his 6ft, 293lb build. The 21-year-old impressed everyone by overwhelming Japan’s National team members in the tryouts. During a news conference last month, Hitedora Hanada talked about transitioning from sumo to football and said, “I would regret it on my deathbed if I never even tried.” 

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After devoting himself to playing football since last summer, the 21-year-old Japanese is now gearing up to play college football.\

Hanada is going to play college football in America

While playing in the NFL is still a dream, Hidetora Hanada is taking the first steps to fulfilling his desires. He recently announced his commitment to play for the Colorado State Rams in the NCAA Division I program. After his X league tryouts last year, he quickly became a candidate sparking interest from schools like Texas and Ohio State. According to Colorado State’s interview with USA Today, the young Japanese will be a part of the team as a junior with two years of eligibility. He is set to take a position in the defensive line and is set to arrive in the US very soon.

Do you think Hidetora Hanada will be able to fulfill his dreams of playing in the NFL? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. 

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