When the rankings for the upcoming Summer Grand Sumo Tournament are released next Monday, Endo should find himself among sumo's top four ranks for the very first time.
The Oitekaze Stable man will become the 17th former member of Nihon University's sumo club to make it to at least the rank of komusubi. The collegiate powerhouse has produced one yokozuna (Wajima), one ozeki (Kotomitsuki) and an incredible 48 more sekitori (wrestlers from the second tier or higher).
By contrast, Kinki University and Nippon Sports Science University, two very strong amateur teams, have had only 12 and eight graduates, respectively, reach sumo's top divisions.