The Colorado State Rams landed a very intriguing addition to their team on Tuesday that has flashed some supreme athleticism in another sport.
Hidetora Hanada was an all-world sumo wrestler, winning the All-Japan title as a freshman at Nippon Sport Science University along with taking gold in the 2022 World Games open-weight division.
Instead of staying in the sport, he is pursuing the sport of football. According to The Japan Times, Hanada took part in open tryouts for the X League, Japan’s premier American football competition back in March.
It seems like the streamed workout put him on the radar of the Colorado State football program, as it was announced on Tuesday that he will be joining their football program.
https://twitter.com/InsideSportJP/status/1681182565833785344
It’s unclear exactly where Hanada will fit in on this team given his raw knowledge of the sport at this point. However, the Colorado Rams team could certainly use some help on their offensive line which he can likely help with.
The Rams allowed a Division 1 worst 59 sacks last season, and given his likely knowledge of leverage in the sport of sumo wrestling, he will likely train to be on the offensive line.
He could also fit on their defensive line, as Hanada reportedly told The Japan Times that his favorite football player is Los Angeles Rams star defensive lineman Aaron Donald.
Regardless, he seemingly has the athletic profile of a star in the making if he does pick up the game of football quickly.