 After junior high school, he attempted to enter Hōtoku Gakuen high school which had a strong sumo team, but when he failed he decided to take a break from sumo and worked at his parents' sushi restaurant for three years while continuing to stay in shape.Acceding to his mother's wishes, at eighteen he joined Isenoumi stable and first entered the ring in March 2005.He took the "shikona" or ring name of Ikioi from his first pro tournament.