In 1985 he won the All Japan Sumo Championships, making him the first person to earn the amateur yokozuna title whilst still in high school.

[3] He joined the prestigious Dewanoumi stable and made his professional debut in January 1988, beginning in the third highest makushita division.

In March 1993 he was famously knocked out by a harite (slap to the face) from Kyokudōzan and had to withdraw from the tournament with his score at seven wins and six losses.

His best result in a top division tournament was his runner-up performance in September 1993, where he finished behind Akebono on twelve wins and won his second Fighting Spirit prize.

Kushimaumi was one of the heaviest wrestlers ever, weighing over 200 kilograms (440 lb) at his peak, and his great physical strength was demonstrated by his frequent use of the kimedashi (arm barring force out) technique.

[4] Kushimaumi remained with Dewanoumi stable as an elder of the Japan Sumo Association, initially under his old shikona (known as jun-toshiyori status).

As a result, he became interested in healthy cooking and had a series of recipes published in a Kodansha magazine, and his wife released a cookbook in 2008.