Terunofuji Haruo (Japanese: 照ノ富士 春雄, born 29 November 1991 as Gantulgyn Gan-Erdene[1] (Mongolian: Гантулгын Ган-Эрдэнэ)) is a Mongolian-Japanese former professional sumo wrestler.

[13][17] Upon entering jūryō he changed his shikona surname to Terunofuji, a combination of two former yokozuna, Terukuni and Asahifuji (his own stablemaster), and a reflection of the high expectations placed on him.

[31] Following Terunofuji's first top division yūshō, Japan Times columnist Mark Buckton suggested that he had the potential to be promoted one day to the highest rank of yokozuna.

[32] On his first appearance at his new rank Terunofuji won nine of his first ten matches to reach a tie for the lead, but losses to Hakuhō, Kakuryū and Kotoshōgiku saw him end the tournament with an 11–4 record.

[44] On Day 14 he became the sole leader after he defeated Kotoshōgiku and the injured Kisenosato lost to Kakuryū, but he was booed by the crowd for sidestepping his opponent at the initial charge.

[48] The September tournament saw a repeat of Nagoya, with Terunofuji winning only one of his first five matches before he was forced to withdraw because of the knee injury, which he aggravated in a loss to Shōhōzan on Day 5.

[49] Terunofuji could have made an immediate return to ōzeki with at least ten wins in the November 2017 tournament, but he withdrew on Day 5 after losing his first four matches, citing a meniscus tear in his left knee.

[69] With his fellow Mongolians Hakuhō and Kakuryū withdrawn due to injury, Terunofuji won his third career yūshō and earned his third shukun-shō, finishing with a 12–3 record – more than the 10 wins needed for an expected promotion to ōzeki once again.

[3][73] In May 2021 he won his first ten bouts, leading the rest of the field by two victories, but suffered a hansoku or loss by disqualification on Day 11 when he was determined by the ringside judges to have pulled Myōgiryū's topknot.

[5] Terunofuji adopted the Shiranui style used by his stablemaster Isegahama and took part in his first dohyō-iri (ring-entering ceremony) as a yokozuna on 24 August at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo.

Stablemates Terutsuyoshi and Takarafuji served as the tsuyuharai (dew sweeper) and tachimochi (sword bearer), respectively,[80] and Terunofuji borrowed the tachi used for the ceremony from his stablemaster.

[83] Terunofuji's sixth career championship in makuuchi was assured on Day 14 of the November 2021 tournament after he defeated Abi, who had been the only other wrestler in contention for the Emperor's Cup at that time.

Terunofuji was humble during his public interview, appreciating the support of fans in Kyushu who did not see last year's November tournament because of COVID-19 and saying that he was "not such a talented wrestler capable of doing many things."

[91] In an online press conference the following day, he spoke of his relief at his victory and paid tribute to his former Isegahama stablemate Aminishiki ahead of his retirement ceremony, who Terunofuji said had given him advice on how to deal with his knee injuries.

[92] In July, Terunofuji was in contention for the championship on the final day but his defeat to Takakeishō meant he finished on 11–4, one win behind maegashira Ichinojō who took the title with a 12–3 record.

His victory was the first makuuchi championship won by a wrestler who had been absent for three successive tournaments in 34 years, the last being Sumo Association president Hakkaku (former yokozuna Hokutoumi).

[110] Following the announcement of the rankings for the September tournament, Terunofuji expressed his reservations about taking part in the competition, although his presence remained a possibility if his back problems eased.

By his own admission, the state of his back made training impossible, but Terunofuji was optimistic about the continuation of his career, taking part in the danpatsu-shiki of former sekiwake Okinoumi and performing his ring-entering ceremony at the Meiji Shrine on October 2.

[117] Terunofuji withdrew again before the start of the November 2023 tournament,[118] one day after cutting his practice short at his stable's lodging in Fukuoka in order to treat lower back pain.

[120] At the dohyō-iri held at Meiji Shrine prior to the start of the January 2024 tournament, Terunofuji said he was ready for his return to the ring and that he wanted to take up sumo to shake off the dark news—referring to the Noto Peninsula earthquake and the aircraft collision at Haneda Airport that occurred in Japan at the beginning of the year—and make good news.

[131] Terunofuji withdrew from the tournament on the following day, with his medical certificate stating that he would need treatment for damaged costal cartilage in his left rib as well as osteoarthritis in his right knee.

"[137] Sumo commentator John Gunning suggested that with ten top-division titles under his belt, Terunofuji should be referred to as the dai-yokozuna, or great grand champion, of the Reiwa era.

[140] Although he was able to perform the dohyō-iri during a portion of the October regional tours, he reportedly was unable to resume training when his stable moved to Fukuoka for the November 2024 tournament.

[142] In early 2025, Terunofuji (still the only yokozuna at the time) confirmed his presence for the first tournament of the year, despite numerous comments calling for his retirement after only a handful of appearances in the annual competitions.

[146] Later that same day Japanese media outlets, citing sources within the Japan Sumo Association, reported that Terunofuji had decided to retire after a long battle with knee pain and diabetes.

[147] At his retirement press conference, Terunofuji told reporters that based on his recent poor performances he felt like he should not "stand on the raised ring with a half-hearted mindset or body."

[151] Prior to his demotion from the top division, he often relied on his physical strength to lift opponents with both arms and carry them out of the dohyō, a style of wrestling which was criticized for increasing the burden on his knees.

[154] Terunofuji's wife is credited with being an unfailing supporter during his long injury layoff,[155] as during this period he gave up drinking and she followed nutritional advice from his doctor in preparing his meals.

[159] Terunofuji explained that he had made the decision to seek Japanese citizenship in 2019 following his fall to the second-lowest jonidan division, after consultation with his family, stablemaster and colleagues.

[6] Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique     Also shown: ★=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s) Divisions: Makuuchi — Jūryō — Makushita — Sandanme — Jonidan — Jonokuchi Terunofuji Haruo's official biography (English) at the Grand Sumo Homepage