Rising sumo star Enho Akira has caused a stir in the sumo community by opting to keep his original name, a rarity in this traditional sport. Despite common practices dictating a name change upon joining a training stable, Enho has chosen to honor his original moniker. The decision has sparked dialogue and reflection on the meaning of tradition in modern sumo and Japanese society.

In Japan, sumo wrestling is steeped in tradition. Novice wrestlers often take on a new ring-name—or shikona—upon joining a stable as a rite of passage and to signify their shift in identity. Enho’s decision to retain his original name is unique and stands apart from the norm. It can be seen as a personal expression of identity, which is highly valued in a society embracing both tradition and individualism.

In contrast, in both the US and EU, name changes in sports aren’t as prevalent. They mostly occur in professional wrestling, which does share similarities with sumo in terms of theatricality and character development, but the tradition does not extend to most other sports. The emphasis lies more on personal brand building using the athlete's original name.