Estonian-born Baruto Kaito – known to his family as Kaido Hoovelson – rose from a small Estonian town athlete to one of Japan’s most celebrated sumo wrestlers, becoming one of only two Estonians ever to compete in the sport and the first achieving the prestigious rank of Ozeki. “Before my arrival, no one knew much about Estonia, but now it’s difficult to find a person in Japan who hasn’t heard of Estonia and the Baltic States,” Kaido Hoovelson told The Baltic Times Magazine.
One of the editors of an international publication I contribute to – a British journalist who has lived in Japan and, being passionate about sumo, mastered Japanese so well that he became a sumo journalist for major Japanese publications – was rather surprised that I hadn’t heard about you here in the Baltics. Could it be that you were and are much more famous in Japan than in Estonia, and certainly more than in the rest of the Baltics?
I think sumo is not such a popular sport in the Baltics. In Estonia, everyone knows me, but in Japan even more people do. If you ask a Japanese person what they know about the Baltics and Estonia, the first answer is this: “Baruto, the sumo wrestler.”
You’ve probably been asked this question countless times – how did you first fall in love with sumo, and what helped you build and sustain such a successful, nearly decade-long career in Japan?
There was a sumo tournament in Estonia, and a small team from Japan also took part. After the competition, the somewhat drunk Japanese coach asked me what I thought about professional sumo. I replied that I would really like to become a professional sumo wrestler. That’s where the conversation ended, but four months later I received plane tickets and an invitation to Japan.
Some people may believe that Estonians – and Estonian men in particular – are slow-thinking and slow-acting, a trait seemingly incompatible with what is expected of a professional sumo wrestler. What would you say to that?
Most are a bit slow, but not all. Sumo requires technique, speed, and strength – as well as willpower and belief in yourself.
What was the hardest part for you during your years of competition? Proving yourself each time you stepped onto the dohyo, showing that a man from across the seas could wrestle down Japan’s best sumo wrestlers?
A new culture, new traditions, people, language, and food are a challenge for everyone. You have to stand up for yourself every day, and if you want to become strong and successful, you must be ready for different challenges. Every day was a new day.
Did you feel like Estonia’s ambassador while living and wrestling in Japan? Did you take that role seriously? What does the average Japanese person know about Estonia?
I was and still am a bridge between Estonia and Japan. Before, no one knew much about Estonia, but now it’s difficult to find a person who hasn’t heard of Estonia and the Baltic States. My name, Baruto, also means “Baltic” or “Baltic Sea.” Many people have contributed to Estonian–Japanese cooperation, but I helped to start it.
Did you learn Japanese easily? What was the most difficult aspect? Are there any Japanese words you find particularly interesting or amusing?
Japanese is not as difficult as it seems. I also had a bit more talent for languages. From 2013 to 2018, I worked as a presenter on Japanese television, so if you dream, dream big and work for it. In Japanese, I like the word un, which means “luck,” because I believe being in the right place at the right time is related to luck.
The highest rank you achieved was Ozeki, just below Yokozuna. What prevented you from reaching the highest rank?
After I won a major tournament – becoming the world champion of professional sumo wrestlers – I suffered a major knee injury that greatly affected my future career.
Did you make a fortune from the sport – and how did you invest it?
I have invested most of my earnings in Estonian real estate.
What do you find most fascinating about Japan?
Japan has beautiful nature and a clean, very friendly nation. Their unique sense of humor suits me well.
In Japan, you also became a TV personality and actor. Could you tell us more about that experience?
During my television career, I met many interesting new people and had the opportunity to visit places I had never been before. It was an unprecedented experience, and I am immensely grateful for that time. I experienced a Japan I hadn’t known during my sumo career.
After returning to Estonia in 2013, you entered politics and served as a member of the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) from 2019 to 2023. What did you learn during your time in politics? Were you able to initiate or pass any significant sports-related laws or amendments?
I learned that, in general, professional politicians can be slippery and don’t always keep their promises. There are few who are straightforward and truly stand up for their people. In many ways, they’re out for their own interests. At the same time, if you don’t try, you never know – and new challenges have always interested me.
Is your son following in your footsteps?
My son Taar is a sporty boy. He plays tennis and football. Exercise is in his DNA. He doesn’t do much sumo yet, but we’ll see in the future (smiles).
What are you doing now?
I have owned a company in Tokyo focused on export and import for over ten years, and I work on it daily. I also run a holiday home and a windmill here in Estonia, and I give sumo training to young people. If anyone is interested, you are always welcome to visit me in Estonia.
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Website: www.baruto.eu
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