after initially showing more interest and aptitude for handball, ishibashi began to concentrate on sumo in junior high school. he took part in the national championships in his third year but sustained an elbow injury which led to him considering quitting the sport. he then attended toyama commercial high school and was persuaded to persevere by the school's sumo director. after competing successfully in high school tournaments he won a place at kindai university where he studied economics. he won seven college titles and reached the top four in all-japan sumo championships.