kadomoto became interested in sumo in his second year of primary school when he joined an area boys' sports club; also in the club was the future sumo star hōmashō, three years his senior. though he showed promise in sumo, preferring to stay local, he did not transfer to one of the more well-known high schools with a strong sumo program. while he was in the sumo club, the owner of sakaigawa stable visited him with an eye to recruiting him, but did not like his attitude and dismissed him as a candidate. after high school he tried out various jobs such a shipyard work and truck driving. eventually, however, a dialogue was opened again with sakaigawa stable and he joined in january 2005. this was the same time that future "ōzeki" gōeidō also joined the stable.