Everyone thinks of big bellies when they envision sumo wrestlers, but it turns out the pros have gigantic hands too.
Sumo wrestler Shinobu Wakanosato is a pretty big guy, even by the standards of his plus-sized profession. To get a grasp of how big, you could look at his weight of 163 kilograms (359 pounds), which is some 15 pounds heavier than average for the sport’s athletes.
https://www.instagram.com/p/-8EIYYymnF/
Or you could look at his massive, massive hands.
https://www.instagram.com/p/97eWDIymtW/
https://www.instagram.com/p/4g_Yc7ymmW/
Wakanosato has an Instagram account, and like a lot of people, he likes to share snapshots of his meals and snacks with his social media followers. But the 39-year-old sumo wrestler’s fingers and palms are so big that his photos regularly look like they’re not of real food, but of miniature recreations of the kind you can buy from toy vending machines in Japan.
▼ Here he is making an entire bowl of udon look like a one-gulp shot.
https://www.instagram.com/p/-5X3Uqymtl/
https://www.instagram.com/p/-q31XaSmr6/
Set down next to his oversized digits, an orange looks only slightly larger than a cherry tomato…
https://www.instagram.com/p/8PDDMISmm9/
…and a whole pizza looks more like an English muffin.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BAuXVzVymlb/
▼ There’s actually enough meat there to make a hamburger with.
https://www.instagram.com/p/-JMmpwymv6/
https://www.instagram.com/p/-kz7sBympC/
And of course, being a sumo wrestler, Wakanosato doesn’t have to be so concerned about keeping a svelte figure that he can’t treat himself to some dessert now and again.
▼ Although said desserts might might seem thimble-sized.
https://www.instagram.com/p/7cb3VMSmhQ/
https://www.instagram.com/p/-1C6OqSmt5/
Even non-foodstuffs can look laughable small sitting on the palm of his hand.
https://www.instagram.com/p/6L2rLPSmic/
But while those big hands no doubt come in handy when grabbing or smacking opponents in the ring, we can’t help but wonder if they also make Wakanosato’s daily life a little inconvenient. For instance, it’s got to be tough to get a proper grip on regular-sized restaurant cutlery.
https://www.instagram.com/p/8PmhL8Smjf/
Also, it seems that perhaps having such large fingers makes it difficult to operate a touchscreen, given that he apparently hasn’t upgraded to a modern smartphone yet.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BAw6X3mSmrt/
Don’t worry, though, Wakanosato. We hear that some women take it as a good sign if a guy still has a flip phone.
Source: Instagram/wakanosato_shinobu, Instagram/wakanosato_shinobu

Sumo wrestler vs. 16-month-old toddler: The cutest match you’ll ever see【Video】
Japanese sumo wrestler proves why he’s the sport’s cutest star with another sleeping appearance
Sumo wrestlers stage group escape from dormitory over disagreements with master’s wife
Google Maps captures “only in Japan” moment as sumo wrestler sneaks a peek at Google car
Sumo wrestler loses 104 matches in a row, retires as holder of longest professional slump
Sushi Pizza surprises diners in one of the best food destinations in Japan
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Mr. Sato takes a walk on Tokyo’s American-style street to get some American/Japanese ice cream
The Japan Burger Championship 2026 in Yokohama next month is the ultimate battle of the beef
133-year-old Japanese company’s cookies go beyond matcha with dashi and shichimi flavors
Another side of Kyoto – The prefecture’s top 10 “road stations” for traveling foodies
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Tokyo’s insane Garlic Ramen is a meal, and an aroma, you’ll never forget[Taste test]
Same name tops lists of most popular dog and cat names in Japan, and there’s probably a reason why
Two new Sailor Moon art manhole covers are coming to Usagi’s real-world Tokyo neighborhood
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
The bigger they are… Smallest top sumo wrestler takes on yokozuna with amazing result【Video】
What’s making these big, tough sumo wrestlers cringe? A tiny medical procedure, it turns out!
Woman attempting suicide in Tokyo has life saved by 20 sumo wrestlers
Secrets of the sumo ring: Behind-the-scenes rituals that support the wrestlers…literally【Video】
Ever wanted a sumo sandwich? New baked goods line gets stamp of approval from wrestlers in Japan
“Flying Sumo Wrestler” performs sumo moves mid-air while hurtling towards earth at high speed
Japan Sumo Association surprises fans with cutesy game on Twitter
Giant digital sumo wrestler now stopping trains at Tokyo station【Video】
Oddly satisfying: watching sumo wrestlers in this hand-stamp assembly line 【Video】
Join the hordes of net users giggling at GIFs of sumo wrestlers performing comedic moves【Videos】
You can take on sumo wrestlers and drink all the whiskey you want at Tokyo’s new sumo restaurant
Photo of exciting end of sumo match looks like…a VERY different kind of excitement
“Kawaigari”: Learn this depressing sumo jargon while enjoying photos of wrestlers with cats!