His nephew was also a sumo wrestler in the Tatsunami stable, and reached a highest rank of makushita 2 before retiring in March 2010. He was known as Wakainami for most of his career, but was told he could drop the "i" and use his uncle's shikona if he reached the jūryō division.
A relative of the sumo wrestler was also a member of the Tatsunami stable and achieved a top rank of makushita 2 before retiring in March 2010. He was primarily known as Wakainami during his career, but was allowed to use his uncle's wrestling name if he reached the jūryō division.