Kinryuzan Jongun

Kinryuzan Jongun - 金龍山 鍾根 (born May 4, 1987) is a former South Korean professional sumo wrestler from North Gyeongsang Province. He made his debut in May 2003 and last wrestled for Matsugane stable. His highest rank was sandanme 42 and he retired in May 2009.

## **Early Life**

Jonggeun Kim began practicing judo in his fourth year at Moonbaek Elementary School (문백초등학교). He later continued his judo career at Sungsu Middle School (성수중학교) where he won the heavyweight division of the national judo championships.

His parents also came from athletic background. His father, Gyujin Kim, was a member of the South Korean national tennis team and his mother, Mijin Kim, is a physical education teacher at Myungil Girls' High School; she was also a member of the national gymnastics team in South Korea. Kim initially had intentions of competing of competing in the Olympics for judo, but was scouted by former South Korean sumo wrestler Kunimiyama.

## **Career**

He joined Matsugane stable in May 2003 and initially wrestled under his family name. In his first tournament he produced a spectacular 6-1 record and was promoted to the jonidan division. He changed his shikona from his family name to "Kinryuzan" (金龍山) in March 2004. He was promoted to sandanme in July 2004.

He reached a career-best sandanme 42 in March 2005, however, prior to the tournament he suffered a serious neck injury during practice and had to pull out on the first day. He eventually fell off the banzuke in November 2005. While sitting out he returned to South Korea multiple times to get treatment for his neck. He had to start his career all over again in November 2006 as he returned to wrestle in maezumo (pre-sumo). Nonetheless, he continued to sit out of the following tournaments and eventually fell off the banzuke again.

He returned back to maezumo in July 2007 and won two out of his three bouts. In his return to jonokuchi, Kinryuzan won all seven matches and took the yusho. This was also his first full tournament in over two years and a half. He followed up with a 6-1 record in jonidan, but pulled out of the next tournament. He wrestled two more full tournaments, before pulling out of the July 2008 tournament due to a hernia in his lower back. Kinryuzan continued to sit out of the next six tournaments. His retirement was announced after the May 2009 tournament.

## **Fighting Style**

Kinryuzan was a oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used was a straightforward oshidashi, or push out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 64-36-75/98 (28 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 19-17-20/34 (8 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 31-18-28/49 (11 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 14-1-27/15 (6 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Jonokuchi** Championship (September 2007)

## **Shikona History**

* Kimu Jongun (2003.05 - 2004.01)
* Kinryuzan Jongun (2004.03 - 2009.05)

## **Gallery**

Kinryuzan returns to Korea to seek treatment for his injury (c. 2007)Kinryuzan prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2008)Kisenosato attends Kinryuzan's retirement ceremony (c. 2009)

## **Sources**

* Kinryuzan Jongun Rikishi Information
* KBS Article on Kinryuzan Joining Sumo
* Chosun Article on Kinryuzan