recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Iwatefuji Yuichi

Iwatefuji Yuichi - 岩手富士 祐一 (born August 9, 1963 - December 18, 2020) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Esashi, Iwate. He made his debut in March 1979 and wrestled for Asahiyama stable. He reached the juryo division in January 1986. His highest rank was juryo 6 and he retired in September 1991.

## **Career**

After graduating from a junior high school in Kawasaki city, Suzuki joined Asahiyama stable and made his professional debut in March 1979. He was given the shikona "Futasekaze" (二瀬風). He was promoted to sandanme in July 1980 and makushita in November 1981. After several years of bouncing back and forth between the mid to high levels of Makushita, he changed his shikona to 'Iwatefuji" (岩手富士) in March 1985. After the shikona change, he posted five consecutive winning records and was promoted to juryo in Janaury 1986.

Iwatefuji was ranked in juryo for a total of 14 tournaments. His first stint only lasted one tournament as he finished with a 5-10 record. He returned to juryo in November 1986 only to last two tournaments. His third stint in juryo lasted for four tournaments from July 1987 to Janaury 1988. He returned to juryo in May 1988 and was ranked as a sekitori for seven straight tournaments, reaching as high as juryo 6 in November 1988.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Iwatefuji spent the last two years of his career in makushita before announcing his retirement after the September 1991 tournament due to an illness. After retiring, he became a truck driver. In 2015, he appeared in a mini documentary by Vice called "The Life of a Retired Sumo Wrestler".

### **Death**

Iwatefuji died at a hospital in Chiba prefecture on December 18, 2020, due to sepsis. He was 57 years old.

## **Fighting Style**

Iwatefuji was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 325-298-14/623 (76 basho)
* **Juryo:** 93-117/210 (14 basho)
* **Makushita:** 164-137-7/301 (44 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 39-24-7/63 (10 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 25-17/42 (6 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Futasekaze Yuichi (1979.03 - 1985.01)
* Iwatefuji Yuichi (1985.03 - 1991.09)

## **Gallery**

Iwatefuji poses with his kesho-mawashiIwatefuji outside his stable, Asahiyama beyaIwatefuji throws salt into the ring as he prepares for his upcoming matchIwatefuji battles the Taiwanese Tochinohana (c. 1987)Iwatefuji's signature
## **Sources**

* Iwatefuji Yuichi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Iwatefuji Yuichi Rikishi Information
Hirosegawa Sokichi

Hirosegawa Sokichi - 廣瀬川 惣吉 (born February 28, 1919 - August 6, 1979) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Shibata, Miyagi. He made his debut in January 1937 and wrestled for Araiso stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1943. His highest rank was maegashira 3 and he retired in May 1959.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Oikawa moved to Tokyo at the age of 17 and joined Isegahama stable (later renamed Araiso stable). He made his professional debut in January 1937 and was given the shikona "Hirosegawa" (廣瀬川). He was promoted to sandanme in May 1938 and makushita in May 1939. Upon promotion to juryo in January 1941, he had not produced a single losing record. After four tournaments in juryo, he was promoted to makuuchi in January 1943.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Initially Hirosegawa was unable to establish himself in the top division and was demoted back down to juryo after one tournament. He returned to makuuchi in November 1944 after winning the juryo yusho. He was then ranked in makuuchi for 10 years and rose as high as maegashira 3 in January 1952. He began bouncing back and forth between makuuchi and juryo in his later career and wrestled against young rikishi such as Taiho and Wakachichibu who were not even born when Hirosegawa made his debut. He retired in May 1959 at the age of 40.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring from sumo, Hirosegawa left the Japan Sumo Association and ran a poultry farming business in Chiba prefecture. He died on August 6, 1979, at the age of 60.

## **Fighting Style**

Hirosegawa was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who preferred grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 403-447-24/846 (66 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 263-324-19/584 (43 basho)
* **Juryo:** 107-108-5/214 (15 basho)
* **Makushita:** 16-8/24 (3 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 9-5/14 (2 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)
* **Shinjo:** 3-0/3 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Hirosegawa Sokichi (1937.01 - 1950.09)
* Hirosegawa Sonosuke (1951.05 - 1953.05)
* Hirosegawa Sokichi (1953.09 - 1959.05)

## **Sources**

* Hirosegawa Sokichi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Hirosegawa Sokichi Rikishi Information
Hirakagawa Daiji

Hirakagawa Daiji - 平鹿川 泰二 (born March 31, 1924 - April 11, 1992) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hiraka, Akita. He made his debut in January 1941 and wrestled for Tatsunami stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1956. His highest rank was maegashira 13 and he retired in September 1959.

## **Early Life**

After graduating from an elementary school in Akita prefecture, Sato moved to Tokyo and was employed at a pharmaceutical company in Kamata ward (currently Ota ward). At the age of 16, he decided to become a professional sumo wrestler and joined Kasugayama stable.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his professional debut in January 1941 and was given the shikona "Hirakagawa" (平鹿川). He was promoted to sandanme in May 1942 and makushita in May 1944. In November 1946, he transferred to Tatsunami stable after his Kasugayama stable closed down. In November 1947, he posted a 4-2 record at the rank of makushita 5 and was promoted to juryo in May 1948.

### **Juryo Career**

In his first tournament as a sekitori, Hirakagawa finished with a 5-6 record. From October 1949 to September 1950, he wrestled under the shikona "Urashima" (浦嶋) before reverting back to Hirakagawa. After seven years in juryo, he won the juryo yusho in May 1955 with a strong 12-3 record. He followed with a 10-5 record at the rank fo juryo 2 and was promoted to makuuchi in January 1956.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Hirakagawa posted an 8-7 record in his top division debut. In March 1957 he injured his right knee on the 9th day in a match against Wakasegawa and subsequently withdrew from the tournament on the 10th day. Unusually he was promoted to maegashira 13 (his highest rank) for the following May 1957 tournament, even though he finished with a losing record. Nevertheless, he continued to sit out in the May 1957 tournament and was demoted down to juryo after seven consecutive tournaments in makuuchi. Due to his injury, he remained in juryo for majority of his later career and was eventually demoted down to makushita in May 1959.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Hirakagawa retired from sumo in September 1959. After retiring, he opened up a sushi restaurant in Chuo, Tokyo. He died on April 11, 1992, at the age of 68.

## **Fighting Style**

Hirakagawa was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was uwatenage, or overarm throw.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 337-338-47/672 (60 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 44-41-20/84 (7 basho)
* **Juryo:** 187-210-15/395 (29 basho)
* **Makushita:** 70-64-8/134 (14 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 25-18-4/43 (7 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 7-1/8 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-4/8 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Hirakagawa Daiji (1941.01 - 1949.05)
* Urashima Daiji (1949.10 - 1950.09)
* Hirakagawa Daiji (1951.01 - 1959.09)

## **Sources**

* Hirakagawa Daiji Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Hirakagawa Daiji Rikishi Information
Aichiyama Haruo

Aichiyama Haruo - 愛知山 春雄 (born March 10, 1922 - October 22, 1986) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Isshiki, Aichi. He made his debut in May 1938 and wrestled for Tatsunami stable. He reached the makuuchi division in June 1945. His highest rank was maegashira 4 and he retired in March 1955.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Takahashi moved to Tokyo a the age of 16 and joined Tatsunami stable. He made his professional debut in May 1938 and was given the shikona "Aichiyama" (愛知山) which is derived from his hometown of Aichi Prefecture. He was promoted to sandanme in May 1940 and makushita in May 1941. After three years in makushita, Aichiyama was promoted to juryo in May 1944. Two tournaments later, he was promoted to makuuchi in June 1945.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Aichiyama was ranked in makuuchi for a total of 21 tournaments, reaching as high as maegashira 4 in June 1947. He was demoted back down to juryo in May 1953. He won the juryo yusho in May 1953 with a 13-2 record after defeating stablemate Chikugoyama in a playoff. However, Aichiyama never managed to return back to the top division and retired from sumo in March 1953.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring, Aichiyama left the Japan Sumo Association and was self-employed in his hometown. He also worked as a security guard for the Aichi Institute of Technology. He died on October 22, 1986, at the age of 64.

## **Fighting Style**

Aichiyama was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who preferred grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was shitatehineri, or twisting underarm throw.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 234-252/486 (43 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 126-155/281 (21 basho)
* **Juryo:** 59-66/125 (10 basho)
* **Makushita:** 27-21/48 (6 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 11-5/16 (2 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 5-3/8 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-2/8 (1 basho)

## **Sources**

* Aichiyama Haruo Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Aichiyama Haruo Rikishi Information
Ichiwatari Akira

Ichiwatari Akira - 一渡 明 (born January 11, 1918 - December 9, 1974) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Abiko, Chiba. He made his debut in May 1933 and wrestled for Dewanoumi stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1939. His highest rank was maegashira 18 and he retired in May 1943.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Akira Watanabe joined Dewanoumi stable and made his professional debut in May 1933 under the shikona "Ichiwatari" (一渡). He breezed through the lower divisions and was promoted to juryo in January 1937 without a single losing record. In his juryo debut, Ichiwatari finished with a 4-7 record and was demoted back down to makushita. He returned back to juryo in January 1938 and was promoted to makuuchi in January 1939.

### **Makuuchi Career**

In his top division debut, Ichiwatari finished with a 4-9 record and was demoted back down to juryo. He returned back to makuuchi in January 1940, but could only muster out a 6-9 record. His final appearance in the top division was in January 1943 where he finished with a poor 3-12 record. He subsequently announced his retirement in the following May 1943 tournament.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring, Ichiwatari ran a restaurant, but he later closed the restaurant due to a traffic accident. After that, he ran an inn but soon died due to lingering effects from the accident.

## **Fighting Style**

Ichiwatari was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 116-93-34/206 (20 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 13-30/43 (3 basho)
* **Juryo:** 67-48-27/112 (10 basho)
* **Makushita:** 26-14-6/40 (4 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 5-1/6 (1 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 5-0-1/5 (1 basho)

## **Sources**

* Ichiwatari Akira Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Ichiwatari Akira Rikishi Information
Chiyonoumi Shigeo

Chiyonoumi Shigeo - 千代の海 茂夫 (born October 21, 1945) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Fukushima, Hokkaido. He made his debut in March 1963 and last wrestled for Kokonoe stable. He reached the juryo division in November 1973. His highest rank was juryo 7 and he retired in July 1974.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 1963, wrestling for Dewanoumi stable. In January 1965, he won the sandanme yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted to makushita in the following March 1965 tournament. In September 1966 he changed his shikona to "Chiyonoumi" (千代の海). He transferred to the recent established Kokonoe stable in 1967. From May 1973 to September 1973, he served as the bow-twirler to mark the end of the tournament days. Upon promotion to juryo in November 1973, he stepped down on his bow-twirling duties as they are usually performed by low-ranking sumo wrestlers.

In his first tournament as a sekitori, he finished with a solid 9-6 record and was promoted to the rank of juryo 7 in the following January 1974 tournament. However, he followed with two consecutive losing records and was demoted back down to makushita in May 1974 after three tournaments in juryo. He announced his retirement shortly after in July 1974.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring, he opened up a chanko restaurant called "Sumo Cuisine Chiyonoumi" (相撲料理千代の海) in his wife's hometown of Hakata-ku, Fukuoka. Many celebrities such as Yoji Yamada, Sayuri Yoshinaga and Sadaharu Oh ate at his restaurant. In 2017, he closed down his restaurant. In an interview with Nikkan Sports, he cited that his knees were becoming weak and it was hard to run a restaurant at his age.

## **Fighting Style**

Chiyonoumi was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 257-236-7/493 (69 basho)
* **Juryo:** 16-29/45 (3 basho)
* **Makushita:** 160-155-7/315 (46 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 52-32/84 (12 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 24-18/42 (6 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Sandanme** Championship (January 1965)

## **Shikona History**

* Okabe Shigeo (1963.03 - 1966.07)
* Chiyonoumi Shigeo (1966.09 - 1973.01)
* Okabe Shigeo (1973.03 - 1973.09)
* Chiyonoumi Shigeo (1973.11 - 1974.07)

## **Gallery**

Chiyonoumi poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1973)Chiyonoumi attends Chiyonofuji's retirement ceremony (c. 1991)The original Chiyonoumi with the second Chiyonoumi (c. 2016)
## **Sources**

* Chiyonoumi Shigeo Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Chiyonoumi Shigeo Rikishi Information
Isenohama Keitaro

Isenohama Keitaro - 伊勢ノ濱 慶太郎 (born November 9, 1883 - May 17, 1928) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Honjo, Tokyo. He made his debut in January 1902 and wrestled for Tomozuna stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1906 and has one kinboshi. His highest rank was ozeki and he retired in January 1919.

## **Early Life**

Keitaro Nakadachi was born in Honjo, Tokyo (currently Sumida, Tokyo) and came from a sumo wrestling family. His father Chosaburo Nakadachi wrestled under the shikona "Isenohama Ogiemon" and was a maegashira in the 1880s. He initially worked at a liquor store in Nihonbashi, but was proud of his family's sumo background and decided to join professional sumo.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Nakadachi joined Negishi stable and made his professional debut in January 1902 under his father's shikona "Isenohama" (伊勢ノ濱). Negishi stable did not have a proper dohyo, so he would spend majority of his time raining at Tomozuna stable with yokozuna Tachiyama (he eventually transferred to the stable full-time). He was promoted to juryo in May 1905 and makuuchi in May 1906.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Isenohama gradually rose up the ranks and was promoted to komusubi in June 1909, and sekiwake a year later in June 1910. He was unable to maintain his san'yaku rank and was demoted back down to maegashira, but in February 1911, he defeated yokozuna Hitachiyama to earn his first and only kinboshi. He returned to the san'yaku ranks and in May 1913, he finished with a 9-1 record and was runner-up to stablemate Tachiyama who finished with 10-0 record. He was promoted to ozeki for the following January 1914 tournament.

### **Ozeki Career**

Isenohama was ranked as ozeki for five years, but struggled. He never managed to win a championship nor defeat a yokozuna during his tenure as ozeki. Furthermore, towards his later years as ozeki he struggled with health issues such as neuralgia and rheumatoid arthritis. He ultimatley retired from in January 1919.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring from sumo, Isenohama remained in the Sumo Association as an elder under the name Nakadachi. he established Nakadachi stable, but the stable closed upon his death in May 1928.

### **Death**

On May 17, 1928, he committed suicide by poisining himself at an inn in Numazu, Shizuoka. He was 44 years old.

## **Fighting Style**

Isenohama was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). He was fond of employing yori (forcing) techniques and uwatenage (overarm throw).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 112-85-58-9draws-16holds/222 (29 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 98-82-58-9draws-13holds/202 (26 basho)
* **Juryo:** 14-3-3holds/20 (2 basho)

## **Sources**

* Isenohama Keitaro Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Isenohama Keitaro Rikishi Information
Ikazuchi Stable

Ikazuchi stable (雷部屋, Ikazuchi-beya) was a stable of sumo wrestlers which was established in the Edo period and was shut down in September 1927.

## **History**

The stable was established sometime in the Edo period. 15th yokozuna Umegatani I who took over the stable in 1884. His son, Umegatani II rose to the rank of yokozuna in 1903 and became the head coach of the stable in 1915. However, he died in 1927 and the stable subsequently closed down. It was revived in January 1957 by maegashira Banshinzan, who was the stable's last recruit, however, the stable closed in August 1961 and was unable to produce a single sekitori.

## **Owners**

* 1957-1961: 12th Ikazuchi (former maegashira Banshinzan)
* 1915-1927: 11th Ikazuchi (the 20th yokozuna Umegatani II)
* 1884-1915: 10th Ikazuchi (the 15th yokozuna Umegatani I)
* 1864-1869: 9th Ikazuchi (former maegashira Tomanoumi)

## **Notable Former Wrestlers**

* Umegatani II (the 20th yokozuna)
* Tsurugizan (former ozeki)
* Onaruto (former ozeki)
* Kaigatake (former ozeki)
* Kagamiiwa (former ozeki)
* Kanagiyama (former makushita)
Kainoyama Fukuhito

Kainoyama Fukuhito - 甲斐ノ山 福人 (born March 4, 1921) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Enzan, Yamanashi. He made his debut in January 1935 and last wrestled for Nishikijima stable. He reached the makuuchi division in September 1950. His highest rank was maegashira 10 and he retired in March 1955.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Born in Enzan, Yamanishi, he joined Nishikijima stable at the age of 13 and made his professional debut in January 1935. Initially wrestling under the shikona "Orochishima" (大蛇島), he was promoted to sandanme in May 1939 and makushita in January 1942. After four tournaments in makushita, he was promoted to juryo in January 1944.

### **Juryo Career**

Upon promotion to the juryo division, he changed his shikona to "Kainoyama" (甲斐ノ山). After nearly three years in juryo, he was demoted back down to makushita in June 1947. He returned to juryo on two occasions in 1949, but finished with losing records. He was promoted back to juryo for a fourth time in May 1950 and he won the juryo yusho with a 13-2 record which immediately promoted him to makuuchi for the September 1950 tournament.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Kainoyama was ranked in the top division for twelve consecutive tournaments, reaching as high as maegashira 10 in September 1951. He was demoted back down to juryo in March 1954 and upon falling down to makushita in March 1955, he retired from the sport.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Upon retirement from active competition, he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, under the name Tatekawa. He later acquired the Tagonoura name, but left the sumo world in September 1964. After leaving the sumo world, he managed a home decor store in Setagaya, Tokyo.

## **Fighting Style**

Kainoyama was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 227-263-12/490 (50 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 83-97/180 (12 basho)
* **Juryo:** 64-104/168 (13 basho)
* **Makushita:** 50-35-8/85 (11 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 20-16-4/36 (5 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 6-8/14 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Orochishima (1935.01 - 1943.05)
* Kainoyama Fukuhito (1944.01 - 1955.03)

## **Sources**

* Kainoyama Fukuhito Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kainoyama Fukuhito Rikishi Information
Hinodeshima

Hinodeshima - 日乃出島 (born February 19, 1953 - May 10, 2012) was a Tongan professional sumo wrestler. He made his debut in November 1974 and wrestled for Asahiyama stable. His highest rank was sandanme 34 and he retired in September 1976.

## **Early Life**

At the age of 21, he was part of a group of six teenagers and young men sent by the King of Tonga to Japan to study Sumo. After moving to Japan in 1974, he competed under the shikona of Hinodeshima (日乃出島, sometimes spelled 日ノ出島 and 日の出島).

## **Career**

Hinodeshima was the tallest and heaviest wrestler out of his other Tongan contemporaries. This showed in his sumo as he produced strong records of 6-1 and 5-2 in his first two tournaments. However, he began to struggle at the jonidan ranks and did not reach sandanme until the May 1976 tournament. In his sandanme debut, he was in the yusho-race for majority of the tournament and was 6-0 by the end of the eleventh day. However, he ended losing a match to eventual yusho-winner Wakanobori. Nonetheless, the strong record boosted Hinodeshima to a career high rank of sandanme 34.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

### **Controversial Dismissal**

Hinodeshima's stablemaster, ex-maegashira Futaseyama, died suddenly in 1975 and he and his Tongan stablemates were caught up in a succession dispute between former maegashira Ryuo and the man who eventually became the new head, former komusubi Wakafutase. They sided with Futaseyama's widow, who preferred Ryuo to take over, and were ultimately dismissed by the Japan Sumo Association. As a result of the controversy sumo officials had to fly to Tonga to explain themselves to the country's king, Taufaʻahau Tupou IV.

### **After Retirement**

After retirement, Hinodeshima moved to Australia where he resided in Bankstown, which is a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales.

### **Death**

Hinodeshima passed away on October 12, 2012, in Sydney, Australia, at the age of 59. He is buried in Rookwood Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria in Rookwood, Cumberland Council, New South Wales, Australia.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 45-32/77 (12 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 13-8/21 (3 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 27-22/49 (7 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Hinodeshima (right) joins professional sumo (c. 1974)Hinodeshima after his maezumo debut (c. 1974)Hinodeshima after winning a match in jonokuchi (c. 1974)Hinodeshima defeats Taniguchi by hikiotoshi (c. 1974)Hinodeshima eats chanko-nabe with his Tongan stablematesHinodeshima and his Tongan stablemates get topknotsTongan sumo wrestlers protest their new stablemaster (c. 1976)The Tongan rikishi return to Tonga after their dismissal (c. 1976)
Iinoumi Mitsuo

Iinoumi Mitsuo - 飯の海 光男 (born December 13, 1984) is a former Filipino professional sumo wrestler from Masantol, Pampanga. He made his debut in May 2001 and wrestled for Dewanoumi stable. His highest rank was jonokuchi 49 and he retired in July 2001.

## **Career**

Jonathan Mark Yumang was born in Masantol, Pampanga, Philippines, on December 13, 1984. He later moved to Japan and joined Dewanoumi stable to become a professional sumo wrestler. He used Tokyo as his official birthplace instead of the Philippines, so he is not considered a foreign wrestler. He made his professional debut in May 2001 at the age of 16 and was given the shikona "Iinoumi Mitsuo" (飯の海 光男). He performed poorly in maezumo (pre-sumo) and retired in the following July 2001 tournament without ever participating in an official match.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 0-0-7/0 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 0-0-7/0 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Iinoumi outside the Ryogoku Kokugikan (c. 2001)
Futagoyama Stable (2018)

Futagoyama stable (二子山部屋, Futagoyama-beya) is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Dewanoumi ichimon or group of stables. It was established on April 1, 2018 by former ozeki Miyabiyama, who branched off from Fujishima stable.

As of January 2023 it has 14 active sumo wrestlers.

## **History**

Futagoyama stable was established on April 1, 2018 by former ozeki Miyabiyama, who branched off from Fujishima stable. Futagoyama Oyakata took six low ranked rikishi with him when the stable was established. In 2018, Futagoyama stable recruited Russian-Mongolian, Roga, who was a former high school yokozuna.

In November 2022, Roga became the first sekitori of the stable, reaching the juryo division. And exactly a year since his juryo debut, Futagoyama stable gained its first top division wrestler, with the promotion of Roga to the Makuuchi division.

## **Owners**

* 2018-Present: 14th Futagoyama Masataka (iin, former ozeki Miyabiyama)

## **Notable Active Wrestlers**

* Roga (best rank maegashira)
* Nabatame (best rank makushita)
* Nobehara (best rank makushita)
* Maikeru (best rank makushita)
* Kuwae (best rank sandanme)

## **Links**

* Futagoyama stable's Twitter [1]
* Futagoyama stable's Instagram [2]
* Futagoyama stable's Youtube channel [3]
Hokudozan Kazusada

Hokudozan Kazusada - 北道山 和貞 (born October 24, 1988) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Monbetsu, Hokkaido. He made his debut in March 2007 and wrestled for Hakkaku stable. His highest rank was makushita 45 and he retired in January 2014.

## **Early Life**

Higuchi attended Monbetsu High School where he was the captain of the judo club. When he won third place in both the individual and group tournaments in high school, he was scouted by Hakkaku Oyakata (the 61st Yokozuna Hokutoumi) and subsequently joined Hakkaku stable.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 2007 and initially wrestled under his surname Higuchi. In March 2009, he was given the shikona "Hokudozan" (北道山). He was promoted to sandanme in July 2009 and makushita in November 2011. He reached a career-best makushita 45 in May 2013, but could only manage one win in that tournament. After finishing with a poor 1-6 record in November 2013, he retired prior to the following January 2014 tournament.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

### **Professional Wrestling Career**

After retiring from sumo, Higuchi signed with DDT Pro-Wrestling to become a professional wrestler. Higuchi made his professional wrestling debut at DDT Pro-Wrestling's DDT Dramatic Fanclub Vol. 1, event from October 18, 2014, where he defeated Kota Umeda. Higuchi is a multiple-time KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Champion, title which he won on different occasions. On July 3, 2022, Higuchi won the 2022 King of DDT Tournament by defeating Naomi Yoshimura in the final, and consequently won the KO-D Openweight Championship.

## **Fighting Style**

Hokudozan was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. His most common kimarite was yorikiri (force out) followed by oshidashi (push out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 140-128-12/268 (41 basho)
* **Makushita:** 17-25/42 (6 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 55-52-12/107 (17 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 63-49/112 (16 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Higuchi Kazusada (2007.03 - 2009.01)
* Hokudozan Kazusada (2009.03 - 2014.01)

## **Gallery**

Hokudozan prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2013)Hokudozan trains at Hakkaku stable (c. 2013)Hokudozan after retirement as a professional wrestler (c. 2023)
## **Sources**

* Hokudozan Kazusada Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Hokudozan Kazusada Rikishi Information
Kaho Fumio

Kaho Fumio - 華鵬 文男 (born July 30, 1969) is a former Taiwanese professional sumo wrestler from Changhua County. He made his debut in May 1989 and last wrestled for Takadagawa stable. His highest rank was jonidan 55 and he retired in November 1990.

## **Career**

Pengwen Chen of Changhua County, Taiwan, joined Takadagawa stable in May 1989. The stable was already home to five other Taiwanese sumo wrestlers. He was given the shikona "Kaho" (華鵬). In his first professional tournament he produced a winning record of 4-3 and as a result was promoted to jonidan. He continued to impress as he produced two consecutive 5-2 records and was promoted to a career-best jonidan 55 in January 1990. However, after losing his first two matches of this tournament, he pulled out for the rest of the tournament and continued to sit out of the following one as well. He eventually returned and wrestled two more full tournaments, before sitting out of the two following tournaments. His retirement was announced after the November 1990 tournament.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 22-15-26/37 (10 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 13-10-19/23 (6 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 9-5-7/14 (3 basho)
Hatooka Ryosuke

Hatooka Ryosuke - 鳩岡 良祐 (born February 23, 1994) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yokohama, Kanagawa. He made his debut in March 2016 and currently wrestles for Kise stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 14.

## **Early Life**

Ryosuke Hatooka was born on February 23, 1994, in Yokohama's Kohoku Ward. He attended Takushoku University Koryo High School where he was a member of the school's sumo club. After high school, he enrolled at Takushoku University to continue his amateur sumo career. Upon graduating, he opted to go professional and joined Kise stable.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 2016 and wrestled under his surname Hatooka. He reached makushita in January 2017 after less than a year in professional sumo. Prior to the January 2018 tournament, Hatooka suffered an injury to his left knee during a training session with Jokoryu. He immediately underwent surgery and had to miss the following five tournaments and was regulated back down to the lowest jonokuchi division.

He returned to the dohyo in November 2018 and captured the jonokuchi yusho with a perfect 7-0 record. He followed with another flawless 7-0 record to take the jonidan yusho in the following January 2019 tournament. Hatooka quickly returned to makushita in May 2019. However, on the 9th day of the January 2020 tournament, Hatooka suffered another injury, this time to his right knee, and had to withdraw from the tournament. He sat out of the following four tournaments and was demoted back down to the second lowest jonidan division.

Hatooka returned to action in January 2021. In July 2021, he defeated former maegashira Sagatsukasa on the 13th day to finish with a perfect 7-0 record and claimed the sandanme yusho.

## **Fighting Style**

Hatooka is a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favors a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite is yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 150-76-89/225 (46 basho)
* **Makushita:** 78-63-34/140 (25 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 39-10-35/49 (12 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 19-2-14/21 (5 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 14-1-6/15 (3 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Sandanme** Championship (July 2021)
* 1 **Jonidan** Championship (January 2019)
* 1 **Jonokuchi** Championship (November 2018)

## **Gallery**

Hatooka during his time in Maezumo (c. 2016)Hatooka defeats Kojikara to win the Jonokuchi Yusho (c. 2018)Hatooka defeats Hokutoo to win the Jonidan Yusho (c. 2019)Hatooka wins his first Jonidan Yusho (c. 2019)Hatooka defeats Sagatsukasa to win the Sandanme Yusho (c. 2021)Hatooka prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2022)
## **Sources**

* Hatooka Ryosuke Rikishi Information
* Nikkan Sports Article on Hatooka's Sandanme Yusho
* Nikkan Sports Article on Hatooka's Jonidan Yusho
Hakusan Momotaro

Hakusan Momotaro - 伯山 桃太郎 (born November 28, 1956) is a former Brazilian professional sumo wrestler from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. He made his debut in March 1977 and last wrestled for Izutsu stable. His highest rank was makushita 9 and he retired in May 1986.

## **Early Life**

Pasquale Boschi (sometimes spelled Pasquale Bosche or Paschoale Boschi) is a third generation Italian-Brazilian and the son of a baker. Because of this, he was use to manual labor and discipline from a young age. He grew up in Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais, and was an avid practitioner of judo. When Kimigahama oyakata (former sekiwake Tsurugamine) was on a three-man tour of Brazil in 1976, he was extremely impressed with Boschi's showing at an amateur sumo tournament and he immediately offered Boschi an invitation to join his Kimigahama stable.

## **Career**

He made his debut in the March 1977 tournament under the shikona, Hakusan (伯山). He achieved a 6-1 in his first jonokuchi tournament. In the September 1977 tournament, he was in the jonidan yusho race for majority of the tournament, but lost his final match to finish with a still impressive 6-1 record. He was promoted to sandanme in November 1977, but he would start to struggle due to his injury proneness.

He was promoted to the makushita division in July 1979, however, he started to struggle and even posted a winless tournament in his second tournament ranked in makushita. Hakusan became a makushita regular by 1980, but fell back down to sandanme due to injuries. He eventually returned and in May 1984 he was promoted to a career-best makushita 9 rank. Even though he scored a 2-6 record in this tournament, it contained the most significant moment of his career. He was placed against juryo-ranked wrestler Fujinosato on the thirteenth day which meant that he wore an oichomage (the first Brazilian to do so), a privilege only reserved for sekitori. He defeated Fujinosato by oshidashi (push out).

In March 1985, Hakusan pulled out of the tournament due to more Injuries. He fell back down to sandanme in September of that year and after pulling out of four consecutive tournaments due to injuries, he announced his retirement after the May 1986 tournament.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring from professional sumo, Hakusan returned to Brazil and became a judo teacher in his hometown of Belo Horizonte, Minas Geiras.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 176-151-59/327 (56 basho)
* **Makushita:** 99-103-16/202 (31 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 61-42-23/103 (18 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 10-5-20/15 (5 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Hakusan during his time in maezumo (c. 1977)Hakusan during his time in makushita (c. 1980)Hakusan with his old judo master from Brazil (c. 1982)Hakusan prepares for his upcoming match (c. 1982)Hakusan towards his later career (c. 1984)Hakusan (right) after retirement as a judo master (c. 1987)

## **Sources**

* Hakusan Momotaro Rikishi Information
* Sharnoff, Lora (1993). *Grand Sumo*. Weatherhill
* Japan Times Article on Multiculturalism in Sumo
Kaihakuzan Yungi

Kaihakuzan Yungi - 魁白山 允基 (born August 15, 1976 - May 19, 2014) was a South Korean professional sumo wrestler from Seoul. He made his debut in March 1999 and last wrestled for Tomozuna stable. His highest rank was sandanme 49 and he retired in November 2000.

## **Early Life**

Yoongi Baek was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. After graduation from Yeungnam University he decided to pursue sumo wrestling. He joined Tomozuna stable in March 1999 and was given the shikona "Kaihakuzan" (魁白山).

## **Career**

In his first tournament, Kaihakuzan won all seven bouts and took the jonokuchi yusho. In the following tournament he produced a 5-2 record and was promoted to the sandanme division after only one tournament in the previous two divisions. In May 2000, he was promoted to a career-best sandanme 49, but pulled out of this tournament due to injury.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

In November 2000, Kaihakuzan suddenly announced his retirement after the November 2000 tournament due to the discovery of an abnormality in his kidneys.

### **Professional Wrestling Career**

Upon retirement from sumo, Baek returned to South Korea and became a professional wrestler and joined the World Wrestling Association (WWA) after former sumo wrestler and current WWA chairman, Sangjin Hong (ex-Harimayama) recommended it. He made his debut in 2001 and would often portray a "heel" character. However, his wrestling career did not last long and he announced his retirement from the sport a year later.

### **Later Years and Death**

After retirement from professional wrestling, Baek went on to work as an insurance planner.

Yoongi Baek sadly passed away on May 19th, 2014, at an hospital in Songpa-gu, Seoul, due to chronic renal failure. He was 38 years old and was mourned by the South Korean wrestling community. Baek was cremated on May 22nd and is currently buried at Yongmiri Cemetery.

## **Fighting Style**

Kaihakuzan was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won over half of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out. He was also fond of employing yoritaoshi, or frontal crush out, and uwatenage (overarm throw)

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 36-20-14/56 (11 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 19-16-14/35 (7 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 10-4/14 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 7-0/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Jonokuchi** Championship (May 1999)

## **Gallery**

Kaihakuzan (right) wins the jonokuchi yusho (c. 1999)Kaihakuzan prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2000)Kaihakuzan on his way to the Kokugikan (c. 2000)Kaihakuzan (right) celebrates Kaio's ozeki promotion (c. 2000)Kaihakuzan's funeral (c. 2014)

## **Sources**

* Kaihakuzan Yungi Rikishi Information
* News Cani Article on Kaihakuzan's Death
Gyokuzan

Gyokuzan - 玉山 (born November 1, 1952) is a former Taiwanese professional sumo wrestler from Taipei. He made his debut in November 1966 and wrestled for Tatsunami stable. His highest rank was sandanme 75 and his last tournament was March 1972.

## **Career**

Taiwanese, Huang Keng Ming joined Tatsunami stable in November 1966 at the age of fourteen. He wrestled under the shikona Gyokuzan (玉山) which means Precious Mountain for majority of his career. He did not reach the sandanme division until September 1971, however, he pulled out of the next four tournaments and fell off the banzuke after the March 1972 tournament. He never returned to maezumo or any of the lower divisions which makes it unclear when he retired.

## **Personal Life**

* His parents lived in Brazil and they operated a trading business with Taiwan.
* The Associated Press described him as a "nationalist Chinese Sumo Wrestler".
* His English sumo database profile consists of many errors. His shikona is shown as "Tamayama", however, the Associated Press listed his shikona as "Gyokuzan". The sumo database also lists his name as Akira Yokonoe which is a Japanese name, while the Associated Press lists his name as Huang Keng Ming which is a Chinese name.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 73-95-28/168 (30 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 0-0-7/0 (1 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 67-87-14/154 (24 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-8-7/14 (3 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Tamayama or Gyokuzan (1966.11 - 1972.03)

## **Gallery**

Gyokuzan plays Japanese chess with a son of his stablemaster

## **Sources**

* Tamayama Rikishi Information
* Gyokuzan Picture on Shutterstock
Hiraiwa Shichidayu I

## Hiraiwa Shichidayu

Hiraiwa Shichidayu - 平石 七太夫 (born 1768 - January 27, 1809) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yonago, Tottori. He made his debut in November 1788 and wrestled for Tamagaki stable. He reached the makuuchi division in November 1795. His highest rank was ozeki and he retired in November 1807.

## **Career**

Adachi was born in modern day Yonago, Tottori, and he joined Tamagaki stable in 1788, making his professional debut at the jonidan division in November of the same year. Upon promotion to juryo in November 1794, he was given the shikona "Tategasaki Shichidayu" (楯ヶ崎 七太夫). One tournament later, he changed his ring name to "Hiraiwa Shichidayu" (平石 七太夫) and was promoted to makuuchi in November 1795. He was promoted to sekiwake in October 1801 and ozeki in March 1801. He remained at the ozeki rank for majority of his later career and he retired from sumo in November 1807.

## **Death**

Hiraiwa died on January 27, 1809, at the age of 41. His grave is located in his birthplace of Wada-cho, Yonago, Tottori. The tomb of his cousin, former sekiwake Yamaoroshi, is located in the same graveyard as well.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 56-16-89-4draws-10holds-4no results/90 (20 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 22-7-27-3draws-7holds-1no results/40 (7 basho)
* **Juryo:** 2-2-1hold/5 (2 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Tategasaki Shichidayu (1794.11 - 1794.11)
* Hiraiwa Shichidayu (1795.03 - 1797.03)
* Hiraiwa Shichiemon (1797.10 - 1805.02)
* Hiraiwa Shichidayu (1805.10 - 1807.11)
Hikarugenji Haru

Hikarugenji Haru - 光源治 晴 (born December 26, 1992) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Osaka City, Osaka. He made his debut in May 2010 and wrestled for Minezaki stable. His highest rank was makushita 54 and he retired in March 2021.

## **Career**

In 2010, Yamano was recruited for professional sumo and he subsequently dropped out of Nishiyodogawa High School and entered Hanakago stable. He made his professional debut in May 2010 and initially wrestled under his surname Yamano. He was later given the shikona "Wakagenji" (若源治) in January 2011 before changing it to "Hikarugenji" (光源治) in March 2013. In May 2012, his Hanakago stable closed down and he was transferred to Minezaki stable.

Weighing only 69 kg (152 Ib) when joining sumo, Hikarugenji struggled to put on weight and was unable to break through the jonidan wall. He finally reached sandanme in July 2014, but was unable to establish himself in the division until September 2016. He reached the makushita division in November 2020, but withdrew from the tournament which resulted in him falling back down to sandanme. This was his only tournament in the makushita division. He retired from sumo shortly after in March 2021.

## **Controversy**

### **Minezaki Stable Assault Scandal**

In March 2018 it emerged that a junior wrestler at the stable had been the victim of physical assault by Hikarugenji and retired as a result. The incidents were not reported to Minezaki Oyakata (former maegashira Misugiiso) at the time and he found out only after the victim's father sent him a letter saying his son was beaten four times at the stable between September 2017 and January 2018. Hikarugenji was given a one tournament suspension by the Japan Sumo Association on March 29 and Minezaki Oyakata was given a 10% salary reduction for two months.

## **Fighting Style**

Hikarugenji was proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His most often used winning kimarite was yorikiri (force out), followed by oshidashi (push out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 212-213-16/424 (64 basho)
* **Makushita:** 0-0-7/0 (1 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 98-89-9/186 (28 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 103-114/217 (31 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 11-10/21 (3 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Yamano Haru (2010.05 - 2010.11)
* Wakagenji Mitsuharu (2011.01 - 2013.01)
* Hikarugenji Haru (2013.03 - 2021.03)

## **Gallery**

Hikarugenji after defeating Urutora (c. 2014)Hikarugenji prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2021)Hikarugenji's retirement ceremony (c. 2021)
## **Sources**

* Hikarugenji Haru Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Hikarugenji Haru Rikishi Information
Kanazawa Hidetoshi

Kanazawa Hidetoshi - 金沢 秀俊 (born June 20, 2003) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Toyohashi, Aichi. He made his debut in March 2022 and currently wrestles for Naruto stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is sandanme 46.

## **Early Life**

Hidetoshi Kanazawa was born on June 20, 2003, in Toyohashi, Aichi, to a Japanese father and an Italian-Paraguayan mother. He began sumo wrestling during his time at the judo club at Toyohashi Shiritsu Nanyo Junior High School. He attended sumo wrestling classes twice a week and he achieved top 8 at an Aichi prefectural tournament. He later enrolled at Toyohashi Chuo High School where he was a member of the powerlifting club. After high school, he joined Naruto stable.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 2022 and wrestled under his surname Kanazawa. He missed the July 2022 tournament after a COVID-19 outbreak in his stable. Nevertheless, he rose up the ranks at a steady pace and was promoted to sandanme in January 2023.

## **Fighting Style**

Kanazawa is a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won majority of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out. He was also fond of employing yoritaoshi, or frontal crush out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 39-28-3/67 (10 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 22-20/42 (6 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 13-5-3/18 (3 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Kanazawa gets recruited into Naruto stable (c. 2021)Kanazawa gets measured upon joining sumo (c. 2022)Kanazawa prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2022)

## **Sources**

* Kanazawa Hidetoshi Rikishi Information
* Higashiaichi Shimbun Article on Kanazawa
* Chunichi Shimbun Article on Kanazawa
Kabumoto Yoshihisa

Kabumoto Yoshihisa - 株本 義久 (born April 23, 1944) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Fukuyama, Hiroshima. He made his debut in July 1965 and last wrestled for Asahiyama stable. He reached the juryo division in January 1970. His highest rank was juryo 9 and he retired in May 1971.

## **Career**

Kabumoto made his professional debut in July 1965 at the age of 21 wrestling for Asahiyama stable. He was promoted to sandanme in March 1966 and makushita in November 1967. In November 1969, he produced a 6-1 record at the rank of makushita 4 and was promoted to juryo in the following January 1970 tournament. His first juryo run only lasted three tournaments and he was demoted back down to makushita in July 1970. He returned to juryo in May 1971 but could only finish with a 4-11 record. Rather than face inevitable demotion back down to the unsalaried ranks, he announced his retirement after the May 1971 tournament.

## **Fighting Style**

Kabumoto was a tsuki/oshi specialist, who prefers pushing and thrusting at his opponents rather than fighting on the mawashi or belt. However, his most common winning kimarite or technique was yorikiri, or force out, which requires a belt grip.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 156-121/277 (36 basho)
* **Juryo:** 24-36/60 (4 basho)
* **Makushita:** 70-49/119 (17 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 46-31/77 (11 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 10-4/14 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Kabumoto loses to future ozeki Kaiketsu (c. 1970)
## **Sources**

* Kabumoto Yoshihisa Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kabumoto Yoshihisa Rikishi Information