Wakafutase Tadayuki

Wakafutase Tadayuki - 若二瀬 唯之 (born February 20, 1942 - May 20, 1997) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Minami-ku, Nagoya, Aichi. He made his debut in September 1960 and last wrestled for Asahiyama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 1966 and has one special prize as well as one kinboshi. His highest rank was komusubi and he retired in March 1975.

## **Early Life**

After graduating from a local high school in Saku Island in Aichi prefecture, he moved to Nagoya and worked as a seafood wholesaler. After this, he moved to Tokyo and joined Onaruto stable (later Asahiyama stable) and made his professional debut in September 1960.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

In his first professional tournament, Wakafutase won the jonokuchi yusho with a 6-1 record. He was promoted to sandanme in May 1961 and makushita in January 1962. In his second makushita tournament, Wakafutase finished with a perfect 7-0 record, but lost to Wakanami in the playoff match. In January 1964 he produced a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 2 and was promoted to juryo for the following March 1964 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

Wakafutase's first juryo run only lasted four tournaments and he was demoted back down to makushita in November 1964. Nevertheless, he returned to juryo in the following January 1965 tournament. After four consecutive winning records he was promoted to makuuchi in March 1966.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Wakafutase was unable to establish himself in makuuchi until he September 1967 where he produced a strong 11-4 record. In July 1968 he defeated yokozuna Kashiwado on the first day to earn his first kinboshi and finished with an 11-4 record. In addition, he was warded the Outstanding Performance prize and was promoted to komusubi for the following September 1968. He produced an 8-7 record in his san'yaku debut, which included wins over yokozuna Kashiwado and ozeki's Tamanoshima and Yutakayama, however, he followed with a 5-10 record and was demoted back to the maegashira ranks. He returned to komusubi once more in July 1969, but could only manage a 3-12 record.

In January 1972, he finished with a 10-5 record and was runner-up to Tochiazuma's 11-4 record. However, he was shortly demoted back down to juryo in July 1972. He returned to makuuchi in January 1973, but could only remain there for three tournaments before falling back down to juryo in July 1973. He announced his retirement after the March 1975 tournament to avoid an inevitable demotion to makushita.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association. However, when his old stablemaster died in 1975 they were caught up in a succession dispute for Asahiyama stable between former maegashira Ryuo. He ended up taking over the stable, however, six Tongan rikishi, who belonged to the rikishi, sided with Ryuo and were ultimately dismissed by the Japan Sumo Association. Due to this controversy, officials from the Sumo Association had to fly back to Tonga and explain the situation to the King of Tonga.

### **Death**

He died suddenly on May 20, 1997, while still an active oyakata, at the age of 55 due to a heart attack. He was succeeded as head coach by former ozeki Daiju.

## **Fighting Style**

Wakafutase 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:** 571-566/1137 (88 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 238-302/540 (36 basho)
* **Juryo:** 238-212/450 (30 basho)
* **Makushita:** 62-36/98 (14 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 17-11/28 (4 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 10-4/14 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 2 **Juryo** Championships
	+ 1st (July 1963)
	+ 2nd (November 1972)
* 1 **Jonokuchi** Championship (November 1960)

### **Achievements**

* **Special Prizes:** Outstanding Performance Prize (1)
* **Kinboshi:** (1) Kashiwado

## **Shikona History**

* Toshima Tadateru (1960.09 - 1961.01)
* Wakafutase Tadateru (1961.03 - 1967.01)
* Wakafutase Tadayuki (1967.03 - 1975.03)

## **Gallery**

Newspaper clipping of Wakafutase's makuuchi promotion (c. 1966)Wakafutase poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1967)Wakafutase with his first and only sansho prize (c. 1968)Wakafutase after promotion to Komusubi (c. 1968)Wakafutase after retirement as Asahiyama Oyakata (c. 1982)
## **Sources**

* Wakafutase Tadayuki Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Wakafutase Tadayuki Rikishi Information