Chikarakoma Yui

Chikarakoma Yui - 力駒 雄偉 (born February 28, 1948) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Otaru, Hokkaido. He made his debut in November 1966 and wrestled for Miyagino stable. He reached the juryo division in January 1977. His highest rank was juryo 11 and he retired in September 1977.

## **Early Life**

Soma practice judo in junior high school. After graduating, he got a job in Sapporo, Hokkaido, but in the end decided to continue his education and he attended Hokkai High School where he was a member of the judo and sumo clubs. After graduating high school, he joined Miyagino stable and made his debut in November 1966 at the age of 18.

## **Career**

In his first tournament, Soma won the jonokuchi yusho with a perfect 7-0 record. He was then promoted to sandanme in July 1967 after two tournaments in jonidan. He was promoted to makushita in November 1969 and changed his shikona to "Chigoma" (地駒). In September 1971, he changed his shikona to "Somayama" (相馬山) and in July 1976, he again changed his shikona to "Chikarakoma" (力駒). In November 1976, he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record at the rank of makushita 15 and was promoted to juryo in the following January 1977 tournament.

In his first tournament as a sekitori, Chikarakoma put up descent results and by the end of the 14th day, his record was 7 wins to 7 losses. However, he lost his final match to Adachi to finish with a 7-8 record. He followed with a 3-12 record and was demoted back down to makushita.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After losing his sekitori status, Chikarakoma sat out for three straight tournaments and subsequently announced his retirement after the September 1977 tournament. After retiring, he opened up a seasonal restaurant in Nagoya, Aichi, called "Hokkaido Cuisine Soma" (北海道料理 そうま).

## **Personal Life**

After retiring from sumo, Chikarakoma's stablemaster, the 43rd yokozuna Yoshibayama, suddenly passed away. It is customary for the stablemaster to take the final cut during a rikishi's danpatsu-shiki, or retirement ceremony, however, since Chikarakoma's stablemaster passed away before he could cut his topknot, Chikarakoma kept his top knot well after retirement. It was not until after 20 years, when Chikarakoma was 50 years old, that he had a proper retirement ceremony with Miyagino Oyakata (former maegashira Chikubayama) taking the final cut. In honor of Yoshibayama, his picture was put up in the venue.

## **Fighting Style**

Chikarakoma 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:** 239-205-27/444 (66 basho)
* **Juryo:** 10-20/30 (2 basho)
* **Makushita:** 153-135-20/288 (44 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 58-47-7/105 (16 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 11-3/14 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 7-0/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (January 1967)
* 1 **Jonokuchi** Championship (November 1976)

## **Shikona History**

* Soma Yui (1966.11 - 1970.01)
* Chigoma Yui (1970.03 - 1971.07)
* Somayama Yui (1971.09 - 1976.05)
* Chikarakoma Yui (1976.07 - 1977.09)

## **Gallery**

Chikarakoma during his time as "Somayama" (c. 1972)
## **Sources**

* Chikarakoma Yui Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Chikarakoma Yui Rikishi Information