Wakamiyama Kohei

Wakamiyama Kohei - 若見山 幸平 (born April 16, 1943) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Toyama City, Toyama. He made his debut in November 1957 and wrestled for Tatsunami stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1964 and has one special prize as well as one kinboshi. His highest rank was sekiwake and he retired in November 1969.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

At the age of 14, he joined Tatsunami stable and made his professional debut in November 1957. He initially wrestled under his surname Kumano before switching to "Wakamiyama" (若見山) in 1959. He was promoted to sandanme in March 1959 and makushita in July 1960. In March 1963 he produced a 6-1 record at the rank of makushita 2 and was promoted to juryo for the following May 1963 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

At the time of his juryo debut, he was only 20 years old and the youngest sekitori in both divisions. He posted a strong 10-5 record in his debut and followed with a 9-6 reared in July. In September he posted a 10-5 record and an 11-4 record in November 1963 earned him a spot in makuuchi after only four tournaments in juryo.

### **Makuuchi Career**

In his makuuchi debut, Wakamiyama finished with a 10-5 record and due to lucky banzuke placement, he was boosted up 12 ranks to maegashira 2 in March 1964. In this tournament he finished with a 8-7 record and was awarded the Fighting Spirit prize. He was promoted to komusubi for the following tournament, but he could only manage a 4-11 record. He returned to komusubi in September 1965 where he posted an 8-7 record and was promoted to sekiwake for the November 1965 tournament. In this tournament he finished with an 8-7 record, but followed with 6-9 record and was demoted back to the maegashira ranks in March 1966. he defeated Yokozuna Sadanoyama in March 1966 to earn his first and only kinboshi. He was one of the heaviest rikishi of his time, peaking at 176 kg (388 Ib), however, he struggled with diabetes and knee injuries in his later career.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After a disastrous 1-14 record in juryo he announced his retirement after the November 1969 tournament. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Onaruto. he left the Sumo Association in March 1970 as he was only borrowing the elder name. After leaving, he managed a restaurant in Tokyo and a gas station.

## **Fighting Style**

Wakamiyama 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. He was one of the heaviest rikishi of his time, peaking at 176 kg (388 Ib), and because of this, he was also fond of employing kimedashi, or arm-barring force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 424-406-12/828 (73 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 173-220-12/391 (27 basho)
* **Juryo:** 110-85/195 (13 basho)
* **Makushita:** 66-46/112 (16 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 40-31/71 (9 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 34-22/56 (7 basho)
* **Shinjo:** 1-2/3 (1 basho)

### **Achievements**

* **Special Prizes:** Fighting Spirit Prize (1)
* **Kinboshi:** (1) Sadanoyama

## **Shikona History**

* Kumano Toshihiko (1957.11 - 1959.07)
* Wakamiyama Kohei (1959.09 - 1969.11)

## **Gallery**

Wakamiyama with Kitanofuji and Kiyokuni (c. 1964)Wakamiyama was known for his gargantuan sizeWakamiyama poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1967)
## **Sources**

* Wakamiyama Kohei Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Wakamiyama Kohei Rikishi Information