Horyuyama Yasuyuki

Horyuyama Yasuyuki - 宝龍山 靖幸 (born August 24, 1986) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Suzu, Ishikawa. He made his debut in March 2009 and wrestled for Tamanoi stable. His highest rank was makushita 1 and he retired in May 2021.

## **Early Life**

Yasuyuki Sakaguchi was born on August 24, 1986, in Suzu, Ishikawa. After graduating from Kanazawa Municipal Technical High School, he enrolled at Toyo University where he was a member of the school's sumo club. He reached the top 16 at the All Japan Sumo Championships in 2007. After graduating university, he opted to go professional and joined Tamanoi stable.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 2009 and initially wrestled under his surname Sakaguchi. In May 2009, he was aiming for the jonokuchi yusho, but lost to Nakanoumi in his final match to finish with a 6-1 record. He replicated this result in the following July 2009 tournament where he won his first six matches, but ended up missing out on the jonidan yusho after losing to Tochihiryu in his final match. Nevertheless, he followed with two more 6-1 records and was promoted to makushita in January 2010.

Sakaguchi steadily progressed through the ranks in makushita, however, an injury in September 2011 forced him to miss two tournaments which resulted in a fall back down to lower sandanme by January 2012. He returned back to makushita in July 2012 and reached the rank of makushita 5 by May 2013, however, he finished with a 2-5 record in this tournament.

In March 2014, he was given the shikona "Horyuyama" (宝龍山). In May 2014, while ranked at makushita 4, Horyuyama defeated juryo-ranked Sakigake on the 14th day to secure his winning 4-3 record. He was promoted to makushita 1 for the following July 2014 tournament. In this tournament, he defeated juryo-ranked Kizenryu on the 7th day, but went on to lose his following two matches to finish with a losing record. Despite never losing a match in the juryo division, Horyuyama was never able to capitalize on a juryo promotion.

Horyuyama spent the majority of his later career wrestling in the mid-level of makushita. Horyuyama fell back down to sandanme in January 2021 and retired shortly after in May 2021.

## **Fighting Style**

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

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 254-219-24/472 (72 basho)
* **Makushita:** 200-196-17/395 (59 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 42-21-7/63 (10 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Sakaguchi Yasuyuki (2009.03 - 2014.01)
* Horyuyama Yasuyuki (2014.03 - 2021.05)

## **Gallery**

Horyuyama joins Tamanoi stable (c. 2009)Horyuyama prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2009)Horyuyama launches at Endo (c. 2013)Horyuyama in Juryo as a Makushita vistor (c. 2014)Horyuyama with stablemates Irie and Fujiazuma (c. 2015)Artwork of Horyuyama's retirement ceremony (c. 2021)
## **Sources**

* Horyuyama Yasuyuki Rikishi Information
* Sumoforum Thread on March 2009 Recruits