Katsuhikari Toshio

Katsuhikari Toshio - 和晃 敏郎 (born August 9, 1942 - January 1, 2018) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Gamagori, Aichi. He made his debut in November 1958 and wrestled for Isegahama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in September 1969. His highest rank was maegashira 1 and he retired in March 1973.

## **Early Life**

Sugiura attended Gamagori Shiritsu Gamagori Junior High School where he was one year senior to future yokozuna Tamanoumi and he served as the captain of the sumo club. After this he attended Gamagori High School, but dropped out and joined Araiso stable (later renamed Isegahama stable).

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Sugiura made his professional debut in November 1958 at the age of 16. He was promoted to sandanme in November 1959 and makushita in March 1961. In May 1963 he changed his shikona to "Komakuni" (駒國) but reverted back to Sugiura in January 1965. In March 1965, he produced a 4-3 record at the rank of makushita 1 and was promoted to juryo in the following May 1965 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

His first juryo run lasted five tournaments and he was demoted back down to makushita in March 1966. After losing his sekitori status, he changed his shikona from his surname to "Kamiyama" (神山). Upon returning to juryo in May 1968, he had changed his shikona to "Katsuhikari" (和晃). He remained in juryo for a little over a year and was promoted to makuuchi in September 1969.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Katsuhikari struggled in his first makuuchi tournaments and finished with a poor 2-13 record. He returned to makuuchi in May 1970 and posted an 8-7 record. He followed with a 9-6 record in July and was promoted to the rank of maegashira 1 in September 1970. However, this ranked proved to challenging for him and he was demoed back to juryo in January 1971. He returned to makuuchi on two separate occasions, but finish with losing records in both tournaments.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After falling down to makushita, he announced his retirement after the March 1973 tournament. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Wakafuji. He reached the Sumo Association's mandatory retirement age in August 2007.

### **Death**

He died from cancer of the bile duct on 1 January 2018 aged 75

## **Fighting Style**

Katsuhikari 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. He was also fond of employing uwatenage, or overarm throw.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 461-426-3-1d/888 (87 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 33-72/105 (7 basho)
* **Juryo:** 214-205-1d/420 (28 basho)
* **Makushita:** 150-113-3/263 (38 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 34-26/60 (8 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 24-8/32 (4 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-2/8 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Juryo** Championship (January 1970)

## **Shikona History**

* Sugiura Toshio (1958.11 - 1963.03)
* Komakuni Toshio (1963.05 - 1964.11)
* Sugiura Toshio (1965.01 - 1966.01)
* Kamiyama Toshio (1966.03 - 1968.01)
* Katsuhikari Toshio (1968.03 - 1973.03)

## **Gallery**

Katsuhikari poses with his kesho-mawashiKatsuhikari's retirement ceremony pamphlet (c. 1973)Katsuhikari after retirement as Wakafuji Oyakata (c. 1985)
## **Sources**

* Katsuhikari Toshio Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Katsuhikari Toshio Rikishi Information