recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Sugita Yoshiaki

Sugita Yoshiaki - 杉田 喜章 (born November 24, 1981) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hamamatsu, Shizuoka. He made his debut in May 2004 and wrestled for Kitanoumi stable. His highest rank was makushita 7 and he retired in September 2009.

## **Early Life**

Sugita began sumo wrestling during elementary school and when he was at Yahata Junior High School, he won the All-Japan Junior High School Sumo Tournament and earned the title of Junior High School Yokozuna. He then attended Kinki University Senior High School where he continued to achieve strong results. In his third year, he won the inaugural World Junior Sumo Championship's middle weight class and he also finished second at the National High School Sumo Championship. He went on to attend Kinki University, however, he was unable to produce any strong results as his body did not grow and he was smaller in stature than most of his contemporaries. Nevertheless, in his fourth year at the school he helped contribute to his school's first group championship in 26 years at the National Student Sumo Championship. After graduating university, he joined Kitanoumi stable, however, he was below the minimum height requirement of 173 cm but was allowed to make his debut after passing a secondary physical exam.

## **Career**

Sugita made his professional debut in May 2004 and wrestled under his surname. He had a strong start, finishing with three consecutive 6-1 records, and was promoted to sandanme in January 2005. He reached the makushita division in September 2005 and was able to establish himself as a makushita regular. In January 2006, he finished with a 6-1 record and was placed in a seven-man playoff for the makushita yusho, however, he lost in the first round to Toyonokuni. He was promoted to a career-best makushita 7 in January 2007, but he finished with a poor 1-6 record in this tournament.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Towards his later career Sugita struggled with a neck injury which hindered his sumo ability. In July 2009, he finished with a winless 0-7 record and retired after the following September 2009 tournament. After retiring, he got a job at his parent's insurance business.

## **Fighting Style**

Sugita was proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His most often used winning kimarite was oshidashi (push out), followed by yorikiri (force out). He also regularly employed kainahineri (two-handed arm twist down).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 119-105/224 (33 basho)
* **Makushita:** 69-78/147 (21 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 32-24/56 (8 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 12-2/14 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Sugita prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2009)
## **Sources**

* Sugita Yoshiaki Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Sugita Yoshiaki Rikishi Information
Seifuriki Hidehiko

Seifuriki Hidehiko - 盛風力 秀彦 (born March 11, 1967) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Inagaki, Aomori. He made his debut in March 1982 and last wrestled for Oshiogawa stable. He reached the juryo division in March 1991. His highest rank was juryo 12 and he retired in March 1998.

## **Career**

After graduating from junior high school, Sato was introduced to Oshiogawa stable by an acquaintance and he made his debut in March 1982. He was given the shikona "Satoyama" (佐藤山) and in his first tournament he posted a strong 6-1 record and qualified for a playoff for the jonokuchi yusho. He won the first round against future sekiwake Akinoshima, but lost to Okamoto in the final round. He was promoted to sandanme in March 1984 and makushita in July 1985. He changed his shikona to "Seifu" (盛風) in July 1989. In January 1991, he posted a 4-3 record at the rank of makushita 1 and was promoted to juryo in the following March tournament.

Upon promotion to juryo, he changed his shikona to "Seifuriki" (盛風力). He could only manage 5 wins in his sekitori debut and was demoted back down to makushita. He returned to juryo in March 1992 but finished with another 5-10 record.

In the following May 1992 tournament he suffered a retinal detachment and never managed to return to juryo. He wrestled in makushita for six years after losing sekitori status. In March 1997 he briefly fell to sandanme but won the sandanme yusho with a perfect 7-0 record which earned him a promotion back to makushita.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Due to injuries, Seifuriki announced his retirement after the March 1998 tournament. After retiring, he opened up a chankonabe restaurant named after his shikona "Seifuriki" (盛風力) in Chuo, Tokyo.

## **Fighting Style**

Seifuriki 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 favorite kimarite was uwatenage, or overarm throw, but his most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 362-324-2/685 (97 basho)
* **Juryo:** 10-20/30 (2 basho)
* **Makushita:** 259-243-2/501 (72 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 49-28/77 (11 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 38-32/70 (10 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Sandanme** Championship (March 1997)

## **Shikona History**

* Satoyama Hidehiko (1982.03 - 1989.05)
* Seifu Hidehiko (1989.07 - 1991.01)
* Seifuriki Hidehiko (1991.03 - 1998.03)

## **Gallery**

Seifuriki during the juryo dohyo-iriSeifuriki outside his restaurant, Seifuriki (c. 2018)Seifuriki's kesho-mawashi on display (c. 2018)Seifuriki's tegata
## **Sources**

* Seifuriki Hidehiko Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Seifuriki Hidehiko Rikishi Information
Taiga Koji

Taiga Koji - 大賀 孝治 (born January 13, 2003) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Fukushima City, Fukushima. He made his debut in March 2018 and currently wrestles for Arashio stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 39.

## **Early Life**

Taiga Tanji was born in Fukushima to a Japanese father and a Russian mother. He participated in rhythmic gymnastics from kindergarten through to the end of elementary school through the influence of his mother, who was also a rhythmic gymnast. During his second year of junior high school, he switched to sumo and subsequently joined Arashio stable after junior high school.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 2018 and at the time weighed only 69 kg (152 lb). Nevertheless, he finished with a 4-3 record in his first tournament and reached the sandanme division in January 2020. Tanji missed the November 2020 tournament due to an injury and the following January 2021 tournament after contracting COVID-19. Upon returning to action in March 2021, he posted six consecutive winning records and was promoted to makushita in March 2022. Upon reaching makushita, he changed his shikona from his surname to his given name "Taiga" (大賀).

## **Personal Life**

* Taiga's younger brother, Jun, joined Arashio stable as well in March 2022.
* Taiga's mother, Natalia, is Russian.

## **Fighting Style**

Taiga is proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His most often used winning kimarite is yorikiri (force out), followed by oshidashi (push out) and uwatenage (overarm throw).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 114-95-22/209 (34 basho)
* **Makushita:** 16-19/35 (5 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 42-34-8/76 (12 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 48-36-14/84 (14 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 8-6/14 (2 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Tanji Taiga (2018.03 - 2022.01)
* Taiga Koji (2022.03 - )

## **Gallery**

Taiga gets recruited into Arashio stable (c. 2018)Taiga prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2019)Taiga stands outside Arashio stable (c. 2022)

## **Sources**

* Taiga Koji Rikishi Information
* Sumoforum Thread on New Recruits for Haru 2018
Shibatayama Stable (1932)

Shibatayama stable (芝田山部屋, Shibatayama-beya) was a stable of sumo wrestlers. It was established by the 29th Yokozuna Miyagiyama in May 1931 as Shiratama stable before switching to the name Shibatayama stable in January 1932. It closed its doors in November 1943, and its staff transferred to Takasago stable.

## **History**

After retiring, the 29th yokozuna Miyagiyama established Shiratama stable and inherited all the wrestlers and staff from Takadagawa stable which he trained at as an active wrestler. In January 1932, the stable was renamed Shibatayama stable. Shibatayama Oyakata (the 29th yokozuna Miyagiyama) died and all the wrestlers transferred to Takasago stable. The stable was unable to produce any top division wrestlers, but among the people transferring to Takasago stable was komusubi Miyanishiki and maegashira Shimanishiki who were still in the unsalaried ranks.

## **Owners**

* 1932-1943: 6th Shibatayama (the 29th yokozuna Miyagiyama)

## **Notable Former Wrestlers**

* Miyanishiki (former komusubi) - *transferred to Takasago stable before sekitori status*
* Shimanishiki (former maegashira) - *transferred to Takasago stable before sekitori status*
Shikimori Inosuke (born 1886)

The 19th Shikimori Inosuke - 19代 式守 伊之助 (born December 15, 1886) was a Japanese professional sumo referee from Naka, Ibaraki. He debuted in the May 1900 tournament and last belonged to Tatsunami stable. He reached the Makuuchi rank in January 1926 and the sanyaku rank in May 1935. He was promoted to the position of deputy chief gyoji (Shikimori Inosuke) in September 1951 and he retired in November 1959. He passed away in December 14, 1966 at age 79.

## **Career**

* May 1900 - Had his ring debut under the old Minezaki stable
* January 1902 - Promoted to Jonokuchi-kaku gyoji and took on the name Kimura Kingiyo (木村 金吾)
* May 1913 - Took on the name Kimura Tamajiro (木村 玉治郎)
* May 1923 - Promoted to Juryo-kaku gyoji
* January 1926 - Promoted to Makuuchi-kaku gyoji and took on the name Kimura Shozaburo (木村 庄三郎)
* May 1935 - Promoted to Sanyaku-kaku gyoji
* January 1947 - Transferred to Tatsunami stable due to the closure of Tomozuna Stable
* September 1951 - Promoted to Fuku-tate gyoji and took on the name Shikimori Inosuke (式守 伊之助)
* November 1959 - Retired from sumo after this tournament

## **Controversy**

On day 1 of the September 1958 tournament, Shikimori Inosuke refereed a bout between Tochinishiki and Kitanonada, the result of which was disputed and overturned by the judges. Gyoji are obliged to yield to the final decison of judges, but Inosuke was adamant and heatedly upheld his call for a full ten minutes. He did, however, relent, and accepted the defeat. He was then suspended for the rest of the tournament, but it is said that he never doubted his original decision. Later photo and video proof, proved that Shikimori Inosuke was correct (or at least a torinashi should have been enforced). Shikimori Inosuke was suspended indefinitely, but to public outcry, his suspension was cut short to 12 days.

## **Shikona History**

Kimura Kingiyo (木村 金吾) → 3rd Kimura Tamajiro (3代 木村 玉治郎) → 8th Kimura Shozaburo (8代 木村 庄三郎) → 19th Shikimori Inosuke (19代 式守 伊之助)

## **Gallery**

19th Shikimori InosukeShikimori Inosuke alongside the 22nd Kimura ShonosukeInosuke insisting on his infamous call that was reverted by the judges (c. 1958)Inosuke celebrates the yusho of his recruitee Wakahaguro (c. 1959)
## **Sources**

* 19th Shikimori Inosuke Japanese Wikipedia Article
Sandanme Tsukedashi

Sandanme tsukedashi is a system instituted in 2015 where an amateur wrestler finishing in the top 8 of either the All-Japan Championships, All-Japan Corporate Championships, National Student Championships, or the National Sports Festival Adults tournament is allowed to skip the bottom two divisions and start at the bottom of the sandanme division.

The first wrestlers to start as sandanme tsukedashi entrants are ozeki Asanoyama and maegashira Yutakayama.

## **List of All Sandanme Tsukedashi Entrants**

* *Names in **bold** indicate a still active wrestler.*

Ozeki

Sekiwake

Maegashira
 **Tohakuryu Masahito** | Toyo University
 **Gonoyama Toki** | Chuo University
 **Kinbozan Haruki** | Nihon University

Juryo
 Kizakiumi Shinnosuke | Nihon University
 **Tochimusashi Yota** | Chuo University
 **Asakoryu Takuma** | Nippon Sports Science University

Makushita
 Fujikensho Ibuki | Takushoku University
 **Kanzaki Taiga** | Kinki University
 **Hatsuyama Sho** | Toyo University
 **Kayo Yasutoki** | Nippon Sport Science University

## **See Also**

* Makushita Tsukedashi
* Sandanme
* Amateur Sumo
Shoji Hisashi

Shoji Hisashi - 庄司 向志 (born August 25, 1994) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Misato, Akita. He made his debut in July 2017 and currently wrestles for Musashigawa stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 43.

## **Early Life**

Hisashi Shoji was born on August 25, 1994, in Misato, Akita, and he began sumo wrestling during his second year of elementary school. He attended Yokote High School in Yokote, Akita, where in his third year he won the prefectural championship with his school as well as placing in the top 16 at the Inter-High School Tournament.

After high school, he enrolled at Saitama University, a national university in Saitama City's Sakura Ward, where he studied electric and electronic system engineering and was also a member of the school's sumo club. In his first year, he helped his school win the championship at the national sumo tournament for public university students and he also achieved top 32 at the National Student Sumo Championships during his third year. However, Shoji struggled with academics and had to redo college for a fifth year. He had the intention of joining professional sumo, but already nearing the age of 23, which is the age cap for new entrants into professional sumo, Shoji ultimately dropped out to pursue his dream of becoming a professional sumo wrestler.

## **Career**

Shoji joined Musashigawa stable and made his professional debut in July 2017. He is the fourth wrestler from a national university after Ichinoya, Yuminosato, and Masumeidai. In his first two tournaments, Shoji finished with perfect 7-0 records to claim the jonokuchi and jonidan yusho's. In January 2018, he posted a 3-4 record, his first career losing record. Nevertheless, he followed with a strong 6-1 record and was promoted to makushita in May 2018, becoming the first makushita wrestler from a national university. However, Shoji was never able to establish himself in makushita and could not manage a winning record in the division.

## **Fighting Style**

Shoji is an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used is a straightforward oshidashi, or push out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 132-125-2/257 (38 basho)
* **Makushita:** 6-15/21 (3 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 112-110-2/222 (32 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 7-0/7 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 7-0/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Jonidan** Championship (November 2017)
* 1 **Jonokuchi** Championship (September 2017)

## **Gallery**

Shoji joins Musashigawa stable (c. 2017)Shoji gets measured upon joining sumo (c. 2017)Shoji wins his first Jonokuchi Yusho (c. 2017)Shoji wins his first Jonidan Yusho (c. 2017)Shoji pushes out and defeats Tochimaru (c. 2018)Shoji prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2022)
## **Sources**

* Shoji Hisashi Rikishi Information
* Chunichi News Article on Shoji
Shigeo (yobidashi)

Shigeo - 重夫 (born January 25, 1966) is a Japanese professional sumo usher from Yashu, Shiga. He was recruited and debuted in the May 1981 tournament and he belongs to Kokonoe stable. He reached the Makuuchi rank in January 2002 and the sanyaku rank in November 2014.

## **Career**

* May 1981 - Had his ring debut under Kokonoe stable
* January 1996 - Promoted to Juryo yobidashi
* January 2002 - Promoted to Makuuchi yobidashi
* November 2014 - Promoted to Sanyaku yobidashi

## **Gallery**

Shigeo rings the wooden clappers (hyoshigi) at Chiyonofuji's kanreki dohyo iri (c. 2015)
## **Sources**

* Shigeo (yobidashi) Japanese Wikipedia Article
* JSA Shigeo Personal Page
Takashima Stable

Takashima stable (高島部屋, Takashima-beya) was a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tatsunami ichimon or group of stables. It was established in May 1993 by former sekiwake Koboyama of the Kumagatani stable. It closed its doors in June 2011, and its staff transferred to Kasugayama stable.

## **History**

Takashima stable was established in May 1993 by former sekiwake Koboyama of Kumagatani stable. The stable took in two Mongolians in 2000-2001, Daitensho and Fudoyama, the latter being the brother of Kyokutenho. Both Mongolians made makushita but failed to reach sekitori status. The stable never produced a single sekitori wrestler.

The stable closed in June 2011 when its only remaining wrestler retired, and Takashima moved to Kasugayama stable to work as a coach there.

## **Owners**

* 1993-2011: 13th: Takashima (former sekiwake Koboyama)

## **Notable Former Wrestlers**

* Fudoyama (former makushita)
* Daitensho (former makushita)
Takatenshu Kanata

Takatenshu Kanata - 貴天秀 哉太 (born September 23, 1992) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Saitama City, Saitama. He made his debut in March 2008 and wrestled for Takanohana stable. His highest rank was sandanme 9 and he retired in January 2020.

## **Early Life**

Kanata Matsubara was born on September 23, 1992, in Saitama City's Minuma Ward. His father, Teruo, was a sumo wrestler who wrestled for Tokitsukaze stable for a little over a year with his highest rank being jonidan 32. The younger Matsubara was not a member of any sumo clubs in school, but became interested in sumo after a growth spurt. When his father found out about his intentions, he contacted his old stable, however, he had misgivings about the stable due to the recent hazing scandal. Instead, he searched online and eventually settled with Takanohana stable, which Matsubara joined after graduating Saitama Shiritsu Toro Junior High School.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 2008 and was given the shikona "Takatenshu" (貴天秀). He struggled immensely in his early years and finished with a winless 0-7 record in his jonidan debut in November 2008. He did not achieve his first winning record until January 2009. He reached the sandanme division in January 2012 and immediately established himself as a sandanme regular. However, he was unable to break into the makushita division with his highest rank being sandanme 4.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Takatenshu retired from sumo in January 2020. After retiring, he opened a standing bar in Nakano, Tokyo, called "Standing Bar Tenshu" (立ち飲み 天秀). In September 2022, he appeared in a video posted by VICE called "The Violent World of Sumo Wrestling."

## **Fighting Style**

Takatenshu was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won half of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 232-258/490 (71 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 150-172/322 (46 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 57-62/119 (17 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 25-24/49 (7 basho)

## **Gallery**

Takatenshu gets recruited into Takanohana stable (c. 2008)Takatenshu's early career in Jonokuchi (c. 2008)Takatenshu defeats Miyazakiyama (c. 2018)Takatenshu prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2019)Takatenshu launches at his opponent (c. 2019)Takatenshu's retirement ceremony (c. 2020)

## **Sources**

* Takatenshu Kanata Rikishi Information
* Nikkan Sports Article on Takatenshu Joining Sumo
Sakuranishiki Morihiro

Sakuranishiki Morihiro - 櫻錦 守弘 (born June 26, 1916 - June 4, 1962) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Itayanagi, Aomori. He made his debut in January 1938 and wrestled for Dewanoumi stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1940 and has one special prize as well as two kinboshi. His highest rank was komusubi and he retired in May 1951.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

In August 1932, Aizu joined the Kansai Sumo Association which was set up by former sekiwake Tenryu. Upon the closure of the Kansai Sumo Association in 1937, Sugiyama transferred to the Japan Sumo Association and joined Dewanoumi stable. He made his debut in January 1938 under the shikona "Sakuranishiki" (櫻錦) and due to his previous professional sumo experience he made his debut at the makushita division. In his first tournament, Sakuranishiki won the makushita yusho and was promoted to juryo in January 1939. After two tournaments in juryo he was promoted to makuuchi in January 1940.

### **Makuuchi Career**

In only his second top division tournament, Sakuranishiki defeated Yokozuna Futabayama on their first meeting to earn his first kinboshi. Two tournaments later in May 1941, Sakuranishiki defeated Futabayama again to earn his second kinboshi. After seven years in the maegashira ranks, Sakuranishiki was promoted to komusubi in November 1947. However, he finished with a 5-6 record and record and was demoted. He returned back to komusubi in October 1948 and defeated Yokozuna Maedayama in that tournament, however, he still ended up with a losing record. In January 1951, Sakuranishiki finished with a strong 12-3 record and was awarded the Technique prize. However, he retired in the following May 1951 tournament due to an injury.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring, Sakuranishiki remained in the Sumo Association as an elder under the name Takasaki. He worked as a coach for Dewanoumi stable until his death in June 1962.

## **Fighting Style**

Sakuranishiki was proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His favored grip on his opponent's mawashi was hidari-yotsu, a right hand outside, left hand inside position. His most often used winning kimarite was oshidashi (push out), followed by yorikiri (force out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 184-158-52/340 (30 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 149-146-51/293 (26 basho)
* **Juryo:** 20-8/28 (2 basho)
* **Makushita:** 15-4-1/19 (2 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (January 1938)

### **Achievements**

* **Sansho:** Technique Prize (1)
* **Kinboshi:** (2) Futabayama

## **Shikona History**

* Sakuranishiki Riichi (1938.01 - 1947.11)
* Sakuranishiki Morihiro (1948.05 - 1951.05)

## **Gallery**

Sakuranishiki poses with his kesho-mawashiSakuranishiki after defeating Yokozuna Futabayama (c. 1940)
## **Sources**

* Sakuranishiki Morihiro Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Sakuranishiki Morihiro Rikishi Information
Shikimori Seiichiro

Shikimori Seiichiro - 式守 正一郎 (born March 1, 2000) is a Japanese professional sumo referee from Koto, Tokyo. He was recruited in April 2015 and debuted in the May 2015 tournament and he belongs to Isegahama stable.

## **Career**

* May 2015 - Had his ring debut under Isegahama stable
* July 2015 - Promoted to Jonokuchi-kaku gyoji and took on the name Shikimori Seiichiro (式守 正一郎)
* January 2018 - Promoted to Jonidan-kaku gyoji
* January 2019 - Promoted to Sandanme-kaku gyoji
* January 2024 - Promoted to Makushita-kaku gyoji
Shinzan Nobuyuki

Shinzan Nobuyuki - 信山 信幸 (born October 7, 1939) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Chiyoda, Tokyo. He made his debut in March 1955 and last wrestled for Isegahama stable. He reached the juryo division in November 1966. His highest rank was juryo 18 and he retired in January 1969.

## **Career**

Narimoto joined Araiso stable (later renamed Isegahama stable) and made his professional debut in March 1955. He rose as high as sandanme 30 by May 1957, but suffered a serious injury which resulted him falling off the banzuke for two years. He did not return until January 1960 and in March 1960 he won the jonokuchi yusho. Two tournaments later in July 1960, he won the jonidan yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and he was promoted to makushita in March 1961. After winning the sandanme yusho in January 1966, he changed his shikona to "Shinzan" (信山). In September 1966, he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record at the rank of makushita 11 and was promoted to juryo in November 1966. Shinzan struggled and could only manage a 5-10 record. This proved to be his only tournament ranked as a sekitori as he was demoted back down to makushita. After falling down to sandanme in November 1968, he retired from the sport in January 1969.

## **Fighting Style**

Shinzan 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:** 233-161-66/394 (65 basho)
* **Juryo:** 5-10/15 (1 basho)
* **Makushita:** 114-96-21/210 (33 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 77-45-45/122 (23 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 24-7/31 (4 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 13-3/16 (2 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (September 1966)
* 1 **Sandanme** Championship (January 1966)
* 1 **Jonidan** Championship (July 1960)
* 1 **Jonokuchi** Championship (March 1960)

## **Shikona History**

* Narimoto Nobuyuki (1955.03 - 1956.05)
* Fukuriki Nobuyuki (1956.09 - 1959.11)
* Narimoto Nobuyuki (1960.01 - 1966.01)
* Shinzan Nobuyuki (1966.03 - 1969.01)

## **Sources**

* Shinzan Nobuyuki Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Shinzan Nobuyuki Rikishi Information
Tatekabuto Shinzo

Tatekabuto Shinzo - 楯甲 新藏 (born March 11, 1908 - January 2, 1966) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Osaka City, Osaka. He made his debut in January 1926 and wrestled for Nakamura stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1934 and has three kinboshi. His highest rank was maegashira 1 and he retired in January 1943.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

In 1922 Shinzo Fukui joined Osaka Sumo's Shiranui Stable before later transferring to Nakamura stable. In January 1926, he joined Tokyo Sumo Upon the merger of Osaka and Tokyo associations. In May 1928 he was given the shikona "Matsukawa" (楯甲) and he won the sandanme yusho. Upon promotion to juryo in January 1931, he was given the new shikona "Tatekabuto" (楯甲). However, he left sumo in 1932 due to a strike called the "Shunjuen Incident", which was largely unsuccessful, so he returned to sumo in January 1933 and was promoted to makuuchi in May 1934.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Tatekabuto was ranked in the top division for a total of 17 tournaments, reaching as high as maegashira 1 in January 1940. Tatekabuto defeated yokozuna Minanogawa on three consecutive occasions earning all three of his kinboshi against him. He retired from sumo in January 1943.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring, Tatekabuto inherited Nakamura stable and became Nakamura Oyakata. He produced maegashira Tatekabuto and Daimonji. The stable closed down in August 1961 with all personnel transferring to Nishonoseki stable. He died on January 2, 1966, at the age of 57, and was the last member of the Japan Sumo Association who was a member of the former Osaka Sumo Association.

## **Fighting Style**

Tatekabuto was proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His favored grip on his opponent's mawashi was migi-yotsu, a left hand outside, right hand inside position. His most often used winning kimarite were oshidashi (push out), hatakikomo (slap down), and yorikiri (force out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 149-156-15-1draw/306 (28 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 92-119-15-1draw/212 (17 basho)
* **Juryo:** 51-37/88 (9 basho)
* **Makushita:** 0-0/0 (1 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 6-0/6 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Matsuwaka (Osaka Sumo)
* Igomadake (Osaka Sumo)
* Matsuwaka Shinzo (1928.05 - 1930.10)
* Tatekabuto Shinzo (1931.01 - 1942.05)
* Tatekabuto Takeo (1943.01 - 1943.01)

## **Sources**

* Tatekabuto Shinzo Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Tatekabuto Shinzo Rikishi Information
Tagonoura Stable (2013)

Tagonoura stable (田子ノ浦部屋, Tagonoura-beya), formerly Naruto stable is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Nishonoseki ichimon group of stables. The stable was established on February 1st, 1989, by former yokozuna Takanosato Toshihide. Naruto died suddenly on 7 November 2011. The stable's current master, former maegashira Takanotsuru, changed to the Tagonoura toshiyori in December 2013 and renamed the stable accordingly.

As of January 2023 it has 13 active sumo wrestlers.

## **History**

Naruto stable was established on February 1st, 1989, by former yokozuna Takanosato. The stable produced their first sekitori when Rikio was promoted to juryo in 1993, followed by Wakanosato in 1998, Takanowaka in 1999, Takanotsuru in 2003, Kisenosato in 2004, and Takayasu and Takanoyama in 2011. It was a close-knit stable and Naruto Oyakata did not let his wrestlers go out and train at other stables (degeiko), believing that they did not need outside help.

In October 2011 the Sumo Association launched an investigation into allegations made by the news magazine *Shūkan Shinchō* that Naruto had beaten a former junior member of his stable with a block of wood and had injected Takanoyama with insulin so that the barely 100 kg wrestler would increase his appetite and put on weight. Both Naruto and Takanoyama were summoned for questioning by chairman Hanaregoma. Just days later, on November 7, 2011, Naruto died of respiratory failure in Fukuoka at the age of 59. At the end of the Kyushu tournament held later the same month, Kisenosato was promoted to *ōzeki*, something Naruto had always dreamed of seeing.

Naruto died suddenly on 7 November 2011. The stable's current master, former maegashira Takanotsuru, changed to the Tagonoura *toshiyori* in December 2013 and renamed the stable accordingly. Upon changing the stable name, the stable was also moved to the Ryōgoku area from Matsudo, Chiba. It has no connection to the defunct Tagonoura stable established by the late Kushimaumi.

The stable's most successful rikishi, Kisenosato, became the 72nd yokozuna in 2017. Later that year, stablemate, Takayasu earned promotion to sumo's second highest rank, ozeki.

## **Ring Name Conventions**

Many wrestlers at this stable have taken ring names or *shikona* that end with the character 里 (read: sato), meaning village or native place, in deference to their coach and the stable's owner, the deceased former Takanosato.

## **Owners**

* 2011-present: 14th Naruto / 16th Tagonoura Shinichi (shunin, former maegashira Takanotsuru)
* 1989-2011: 13th Naruto Toshihide (the 59th yokozuna Takanosato)

## **Notable Former Wrestlers**

### **Makuuchi**

* Kisenosato (the 72nd yokozuna)
* Wakanosato (former sekiwake)
* Takanowaka (former sekiwake)
* Rikio (former maegashira)
* Takanotsuru (former maegashira)
* Takanoyama (former maegashira)

### **Lower Divisions**

* Sasaki (former makushita)
* Takao (former sandanme)
* Tsuya (former sandanme)
* Wakasatake (former jonidan) - *transferred to Nishiiwa stable*
* Kanoyama (former jonokuchi)

## **Links**

* Tagonoura stable's website [1]
* Tagonoura stable's Facebook [2]
* Tagonoura stable’s Youtube channel [3]
Terunoumi Juji

Terunoumi Juji - 照ノ海 十二 (born July 18, 1937) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hiraka, Akita. He made his debut in September 1954 and last wrestled for Isegahama stable. He reached the juryo division in May 1962. His highest rank was juryo 17 and he retired in May 1965.

## **Early Life**

Suzuki attended Yokote Shiritsu Hiraka Junior High School where he was a member of the sumo club, however, after losing at the Hiraka district sumo tournament, he temporarily quit and joined the baseball club. The position he played was first baseman. He went on to attend Omagari Agricultural High School where he joined the sumo club. In his second year at high school, he won a sumo tournament and was recruited into sumo by Isegahama Oyakata (former sekiwake Kiyosegawa).

## **Career**

He joined Araiso stable (later renamed Isegahama stable) and made his professional debut in September 1954. Wrestling under the shikona "Terunoumi" (照ノ海), he was promoted to sandanme in May 1955 and makushita in May 1957. After eight years in the unsalaried ranks, he was promoted to jury in May 1962. He struggled in his lone juryo tournament and finished with a 3-12 record. To make matters worse, he pulled out on the last day of the tournament after injuring his left wrist. He never returned to the elite sekitori ranks and retired in May 1965.

## **Fighting Style**

Terunoumi 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.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 225-211-6/435 (59 basho)
* **Juryo:** 3-12/14 (1 basho)
* **Makushita:** 165-160-6/325 (45 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 45-35/80 (10 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 6-2/8 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-2/8 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Suzuki Juji (1954.09 - 1955.01)
* Terunoumi Juji (1955.03 - 1965.05)

## **Sources**

* Terunoumi Juji Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Terunoumi Juji Rikishi Information
Sansho

**Sansho** (三賞, lit: three prizes) are the three special prizes awarded to top (Makuuchi) division sumo wrestlers for exceptional performance during a sumo honbasho or tournament. The prizes were first awarded in November 1947.

## **Criteria**

All wrestlers in the top division below the rank of ozeki are eligible. In order to be considered for a special prize a rikishi must make a kachi-koshi or majority of wins during the tournament. Among eligible rikishi, the prize winners are decided by a panel which includes press writers covering the tournament. There is no requirement that the prizes must be awarded, and it sometimes happens that one or more of the sanshō are not given. It is also common for an award to be awarded to more than one wrestler.

The three prizes are

* Shukun-sho (殊勲賞), Outstanding Performance prize
* Kanto-sho (敢闘賞), Fighting Spirit prize
* Gino-sho (技能賞), Technique prize

Typically the Gino-sho is awarded to a wrestler or wrestlers who display the most skillful kimarite, or techniques; the Shukun-shō is awarded to a wrestler who defeats the yokozuna or the eventual tournament winner, or who otherwise displays outstanding performance relative to his rank; and the Kanto-sho to a wrestler who has most clearly fought tenaciously and to the best of his abilities. The Gino-sho is considered the most prestigious, and is also the prize most often not awarded at all: in 1988, it was withheld for five consecutive tournaments. However each award is worth the same amount of money, two million yen.

It is a de facto standard that a newly promoted makuuchi wrestler who manages a 10-5 or better record in his first tournament will be awarded a sanshō, normally the Fighting Spirit prize. Similarly a wrestler newly promoted to the san'yaku ranks above maegashira who achieves a 10-5 record can expect a prize for his efforts.

There is no minimum or maximum limit to the number of sanshō that may be given. It is not uncommon for more than one wrestler to be awarded the same prize, and similarly there are occasions when one of the three sanshō titles is not awarded at all. For example, it is unlikely that the Shukun-sho will be awarded if the tournament is won 15-0 by a lone yokozuna.

At some tournaments as many as six sanshō were awarded in total (as in January 1992), while at others only one has been presented (most recently in March 2016). The September 2018 tournament marked the first time since the introduction of sanshō in 1947 that none of the three prizes were awarded at all.

## **Sansho Sweeps**

On a few rare occasions, one wrestler has been awarded all three prizes simultaneously for his performance. This accolade has been given on only five separate occasions to five different wrestlers.

Sansho Sweeps
 Sept 1973
 Jan 1992

*\*record in bold indicates wrestler also took championship*

In September 2001, Kotomitsuki, in his championship tournament, came very close to being the only wrestler to receive all three prizes twice, but the Fighting Spirit prize went to then maegashira Asashoryu.
Tenichi Toshiya

Tenichi Toshiya - 天一 俊哉 (born November 22, 1977) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Minamiuonuma, Niigata. He made his debut in March 1993 and currently wrestles for Yamahibiki stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 10.

## **Career**

Upon graduating junior high school, Watanabe joined Kitanoumi stable (renamed Yamahibiki stable in 2015). He made his professional debut in March 1993 alongside Hokutoriki, Otsukasa, Kotokasuga, Wakatoba, Ryuho and Kyokunankai. He initially wrestled under the shikona "Watanabeyama" (渡辺山) before switching it to "Tenichi" (天一) in May 1993. In May 1995, he won all seven of his matches, but missed out on the jonidan yusho after losing to future ozeki Tochiazuma in a playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to sandanme for the following July 1995 tournament. He won the sandanme yusho in July 1997 with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted to makushita for the following September 1997 tournament.

Upon promotion to makushita, Tenichi was put in charge of comic sumo displays (初っ切り, shokkiri) on regional tours and exhibition tournaments due to his cheerful personality. He reached a career-best makushita 10 in November 2006 where he finished with a 3-4 record. In September 2013, at the age of 35 years and 10 months, Tenichi won his second sandanme yusho with a perfect 7-0 record. In January 2015, Tenichi withdrew for the first time, thus ending his 908 consecutive bout streak.

## **Fighting Style**

Tenichi is an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used are oshidashi (push out) and hatakikomi (slap down).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 618-642-14/1259 (183 basho)
* **Makushita:** 267-300/567 (81 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 214-213/426 (61 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 133-126-14/259 (39 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 2 **Sandanme** Championships
	+ 1st (July 1997)
	+ 2nd (September 2013)

## **Shikona History**

* Watanabeyama Toshiya (1993.03 - 1993.03)
* Tenichi Toshiya (1993.05 - 2002.03)
* Tenichi Chikara (2002.05 - 2009.05)
* Tenichi Toshiya (2009.07 - )

## **Gallery**

Tenichi (center) wins his first sandanme yusho (c. 1997)Tenichi prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2005)Tenichi defeats 50 year old rikishi Hanakaze (c. 2020)Tenichi prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2023)Tenichi defeats Satonofuji (c. 2023)
## **Sources**

* Tenichi Toshiya Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Tenichi Toshiya Rikishi Information
Shohoryu Shota

Shohoryu Shota - 将豊竜 将太 (born October 12, 1996) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yokote, Akita. He made his debut in September 2014 and currently wrestles for Tokitsukaze stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 3.

## **Early Life**

Yoshida started sumo wrestling during his first year of elementary school. When he was in his third year of junior high school, he showed placed 3rd at the Tohoku Sumo Tournament. During his third year at Heisei High School, he dropped out and joined Tokitsukaze stable which he had been in contact with since junior high school.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in September 2014 alongside future ozeki Takakeisho. He was given the shikona "Shohoryu" (将豊竜). He was promoted to sandanme in May 2015 and makushita in September 2018. In the 2009 spring jungyo tour, Hanakago Oyakata (former sekiwake Daijuyama) asked Shohoryu to perform the bow-twirling ceremony. On the third day of the January 2020 tournament, he replaced Kasugaryu as the official bow twirler. He performed his bow twirling duties until he injured his right shoulder in September 2021 and was replaced by Satonofuji.

In January 2021, Shohoryu, while ranked at makushita 8, was aiming for the makushita yusho and he won his first six matches. However, he lost his final match to Nishikifuji, and missed out on a guaranteed juryo promotion. Luckily he still qualified for the nine-man playoff for the makushita yusho, but lost to Nishikifuji again in the first round. He was promoted to makushita 3 for the following tournament where he defeated juryo-ranked Nishikigi on the 9th day, however, he finished with a 2-5 record in this tournament.

## **Fighting Style**

Shohoryu is an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used are a straightforward oshidashi (push out) and yorikiri (force out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 203-167-8/369 (55 basho)
* **Makushita:** 87-83-1/169 (25 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 97-71-7/168 (25 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 14-7/21 (3 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Shohoryu Hikaru (2014.09 - 2021.05)
* Shohoryu Shota (2021.07 - )

## **Gallery**

Shohoryu's early career in Sandanme (c. 2015)Shohoryu throws and defeats Naya (c. 2018)Shohoryu performs the bow-twirling ceremony (c. 2020)Shohoryu loses the Makushita Yusho match (c. 2021)Shohoryu loses to Jokoryu in Juryo (c. 2021)Shohoryu prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2022)
## **Sources**

* Shohoryu Shota Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Shohoryu Shota Rikishi Information
Takekuma Stable

Takekuma stable (武隈部屋, Takekuma-beya) was a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tatsunami ichimon or group of stables. It was set up in March 1999 by the former sekiwake Kurohimeyama, who branched out from Tatsunami stable. The stable closed in March 2004, with its personnel moving to Tomozuna stable.

## **History**

Takekuma stable was established in March 1999 by former sekiwake Kurohimeyama, who branched out from Tatsunami stable. Not wishing to overshadow Tatsunami's new stablemaster (ex-komusubi Asahiyutaka) who was some 20 years his junior. He took his sons with him, but Takekuma attracted no new recruits and folded in 2004 after only five years when his only remaining wrestler (Hagurokuni) retired.

Takekuma oyakata transferred to Tomozuna stable as a coach, where he remained until he reached his mandatory retirement age of 65.

## **Owners**

* 1999-2004: 12th Takekuma (former sekiwake Kurohimeyama)
Shiroma Ryusei

Shiroma Ryusei - 城間 瑠正 (born May 16, 2000) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Urasoe, Okinawa. He made his debut in March 2023 and currently wrestles for Onoe stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is sandanme 21.

## **Early Life**

Ryusei Shiroma was born on May 16, 2000, in Urasoe, Okinawa. He began sumo wrestling during the second grade at Uchima Elementary School. He then attended Urasoe Municipal Junior High School and contributed to the team's victory at the National Junior High School Athletic Meet during his third year.

He then attended Chubu Agricultural and Foresty High School which is known to have one of the strongest sumo clubs in Okinawa. After high school, he enrolled at Nihon University to continue his amateur sumo career. During his time at Nihon University, Shiroma was runner-up at the East Japan Student Championship +135 kg weight class and third place at the National Student Sumo Championship +135 kg weight class. Upon graduating university, he joined Onoe stable with college teammate Haruyama.

## **Career**

Shiroma made his professional debut in March 2023, however, he had to miss the following May 2023 tournament due to recovery from surgery he underwent in October 2022. As a result, Shiroma had to redo maezumo (pre-sumo) in July 2023. In September 2023, he won the jonokuchi yusho with a perfect 7-0 record. He replicated the 7-0 performance in November 2023, but he missed out on the jonidan yusho after losing to Dairinzan in a playoff.

## **Fighting Style**

Dairinzan's favored techniques are listed at the Sumo Association as migi-yotsu (a left hand outside, right hand inside grip on the opponent's mawashi) and yori (forcing). His most common winning kimarite are straightforward: yorikiri (force out) and oshidashi (push out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 14-0-7/14 (4 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 7-0/7 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 7-0-7/7 (2 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Jonokuchi** Championship (September 2023)

## **Gallery**

Shiroma gets recruited into Onoe stable (c. 2023)Shiroma gets measured upon joining sumo (c. 2023)Shiroma joins alongside stablemate Haruyama (c. 2023)Shiroma wins his first Jonokuchi Yusho (c. 2023)Shiroma prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2023)Shiroma loses the Jonidan Yusho playoff to Dairinzan (c. 2023)
## **Sources**

* Shiroma Ryusei Rikishi Information
* Ryukyu Shimpo Article on Shiroma
Shu

Shu - 周 (born December 11, 1967) is a former Taiwanese professional sumo wrestler from Taipei. He made his debut in November 1988 and last wrestled for Dewanoumi stable. His highest rank was jonidan 5 and he retired in September 1991.

## **Career**

Jianyan Zhou of Taipei, Taiwan, joined Dewanoumi stable in November 1988 at the age of 20. He was the first foreign recruit from the prestigious stable in over 48 years. He wrestled under his family name of Zhou, but it was pronounced "Shu" (周). He produced five wins in his first professional tournament and was promoted to the jonidan division in the following tournament. He reached a career-high rank of jonidan 5 in July 1990, but went winless in that tournament. His retirement was announced after the September 1991 tournament.

## **Fighting Style**

Shu is a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won most of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out. He was also fond of employing uwatenage, or overarm throw.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 60-59/119 (18 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 55-57/112 (16 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Shu is measured upon joining professional sumo (c. 1988)
Shakagatake Kumoemon

Shakagatake Kumoemon - 釈迦ヶ嶽 雲右エ門 (born 1749 - February 14, 1775) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yasugi, Shimane. He made his debut in November 1770 and wrestled for Raiden stable. He reached the makuuchi division in November 1770. His highest rank was ozeki and he died while as an active wrestler in February 1775.

## **Career**

Hisatomi Amano was born in 1749 in modern day Yasugi, Shimane. Standing at 2.23 m (7 ft 4 in), most likely due to gigantism, he towered over many of his compatriots. In this period, local men with a large physique but often little to no sumo background were asked to enter sumo tournaments. They would debut as kanban or "guest" ozeki and in most cases their "careers" were short-lived. This is how Amano, due to his size, debuted in 1770, but unlike other kanban ozeki, Amano already wrestled in Osaka Sumo under the shikona "Otorii" (大鳥井). Because of this, he had a successful career unlike other kanban ozeki's and won the equivalent of three makuuchi championships. He wrestled under the shikona "Shakagatake Kumoemon" (釈迦ヶ嶽 雲右エ門) during his time at Edo Sumo.

## **Death**

Towards his later career, Shakagatake became sick and his complexion became pale and his eyes were stagnant. He died on February 14, 1775, at the age of 26 while still an active wrestler.

A monument of Shakagatake is located at the Tomioka Hachimangu shrine in Tokyo.

## **Personal Life**

Standing at 2.23 m (7 ft 4 in), Shakagatake is one of the tallest wrestlers in sumo history, and the tallest ozeki in recorded sumo history. It is very likely that he suffered from acromegaly or gigantism. It is said that the waraji, or straw sandals, that he wore were about 38 cm long.

His younger brother was also an ozeki who wrestled under the shikona Otorii. They were the first pairs of brothers to wrestle in makuuchi.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 23-3-20-1d-1a/28 (6 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 23-3-20-1d-1a/28 (6 basho)

### **Championships**

* 3 Unofficial **Makuuchi** Championships
	+ 1st (November 1770)
	+ 2nd (March 1771)
	+ 3rd (March 1773)

### **Achievements**

* Tallest ozeki in sumo history (2.26 m or 7 ft 4 in)

## **Shikona History**

* Shakagatake Kumoemon (1770.11 - 1774.04)

## **Sources**

* Shakagatake Kumoemon Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Shakagatake Kumoemon Rikishi Information