recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Iyozakura Masayuki

Iyozakura Masayuki - 伊予櫻 政行 (born March 20, 1961) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Masaki, Ehime. He made his debut in March 1976 and last wrestled for Takasago stable. He reached the juryo division in November 1984. His highest rank was juryo 11 and he retired in March 1988.

## **Career**

He joined Takasago stable in March 1976 and wrestled under his surname Ichiki. He was promoted to sandanme in November 1977 and makushita in November 1979. After eight years in the lower divisions, he was promoted to juryo in November 1984. Upon reaching the sekitori level, he changed his shikona to "Iyozakura" (伊予櫻). In his juryo debut, he could only manage a 2-13 record and was demoted back to makushita. This proved to be his only tournament as a sekitori.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After his demotion from juryo, Iyozakura remained in the makushita ranks for another three years before announcing his retirement after the March 1988 tournament. After retirement, he has remained in the Japan Sumo Association as a wakaimonogashira, or youth leader. He also does part-time commentary for NHK's lower division coverage.

## **Fighting Style**

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

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 262-234-16/496 (73 basho)
* **Juryo:** 2-13/15 (1 basho)
* **Makushita:** 155-137-16/292 (44 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 61-51/112 (16 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 39-31/70 (10 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Ichiki Masayuki (1976.03 - 1984.09)
* Iyozakura Masayuki (1984.11 - 1988.03)

## **Sources**

* Iyozakura Masayuki Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Iyozakura Masayuki Rikishi Information
Kagamifuji Ayumu

Kagamifuji Ayumu - 鏡富士 歩夢 (born May 14, 1987) is a former American professional sumo wrestler from Killeen, Texas. He made his debut in September 2002 and wrestled for Kagamiyama stable. His highest rank was jonokuchi 23 and he retired in March 2003.

## **Early Life**

Jason Michael Walker was born in Texas and his family moved all over the United States. His father was employed with the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. He joined Kagamiyama stable in September 2002 at the age of fifteen and was the youngest new recruit. He was given the shikona "Kagamifuji".

## **Career**

Kagamifuji had a very short career in professional sumo. He struggled in maezumo (pre-sumo) and was placed in the bottom of the banzuke in November 2002. In Kagamifuji's only full tournament, he produced a lackluster 3-4 record. Nonetheless, he was promoted to a career-best jonokuchi 23 in January 2003, but pulled out of this tournament after injuring his knee.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Kagamifuji blew out both of his knees and was in no shape for sumo. To make matters worse, his father was being deployed to Iraq, so Kagamifuji left to see him off. However, he did not return to Japan on the set date, so his retirement papers were handed to the Kyokai by his stablemaster after the March 2003 tournament.

Upon retirement he stayed in Texas and continued to attend high school there. According to his Sumo Forum account, he wanted to be a veterinary surgeon after graduation from high school.

## **Personal Life**

* On October 17th, 2004, he started a thread on Sumo Forum in hopes of returning to Japan and re-try sumo, however, he quickly learnt that the possibility of doing that was slim to none. His last visit to the site was on April 10th, 2009.
* According to the sumo database, his middle name is Mitchell, however, his real middle name is Michael. This is because the Japanese struggled to pronounce it so they changed it to Mitchell.
* He is into strength training and is big fan of "strongman" training methods. At the age of fifteen he was already pulling cars with a special harness and chain. He could also lift up his heaviest stablemate, Daiun, who weighed close to 170 kg (375 Ib).

## **Fighting Style**

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

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 3-5-13/8 (4 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 3-5-13/8 (3 basho)

## **Gallery**

Kagamifuji gets measured upon joining professional sumo (c. 2002)Kagamifuji (2003)

## **Sources**

* Kagamifuji Ayumu Rikishi Information
* Kagamifuji Ayumu Sumo Forum Thread
* Inside Sport Japan on Kagamifuji
Hokutomaru Akira

Hokutomaru Akira - 北勝丸 明 (born January 9, 2000) is a Mongolian professional sumo wrestler from Ulaanbaatar. He made his debut in September 2018 and currently wrestles for Hakkaku stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 9.

## **Early Life**

Chinzorig Nasanjargal was born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, but was raised in Europe due to his mother's job as a Russian and Spanish translator. From the age of six, Nasanjargal lived in the Czech Republic, Spain, the Netherlands, and France. In addition to speaking Mongolian and Japanese, Nasanjargal is also fluent in English, Spanish, and French. He initially played soccer due to his time in Europe before developing an interest for sumo.

Nasanjargal came to Japan as an exchange student and attended Meitoku Gijuku High School where he was also a member of the school's strong sumo club. He qualified for the national high school tournament in the 100 kg class and reached the third round. After graduation from high school, Nasanjargal joined Azumazeki stable.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in September 2018 and was given the shikona "Daitenma" (大天馬). In his first four professional tournaments, he produced 5-2 records which earned him a spot in the sandanme division. Daitenma gradually rose up the sandanme ranks and after eight tournaments in sandanme, he was promoted to the makushita division in January 2021. Even though he lost his first four matches of makushita, he won the following three, which means he secured his rank in makushita. In March 2021, his Azumazeki stable closed down and he transferred to Hakkaku stable. As a result he changed his shikona to "Hokutomaru" (北勝丸) in honor of his last stablemaster, the former Ushiomaru.

## **Fighting Style**

Hokutomaru 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. His second most common kimarite is oshidashi, or push out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 118-85/203 (30 basho)
* **Makushita:** 47-37/84 (12 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 56-42/98 (14 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 10-4/14 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Daitenma Akira (2018.09 - 2021.03)
* Hokutomaru Akira (2021.05 - )

## **Gallery**

Daitenma gets measured as he joins professional sumo (c. 2018)Daitenma joins alongside fellow foreigner, Roga (c. 2018)Daitenma during his time in maezumo (c. 2018)Hokutomaru prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2021)Hokutomaru loses to former Ozeki Asanoyama (c. 2022)Hokutomaru next to a portrait of his stable master, Hakkaku (c. 2023)

## **Sources**

* Hokutomaru Akira Rikishi Information
* Hochi News Article on Hokutomaru Joining Sumo
* Chunichi Article on Hokutomaru's Juryo Aspirations
Hiromasa (yobidashi)

Hiromasa - 大将 (born September 20, 1997) is a Japanese professional sumo usher from Omuta, Fukuoka. He was recruited in April 2013 and debuted in the May 2013 tournament and he belongs to Yamahibiki stable. He reached the Sandanme rank in January 2022.

## **Career**

* May 2013 - Had his debut under Kitanoumi stable as a Jonokuchi yobidashi
* January 2020 - Promoted to Jonidan yobidashi
* January 2022 - Promoted to Sandanme yobidashi
Hachiryu Tetsuemon

Hachiryu Tetsuemon - 八竜 鉄右エ門 (born October 26, 1942) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hachiryu, Akita. He made his debut in January 1959 and wrestled for Tokitsukaze stable. He reached the juryo division in September 1964. His highest rank was juryo 15 and he retired in September 1965.

## **Early Life**

Tetsuemon Himori was born on October 26, 1942, in the town of Hachiryu, Akita. Since junior high school, Himori excelled in athletics and was captain of both the judo club and sumo club. He was recommend by the Noshiro City Koenkai (support group) to join professional sumo, so after graduating junior high school in April 1958, he entered Nishikijima stable. However, he was unable to meet height requirements for the physical examination and was unable to make his debut until finally he passed the examination in January 1959.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in January 1959 and was given the shikona "Hachiryu" in honor of his hometown. He was promoted to sandanme in January 1960 and makushita in January 1961. In July 1964 he posted a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 2 and was promoted to juryo in September 1964, however, he only lasted two tournaments. He returned to juryo in September 1965, but missed the tournament and retired from sumo.

## **Fighting Style**

Hachiryu 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:** 168-129-15/297 (41 basho)
* **Juryo:** 12-18-15/30 (3 basho)
* **Makushita:** 98-77/175 (25 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 31-21/52 (7 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 22-10/32 (4 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-3/8 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Hachiryu Tetsuemon (1959.01 - 1965.05)
* Hachiryu Nobusada (1965.07 - 1965.09)

## **Sources**

* Hachiryu Tetsuemon Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Hachiryu Tetsuemon Rikishi Information
Futatsukuba Yuto

Futatsukuba Yuto - 双筑波 勇人 (born October 7, 1974) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Tsukuba, Ibaraki. He made his debut in March 1993 and wrestled for Tatsunami stable. He reached the juryo division in January 1999. His highest rank was juryo 13 and he retired in January 2002.

## **Early Life**

Due to the influence of his grandfather who loved to watch sumo, Hirose became acquainted with sumo from a young age. By the time he was in 5th grade, he already aspired to be a sumo wrestler and his favorite rikishi was yokozuna Chiyonofuji. Even though he was a big fan of sumo, he practiced judo instead and was one of the top high school judokas in Japan at the time. Due to his judo achievements, he received offers from many universities, but he turned them down and joined Tatsunami stable instead.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his debut in March 1993 and initially wrestled under the shikona "Hiroseyama" (広瀬山). In his fourth tournament, he won all seven matches in jonidan, but missed out on the yusho after losing to Wakaryuo in the playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to sandanme in the following November 1993 tournament and makushita in July 1995. In July 1996, he was on the verge of winning the makushita yusho, but lost on the thirteenth day to Kanesaku. As a result he finished with a 6-1 record and was placed in a nine-man playoff, where he lost to Goto in the first round. In May 1998, he changed his shikona to "Futatsukuba" (双筑波) and four tournaments later he was promoted to juryo.

### **Juryo Career**

Futatsukuba struggled immensely in his lone juryo tournament. He could only manage 2 wins in his debut (his wins came against Yotsukasa and Susanoumi). He was demoted back down to makushita and he never managed to return back to juryo.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After three years in makushita, Futatsukuba announced his retirement after the January 2002 tournament at the age of 27. After retiring, he was employed at his parent's building materials company.

## **Fighting Style**

Oginohana was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who preferred grappling techniques to pushing and thrusting. His favored grip on the mawashi was hidari-yotsu, a right hand outside, left hand inside position. His speciality was uwatenage, or overarm throw, and kotenage, or armlock throw.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 201-173-6/373 (54 basho)
* **Juryo:** 2-13/15 (1 basho)
* **Makushita:** 133-121-6/253 (37 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 44-33/77 (11 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 17-4/21 (3 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Hiroseyama Masashi (1993.03 - 1998.03)
* Futatsukuba Yuto (1998.05 - 2002.01)

## **Gallery**

### **JSA Profile Pictures and Tegata**

Futatsukuba Yuto - 1999 (Retrieved from the JSA)Futatsukuba's tegata
### **Career Overview**

Futatsukuba (c. 1999)Futatsukuba poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1999)Futatsukuba (left) attends a New Years Party (c. 2015)
## **Sources**

* Futatsukuba Yuto Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Futatsukuba Yuto Rikishi Information
Irie Masato

Irie Masato - 入江 正登 (born July 15, 1988) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Mizumaki, Fukuoka. He made his debut in May 2011 and last wrestled for Tamanoi stable. His highest rank was makushita 3 and he retired in September 2019.

## **Early Life**

Ever since he was a child, Irie loved to eat and he became bigger than his classmates. During the first grade, he joined a local judo club based off the recommendation of his parents. He was later introduced to sumo and he practiced sumo and judo concurrently until reaching Kibogaoka Senior High School where he solely focused on sumo. After graduating high school, he enrolled at Kyushu Institute of Information Sciences and achieved strong results on the national level, despite wrestling for a small school. After graduating from university, he opted to go pro and joined Tamanoi stable.

## **Career**

Irie made his professional debut in May 2011 and he posted a strong 6-1 record in his first tournament. He was promoted to sandanme in November 2011 and makushita in May 2012. He rose up the ranks at a consistent pace and was ranked at makushita 3 by November 2003. In July 2015, he injured his right knee and sat out for three tournaments which caused him to fall back down to sandanme. He returned to sumo in January 2016, but struggled to return to the upper makushita ranks. He retired from sumo in September 2019.

## **Fighting Style**

Irie 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 was oshidashi (push out), followed by yorikiri (force out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 188-146-16/333 (51 basho)
* **Makushita:** 148-130-16/278 (42 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 28-14/42 (6 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 6-1/6 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/6 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Irie defeats college teammate Ryuonami (c. 2014)Irie visits his college with Azumaryu and Ichiki (c. 2016)Irie's retirement ceremony (c. 2019)
## **Sources**

* Irie Masato Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Irie Masato Rikishi Information
Haguroumi Kenji

Haguroumi Kenji - 羽黒海 憲司 (born April 22, 1966 - November 3, 2019) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Takatsuki, Osaka. He made his debut in September 1983 and wrestled for Tatsunami stable. His highest rank was makushita 6 and he retired in January 2004.

## **Career**

Kenji Tanaka joined Tatsunami stable and made his professional debut in September 1983 under the shikona "Tatsutanaka" (立田仲). He was promoted to sandanme in November 1986 and makushita in March 1989. In July 1993 he reached a career-best rank of makushita 6 and was also given the new shikona "Haguroumi" (羽黒海). He was unable to reach sekitori status and was relegated back down to sandanme in January 1997 after six years in makushita. By 2002, he was bouncing back and forth between jonidan and sandanme. He retired from sumo in January 2004 after 20 years in sumo.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring he remained in the Japan Sumo Association as a sewanin, or assistant. In mid-2004, his retirement ceremony, or danpatsu-shiki, was held at Hotel New Otani Tokyo.

### **Death**

In May 2010, he developed myelitis and was in and out of the hospital ever since. Haguroumi died on November 3, 2019, at the age of 53. He felt ill after the September 2019 tournament and a week before his death, he suffered a cerebral infarction. His official cause of death was chronic renal failure.

## **Personal Life**

* Haguroumi served as the personal servant, or tsukebito, for yokozuna Futahaguro. In October 1987, another tsukebito was assaulted by Futahaguro which led to a brawl between six people, including the attendants. It is speculated that Haguroumi initiated the brawl. In December of the same year, Futahaguro hit his stablemaster's wife and was expelled from sumo. 16 years later, in the summer of 2003, Futahaguro was invited by the new stablemaster (former komusubi Asahiyutaka) thanks to Haguroumi. Though Kitao and Haguroumi were on bad terms, Haguroumi asked for a reappraisal of Futahaguro's case.
* Haguroumi is known for his foreign characteristics and is often mistaken to be a foreigner, however, he claims that he is fully Japanese.
* His birth name is Kenji Tsukuma but he later changed his name to Kenji Tanaka sometime between 1993 and 2000.

## **Fighting Style**

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

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 420-425-9/845 (123 basho)
* **Makushita:** 158-156-1/314 (45 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 164-179/343 (49 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 79-74-8/153 (23 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 19-16/35 (5 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Tatsutanaka Kenji (1983.09 - 1993.05)
* Haguroumi Kenji (1993.07 - 2004.01)

## **Gallery**

Haguroumi observes a training session (c. 1986)Haguroumi prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2000)Haguroumi serves as a coach for Tatsunami stable (c. 2009)
## **Sources**

* Haguroumi Kenji Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Haguroumi Kenji Rikishi Information
Hokutojo Tsutomu

Hokutojo Tsutomu - 北勝城 勲 (born October 22, 1980) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Osaka City, Osaka. He made his debut in March 1996 and wrestled for Hakkaku stable. His highest rank was makushita 4 and he retired in January 2008.

## **Early Life**

Yamaguchi was born on October 22, 1980, in Osaka City's Nishinari ward. He began sumo wrestling during his time in elementary school. After graduating junior high school, he joined Hakkaku stable which was already home to his older brother Hajime.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 1996 and was given the shikona "Kitayamaguchi" (北山口). He withdrew on the 14th day of the July 1996 tournament and missed the following two tournaments as well. Upon returning to sumo in January 1997, he had to redo maezumo (pre-sumo). In July 1997, he finished with a perfect 7-0 record, but missed out on the jonidan yusho after losing to Raiho in a playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to sandanme for the following September 1997 tournament.

In January 1999, he was given the new shikona "Hokutojo" (北勝城). He reached the makushita division in January 2002. In July 2003, he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted to the rank of makushita 4 for the following September 2003 tournament. In this tournament, Raiko's record was 3-3 by the end of the 11th day. On the 13th day, he wrestled an exchange match against juryo-ranked Juzan, but lost the match and was unable to capitalize on a promotion to juryo. He remained in makushita for the remainder of his career and retired from sumo in January 2008.

## **Personal Life**

* Hokutojo's brother, Hajime Yamaguchi, better known as Raiko, was also a sumo wrestler in Hakkaku stable. He made his debut in March 1994 with his highest rank being juryo 11. He retired from sumo in March 2008, one tournament after Hokutojo.

## **Fighting Style**

Hokutojo's favored techniques are yori (forcing) and hidari-yotsu, a right hand outside, left hand inside position. His most common winning kimarite is a straightforward yorikiri or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 245-205-40/448 (72 basho)
* **Makushita:** 116-113-9/229 (34 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 85-74-16/159 (25 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 33-15-8/46 (8 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 11-3-7/14 (3 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (January 2002)

## **Shikona History**

* Kitayamaguchi Isao (1996.03 - 1998.11)
* Hokutojo Isao (1999.01 - 2005.01)
* Hokutojo Tsutomu (2005.03 - 2008.01)

## **Gallery**

Hokutojo prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2007)
## **Sources**

* Hokutojo Tsutomu Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Hokutojo Tsutomu Rikishi Information
Hatsuyama Sho

Hatsuyama Sho - 羽出山 将 (born November 5, 1999) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Higashimurayama, Tokyo. He made his debut in March 2022 and currently wrestles for Tamanoi stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 4.

## **Early Life**

Hatsuyama began sumo wrestling during his sixth year of elementary school. In his third year at Adachi Shinden High School, he won the All Japan Sumo Championship's high school tournament and later enrolled at Toyo University. During his time at Toyo University, he made top 16 at the national championships. After graduating university, he was invited to join Tamanoi stable by Toyo University alumnus Tohakuryu.

## **Career**

Hatsuyama made his professional debut in March 2022 and due to his amateur accomplishments, he allowed to make his debut at the bottom of sandanme (sandanme tsukedashi). In May 2022, he won his first six matches, but missed out on the sandanme yusho after losing to Kamitani in his final match. He had to withdraw from Day 11 of the July 2022 tournament after another COVID outbreak at Tamanoi stable. Nevertheless, he had already obtained four wins and was promoted to makushita for the following September 2022 tournament.

## **Fighting Style**

Hatsuyama 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 tsukidashi (thrust out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 49-27-1/75 (11 basho)
* **Makushita:** 34-22/56 (8 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 15-5-1/19 (3 basho)

## **Gallery**

Hatsuyama gets measured as he joins sumo (c. 2022)Hatsuyama pushes out Sekizakura (c. 2022)Hatsuyama loses the Sandanme Yusho match (c. 2022)Hatsuyama prepares or his upcoming match (c. 2022)
## **Sources**

* Hatsuyama Sho Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Hatsuyama Sho Rikishi Information
Goro (yobidashi)

Goro - 吾郎 (born April 26, 1964) is a Japanese professional sumo usher from Kashima, Saga. He was recruited and debuted in the May 1982 tournament and he belongs to Otake stable. He reached the Makuuchi rank in May 2002 and the sanyaku rank in January 2022.

## **Career**

* May 1982 - Had his ring debut under Oshiogawa stable
* January 1996 - Promoted to Juryo yobidashi
* May 2002 - Promoted to Makuuchi yobidashi
* May 2005 - Transferred to Otake stable due to the closure of Oshiogawa stable
* January 2022 - Promoted to Sanyaku yobidashi

## **Sources**

* Goro (yobidashi) Japanese Wikipedia Article
* JSA Goro Personal Page
Kanoyama Sunyo

Kanoyama Sunyo - 叶山 盛悦 (born November 7, 1976) is a former Chinese professional sumo wrestler. He made his debut in September 1991 and last wrestled for Naruto stable. His highest rank was jonokuchi 22 and he retired in May 1992.

## **Career**

Chengyue Ye of China joined Naruto stable in September 1991 at the age of 15. The stable was already home to Chinese sumo wrestler Takao, who joined a couple months before. He took the shikona "Kanoyama" (叶山). In his first tournament, he produced a losing record of 3-4 and stayed in the jonokuchi tournament. In the following tournament he pulled out on the first day and as a result fell off the banzuke. His retirement was announced after the May 1992 tournament.

## **Fighting Style**

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

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 3-5-6/6 (3 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 3-5-6/6 (2 basho)
Jintozan Chuya

Jintozan Chuya - 神東山 忠也 (born January 28, 1913 - June 23, 1983) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Chuo, Tokyo. He made his debut in May 1932 and wrestled for Kasugano stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1939. His highest rank was maegashira 4 and he retired in June 1947.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

After graduating from the Chuo Commercial School (now Chuo Gakuin Univ. Chuo High School), Kamitani joined Kasugano stable and made his professional debut in May 1932 under the shikona "Jinmuzan" (神武山). He won the jonokuchi yusho in January 1933 and was promoted to makushita in January 1935. He was promoted to juryo in May 1937 and makuuchi in January 1939.

### **Makuuchi Career**

After one tournament in makuuchi, he was given the new shikona "Jintozan" (神東山). Jintozan spent a total of 15 tournaments in the top division, reaching as high as maegashira 4 in May 1941. He was demoted back down to juryo in November 1946 where he posted an embarrassing 0-13 record. He retired from sumo in the following June 1947 tournament.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring, he remained in sumo as an elder of the Japan Sumo Association, working as a coach at Kasugano stable under the name Iwatomo Oyakata. He reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 in January 1978.

## **Fighting Style**

Jintozan 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 were yoritaoshi (crush out) and yorikiri (force out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 154-157-3/309 (28 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 89-109-2/197 (15 basho)
* **Juryo:** 26-25-1/50 (5 basho)
* **Makushita:** 25-19/44 (4 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 8-4/12 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-0/6 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Jonokuchi** Championship (January 1933)

## **Shikona History**

* Jinmuzan Yoshinobu (1932.05 - 1937.01)
* Jinmuzan Chuya (1937.05 - 1939.01)
* Jintozan Chuya (1939.05 - 1947.06)

## **Gallery**

Jintozan poses with his kesho-mawashiA pre-World War II trading card of Jintozan
## **Sources**

* Jintozan Chuya Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Jintozan Chuya Rikishi Information
Hitachiryu Eiichi

Hitachiryu Eiichi - 日立龍 栄一 (born October 19, 1969) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hitachi, Ibaraki. He made his debut in March 1985 and last wrestled for Oshiogawa stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 1993. His highest rank was maegashira 14 and he retired in September 1996.

## **Early Life**

Wakisaka attended Taga Junior High School and was a member of the sumo club. During his third year, he won the Ibaraki Prefectural Tournament with his school and he also participated in the National Junior High School Sumo Championship. He was one year junior to stablemate Daishi in junior high school. After graduating from junior high school, he joined Oshiogawa stable.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Wakisaka made his professional debut in March 1985 and steadily climbed the ranks. He was promoted to sandanme in March 1987 and makushita in January 1988. In July 1989 he changed his shikona to "Hitachiryu" (日立龍). The 'Hitachi" (日立) comes from his hometown and the "Ryu" (龍), which means dragon, is to honor former sekiwake Tagaryu who also came from Hitachi, Ibaraki. He won the makushita yusho in January 1991 and was promoted to juryo two tournaments later in May.

### **Juryo Career**

Hitachiryu only managed a 7-8 in his debut and was demoted back down to makushita, but he immediately returned after one tournament. After two years in makushita, Hitachiryu produced a 9-6 record at the rank of juryo 1 which earned him a promotion to makuuchi in March 1993.

### **Makuuchi Career**

By the end of the 14th day in his debut, Hitachiryu was 7-7. However, on the final day he injured his knee ligaments on both knees in a match against Kasugafuji. Luckily, due to Kosho Seiro, or the public injury system, he did not suffer loss in rank. In the July 1993 tournament, Hitachiryu only managed 5 wins and was demoted back down to juryo.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Hitcahiryu remained in juryo for two more years before falling down to makushita in September 1995 due to diabetes. He ultimately announced his retirement from sumo in September 1996 at the age of 26.

## **Fighting Style**

Hitachiryu was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. His favored grip was the migi-yotsu grip (a left hand outside, right hand inside grip on the opponent's mawashi). His favorite technique was ketaguri (pulling inside ankle sweep), but his most used kimarite was yorikri (force out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 342-320-29/662 (70 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 12-18-15/30 (3 basho)
* **Juryo:** 172-173/345 (23 basho)
* **Makushita:** 54-51-7/105 (16 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 62-43-7/105 (16 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 37-33/70 (10 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (January 1991)

## **Shikona History**

* Wakisaka Eiichi (1985.03 - 1989.05)
* Hitachiryu Eiichi (1989.07 -1996.09)

## **Gallery**

Hitachiryu with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1995)Hitachiryu (c. 1993)Hitachiryu's tegata
## **Sources**

* Hitachiryu Eiichi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Hitachiryu Eiichi Rikishi Information
Hiranoto Chiyozo

Hiranoto Chiyozo - 平ノ戸 千代蔵 (born December 10, 1921) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Sasebo, Nagasaki. He made his debut in May 1940 and wrestled for Dewanoumi stable. He reached the makuuchi division in September 1951. His highest rank was maegashira 17 and he retired in May 1959.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Born in Sasebo, Nagasaki, he joined Dewanoumi stable and made his professional debut in May 1940. Initially wrestling under his surname Isomoto, he was promoted to sandanme in May 1942, but was drafted by the Imperial Japanese Army for military service in May 1943. He returned to sumo in November 1946 and changed his shikona to "Isonoumi" (磯ノ海). He was promoted to makushita in November 1947 and changed his shikona to "Ominato" (大湊) in October 1949. He was promoted to juryo one tournament later in January 1950.

### **Juryo Career**

In his first tournament as a sekitori, Ominato finished with an 8-7 record. In January 1951 he was given the shikona "Hiranoto" (平ノ戸) which was used by a maegashira from the Meiji period who also came from Sasebo, Nagasaki. Two tournaments later, he was promoted to makuuchi in September 1951.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Hiranoto struggled in his top division debut and could only manage a 4-11 record which sent him back down to juryo. He returned to makuuchi four years later in January 1955, but he could only maintain his top divison status for four tournaments. He fought in juryo for the remaining three years of his career.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After falling down to makushita in May 1959, Hiranoto retired from sumo. Upon retiring, he worked at Sumitomo Metal Industries and was a coach of the company's sumo club.

## **Fighting Style**

Hiranoto 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:** 334-340-8/673 (53 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 30-45/75 (5 basho)
* **Juryo:** 241-254/494 (33 basho)
* **Makushita:** 38-22-8/60 (7 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 15-13/28 (4 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 5-3/8 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-3/8 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Isomoto (1940.05 - 1946.11)
* Isonoumi (1947.06 - 1949.05)
* Ominato Sannosuke (1949.10 - 1950.09)
* Hiranoto Sannosuke (1951.01 - 1954.09)
* Hiranoto Chiyozo (1955.01 - 1959.05)

## **Sources**

* Hiranoto Chiyozo Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Hiranoto Chiyozo Rikishi Information
Higonoryu Tomohiro

Higonoryu Tomohiro - 肥後ノ龍 智大 (born November 19, 1985) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kumamoto City, Kumamoto. He made his debut in March 2004 and currently wrestles for Kise stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is sandanme 7.

## **Career**

Tomohiro Ishimoto joined Kise stable and made his professional debut in March 2004. Already weighing 165 kg (364 lb), he was the second heaviest new recruit, only behind Ryutei who weighed in at 192 kg (423 lb). Initially wrestling under his surname, he was given the shikona "Higonoryu" (肥後ノ龍) in July 2006. He reached the sandanme division in November 2008, but was unable to reach the makushita division with his highest rank being sandanme 7. Higonoryu's weight has fluctuated for majority of his career. For the first six years of his career, his weight bounced around from 150 kg to 180 kg. From 2010 onwards, his weight had gradually increased, reaching a peak of 208 kg (459 lb). As of 2022, his weight has reduced back to around 180 kg (397 lb).

## **Fighting Style**

Higonoryu 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.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 367-436-9/801 (117 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 85-132/217 (31 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 253-280-6/532 (77 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 29-24-3/52 (8 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Ishimoto Tomohiro (2004.03 - 2006.05)
* Higonoryu Tomohiro (2006.07 - )

## **Gallery**

Hignoryu defeats Ayaminato by oshidashi (c. 2018)Higonoryu defeats Nagaya by kotenage (c. 2018)Higonoryu prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2021)
Goken Daijiro

Goken Daijiro - 剛堅 大二朗 (born June 26, 1964) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Itami, Hyogo. He made his debut in September 1980 and wrestled for Takasago stable. He reached the juryo division in November 1989. His highest rank was juryo 5 and he retired in January 1995.

## **Career**

Kohei Morita joined Takasago stable and made his professional debut in September 1980. He was promoted to sandanme in March 1982 and makushita in March 1983. In May 1986, he changed his shikona from his surname, Morita, to "Asanoryu" (朝ノ竜), but later reverted back to Morita in March 1987. At the same March 1987 tournament, Goken was gunning for the makushita yusho, but lost his final match to finish with a 6-1 record. Nevertheless, he was placed in a nine-man playoff for the yusho. He defeated Shidenryu (future sekiwake Wakashoyo) in the first round and Dairyu in the second round; however, he lost to Amamifuji in the final round. He later changed his shikona to "Goken" (剛堅) in May 1988. In September 1989, he posted a 6-1 record at the rank of makushita 4 and was promoted to juryo in November 1989.

Goken made his juryo debut alongside stablemate Ryujuyama, however, Goken finished with a losing record and was demoted back down to makushita. He returned to juryo in March 1990. In that same tournament, Goken suffered a medial collateral ligament injury on his right knee after a match against Osuzuki and subsequently withdrew from the tournament. In January 1991, he finished with an 8-7 record and was promoted to a career-best juryo 5 in March 1991. However, in this tournament he ruptured his left achilles tendon on the 5th day in a match against Tamakairiki, and he withdrew from the tournament in the following day. As a result, he was demoted back down to makushita and this proved to be his last appearance as a sekitori.

Due to more injuries, Goken fell down to sandanme in May 1992. He eventually returned to makushita and in September 1992, he participated in an eight-man playoff for the makushita yusho, but lost to Ominato in the first round. He remained in makushita for another three years before announcing his retirement after the January 1995 tournament.

## **Fighting Style**

Goken 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:** 318-269-71/585 (87 basho)
* **Juryo:** 37-43-25/79 (7 basho)
* **Makushita:** 173-159-39/331 (53 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 76-43-7/119 (18 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 27-22/49 (7 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Morita Kohei (1980.09 - 1986.03)
* Asanoryu Kohei (1986.05 - 1987.01)
* Morita Kohei (1987.03 - 1988.03)
* Goken Daijiro (1988.05 - 1995.01)

## **Gallery**

Goken loses to future yokozuna Takanohana (c. 1989)Goken poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1991)Goken's tegata
## **Sources**

* Goken Daijiro Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Goken Daijiro Rikishi Information
Kanzaki Taiga

Kanzaki Taiga - 神崎 大河 (born July 24, 1999) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Himeji, Hyogo. He made his debut in March 2022 and currently wrestles for Takekuma stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 8.

## **Early Life**

Kanzaki began sumo wrestling at the age of 5 after he attended a class taught by his grandfather. During his 4th and 6th year at Aboshi Nishi Elementary School, he made it to the top 16 at the National Wanpaku Sumo Tournament and the All Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship. During his 3rd year at Himeji Shiritsu Aboshi Junior High School, he made the top 8 at the National Junior High School Sumo Championship. After junior high school, he attended Kinki University Senior High School and later Kinki University. Kanzaki won a total of five titles during his time with Kinki University. After graduating, he opted to go pro and joined Takekuma stable.

## **Career**

Kanzaki made his professional debut in March 2022. Due to his amateur achievements, Kanzaki qualified for sandanme tsukedashi status which allowed him to make his debut at the bottom of sandanme. He won the sandanme yusho in his first tournament with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted to makushita for the following May 2022 tournament.

## **Fighting Style**

Kanzaki 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:** 48-29/77 (11 basho)
* **Makushita:** 41-29/70 (10 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 7-0/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Sandanme** Championship (March 2022)

## **Gallery**

Kanzaki gets recruited into Takekuma stable (c. 2022)Kanzaki gets measured upon joining sumo (c. 2022)Kanzaki defeats Hatsuyama (c. 2022)Kanzaki wins the Sandanme Yusho (c. 2022)Kanzaki prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2022)Kanzaki defeats Yuma (c. 2022)
## **Sources**

* Kanzaki Taiga Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kanzaki Taiga Rikishi Information
Hoshiandesu Hose

Hoshiandesu Hose - 星安出寿 保世 (born June 1, 1968) is a former Argentine professional sumo wrestler from Buenos Aires. He made his debut in May 1988 and wrestled for Michinoku stable. He reached the juryo division in November 1992. His highest rank was juryo 2 and he retired in September 2000.

## **Early Life**

Juarez participated in amateur sumo tournaments in Argentina. He participated in the amateur sumo championships in 1987 and after the tournament he decided that to try out professional sumo. He travelled to Japan and joined Michinoku stable which was already home to Argentine sumo wrestler Hoshitango (Imachi Marcelo Salomon) who joined a year earlier.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his debut in May 1988 and was given the shikona "Hoshiandesu" (星安出寿). He was promoted to sandanme in September 1989 and makushita in January 1991. Hoshiandesu was able to establish himself in makushita almost immediately. In September 1992 he posted a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 1 which secured him a promotion to juryo.

### **Juryo Career**

Hoshiandesu produced a solid 9-6 record in his juryo debut. In November 1993, he posted a strong 10-5 record and followed with an 8-7 record in January 1994 which earned him a promotion to the rank of juryo 2 in March 1994. Even though he could only manage 5 wins at this rank, he made his first makuuchi appearance on the 9th day and defeated Aogiyama by hatakikomi (slap down). Hoshiandesu injured his left knee and was demoted down to makushita after a disastrous 1-14 record in July 1995. He was ranked in juryo for a total of 16 tournaments where he finished with a total of 113 wins and 127 losses.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Hoshiandesu remained in makushita for five years before announcing his retirement after the September 2000 tournament. Upon retiring, he returned to Argentina to help with the family business, but he later returned to Japan to work as an interpreter. He worked as an interpreter during the 2002 Fifa World Cup held in Yokohama, Japan. He currently works at an advertising agency which primarily focuses in soccer.

## **Fighting Style**

Hoshiandesu 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. He was also fond of using powerful face slaps (harite) to stun his opponents, His most often used winning kimarite was oshidashi (push out), followed by yorikiri (force out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 334-312/646 (75 basho)
* **Juryo:** 113-127/240 (16 basho)
* **Makushita:** 150-137/287 (41 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 40-30/70 (10 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 26-16/42 (6 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Hoshiandesu's unique sumo in his early career (c. 1988)Hoshiandesu (c. 1993)Hoshiandesu with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1993)Hoshiandesu (c. 1994)Hoshiandesu after falling to the unsalaried ranks (c. 2000)Hoshiandesu's retirement ceremony (c. 2001)Hoshiandesu's tegata
## **Sources**

* Hoshiandesu Hose Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Hoshiandesu Hose Rikishi Information
Junyo

Junyo - 巡洋 (born April 16, 1965 - January 23, 2013) was an American professional sumo wrestler from Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. He made his debut in March 1983 and last wrestled for Kokonoe stable. His highest rank was jonidan 132 and his last tournament was on September 1983.

## **Career**

Isaac Faaili Tago Roe was the last of three Kokonoe Hawaiians (the two other ones are Narushio and Gosetsu). He made his professional debut in March 1983 under the shikona "Junyo" (巡洋) and achieved a winning record (kachi-koshi) in his first jonokuchi tournament. However, he sat out of the following tournament and eventually fell out of the banzuke after the September 1983 tournament. This makes the date of his retirement rather unclear.

## **Personal Life**

* After retirement, Roe resided in Waianae, Hawaii. His nickname was "Butch".
* Isaac Faaili Tago Roe sadly passed away on January 23rd, 2013, at the age of 48 in Waianae, Hawaii. He is survived by his wife, son, mother, father, two sisters, and grandfather.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 4-3-14/7 (4 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 0-0-7/0 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3-7/7 (2 basho)

## **Sources**

* Junyo Rikishi Information
* Junyo Obituary
Kainowaka Naoya

Kainowaka Naoya - 魁ノ若 尚弥 (born April 20, 1979) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Miyawaka, Fukuoka. He made his debut in March 1995 and wrestled for Oshima stable. His highest rank was makushita 14 and he retired in January 2023.

## **Career**

Naoya Hisakado joined Tomozuna stable (later renamed Oshima stable) and made his professional debut in March 1995. In January 1996, he was given the shikona "Kainowaka" (魁ノ若). After four years in jonidan, he was promoted to sandanme in March 1999. Upon reaching sandanme, Kainowaka posted six consecutive winning records and was promoted to makushita in March 2000.

In July 2001, Kainowaka won the sandanme yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted to a career-best rank of makushita 14 in September 2001. However, he finished with a poor 1-6 record and this proved to be his highest rank. He then spent the next six years bouncing back and forth between makushita and sandanme. By May 2007, he had become a sandanme regular.

In November 2012, Kainowaka measured at his heaviest at 237 kg (522 lb) making him the second heaviest active wrestler at the time, only behind Orora who weighed 265.5 kg (585 lb). Kainowaka also finished with a disastrous 0-7 record in the November 2012 tournament. He subsequently underwent a partial stomach resection surgery in May 2013 in order to lose weight and slimmed down to 148 kg (326 lb).

Kainowaka spent the majority of his later career in the second lowest jonidan division. He missed the January 2021 tournament due a COVID-19 outbreak at his stable. He retired from sumo in January 2023 after 28 years in the sport.

## **Fighting Style**

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

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 547-573-35/1120 (166 basho)
* **Makushita:** 65-96/161 (23 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 209-197/406 (58 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 243-261-35/504 (77 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 30-19/49 (7 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Sandanme** Championship (July 2001)

## **Shikona History**

* Hisakado Naoya (1995.03 - 1995.11)
* Kainowaka Naoya (1996.01 - 2023.01)

## **Gallery**

Kainowaka prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2009)Kainowaka after his significant weight loss (c. 2022)Kainowaka's retirement ceremony (c. 2023)

## **Sources**

* Kainowaka Naoya Rikishi Information
* Asahi Article on Kainowaka Interview
Hoshuzan Yoshiharu

Hoshuzan Yoshiharu - 峰洲山 善晴 (born August 9, 1997) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kamagaya, Chiba. He made his debut in July 2020 and currently wrestles for Naruto stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 34.

## **Early Life**

Chiharu Suzuki was born on August 9, 1997, in Kamagaya, Chiba. He attended Tokyo Gakuen High School where he was a member of the school's sumo club. After high school, he enrolled at Nippon Sport Science University to continue his amateur career. Upon graduating university, he joined Naruto stable.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in July 2020 and was given the shikona "Osuzuki" (欧鈴木). He finished with a strong 6-1 record in his first official tournament. In the following November 2020 tournament, he won all seven of his matches, but missed out on the jonidan yusho after losing to stablemate Ofukasawa in a playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to sandanme for the January 2021 tournament. He reached makushita in November 2021 and was given the new shikona "Hoshuzan" (峰洲山) in January 2022.

## **Fighting Style**

Hoshuzan 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:** 77-60-3/137 (21 basho)
* **Makushita:** 39-42-3/81 (12 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 25-17/42 (6 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 7-0/7 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Osuzuki Chiharu (2020.07 - 2021.11)
* Hoshuzan Yoshiharu (2022.01 - )

## **Gallery**

Hoshuzan during his time in Maezumo (c. 2020)Hoshuzan loses the Jonidan Yusho playoff (c. 2020)Hoshuzan prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2022)
## **Sources**

* Hoshuzan Yoshiharu Rikishi Information
* Livedoor Blog on Nittaidai Sumo Club