recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Banjaku Kumataro

Banjaku Kumataro - 磐石 熊太郎 (born May 23, 1908 - September 26, 1994) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Konohana Ward, Osaka City, Osaka. He made his debut in January 1927 and wrestled for Asahiyama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1934 and has 1 kinboshi. His highest rank was sekiwake and he retired in January 1943.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Koroku joined Osaka Sumo's Asahiyama stable in 1923. During the Tokyo-Osaka Sumo Association merger in 1927, he was ranked in sandanme and he reached the makushita division in May 1927. Wrestling under the shikona "Azumagata" (東潟), he was promoted to juryo in May 1929, however, he was unable to establish himself in the division. In May 1931, he was given the shikona "Banjaku" (磐石). 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**

In May 1937, Banjaku defeated yokozuna Tamanishiki to earn his first and only kinboshi. He reached the sekiwake rank in May 1938 and was expected to reach ozeki due to his consistent sumo, despite being 30 years old. However, in this tournament, he injured his left knee joint and was unable to capitalize on an ozeki run. He was demoted back down to the maegashira ranks for the following January 1939 and remained there for the remainder of his career. He retired from sumo in January 1943.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring in 1943, he remained in sumo as an elder of the Japan Sumo Association, working as a coach at Asahiyama stable under the name Kitajin Oyakata. He died shortly after on September 26, 1944, at the age of 36.

## **Personal Life**

* Banjaku's wife is a singer from Aichi prefecture. He fathered four children. His eldest son, Eisuke Koroku, was an announcer for NHK. His daughter later married ozeki Kotogahama. His grandson, Kotogahama's third son, was also a sumo wrestler who wrestled under the shikona "Kotougusa" (琴宇草). He made his debut in March 1982, reaching as high as makushita 35, and retired in September 1991 due to injuries.

## **Fighting Style**

Banjaku 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 yoritaoshi, or frontal crush out. He was also fond of employing tsuridashi, or lift out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 206-207-9/408 (42 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 106-123-9/224 (18 basho)
* **Juryo:** 34-43/77 (8 basho)
* **Makushita:** 57-38/95 (14 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 9-3/12 (2 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Azumagata Kumataro (1927.01 - 1931.03)
* Banjaku Kumataro (1931.05 - 1943.01)

## **Sources**

* Banjaku Kumataro Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Banjaku Kumataro Rikishi Information
Fujio (yobidashi)

Fujio - 富士夫 (born May 16, 1978) is a Japanese professional sumo usher from Kesennuma, Miyagi. He was recruited in June 1996 and debuted in the July 1996 tournament and he belongs to Isegahama stable. He reached the Juryo rank in January 2018.

## **Career**

* July 1996 - Had his ring debut under Ajigawa stable as a Jonokuchi yobidashi using the ringname Asao (安佐夫)
* January 2002 - Promoted to Jonidan yobidashi
* January 2004 - Promoted to Sandanme yobidashi
* January 2007 - Promoted to Makushita yobidashi
* March 2008 - Changed his ringname to Fujio (富士夫)
* January 2018 - Promoted to Juryo yobidashi

## **Sources**

* Fujio (yobidashi) Japanese Wikipedia Article
* JSA Fujio Personal Page
Daibanjaku Hisashi

Daibanjaku Hisashi - 大磐石 久 (born December 29, 1981) is a former Mongolian professional sumo wrestler from Ulaanbaatar. He made his debut in September 1999 and wrestled for Asahiyama stable. His highest rank was sandanme 10 and he retired in September 2004.

## **Career**

Batsukh Haidavmunkh of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, joined Asahiyama stable in September 1999. He was given the shikona "Daibanjaku" (大磐石). He initially struggled to rise pass the jonidan division and it was not until September 2001, when Daibanjaku finally reached sandanme. He bounced between the sandanme and jonidan division for around a year, before becoming a sandanme mainstay by November 2002. He reached a career-best sandanme 10 in September 2004, but retired from sumo the very next tournament.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Daibanjaku suddenly retired after the July 2004 tournament. Upon retirement he became a Japanese translator for the University of the Humanities. Since 2017 he has been studying at the Law School of National University of Mongolia. He was also involved with many humanitarian work in Mongolia and helped 800 families find homes in a newly opened District 16 Apartments, which he helped open.

### **Political Career**

In 2004 he joined the Mongolian Democratic Party of Sukhbaatar District. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of the party committee of the Democratic Party in Bayangol District and In 2011, he was Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Youth Union of Bayangol District. As of 2020, he is running for a position in the Mongolian Parliament and is currently not affiliated with a party.

## **Fighting Style**

Daibanjaku was 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:** 106-97-7/202 (31 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 46-52-7/97 (15 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 48-36/84 (12 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 12-9/21 (3 basho)

## **Gallery**

Daibanjaku prepares for his upcoming matchDaibanjaku (left) helps pound mochi at a charity event (c. 2001)Daibanjaku after wrestling a match (c. 2001)

## **Sources**

* Daibanjaku Hisashi Rikishi Information
* Daibanjaku Cambaign Profile
Akisegawa Denshiro

Akisegawa Denshiro - 明瀬川 傳四郎 (born March 23, 1918 - October 20, 1989) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Shichigahama, Miyagi. He made his debut in January 1938 and wrestled for Isegahama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in November 1947. His highest rank was maegashira 13 and he retired in January 1950.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

At the age of 19, Agatsuma joined Isegahama stable and made his professional debut in January 1938. In January 1939 he was given the "Akisegawa" (明瀬川) ring name and subsequently won the jonokuchi yusho in the same tournament. He was promoted to sandanme in January 1940 and makushita in May 1941. He reached the juryo division in June 1945 and was promoted to makuuchi in November 1947.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Due to Akisegawa's small size, he struggled to establish himself in the top division. He reached the rank of maegashira 13 in January 1949, but injured his right ankle in this tournament and was unable to climb any higher. He subsequently fell back down to juryo in October 1949 and retired in January 1950.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring from sumo, Akisegawa remained in the Japan Sumo Association as an elder under the name Magaki. However, he was only borrowing the elder stock as it was owned by former sekiwake Taikyuzan and he left the sumo world in May 1951. He later worked as a driver in Osaka prefecture.

### **Death**

Akisegawa died on October 20, 1989, at the age of 71 due to an illness.

## **Fighting Style**

Akisegawa 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). He was fond of employing nimaigeri (ankle kicking twist down) which is seldom seen in professional sumo today.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 104-88-7/191 (26 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 24-30-7/53 (5 basho)
* **Juryo:** 22-18/40 (6 basho)
* **Makushita:** 33-26/59 (8 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 14-10/24 (3 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 4-4/8 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 7-0/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Jonokuchi** Championship (January 1939)

## **Shikona History**

* Kiyokawa (1938.01 - 1938.05)
* Akisegawa Denshiro (1939.01 - 1950.01)

## **Sources**

* Akisegawa Denshiro Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Akisegawa Denshiro Rikishi Information
Akinoyama Hideaki

Akinoyama Hideaki - 安芸乃山 秀昭 (born November 30, 1992) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima. He made his debut in March 2008 and wrestles for Takadagawa stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 13.

## **Career**

Hideaki Hisato joined Takadagawa stable and made his professional debut in March 2008 under the shikona "Akinoyama" (安芸乃山). Already weighing 161 kg (355 lb), he was the second heaviest new recruit after Miyazaki who weighed in at 206 kg (454 lb). Akinoyama was promoted to sandanme in November 2009 and makushita in March 2013.

Akinoyama reached a career-best makushita 13 in September 2018, but could only manage a 3-4 record in that tournament. In April 2020, there was a COVID-19 outbreak in his stable and as a result, the May 2020 tournament was cancelled.

## **Personal Life**

* Akinoyama's twin brother, Mitsuhiro, also joined Takadagawa stable in March 2008 and wrestled under the shikona "Akinohana" (安芸の花). His highest rank was makushita 6 and he retired in March 2019.
* Reaching a peak weight of 207.2 kg (457 lb), he is one of the heaviest active wrestlers.

## **Fighting Style**

Akinoyama 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 yorikiri (force out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 332-307-5/638 (93 basho)
* **Makushita:** 180-186-5/365 (53 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 117-93/210 (30 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 31-25/56 (8 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Akinoyama joins sumo alongside his twin brother (c. 2008)Akinoyama prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2010)Akinoyama defeats Kaorufuji (c. 2017)Akinoyama battles the much lighter Ura (c. 2020)Akinoyama battles Mudoho (c. 2020)
Dewanojo Shota

Dewanojo Shota - 出羽ノ城 昇太 (born December 14, 1993) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kaminokawa, Tochigi. He made his debut in March 2012 and currently wrestles for Dewanoumi Stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 44.

## **Early Life**

Kinjo was born on December 14, 1993, in Kaminokawa, Tochigi. He initially played baseball and aspired to become a professional baseball player. Prior to joining professional sumo, Kinjo had minimal sumo training with his only experience being a tournament in Utsunomiya, Tochigi. Nevertheless, he was recruited into Dewanoumi stable by Dekiyama Oyakata (former sekiwake Dewanohana).

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 2012 and was given the shikona "Dewanojo" (出羽ノ城). Already weighing 179 kg (395 Ib), he was the heaviest new recruit at the time, but he still finished with a 3-4 record in his first tournament. He reached the sandanme division in September 2013 and would spend most of his career there. He was promoted to makushita in March 2020, but has not managed to post a winning record in makushita.

## **Personal Life**

* Peaking at 258 kg (569 Ib), Dewanojo is the fourth heaviest sumo wrestler of all time as of 2023.

## **Fighting Style**

Dewanojo is a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won majority of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out. Due to his immense size, he is also fond of employing kimedashi, or arm-barring force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 233-234-16/463 (70 basho)
* **Makushita:** 9-26/35 (5 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 177-171-16/344 (52 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 39-31/70 (10 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 8-6/14 (2 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Kinjo Shuta (2012.03 - 2012.05)
* Dewanojo Shuta (2012.05 - 2023.07)
* Dewanojo Shota (2023.09 -

## **Gallery**

Dewanojo getting measured at the 2012 tryouts (c. 2012)Dewanojo training in Dewanoumi stable (c. 2018)Dewanojo is defeated by Kamito (c. 2019)

## **Sources**

* Dewanojo Shota Rikishi Infomation
* Sponichi Annex Article on Dewanojo
Amatsunada Fukuichi

Amatsunada Fukuichi - 天津灘 福一 (born August 2, 1932 - March 28, 2001) was a Korean-Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ushizu, Saga. He made his debut in September 1950 and last wrestled for Nishonoseki stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1958. His highest rank was maegashira 18 and he retired in September 1961.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Born in Ushizu, Saga, he moved to Tokyo at the age of 18 and joined Nishonoseki stable. He made his professional debut in September 1960 and was given the shikona "Amatsunada" (天津灘). He was promoted to sandanme in January 1952 and makushita in January 1954. In January 1957 he posted a 6-2 record at the rank of makushita 1 and was promoted to juryo for the following March 1957 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

In his first tournament as a sekitori, Amatsunada finished with a strong 10-5 record. After a string of losing records, he posted three consecutive double-digit winning records and was promoted to makuuchi in May 1958.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Amatsunada posted an 8-7 record in his makuuchi debut and was promoted to the rank of maegashira 18. At this rank he finished with an 7-8 record, but followed with a poor 3-12 record and was demoted back down to juryo after only three tournaments ranked in the top division.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

He remained in juryo for three year before retiring from sumo in September 1961 to avoid an inevitable demotion to makushita. After retiring, he married Taiho's sister (Taiho was his stablemate) and he ran a sushi restaurant in Osaka. However, shortly afterwards, the restaurant closed down and he separated from his wife.

He subsequently moved to South Korea by himself as he was a Zainichi Korean (Korean with permanent residency in Japan). He reverted his surname from Tamura to Jeon (전) and ran a Japanese restaurant in Seoul. Moreover, he remarried to a Korean woman.

### **Death**

He died on March 28, 2001, at a hospital in Yeongcheon due to liver failure. He was 68 years old.

## **Fighting Style**

Amatsunada 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:** 308-302/610 (51 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 18-27/45 (3 basho)
* **Juryo:** 179-181/360 (24 basho)
* **Makushita:** 60-44/104 (13 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 24-24/48 (6 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 21-17/38 (3 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-9/15 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Tamura Fukuichi (1950.09 - 1952.01)
* Amatsunada Fukuichi (1952.05 - 1961.09)

## **Sources**

* Amatsunada Fukuichi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Amatsunada Fukuichi Rikishi Information
Dohyo

The **dohyo** (土俵) is the ring in which sumo wrestling bouts are held. A modern dohyo is a circle of rice-straw bales 4.55 meters in diameter, and for official tournaments *(*honbasho*)* is mounted on a square platform of clay 6.7m on a side, and 34 to 60 cm high. The surface is covered by sand.

A new dohyo is built prior to each tournament by the yobidashi (ring attendants), who are responsible for this activity. The process of building the dohyo takes three days, and is done with traditional tools. The clay used is taken from the banks of the Arakawa River in Saitama Prefecture. However, with growing urbanization clay from Ibaraki Prefecture has started to be used. The dohyo is removed after each tournament, and in the case of Nagoya, pieces are taken home by the fans as souvenirs. The *yobidashi* also build the dohyo for training stables and sumo touring events.

The diameter of the ring is 15 shaku (4.55 meters), which increased from 13 *shaku* (3.94 meters) in 1931. The rice-straw bales (tawara (俵)) which form the ring are one third standard size and are partially buried in the clay of the dohyo. Four of the tawara are placed slightly outside the line of the circle at the four cardinal directions, these are called privileged bales (tokudawara). Originally, this was to allow rain to run off the surface, when sumo tournaments were held outdoors in the open. Today, a wrestler under pressure at the edge of the ring will often try to move himself round to one of these points to gain leverage in order to push back more effectively against the opponent who is trying to force him out.

At the center are two white lines, the shikiri-sen (仕切り線), behind which the wrestlers must position themselves at the start of the bout. The shikiri-sen is painted daily with white enamel paint. Around the ring is finely brushed sand called the ja-no-me (蛇の目 snake's eye), which can be used to determine if a wrestler has just touched his foot, or another part of his body, outside the ring. The *yobidashi* ensure it is clean of any previous marks immediately prior to each bout.

A roof resembling that of a Shinto shrine (which has been of the Shinmei-zukuri style since the 1953 May tournament) is suspended above the dohyo, called the tsuriyane. The roof weighs 6.25 tons, and is supported by cables that can hold up to 30 tons. Around the *tsuriyane* hangs a purple banner which is embroidered with the Japan Sumo Association's mon. Prior to the September 1952 tournament the *tsuriyane* had been supported by columns, but they were removed to allow fans an uninterrupted view of the dohyo. Colored tassels (fusa), which replaced the colored columns, are suspended from the corners. They represent the four seasons and the four spirits of directions:

* Green – Azure Dragon of the East (青龍), Spring
* Red – Vermilion Bird of the South (朱雀), Summer
* White – White Tiger of the West (白虎), Fall
* Black – Black Tortoise of the North (玄武), Winter

The dohyo in training stables is not mounted but is otherwise the same as those used in tournaments. One dohyo is standard, although some larger stables have built two.
Kaizen Takumi

Kaizen Takumi - 魁禅 拓海 (born July 29, 1993) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Tokunoshima, Kagoshima. He made his debut in January 2016 and currently wrestles for Asakayama stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 21.

## **Early Life**

Takumi Maeda was born in the town of Tokunoshima in Kagoshima Prefecture. After graduating from Shonan High School, he moved to Gifu Prefecture to attend Asahi University where he was also a member of the school's sumo club. After graduating from university, he joined Asakayama stable.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in January 2016 and was given the shikona "Kaizen" (魁禅). He was promoted to sandanme in July 2016 and makushita in March 2017. He was unable to establish himself in makushita and bounced back and forth between makushita and sandanme.

In February 2022, Kaizen developed a strain in his back and had to undergo surgery. As a result, he missed three consecutive tournaments and was demoted back down to jonidan. He returned to action in November 2022 and finished with a strong 6-1 record. In the following January 2023 tournament, Kaizen finished with a perfect 7-0 record to claim the sandanme yusho. In the March 2023 tournament, he was aiming for the makushita yusho, but lost his final match to Ryuo to finish with a 6-1 record.

## **Fighting Style**

Kaizen is proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His most common techniques are yorikiri (force out), oshidashi (push out), and uwatenage (overarm throw).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 162-139-21/300 (47 basho)
* **Makushita:** 38-53-7/91 (14 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 107-82-14/188 (29 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 11-3/14 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Kaizen gets recruited into Asakayama stable (c. 2016)Kaizen during his time in Maezumo (c. 2016)Kaizen returns to Asahi University with fellow alumni (c. 2019)Kaizen prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2023)Kaizen wins his first Sandanme Yusho (c. 2023)Kaizen loses the Makushita Yusho match (c. 2023)
## **Sources**

* Kaizen Takumi Rikishi Information
* Sponichi Annex Article on Kaizen's Sandanme Yusho
Kabai-te

Kabai-te (庇い手) literally translates as defending hand. When the two wrestlers fall together, the wrestler on the lower side is referred to as shini-tai, or dead body, meaning that he is the loser even if he doesn't touch the ground first. In this case, if injury is foreseen, the wrestler on the upper side is allowed to support his weight by sticking out a hand on the ground (kabai-te) prior to the shini-tai wrestler touching the ground first. Although the wrestler on top touches first, he is still declared the winner.

## **Notable Moments**

**January 1972 Tournament, Day 8:** sekiwake Takanohana vs yokozuna Kitanofuji. Kitanofuji goes for a leg trip and Takanohana lifts Kitanofuji up as they both fall down. Since Kitanofuji is on top of Takanohana, he places a hand down, before Takanohana's body touches the dohyo to prevent injury. The gyoji gave the match to Takanohana, but a mono-ii was called and they overruled the decision, stating that the rule kabai-te is applied in this situation. Kitanofuji wins by abisetaoshi.

**May 1993 Tournament, Day 15:** sekiwake Wakanohana vs ozeki Konishiki. Konishiki goes for a kotenage (arm lock throw), but this match was essential for a guaranteed promotion to ozeki for Wakanohana. In the middle of being thrown he reluctantly refuses to put his hand down. Konishiki doesn't want to fall or cause injury to Wakanohana, so he places his hand first. Wakanohana ends up with no injuries and a minor cut, but the gyoji still awards Konishiki with the win.

**July 2004 Tournament, Day 8:** maegashira 2 Kotonowaka vs yokozuna Asashoryu. This match was a controversial moment, because kabai-te should have been applied to the outcome of the match, but it wasn't. Kotonowaka goes for an outer-arm throw (uwatenage), and throws Asashoryu. Asashoryu grabs onto Kotonowaka. His body technically didn't touch the dohyo, but shini-tai (dead body) should have been applied. Kotonowaka puts his arm down first, so he wouldn't crush Asashoryu. A mono-ii was called and a torinaoshi (redo) was ordered. Asashoryu ended up winning by kirikaeshi (twisting backward knee trip).

January 1972 Tournament, Day 8: sekiwake Takanohana vs yokozuna KitanofujiMay 1993 Tournament, Day 15: sekiwake Wakanohana vs ozeki Konishiki.July 2004 Tournament, Day 8: maegashira 2 Kotonowaka vs yokozuna Asashoryu.
Burinosato Tsuyoshi

Burinosato Tsuyoshi - 鰤の里 強志 (born February 15, 1983) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Nanao, Ishikawa. He made his debut in March 2001 and wrestled for Chiganoura stable. His highest rank was sandanme 4 and he retired in March 2019.

## **Career**

After graduating from Nanao Shinonome High School, Kinoshita was recruited into Kasugano stable by Chiganoura Oyakata (former sekiwake Masudayama) and made his professional debut in March 2001. He reached the jonidan division in September 2001, but could not break through the jonidan wall. In May 2003, he was given the shikona "Tochinonami" (栃ノ波). Upon transferring to the recently established Chiganoura stable in September 2004, he changed his shikona to "Onami" (大浪).

He reached the sandanme division in July 2005, but was unable to establish himself in the division. After changing his shikona to "Notononami" (能登ノ波) in March 2006, he was able to become a mainstay in sandanme. In May 2010, he changed his shikona for the fifth time, this time to "Burinosato" (鰤の里). He reached a career-best rank of sandanme 4 in November 2011, but was unable to capitalize on a promotion to makushita.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Burinosato retired from sumo in March 2019. After retiring, he works as a nursing assistant in Kurume, Fukuoka.

## **Fighting Style**

Burinosato was an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. However, his most common kimarite was yorikiri (force out), followed by oshidashi (push out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 352-364-33/715 (108 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 185-214/399 (57 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 145-137-33/281 (45 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 22-13/35 (5 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Kinoshita Tsuyoshi (2001.03 - 2003.03)
* Tochinonami Tsuyoshi (2003.05 - 2004.09)
* Onami Tsuyoshi (2004.11 - 2006.01)
* Notononami Tsuyoshi (2006.03 - 2010.03)
* Burinosato Tsuyoshi (2010.05 - 2019.03)

## **Gallery**

Burinosato with his Chiganoura beya stablemates (c. 2015)Burinosato prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2018)Burinosato's retirement ceremony (c. 2019)
## **Sources**

* Burinosato Tsuyoshi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Burinosato Tsuyoshi Rikishi Information
Ichinoya Totaro (born 1937)

## Ichinoya Totaro

Ichinoya Totaro - 一乃矢 藤太郎 (born June 30, 1937 - April 29, 1977) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Inakadate, Aomori. He made his debut in May 1953 and last wrestled for Kasugano stable. He reached the makuuchi division in July 1961. His highest rank was maegashira 4 and he retired in July 1964.

## **Early Life**

Ryoichi Sudo's great grandfather was the former ozeki Ichinoya Totaro. He was recruited into Kasugano stable by juryo wrestler Tochinoseki who also came from Inakadate, Aomori. After graduating from junior high school, he was personally picked up by Tochinoseki and he moved to Tokyo to join Kasugano stable.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his professional debut in May 1953 and initially wrestled under his surname Sudo. He was promoted to sandanme in March 1954 and makushita in September 1955. In March 1957, he adopted his great grandfather's shikona, Ichinoya Totaro. In March 1958, he produced a 6-2 record at the rank of makushita 1 and was promoted to juryo for the following May 1958 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

In his first tournament as a sekitori, he finished with an 8-7 record, but suffered an injury in the following tournament and was demoted back down to makushita in September 1958. He returned to juryo in March 1959, but could only last for four tournaments. He returned to juryo for a third time in May 1960 and was promoted to makuuchi in July 1961.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Ichinoya was ranked in makuuchi for a total of seven straight tournaments. His highest rank was maegashira 4 which he achieved in March 1962. He struggled in this tournament, achieving his only actual win on the last day (his other win was win by default). His last makuuchi was in July 1962. He remained in juryo for another year before falling back down to makushita in November 1963.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

He announced his retirement after the July 1964 tournament. After retiring he opened up a ramen restaurant in Hirosaki, Aomori, called "Ichinoya Cafeteria" (一乃矢食堂).

### **Death**

He died on April 19, 1977, at the age of 39 due to a heart attack.

## **Fighting Style**

Ichinoya 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:** 317-323-7-2d/641 (59 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 44-61/105 (7 basho)
* **Juryo:** 133-159-7-1d/292 (20 basho)
* **Makushita:** 98-78-1d/177 (23 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 29-19/48 (6 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 10-6/16 (2 basho)
* **Shinjo:** 3-0/3 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Sudo Ryoichi (1953.05 - 1957.01)
* Ichinoya Totaro (1957.03 - 1964.07)

## **Gallery**

Ichinoya poses with his kesho-mawashiIchinoya's retirement ceremony (c. 1964)Ichinoya's restaurant: "Ichinoya Cafeteria" (一乃矢食堂)
## **Sources**

* Ichinoya Totaro Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Ichinoya Totaro Rikishi Information
Itadaki Sennosuke

Itadaki Sennosuke - 頂 仙之助 (born September 5, 1994) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Musashino, Tokyo. He made his debut in March 2010 and currently wrestles for Isenoumi stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 18.

## **Early Life**

Masahiko Kikuchi was born in Musashino, Tokyo, to a Japanese mother and a French-Canadian father. During his time in elementary school, he participated in local sumo tournaments. He attended Musashino 1st Junior High School where he played basketball and he also attended a sumo dojo in Fuchu, Tokyo. After junior high school, he was proposed to try out professional sumo by professional wrestler and former rikishi Ishinriki. He subsequently joined Isenoumi stable.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 2010 and initially wrestled under his surname Kikuchi. In July 2012, he was given the shikona "Itadaki" (頂) which had been used by many Isenoumi stable wrestlers from the Edo period. He was promoted to sandanme in September 2013 and makushita in May 2017. In July 2021, he reached a career-best makushita 18, but lost his first six matches and finished with a disastrous 1-6 record.

## **Fighting Style**

Itadaki is 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:** 277-267-16/543 (81 basho)
* **Makushita:** 57-76/133 (19 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 152-119-16/270 (41 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 57-62/119 (17 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 11-10/21 (3 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Kikuchi Masahiko (2010.03 - 2012.05)
* Itadaki Sennosuke (2012.07 - )

## **Gallery**

Itadaki gets recruited by Ishinriki (c. 2009)Itadaki outside Isenoumi stable (c. 2014)Itadaki battles former Komusubi Ryuden (c. 2021)Itadaki prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2021)Itadaki hands Kototebakari his first ever career loss (c. 2022)Itadaki battles Kazuto (c. 2022)

## **Sources**

* Itadaki Sennosuke Rikishi Information
* City of Musashino Article on Itadaki
* Blog Post of Itadaki Joining Sumo
Dewataira Shinichi

Dewataira Shinichi - 出羽平 真一 (born September 13, 1974) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Adachi, Tokyo. He made his debut in March 1997 and wrestled for Dewanoumi stable. He reached the juryo division in May 1998. His highest rank was juryo 4 and he retired in July 2000.

## **Early Life**

Taira attended Kamichiba Elementary School and began sumo wrestling during his 4th year at the school. During his 6th year, he won the national wanpaku (child) sumo tournament. He later attended Katsushika Ward Aoba Junior High School and in his third year he participated in many national competitions and became junior high school yokozuna. After he attended Saitama Sakae High school and continued his amateur career at Nihon University. During his time in college, he won the All Japan Sumo Championships and was granted makushita tsukedashi status as a result. After graduating college he joined Dewanoumi stable.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his debut in March 1997 at the bottom of the makushita division and was given the shikona "Dewataira" (出羽平). He won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record in January 1998 and was promoted to the top of makushita where he posted a 4-3 record and secured a promotion to juryo in May 1998.

### **Juryo Career**

Dewataira produced two winning records following his juryo debut, but was demoted back down to makushita in January 1999 after two losing records. He immediately returned to jury after posting a 4-3 record. In November 1999, he was promoted to a career-best juryo 4, however, he could only manage 5 wins at that rank. He followed with two more losing records and was demoted back down to makushita.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After losing his sekitori status in May 2000, he sat out of the May tournament and announced his retirement in the following July 2000 tournament. After retiring, he was employed at his alma mater, Nihon University, and also works as a coach for the Nihon University and Saitama Sakae High School sumo club.

## **Fighting Style**

Dewataira was a tsuki/oshi specialist, who prefers pushing and thrusting at his opponents rather than fighting on the mawashi or belt. However, his most common winning kimarite or technique was yorikiri, or force out, which requires a belt grip.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 116-105-14/221 (21 basho)
* **Juryo:** 79-86/165 (11 basho)
* **Makushita:** 37-19-14/56 (10 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (January 1998)

## **Shikona History**

* Taira Shinichi (1997.03 - 1997.03)
* Dewataira Shinichi (1997.05 - 2000.07)

## **Gallery**

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

Dewataira Shinichi - 1998 (Retrieved from the JSA)Dewataira's tegata
### **Career Overview**

Dewataira gets recruited into Dewanoumi stable (c. 1997)Dewataira gets the Makushita Yusho (c. 1998)Dewataira launches at his opponent (c. 1998)Dewataira's final year of sumo (c. 2000)
## **Sources**

* Dewataira Shinichi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Dewataira Shinichi Rikishi Information
Hakutozan Fukudo

Hakutozan Fukudo - 白頭山 福童 (born 1903 - date of death unknown) is a former Korean professional sumo wrestler from North Chungcheong Province. He made his debut in October 1927 and wrestled for Takasago stable. His highest rank was sandanme and he retired in May 1930.

## **Early Life**

Han-gyu Park was born in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, Korean Empire, which is located in modern day South Korea. He later moved to Japan to become a sumo wrestler.

## **Career**

Park joined Takasago stable and made his professional debut in October 1927. At the time, he stood at 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) and weighed 291 Ib. He was already taller than sekiwake Dewagatake who was the tallest active wrestler at the time. He was given the shikona "Hakutozan" (白頭山) which is derived from Paektu Mountain, a sacred mountain located on the North Korean-China border. Hakutozan had a bent spine due to an illness he suffered as a child and this severely hindered his sumo ability. He reached the sandanme division, but retired from sumo all together in May 1930.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring from sumo, Park worked various different jobs in Japan. He first worked at a theater and later as a bouncer at a dance hall. He was later hired by confectionary company Morinaga to dress up as a general or sailor and hand out flyers. He travelled to various parts of Japan, as well as Sakhalin, Korea, Taiwan, and Manchuria (all Japanese colonies at the time) to promote Morinaga. After that, he worked at an amusement park, but it is unknown what he did after that. By the 1960s, Park had already passed away.

## **Personal Life**

* His name could have initially been "Bok-dong Park" (박복동) before he changed it to Han-gyu Park (박한규).
* Standing at 2.17 m (7 ft 1.5 in), Hakutozan is the tallest sumo wrestler in the post-Showa era.

## **Gallery**

Korean newspaper article of Hakutozan joining sumo (c. 1927)Hakutozan with another sumo wrestler (c. 1927 or 1928)Hakutozan's tegata
## **See Also**

* List of Korean Sumo Wrestlers
* List of Tallest Sumo Wrestlers

## **Sources**

* Hakutozan Fukudo Japanese Wikipedia Article
* NAVER Blog Article about Hakutozan
Hanakago Stable (Edo period)

Hanakago stable (花籠部屋, Hanakago-beya) was a stable of sumo wrestlers which was established in the Edo period and it closed down in 1946.

## **History**

The stable was established sometime during the Edo period and it closed down on multiple occasions. In May 1929, former sekiwake Misugiiso re-established the stable before it closed down in October 1947 with all personnel transferring to Takasago stable.

## **Owners**

* 1929-1947: 9th Hanakago (former sekiwake Misugiiso)

## **Notable Former Wrestlers**

* Tominoyama (former maegashira)
* Shintakayama (former makushita)
Jiro (yobidashi)

Jiro - 次郎 (born January 19, 1960) is a Japanese professional sumo usher from Narashino, Chiba. He was recruited and debuted in the March 1978 tournament and he belongs to Kasugano stable. He reached the Makuuchi rank in January 2001 and the sanyaku rank in September 2002. He was promoted to the chief rank in January 2024.

## **Career**

* March 1978 - Had his ring debut under Mihogaseki stable
* January 1995 - Promoted to Juryo yobidashi
* January 2001 - Promoted to Makuuchi yobidashi. He was overtaken by Katsuyuki in seniority in the September 1999 tournament, but has since surpassed him again
* September 2002 - Promoted to Sanyaku yobidashi
* November 2013 - Transferred to Kasugano stable due to the closure of Mihogaseki stable
* November 2019 - Became the most senior yobidashi as chief yobidashi Takuro retired due to a scandal
* January 2024 - Promoted to Tate yobidashi

## **Gallery**

Jiro demonstrates taiko drumming at a regional tour (c. 2009)
## **Sources**

* Jiro (yobidashi) Japanese Wikipedia Article
* JSA Jiro Personal Page
Kainoshima Sena

Kainoshima Sena - 海乃島 聖和 (born March 23, 1995) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Setouchi, Kagoshima. He made his debut in March 2017 and currently wrestles for Fujishima stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 9.

## **Early Life**

Sena Fukuyama was born on March 23, 1995, in Setouchi, a town on Amami Oshima, one of the Ryukyu Islands. Sumo is highly popular in the Ryukyu Islands and Fukuyama's father was a big fan of the sport. He was introduced to sumo from an early age and joined a children's sumo club founded by his father. He initially planned to stop sumo wrestling upon reaching junior high school, but was encouraged to continue practicing. Fukuyama was later scouted into Kagoshima Commercial High School's prestigious sumo club. After high school, he enrolled at Senshu University to continue his amateur career and in his fourth year, he placed third at the 100kg class of the national weight divisions students championships. Upon graduating university, he was scouted into Fujishima stable by Fujishima Oyakata (former ozeki Musoyama) who was also an alumnus of Senshu University.

## **Career**

Fukuyama made his professional debut in March 2017 alongside fellow collegiate lightweight Enho. He breezed through the first three divisions and was promoted to makushita in March 2018 after only a year in professional sumo. However, upon reaching makushita, he began to struggle and was even demoted to sandanme on certain occasions. In September 2020, he was given the shikona "Kainoshima" (海乃島). He reached a career-best makushita 9 in July 2022, but could only manage a 3-4 record.

## **Fighting Style**

Kainoshima is a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won most of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri (force out) and shitatenage (underarm throw). He has also used the extremely rare izori (backwards body drop) on two occasions and tasukizori (reverse backwards body drop) once.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 144-124-5/268 (40 basho)
* **Makushita:** 98-107-5/205 (30 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 34-15/49 (7 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Fukuyama Sena (2017.03 - 2020.07)
* Kainoshima Sena (2020.09 - )

## **Gallery**

Kainoshima gets recruited into Fujishima stable (c. 2017)Kainoshima gets measured upon joining sumo (c. 2017)Kainoshima defeats Azumasato by izori (c. 2018)
## **Sources**

* Kainoshima Sena Rikishi Information
* Town News Article on Kainoshima
Hakuomaru Daiki

Hakuomaru Daiki - 柏王丸 大樹 (born June 27, 1998) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kashiwa, Chiba. He made his debut in March 2017 and currently wrestles for Tokitsukaze Stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is sandanme 8.

## **Early Life**

Daiki Asakura was born on June 27, 1998, in Kashiwa, Chiba. He attended Nippon Sport Science University Kashiwa High School where he was a member of the sumo club and was teammates with Hoshoryu. After graduating high school, he joined Tokitsukaze stable.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 2017 and initially wrestled under his surname Asakura. He reached the sandanme division in May 2018. Prior to the July 2018 tournament, he fractured his left foot's instep and had to undergo surgery. As a result he missed the July 2018 tournament and was regulated to lower jonidan. Upon returning to sumo in September 2018, he won the jonidan yusho with a perfect 7-0 record. He was given the shikona "Hakuomaru" (柏王丸) in May 2019.

## **Fighting Style**

Hakuomaru 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:** 128-125-20/252 (40 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 61-80-6/140 (21 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 57-41-14/98 (16 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 10-4/14 (2 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Jonidan** Championship (September 2018)

## **Shikona History**

* Asakura Daiki (2017.03 - 2019.03)
* Hakuomaru Daiki (2019.05 - )

## **Gallery**

Hakuomaru gets measured upon joining sumo (c. 2017)Hakuomaru after winning the Jonidan yusho (c. 2018)Hakuomaru wins his first Jonidan Yusho (c. 2018)

## **Sources**

* Hakuomaru Daiki Rikishi Information
* Nikkan Sports Article on Hakuomaru's Jonidan Yusho
Hanaregoma Stable

Hanaregoma stable (放駒部屋, Hanaregoma beya) was a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Nishonoseki ichimon or group of stables. As of September 2010 it had eight active wrestlers. The stable was established in 1981 by former ozeki Kaiketsu Masateru, as a breakaway from Hanakago stable. It closed its doors in February 2013, and its staff and wrestlers transferred to Shibatayama stable.

## **History**

Hanaregoma stable was established in 1981 by former ozeki Kaiketsu, as a breakaway from Hanakago stable. Among the wrestlers who went with him was Ōnokuni, who would be the first sekitori from the stable making juryo in 1982. In 1985 its parent stable folded and it took in the remaining Hanakago wrestlers, including future makuuchi Hananoumi and Hananokuni.

The stable's first sekitori, Ōnokuni was the most successful rikishi from the stable, becoming the 62nd yokozuna in 1987. The stable had less success in later years, and did not have a sekitori ranked wrestler after the retirement of Shunketsu in 2008.

In August 2010, Hanaregoma became the head of the Japan Sumo Association, a position he held until 2012.

On 7 February 2013, due to Hanaregoma′s imminent mandatory retirement, the stable was absorbed into Ōnokuni′s Shibatayama stable, which had branched off from its parent in 1999. The stable's only foreigner, Sakigake, and Wakanoshima would transfer to Shibatayama stable and become future sekitori.

## **Owners**

* 1981-2013: 19th Hanaregoma (former ozeki Kaiketsu Masateru)

## **Notable Former Wrestlers**

### **Makuuchi**

* Onokuni (the 62nd yokozuna)
* Hananoumi (former komusubi) - *transferred from Hanakago stable*
* Hananokuni (former maegashira) - *transferred from Hanakago stable*
* Misugiiso (former maegashira)
* Shunketsu (former maegashira)
* Komafudo (former maegashira)

### **Juryo**

* Hananofuji (former juryo)
* Wakanoumi (former juryo)
* Hidenohana (former juryo)
* Wakanoshima (former juryo) *- transferred to Shibatayama stable before sekitori status*
* Sakigake (former juryo) *- transferred to Shibatayama stable before sekitori status*
* Rinho (former juryo) - *transferred from Hanakago stable*
* Hanaryu (former juryo) - *transferred from Hanakago stable*

### **Lower Divisions**

* Koganefuji (former makushita)
* Ryugi (former makushita)
* Maeta (former makushita) - *transferred to Shibatayama stable*
* Shoketsu (best rank makushita) - *transferred to Shibatayama stable*
* Omiryu (former makushita)
* Takinosato (former makushita)
Hokutomori Fumihito

Hokutomori Fumihito - 北勝森 文仁 (born September 8, 1971) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Tsugaru, Aomori. He made his debut in January 1994 and wrestled for Hakkaku stable. His highest rank was makushita 11 and he retired in March 1998.

## **Early Life**

Fumihito Tsuruga was born on September 8, 1971, in Tsugaru, Aomori. He began sumo wrestling during his first year of elementary school and he later attended Kizukuri High School where he won the prefectural tournament as well as the Tohoku tournament.

When he first enrolled at Nihon University, he intended to become a social studies teacher, however, after a successful first year with the sumo club, he aspired to become a professional sumo wrestler. During his time with Nihon University, Tsuruga won numerous titles. In his fourth year, he served as the captain of the sumo club and defeated future sekiwake Tosanoumi at the National Student Sumo Championship to earn the title of Student Yokozuna. Furthermore, this win qualified him for makushita tsukedashi status. After graduating from university, he joined Hakkaku stable.

## **Career**

Weighing at 205 kg (454 lb), Tsuruga was the heaviest new recruit in history at the time (later surpassed by Yamamotoyama in 2007 who weighed 233 kg). He made his professional debut in January 1994 and since he qualified for makushita tsukedashi, he was allowed to make his debut at the bottom of makushita. However, due to injuries Tsuruga struggled and was unable to reach the elite sekitori ranks, with his highest rank being makushita 11. In January 1997, he was given the shikona "Hokutomori" (北勝森). He retired from sumo in March 1998.

## **Fighting Style**

Hokutomori was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. His most common kimarite was yorikiri (force out) followed by yoritaoshi (frontal crush out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 86-84-12/169 (26 basho)
* **Makushita:** 53-52/105 (15 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 27-31-12/57 (10 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Tsuruga Fumihito (1994.01 - 1996.11)
* Hokutomori Fumihit0 (1997.01 - 1998.03)

## **Gallery**

Hokutomori during his time with Nihon University (c. 1991)Hokutomori gets recruited into Hakkaku stable (c. 1994)Hokutomori becomes the largest recruit of all time (c. 1994)

## **Sources**

* Hokutomori Fumihito Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Hokutomori Fumihito Rikishi Information