Hoshiiwato Yuji

Hoshiiwato Yuji - 星岩涛 祐二 (born July 25, 1955) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kaimon, Kagoshima. He made his debut in May 1970 and wrestled for Michinoku stable. He reached the makuuchi division in July 1989. His highest rank was maegashira 14 and he retired in January 1991.

## **Early Life**

In junior high school, Noguchi was a member of the baseball club where his position was the batter. He was considering to continue his education to the high school level, but was introduced to Izutsu Oyakata (former sekiwake Tsurugamine) by an acquaintance. He joined Izutsu stable at the age of 14 whilst in his third year of junior high school.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Noguchi made his professional debut in May 1970 at the age of 14 and was given the shikona "Kaimondake" (開聞嶽). In July 1972, he changed his shikona to "Hoshikabuto" (星兜) and he later transferred to the newly established Michinoku stable. He changed his shikona to "Satsumafuji" (薩摩冨士) in November 1974 and was promoted to makushita in May 1976. He struggled to rise through the ranks of makushita, because he found it hard to put on weight; at the time he weighed a little under 100 kg (220 Ib). In March 1979, he again changed his shikona to "Hoshisatsuma" (星薩摩) and briefly wrestled under the shikona "Oiwato" (大岩涛) in 1980. He changed his shikona to "Hoshiiwato" (星岩涛) in September 1980 and in September 1981 he produced a 6-1 record at the rank of makushita 3 which earned him a promotion to juryo in November 1981.

### **Juryo Career**

It had taken Hoshiiwato 11 years to reach the sekitori ranks but he could only manage 4 wins and was demoted back down to makushita. He returned two years later in November 1983 and changed his shikona back to Hoshikabuto. However, he could only maintain his rank for four tournaments and was demoted to makushita in July 1984. He later reverted back Hoshiiwato in March 1985 and he won the makushita yusho in September 1986 which earned him a re-promotion to juryo in the following November tournament. This time, Hoshiiwato was able to establish himself in juryo and in May 1989 he posted a 9-6 record at the rank of juryo 2 which earned him a promotion to makuuchi in July 1989.

### **Makuuchi Career**

The 115 tournaments (19 years) it took Hoshiiwato to reach makuuchi is the slowest progress to the top division. Hoshiiwato could only manage four 4 in his makuuchi debut and was demoted back down to juryo. This proved to be his only tournament in the top division.

### **Later Career**

Hoshiiwato remained in juryo for another two years after his demotion. In March 1990, he posted a 10-5 record, but missed out on the juryo yusho after losing to Masurao in the playoff. This was the only time in his career that he posted a double-digit record.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Upon retirement from active competition after the January 1991 tournament, where he faced demotion to the makushita division, he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association and took over as head coach at Michinoku stable. He oversaw the promotion to the juryo division of two wrestlers from Argentina, Hoshitango and Hoshiandesu. He left the Sumo Association in December 1997 and was succeeded as head coach by former ozeki Kirishima. After leaving the Japan Sumo Association, he opened up a chankonabe restaurant called "Tente Komai" (天手古舞) called Kagoshima.

## **Personal Life**

Hoshiiwato's hobby is watching baseball games

Throughout his long career, Hoshiiwato changed his shikona or fighting name eight times, making his debut under his family name of Noguchi and then being variously known as Kaimondake, Hoshikabuto, Satsumafuji, Hoshisatsuma, Oiwato, Hoshiiwato, Hoshikabuto (again) and finally Hoshiiwato again. This is believed to be a record.

## **Fighting Style**

Hoshiiwato 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:** 552-549-15/1101 (125 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 4-11/15 (1 basho)
* **Juryo:** 208-242/450 (30 basho)
* **Makushita:** 188-156-6/344 (50 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 87-81-7/168 (25 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 60-57-2/117 (17 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (September 1986)

### **Achievements**

* **Record:** 1st Slowest progress to top division (115 tournaments)

## **Shikona History**

* Noguchi Yuji (1970.05 - 1970.05)
* Kaimondake Yuji (1970.07 - 1972.05)
* Hoshikabuto Yuji (1972.07 - 1974.09)
* Satsumafuji Yuji (1974.11 - 1979.01)
* Hoshisatsuma Yuji (1979.03 - 1980.03)
* Oiwato Yuji (1980.05 - 1980.07)
* Hoshiiwato Yuji (1980.09 - 1983.09)
* Hoshikabuto Yuji (1983.11 - 1985.01)
* Hoshiiwato Yuji (1985.03 - 1991.01)

## **Gallery**

Hoshisatsuma in the unsalaried ranks (c. 1979)Hoshiiwato's brief stint as Hoshikabuto (c. 1983)Hoshiiwato promoted to Makuuchi after 20 years (c. 1989)Hoshiiwato throws salt into the ringHoshiiwato poses with his kesho-mawashiHoshiiwato (c. 1991)Hoshiiwato after retirement as Michinoku Oyakata (c. 1997)Hoshiiwato outside his restaurant after leaving the JSAHoshiiwato's tegata
## **Sources**

* Hoshiiwato Yuji Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Hoshiiwato Yuji Rikishi Information