Sawahikari Yukio

Sawahikari Yukio - 沢光 幸夫 (born June 18, 1941) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Saroma, Hokkaido. He made his debut in September 1956 and last wrestled for Tokitsukaze stable. He reached the makuuchi division in November 1963 and has two special prizes as well as one kinboshi. His highest rank was komusubi and he retired in November 1964.

## **Early Life**

Yukio Sawamukai was born on June 18, 1941, in the village of Saroma in Hokkaido Prefecture. His parents were farmers. He was recruited by maegashira Futatsuryu of Tokitsukaze stable who was touring in Sapporo, Hokkaido.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his professional debut in September 1956 alongside future Yokozuna Taiho and future Ozeki Kiyokuni. Initially wrestling under his surname, Sawamukai was promoted to sandanme in November 1957 and makushita in July 1959. He changed his shikona To "Sawahikari" (沢光) in 1959. After two years in makushita he was promoted to juryo in January 1962.

### **Juryo Career**

In his first tournament as a sekitori, Sawahikari finished with a 10-5 record and was able to establish himself in the juryo division. In September 1963 he won the juryo yusho with a 12-3 record at the rank of juryo 5 and was promoted to makuuchi in the following November 1963 tournament.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Sawahikari produced a strong 10-5 record in his top division debut and was awarded the Fighting Spirit prize. In May 1964 he defeated eventual yusho winner yokozuna Tochinoumi and was awarded his first kinboshi and the Outstanding Performance prize. Moreover, he was promoted to komusubi in the following July 1964 tournament. However, he finished this tournament with a 2-13 record and followed with a 5-10 record in September.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Two tournaments after his san'yaku debut Sawahikari abruptly announced his retirement during the November 1964 tournament. At the time of retiring his age was only 23 years and 5 months. After retiring he opened up a chanko restaurant in Kyoto's Gion District called "Ikoro Sumo-Chaya" (相撲茶屋 いころ).

## **Fighting Style**

Sawahikari 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:** 254-211-24/464 (48 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 39-51-15/90 (7 basho)
* **Juryo:** 88-73-4/160 (11 basho)
* **Makushita:** 63-43-5/106 (15 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 46-34/80 (10 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 15-9/24 (3 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 3-1/4 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Juryo** Championship (September 1963)

### **Achievements**

* **Special Prizes:** Fighting Spirit Prize (1), Outstanding Performance (1)
* **Kinboshi:** (1) Tochinoumi

## **Shikona History**

* Sawamukai Yukio (1956.09 - 1959.03)
* Sawahikari Yukio (1959.05 - 1964.11)

## **Gallery**

Sawahikari ensures Makuuchi promotion with Juryo Yusho (c. 1963)Sawahikari poses with his kesho-mawashiSawahikari prepares for his upcoming matchSawahikari's restaurant: "Ikoro Sumo-Chaya" (相撲茶屋 いころ)Sawahikari's signature
## **Sources**

* Sawahikari Yukio Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Sawahikari Yukio Rikishi Information