Kaishin Kikuzo

Kaishin Kikuzo - 魁心 菊三 (born June 17, 1986) is a former Brazilian professional sumo wrestler from Tomé-Açu, Para, Brazil. He made his debut in January 2004 and wrestled for Tomozuna stable. His highest rank was makushita 49 and he retired in March 2012.

## **Early Life**

Eiji Nagahama was born and raised in Para, Brazil, and is of Japanese descent. He participated and won many amateur tournaments in Brazil. He was able to get in touch with Tomozuna Oyakata (ex-sekiwake Kaiki), because of his uncle who lived in Aomori (Tomozuna-Oyakata was also from Aomori). He personally sent Tomozuna a letter asking if he could enter the stable, however, since Tomozuna stable was home to an American (Sentoryu), Nagahama did not qualify for the one foreigner per stable rule. Luckily for him, Sentoryu retired shortly after the letter was sent, so Nagahama was able to join the stable.

## **Career**

He was given the shikona "Kainohama" (魁ノ浜) and made his debut on January 2004. He had a strong start and posted three consecutive 5-2 records which boosted him to the top of the jonidan division. In January 2005, he won all seven matches and was placed in a playoff for the jonidan yusho, but he lost the match against former collegiate wrestler Takanofuji. Nonetheless, this earned him a promotion to the sandanme division. He was quite injury prone and would sit out of multiple tournaments. This caused him to fall back down to jonokuchi in September 2006. He changed his shikona to "Kaishin" (魁心) in September 2008. In May 2010 he was promoted to makushita, but could not establish himself in the division. He was promoted back to makushita on two more occasions, but could not produce a winning record.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After five consecutive losing records, Kaishin was demoted back down to jonidan in March 2012. He announced his retirement immediately after the January 2012 tournament and his danpatsu-shiki, or retirement ceremony, was held at his stable's senshuraku party on January 22nd, 2012. His retirement was officially announced after the March 2012 tournament. After retirement, Kaishin worked at ex-stablemate Kaishoryu's restaurant.

## **Personal Life**

* He was able to obtain Japanese citizenship which helped the stable recruit fellow Brazilian Kaisei. He helped Kaisei adapt to Japanese lifestyle and served as a mentor for him.
* According to his Facebook, he attended EEEM Dr Fabio Luz in Tomé-Açu, Brazil.

## **Fighting Style**

Kaishin 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.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 159-133-44/292 (49 basho)
* **Makushita:** 8-13/21 (3 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 89-86-14/175 (27 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 51-31-30/82 (16 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 11-3/14 (2 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Kainohama Eiji (2004.01 - 2008.07)
* Kaishin Kikuzo (2008.09 - 2012.03)

## **Gallery**

Kaishin prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2009)Kaishin and Kaisei with legendary soccer player Pele (c. 2011)Kaishin's retirement ceremony (c. 2012)

## **Sources**

* Kaishin Kikuzo Rikishi Information
* Brazilian Vice Article on Kaishin and Kaisei