Takabayama Yoshiyuki

Takabayama Yoshiyuki - 貴羽山 善之 (born March 31, 1954) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kure, Hiroshima. He made his debut in November 1971 and wrestled for Miyagino stable. He reached the juryo division in September 1978. His highest rank was juryo 10 and he retired in September 1981.

## **Early Life**

In junior high school, he was a member of the baseball club and played the positions of catcher and outfielder. After graduating, he enrolled at Goko High School where he continued to play baseball and he also joined the track and field club because his brother was also a member of the club. In his second year of high school, he participated in a shot put tournament because of his big size and won the tournament even though he had no experience. He initially intended to go to college and become a physical education teacher, but in his second year of high school he was recruited by Miyagino stable for professional sumo. Since his father was a sumo fan and he wanted to relieve him of future stress (filial piety), he subsequently dropped out of high school and joined professional sumo.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in November 1971 and initially wrestled under his surname "Takama" (高間) before switching to "Takabayama" (貴羽山) in July 1972. He was promoted to sandanme in July 1972 and makushita in November 1974. In 1977, he produced a number of strong results and was promoted from mid-level sandanme to the top of makushita. In July 1978, he produced a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 1 and was promoted to juryo in the following September 1978 tournament.

Takabayama was ranked in juryo for a total of four tournaments each in different stints. His first stint was in September 1978, second in May 1980, third in November 1980, and fourth in May 1981. He was unable to establish himself due to injuries and illnesses such as a left shoulder dislocation and hepatitis. He announced his retirement after the September 1981 tournament.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring, he returned to his hometown of Kure, Hiroshima and opened up a chanko restaurant called "Chanko Takabayama" (ちゃんこ貴羽山). He also ran a Kyoto-style Kushiage restaurant called "Shoichi" (唱一) and a bar called "Dimple" (ディンプル).

## **Fighting Style**

Takabayama 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. He was also fond of employing uwatenage, or overarm throw, and tsuridashi, or lift out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 231-198-16/429 (60 basho)
* **Juryo:** 19-41/60 (4 basho)
* **Makushita:** 116-87-14/203 (31 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 65-52-2/117 (17 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 25-17/42 (6 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (March 1981)

## **Shikona History**

* Takama (1971.11 - 1972.05)
* Takabayama (1972.07 - 1976.01)
* Takabayama Yoshiyuki (1976.03 - 1981.09)

## **Gallery**

Takabayama during his days in jonidan (c. 1972)Takabayama during his time in the unsalaried ranksTakabayama attends a function after his juryo promotion (c. 1978)Takabayama is presented with a kesho-mawashi (c. 1978)Takabayama with his kesho-mawashiTakabayama during the juryo dohyo-iri (c. 1980)Takabayama's akeni boxTakabayama's kesho-mawashi on display in his restaurant
## **Sources**

* Takabayama Yoshiyuki Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Takabayama Yoshiyuki Rikishi Information