Daikanyama Yasuhiro

Daikanyama Yasuhiro - 代官山 康弘 (born March 23, 1936 - November 16, 2003) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi. He made his debut in March 1954 and last wrestled for Dewanoumi stable. He reached the juryo division in January 1964. His highest rank was juryo 11 and he retired in July 1968.

## **Career**

Yasuhiro Mizuno was born in Nagoya's Naka ward on March 23, 1936. After graduating from Toho Junior High School, he worked at his parents okonomiyaki restaurant in Daikancho, Higashi-ku, Nagoya. Sumo recruiters later heard that the young Mizuno had a good physique for sumo and later asked him to watch training sessions at Dewanoumi stable. At first he was unsure about joining professional sumo, but later decided to try it out.

## **Career**

Mizuno joined Dewanoumi stable and made his professional debut in March 1954. He was given the shikona "Daikanyama" (代官山) which is derived from the neighborhood he grew up in called Daikancho. He was promoted to sandanme in May 1955 and makushita in January 1958. In November 1963, he posted a 4-3 record at the rank of makushita 2 and was promoted to juryo for the January 1964 tournament.

In his first tournament as a sekitori, Daikanyama finished with a solid 9-6 record and was promoted to the rank of juryo 11 for the March 1964 tournament. However, he finished with a disastrous 2-13 record in this tournament and was demoted back down to makushita after two tournaments in juryo. He never managed to returned back to the juryo division.

Daikanyama remained in makushita for the majority of his later career. In September 1966, Daikanyama finished with a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 1 east, however, he was overlooked for promotion as Shinzan who was ranked at makushita 11 finished with a perfect 7-0 record and only one juryo wrestler was guaranteed a demotion. Daikanyama followed with a 3-4 record and never managed to come close to a juryo re-promotion.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Daikanyama retired from sumo in July 1968. After retiring, he remained at Dewanoumi stable and worked as a cook. He died suddenly on November 16, 2003, at the age of 67 due to a heart attack.

## **Personal Life**

He married a nurse and they share a son named Takeya Mizuno who is a sociologist.

## **Fighting Style**

Daikanyama 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:** 312-284-7/596 (80 basho)
* **Juryo:** 11-19/30 (2 basho)
* **Makushita:** 234-209-7/443 (62 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 47-41/88 (11 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 17-15/32 (4 basho)
* **Shinjo:** 3-0/3 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Mizuno Yasuhiro (1954.03 - 1954.03)
* Daikanyama Yasuhiro (1954.05 - 1968.07)

## **Gallery**

Daikanyama prepares for a match in the makushita divisionDaikanyama launches at his opponent in makushitaDaikanyama after promotion to juryo (c. 1964)Daikanyama is presented with a new kesho-mawashi (c. 1964)Daikanyama poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1964)Daikanyama's kesho-mawashi on display
## **Sources**

* Daikanyama Yasuhiro Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Daikanyama Yasuhiro Rikishi Information