Moriurara Yuki

Moriurara Yuki - 森麗 勇樹 (born June 16, 1987) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Chiba City, Chiba. He made his debut in May 2003 and currently wrestles for Otake stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is jonidan 56.

## **Early Life**

Yuki Morikawa was born in Chiba's Wakabu Ward on June 16, 1987. He started sumo wrestling when he was in elementary school and in the summer of 2002, when he was in his third year of junior high school, Morikawa entered Taiho stable (later renamed Otake stable). He was the last recruit of the 48th Yokozuna Taiho.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in May 2003 and initially wrestled under his surname Morikawa. He won his first professional match against Zendaisho, however, he went on to lose his following 32 matches. He was promoted to the jonidan division in May 2007 despite finishing with a 3-4 record in the previous tournament. Furthermore, in May 2007, he broke Arikado's record of 23 consecutive losing records since entry into sumo, after finishing with a 3-4 record, his 24th consecutive losing record since joining pro sumo in May 2003.

Prior to the November 2010 tournament, Morikawa was given the shikona "Moriurara" (森麗) which was derived from Japanese race horse Haru Urara, who was known for her long string of consecutive losses. This was because Moriurara had still not obtained his first winning record and had posted 38 consecutive losing records since joining sumo. At the time of the shikona change, a press conference was held where around 20 reporters attended. This was uncommon as Moriurara was an unsalaried wrestler. In the November 2010 tournament, right after the shikona change, Moriurara's record was 3-3 after the eleventh day. On the 13th day, he defeated Kotookazaki by utchari (backward pivot throw) to finish with his first career winning record.

In January 2014, Moriurara withdrew for the first time due to a right knee injury. He returned to the tournament for his final match in order to not fall off the banzuke and he lost to future komusubi Ryuden. He briefly wrestled under the shikona "Isamiryu" (勇竜) for two tournaments in March and May 2017 before reverting back to Moriurara. As of November 2022, he had finished with a total of 11 winning records, 9 in jonokuchi and 2 in jonidan, however, he has never won more than four matches in a tournament.

## **Fighting Style**

Moriurara is an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used is a straightforward oshidashi, or push out.

## **Records**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 264-570-13/833 (122 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 72-172-1/243 (35 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 192-398-12/590 (86 basho)

### **Achievements**

* **Record:** **1st** most consecutive losing records since entry into sumo (38 losing records)

## **Shikona History**

* Morikawa Yuki (2003.05 - 2009.09)
* Moriurara Yuki (2009.11 - 2017.01)
* Isamiryu Rei (2017.03 - 2017.05)
* Moriurara Yuki (2017.07 - )

## **Gallery**

Moriurara reveals his new shikona (c. 2009)Moriurara after getting his first winning record (c. 2009)Moriurara celebrates his first winning record (c. 2009)Moriurara celebrates his second winning record (c. 2009)Moriurara prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2017)Moriurara defeats Hattorizakura (c. 2019)
## **Sources**

* Moriurara Yuki Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Moriurara Yuki Rikishi Information