Daigonishiki Daigoro

Daigonishiki Daigoro - 大子錦 大伍郎 (born October 12, 1977) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Daigo, Ibaraki. He made his debut in November 1995 and wrestled for Takasago stable. His highest rank was sandanme 77 and he retired in September 2020.

## **Early Life**

Saito attended Daigo Seiryu High School where he was interested in wrestling. During his time in high school, he already weighed 120 kg (265 Ib). During the summer vacation of his third year in high school, he was recruited into Takasago stable, but he refused the invitation. However, during September of the same year, sekiwake Mitoizumi, who was a member of Takasago stable, visited his school which garnered the attention of many students and staff members. A few days after that, Saito visited Takasago stable's training grounds and subsequently accepted their offer.

## **Career**

Saito made his professional debut in November 1995 and was given the shikona "Daigonishiki" (大子錦) which is derived from his hometown of Daigo. In July 1997, after a year and a half in sumo, he finally reached the second lowest jonidan division. He was promoted to sandanme in September 2002, with his highest rank being sandanme 77. During his six occasions in sandanme, he never managed to produce a winning record. In September 2003, he won his first six matches and was aiming for the jonidan yusho, however, he lost his final match to Yamagashira and missed out on the championship. He withdrew from the January 2013 tournament due to a wrist fracture.

Towards his later career, Daigonishiki was the heaviest wrestler in Takasago stable, peaking at 195 kg (430 Ib). Since 2010, after the retirement of Kimenryu, Daigonishiki also became the oldest wrestler in Takasago stable. He was also known for his chankonabe as he worked in the kitchen for a long time.

In January 2018, Daigonishiki posted his first losing record in the lowest jonokuchi division for the first time in 21 years. Daigonishiki, who is usually known for his kind personality, became depressed after this and was even scolded by Takasago Oyakata (former ozeki Asashio). He sat out of the following March 2018 tournament, citing a poor physical condition, which resulted in him falling completely off the banzuke for the May 2018 tournament. He returned to sumo in January 2019 and had to redo maezumo (pre-sumo) for the first time since his debut in November 1995.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Daigonishiki retired from sumo in September 2020 at the age of 42. After retiring, members of the Takasago Stable koenkai, or support group, introduced him to a company dormitory in Gifu Prefecture where he serves as dormitory manager.

## **Fighting Style**

Daigonishiki was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. His most common kimarite was yorikiri (force out) and oshidashi (push out). He was also fond of employing kotenage (armlock throw) and hikiotoshi (pull down).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 429-501-71/928 (145 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 11-24-7/35 (6 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 357-402-25/758 (112 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 61-75-39/135 (25 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Saito Yoshinobu (1995.11 - 1995.11)
* Daigonishiki Yoshinobu (1996.01 - 2011.11)
* Daigonishiki Daigoro (2012.01 - 2020.09)

## **Gallery**

Daigonoshiki wrestles a match in Jonidan (c. 2006)Daigonishiki prepares chanko-nabe (c. 2017)Daigonishiki prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2020)
## **Sources**

* Daigonishiki Daigoro Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Daigonishiki Daigoro Rikishi Information