Kyokugozan Kazuyasu

Kyokugozan Kazuyasu - 旭豪山 和泰 (born September 18, 1968) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ichikawa, Chiba. He made his debut in March 1984 and last wrestled for Oshima stable. He reached the makuuchi division in November 1989. His highest rank was maegashira 9 and he retired in September 1996.

## **Early Life**

Kimura was born in Koto, Tokyo, but he was raised Ichikawa, Chiba. He practiced judo in junior high school and was recruited to join Oshima stable due to his big stocky physique. He made his professional debut in March 1984.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He initially wrestled under the shikona "Kimurayama" (木村川) before switching to "Kyokutaizan" (旭泰山) in his second tournament. He was promoted to sandanme in September 1985 and makushita in July 1986. In November 1986 he changed his shikona to "Kyokugozan" (旭豪山). He was able to establish himself in makushita and he overpowered his opponents with strong oshi-zumo techniques. In September 1988, Kyokugozan posted a strong 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 1 which earned him a promotion to juryo in November 1988.

### **Juryo Career**

Kyokugozan posted a 9-6 record in his sekitori debut and was able to establish himself in the division. In May 1989, he finished with a strong 10-5 record and was put in a playoff for the juryo yusho, but he missed out after losing to Kushimaumi. Nevertheless, he followed with tow more winning records and was promoted to makuuchi in November 1989.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Kyokugozan produced a poor 4-11 record in his top division debut and was demoted back down to juryo. He returned to makuuchi two tournaments later in May 1990 and was able to retain his rank for three tournaments before a disastrous 1-14 record sent him back down to juryo. His last appearances in makuuchi were in September 1991 and January 1993. During his time in makuuchi he served as yokozuna Asahifuji's tsuyuharai, or dew sweeper.

### **Later Career**

Even though Kyokugozan was never able to permanently establish himself in makushita, he was a juryo regular and was ranked in the division for a total of 36 tournaments. He spent his later career in the mid-upper juryo ranks before a disastrous 1-14 record sent him down to makushita in November 1995.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After falling to the unsalaried ranks, Kyokugozan struggled with an ankle injury which restricts him from any meaningful training. As a result he eventually fell down to sandanme and he subsequently announced his retirement in the September 1996 tournament. Before his final tournament, Kyokugozan had fought 854 consecutive bouts.

After retiring, he opened up a chankonabe restaurant in Edogawa, Tokyo, called "Chanko Teahouse Kyokugozan" (ちゃんこ茶屋 旭豪山).

## **Fighting Style**

Kyokugozan was a tsuki/oshi specialist, who prefers pushing and thrusting at his opponents rather than fighting on the mawashi or belt. His most common winning kimarite was oshidashi, or push out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 426-428-7/854 (76 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 27-63/90 (6 basho)
* **Juryo:** 276-264/540 (36 basho)
* **Makushita:** 58-54/112 (16 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 32-24-7/56 (9 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 24-18/42 (6 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 9-5/14 (2 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Kimurayama Taizan (1984.03 - 1984.03)
* Kyokutaizan Kazuyasu (1984.05 - 1986.09)
* Kyokugozan Kazuyasu (1986.11 - 1996.09)

## **Gallery**

Kyokugozan poses with his kesho-mawashiKyokugozan serves as Yokozuna Asahifuji's sword bearer (c. 1990)Kyokugozan (c. 1993)Kyokugozan's tegata
## **Sources**

* Kyokugozan Kazuyasu Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kyokugozan Kazuyasu Rikishi Information