Takamio Daisei

Takamio Daisei - 高見旺 大成 (born July 1, 1967) is a former American professional sumo wrestler from Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. He made his debut in July 1986 and last wrestled for Azumazeki stable. His highest rank was makushita 2 and he retired in January 1997.

## **Early Life**

Sione (John) Tekeriri Feleunga was raised in the Kalihi district of Honolulu, Hawaii. He is of Tongan descent. He attended Farrington High School located in Hawaii. After graduation from high school he went to Japan to tryout for professional sumo. He was the first American rikishi to join Azumazeki stable (which was founded by the first foreign oyakata: Hawaiian Takamiyama).

## **Career**

Feleunga made his debut in July 1986 under the shikona "Takamio" (高見旺). He had strong debut and produced four consecutive winning records (kachi-koshi) and was promoted to the sandanme division by his fifth professional tournament. Four tournaments later he was promoted to the makushita division. Due to Takamio's immense size of 1.90 cm (6 ft 3 in) and 160 kg (353 Ib), he was able to rise through the competitive ranks of makushita.

In September 1989, he was promoted to a career-high makushita 2 rank. On day 10, he was scheduled to wrestle juryo-ranked wrestler Kotohakusan, which meant that his hair was styled in the prestigious oichomage, however, he lost by okuridashi and finished with a losing record of 2-5. Five tournaments later he was promoted back to the rank makushita 2. His record was 3-3 after his sixth match, but lost to juryo-ranked wrestler Kotonowaka by okuridashi.

In September 1991, he wrestled briefly under the shikona "Takeru" (猛), before reverting back to Takamio in September 1992. He remained in the makushita division for majority of his career, but as his weight increased (197 kg at his biggest), he became slower and sluggish and even fell back down to sandanme by 1994. He bounced back and in September 1994 he defeated fellow American Sentoryu to finish with a perfect 7-0 record at the rank of makushita 52. After claiming the makushita yusho he was promoted to makushita 5, but failed to produce a winning record.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Takamio fell back down to sandanme in November 1996. In this tournament he lost all seven matches and was demoted to the mid-levels of sandanme. As a result, his retirement was announced after the January 1997 tournament.

According to his Facebook, Upon retirement, he returned to Hawaii and became a security guard. As of 2015, he has worked as an inspector for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA).

He has also participated in a couple amateur sumo tournaments in the early 2000s after retirement. Feleunga represented Tonga at the Sumo Heavyweight Wrestling World Championships in 2005.

## **Controversy**

In March 2000, Takamio told the *Shunkan Post* that he helped helped yokozuna Akebono fix matches (yaocho). Right after this controversial statement, ex-komusbi Itai came out with similar allegations. However, these allegations of match-fixing have never been proven.

## **Personal Life**

* Takamio was Akebono's mentor and sumo guide before he rose to fame. Once Akebono reached the salaried ranks, he later has served as Akebono's tsukebito, or personal servant.
* He is of Tongan descent.

## **Fighting Style**

Takamio was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won about 70% of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 230-204-7/434 (64 basho)
* **Makushita:** 176-174/350 (50 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 26-23-7/49 (8 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 22-6/28 (4 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (September 1994)

## **Shikona History**

* Takamio (1986.07 - 1991.07)
* Takeru Daisei (1991.09 - 1992.07)
* Takamio Daisei (1992.09 - 1997.01)

## **Gallery**

Takamio (left) converses with stablemate Takamikuni (c. 1987)Takamio observes Akebono's training (c. 1988)Takamio defeats future yokozuna Wakahanada (c. 1989)Takamio and Ozora at a charity event (c. 1992)Takamio prepares for his upcoming match (c. 1992)Takamio serves as stablemate Yokozuna Akebono's tsukebitoTakamio at an amateur sumo tournament (c. 2005)Takamio with his stable master, the former Takamiyama (c. 2013)

## **Sources**

* Takamio Daisei Rikishi Information
* Article about Match-Fixing in Sumo
* Night of Giants 2000 Summary