Asahimaru Masato

Asahimaru Masato - 朝陽丸 勝人 (born August 21, 1979) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hirakata, Osaka. He made his debut in March 2002 and wrestled for Takasago stable. His highest rank was makushita 2 and he retired in March 2008.

## **Early Life**

Miyoshi began sumo wrestling during his third year at Katano Shiritsu Chohoji Elementary School and he earned the title of Elementary School Yokozuna after winning the National Wanpaku Sumo Tournament in 1989. After graduating from Katano Shiritsu Daiyon Junior High School, he attended Nagaodani High School where he became High School Yokozuna during his third year. He then attended Kinki University where he earned the title of Amateur Yokozuna during his fourth year.

## **Career**

After graduating from university, he joined Takasago stable because Takasago Oyakata (former ozeki Asashio) was also an alumnus of Kinki University. He made his professional debut in March 2002 and due to his amateur accomplishments, he was granted makushita tsukedashi status, which allowed him to make his debut at the rank of makushita 15. He was given the shikona "Asamiyoshi" (朝三好). He steadily rose up the ranks and was ranked at makushita 2 by January 2003. However, he seriously injured his knee in the January 2003 tournament and had to miss five consecutive tournaments.

He returned to sumo in January 2004 where he won the jonidan yusho with a perfect 7-0 record. However, he suffered a retinal detachment in his left eye prior to the March 2004 tournament and had to withdraw again which resulted in a drop back to jonidan. Upon returning to sumo in May 2004, he was given the new shikona "Asahimaru" (朝陽丸) and he won his second jonidan yusho with a perfect 7-0 record.

Asahimaru returned to makushita in September 2004 and was promoted to the rank of makushita 3 in September 2006, but he could not capitalize on a juryo promotion. He has wrestled a total of seven juryo matches, but has only won twice (against Higonoumi in November 2002 and Chiyotenzan in January 2003).

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Asahimaru suffered a retinal detachment to his right eye prior to the January 2008 tournament. Due to his risk of blindness, he retired after the following March 2008 tournament. As of 2011, he works in the same company as stablemate Asanosho.

## **Fighting Style**

Asahimaru was proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His favored grip on his opponent's mawashi was hidari-yotsu, a right hand outside, left hand inside position. His most often used winning kimarite was yorikiri (force out), followed by oshidashi (push out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 122-83-54/204 (37 basho)
* **Makushita:** 102-81-34/183 (31 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 6-2-20/7 (4 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 14-0/14 (2 basho)

### **Championships**

* 2 **Jonidan** Championships
	+ 1st (January 2004)
	+ 2nd (May 2004)

## **Shikona History**

* Asamiyoshi Masato (2002.03 - 2004.03)
* Asahimaru Masato (2004.05 - 2008.03)

## **Gallery**

Asahimaru prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2005)
## **Sources**

* Asahimaru Masato Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Asahimaru Masato Rikishi Information