Wakayoshiba Shigeyuki

Wakayoshiba Shigeyuki - 若吉葉 重幸 (born October 26, 1945 - February 23, 2017) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yubari, Hokkaido. He made his debut in January 1962 and last wrestled for Miyagino stable. He reached the makuuchi division in July 1967. His highest rank was maegashira 6 and he retired in July 1970.

## **Early Life**

Shigeyuki Chiba was born the youngest of eleven siblings in Yubari, Hokkaido, and his parents ran a tofu shop. His father died suddenly before Chiba's first birthday and his mother died while he was 14 years old. His older brothers worked at the Yubari Coal Mines, but when they were in junior high school, they moved to Tokyo and became sumo wrestlers. The young Chiba subsequently wanted to become a sumo wrestler, but his brothers, who he saw as parental figures, strongly opposed. Nevertheless, he moved to Tokyo and joined Miyagino stable which was run by the 43rd yokozuna Yoshibayama who was also from Hokkaido. However, he failed the initial physical test in his first four attempts as he was too light; he finally passed in his fifth attempt.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his professional debut in January 1962 and was given the shikona "Chibanoyama" (千葉の山). He was promoted to sandanme in November 1962 and makushita in May 1963. In November 1963 he finished with a perfect 7-0 record, but missed out on the makushita yusho after losing to Mikiyama in the playoff. Nevertheless, he won the makushita yusho in January 1965 at the rank of makushita 11 and was promoted to juryo in the following March 1965 tournament at the young age of 19.

### **Juryo Career**

Upon promotion to juryo, he changed his shikona to "Wakayoshiba" (若吉葉). Even though he was one of the lightest wrestlers at only 86 kg (190 Ib), he was able to establish himself as a sekitori. After five consecutive winning records he was promoted to makuuchi in July 1967.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Wakayoshiba was ranked in makuuchi for a total of four tournaments with his highest rank being maegashira 6 which he earned in November 1967. In January 1968, he dislocated his left shoulder and was thus demoted back down to juryo. This proved to be his last tournament ranked in the top division.

### **Later Career**

Still suffering the effects of his shoulder dislocation, Wakayoshiba eventually fell down to makushita in March 1969. He returned to juryo in July 1969 after winning his second makushita yusho. However, in his return he injured his right ankle and was again demoted back down to makushita.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After falling down sandanme in July 1970, Wakayoshiba retired from the sport. After retiring, he opened up a restaurant in Sapporo's Higashi ward called "Wakayoshiba" (若吉葉), however, it closed down in 2001.

### **Death**

He died at a hospital in Sapporo on February 23, 2017 at 1:55 PM due to neuroendocrine cancer. He was 71 years old.

## **Fighting Style**

Wakayoshiba was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out. He was also fond of employing uwatenage, or overarm throw. He was one of the lightest sekitori at his time, weighing 88 kg (194 Ib) at his heaviest.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 263-260-34/520 (52 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 22-32-6/53 (4 basho)
* **Juryo:** 143-151-21/292 (21 basho)
* **Makushita:** 66-60/126 (18 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 18-10-7/28 (5 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 9-5/14 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 2 **Makushita** Championships
	+ 1st (January 1965)
	+ 2nd (May 1969)

## **Shikona History**

* Chibanoyama Shigeyuki (1962.01 - 1965.01)
* Wakayoshiba Shigeyuki (1965.03 - 1969.01)
* Chibanoyama Shigeyuki (1969.03 - 1969.05)
* Wakayoshiba Shigeyuki (1969.07 - 1969.07)
* Chibanoyama Shigeyuki (1969.09 - 1970.07)

## **Sources**

* Wakayoshiba Shigeyuki Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Wakayoshiba Shigeyuki Rikishi Information