Mutsuhokkai Katsuaki

Mutsuhokkai Katsuaki - 陸奥北海 勝昭 (born June 24, 1964) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Mitsuishi, Hokkaido. He made his debut in March 1981 and last wrestled for Ajigawa stable. He reached the juryo division in September 1993. His highest rank was juryo 6 and he retired in January 2004.

## **Early Life**

Katsuaki Honma was born on June 24, 1964, in Mitsuishi, Hokkaido. Honma is the eldest son of parents who were engaged in the construction industry.

In junior high school he played basketball and soccer. His only sumo experience at the time was at a local tournament. He later attended Hokkaido Urakawa High School, but dropped out one year later after a chankonabe restaurant owner recommend that he give sumo a try. He joined Ajigawa stable and made his professional debut in March 1981.

## **Career**

He initially wrestled under the shikona "Mutsunoumi" (陸奥乃海) and was promoted to sandanme in May 1982 and makushita in January 1984. He was producing strong performances and rose as high as makushita 14 by March 1985 before he injured his left knee joint and his results began to slump. He was contemplating retirement, but decided not to after his father passed away. In May 1991 he changed his shikona to "Mutsuhokkai" (陸奥北海).

In July 1993 Mutsuhokkai won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record at the rank of makushita 11 and he was promoted to juryo in the following tournament. Mutsuhokkai was ranked in juryo for a total of ten tournaments where he rose as high as juryo 6 in November 1994. Due to the resurgence of his old knee injury, he posted a poor 4-11 record in May 1995 and he was demoted back down to makushita.

Mutsuhokkai continued to struggle even after his losing his sekitori status and was demoted back down to sandanme in May 1996. His last makushita appearance was in March 2001. By then he had already became a sandanme regular and he was demoted back down to jonidan in September 2002 which was the first time since January 1983.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Mutsuhokkai announced his retirement after the January 2004 tournament. After retirement, he remained in the Sumo Association where he works as a Sewanin (assistant). He is attached to his Ajigawa stable (now renamed Isegahama stable).

## **Fighting Style**

Mutsuhokkai was a tsuki/oshi specialist, who prefers pushing and thrusting at his opponents rather than fighting on the mawashi or belt. However, his most common winning kimarite or technique was yorikiri, or force out, which requires a belt grip.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 526-498-15/1023 (138 basho)
* **Juryo:** 68-82/150 (10 basho)
* **Makushita:** 269-269-1/537 (77 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 127-111-14/238 (36 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 57-34/91 (13 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (July 1993)

## **Shikona History**

* Mutsunoumi Katsuaki (1981.03 - 1990.07)
* Mutsunoumi (1990.09 - 1991.03)
* Mutsuhokkai Katsuaki (1991.05 - 2004.01)

## **Gallery**

Mutsuhokkai in the unsalaried ranks (c. 2000)Mutsuhokkai after retirement as a SewaninMutsuhokkai attends Asofuji's retirement ceremony (c. 2011)Mutsuhokkai's tegata
## **Sources**

* Mutsuhokkai Katsuaki Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Mutsuhokkai Katsuaki Rikishi Information