Maenoshin Yasuo

Maenoshin Yasuo - 前乃臻 康夫 (born April 17, 1961) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Chikuho, Fukuoka. He made his debut in March 1977 and last wrestled for Takadagawa stable. He reached the makuuchi division in November 1985. His highest rank was komusubi and he retired in March 1990.

## **Early Life**

Sawabe was born in Chikuho, Fukuoka, and his father was a Nishitetsu bus driver. When he was in junior high school, he was scouted by sumo club members in Kaho Sogo High School. As a result he joined Takadagawa stable and made his professional debut in March 1977, alongside future sekitori Enazakura.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He was given the shikona "Maenoumi" (前の海) and he steadily rose through the ranks of the lower divisions. He was promoted to sandanme in March 1978 and makushita in July 1980. In July 1981, he reverted his shikona to his surname before changing it to "Maenoshin" (前乃臻) in the following September tournament. In November 1982, Maenoshin missed out on the makushita yusho after losing to former college champion Ichinowatari in his final match. Nevertheless, the qualified for an eight-man playoff where he defeated Arai in the fish round, but he lost to Ichinowatari again in the second round. After this, he was able to establish himself in the top makushita ranks. In November 1983, he posted a 6-1 record at the rank of makushita 4 and was promoted to juryo in the following January 1984 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

Maenoshin struggled in his sekitori debut and finished with a 5-10 record which resulted in a fall back down to makushita. He was promoted back to juryo in July 1984 where he posted a solid 9-6 record. After four consecutive 8-7 records, he was promoted to makuuchi in November 1985.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Maenoshin initially could not establish himself in makuuchi and fell down to juryo on two separate occasions. It was not until May 1987 when Maenoshin became a top division regular. In July 1987, he produced a strong 11-4 record and was promoted from the rank of maegashira 8 to komusubi in September 1987. In his lone san'yaku appearance, Maenoshin did not get his first win until the seventh day where he defeated ozeki Onokuni by shitatenage, or underarm throw. (This proved to a meaningful win as Onokuni finished the tournament with a 13-2 record and was promoted to yokozuna in the following tournament). After a disastrous 1-14 record in May 1988, Maenoshin was demoted back down to juryo.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Maenoshin spent two years in juryo, before falling down to makushita in March 1990. He subsequently announced his retirement midway through the March 1990 tournament. He became an elder of the Sumo Association under the name Yamahibiki and worked as a coach for Takadagawa stable, but was forced to leave his position for disciplinary reasons in January 1997.

According to his Facebook, as of 2019, he currently works at a factory in Iizuka, Fukuoka.

## **Fighting Style**

Maenoshin 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.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 412-407-7/819 (79 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 62-88/150 (10 basho)
* **Juryo:** 188-187/375 (25 basho)
* **Makushita:** 86-68-7/154 (23 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 50-48/98 (14 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 22-13/35 (5 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Maenoumi Yasuo (1977.03 - 1981.05)
* Sawabe Yasuo (1981.07 - 1981.07)
* Maenoshin Yasuo (1981.09 - 1990.03)

## **Gallery**

Maenoshin poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1986)Maenoshin (c. 1988)Maenoshin's retirement ceremony pamphlet (c. 1990)Maenoshin's tegata
## **Sources**

* Maenoshin Yasuo Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Maenoshin Yasuo Rikishi Information