recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Wakainami Takeshi

Wakainami Takeshi - 若い浪 剛史 (born December 29, 1975) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Meguro, Tokyo. He made his debut in July 1992 and wrestled for Tatsunami stable. His highest rank was makushita 2 and he retired in March 2010.

## **Early Life**

Takeshi Tomiyama was born in Meguro, Tokyo, on December 29, 1975. He initially played baseball in junior high school, but he was not very good at the sport. After dropping out of high school for a second time, his father told him to move to move to the mountains to become a monk. If he wanted to stay in the city, he would have to become a sumo wrestler, so he subsequently joined Tatsunami stable.

## **Career**

Tomiyama made his professional debut in July 1992 and was given the shikona "Wakainami" (若い浪) in May 1994. He was promoted to sandanme in November 1994 and makushita in November 1996. In September 2003, he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted to the rank of makushita 2 for the following November 2003 tournament. He could only manage a 2-5 record in this tournament and was unable to capitalize on a juryo promotion. In January 2006, he was given the shikona "Wakanami" (若浪), but he reverted back to Wakainami in July 2007.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

He retired from sumo in March 2010 after struggling with diabetes for some time. On January 24, 2015, Wakainami, alongside six other men, were arrested for defrauding a woman of 250,000 yen.

## **Personal Life**

* Wakainami's uncle if former komusubi Wakanami.
* Wakainami's hobbies are watching movies, listening to music, and playing video games.

## **Fighting Style**

Wakainami was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. His most common kimarite was yorikiri (force out) followed by oshidashi (push out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 389-353/742 (107 basho)
* **Makushita:** 241-242/483 (69 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 77-56/133 (19 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 66-53/119 (17 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (September 2003)

## **Shikona History**

* Tomiyama Takeshi (1992.07 - 1994.03)
* Wakainami Takeshi (1994.05 - 2005.11)
* Wakanami Takeshi (2006.01 - 2007.05)
* Wakainami Takeshi (2007.07 - 2010.03)

## **Gallery**

Wakainami prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2007)
## **Sources**

* Wakainami Takeshi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Wakainami Takeshi Rikishi Information
* Daily Sports Article on Wakainami's Arrest
Teruki (yobidashi)

Teruki - 照喜 (born August 10, 1968) is a Japanese professional sumo usher from Minamitsugaru, Aomori. He was recruited and debuted in the March 1987 tournament and he belongs to Isegahama stable. He reached the Makuuchi rank in November 2015.

## **Early life**

Prior to becoming a yobidashi, Takahisa was a sumo wrestler at Ajigawa stable under the ring name "Mutsuryu" (陸奥龍). He had his debut as a wrestler in May 1984. He achieved his highest career rank of jonidan 103 in September 1986. He retired in January 1987 after falling off the banzuke, making his debut as a yobidashi in the very next tournament.

## **Career**

* March 1987 - Had his ring debut as a yobidashi under Ajigawa stable using the shikona of Mutsuo (陸奥夫)
* January 1994 - Changed his ringname to Ankio (安喜夫)
* July 1994 - Promoted to Sandanme yobidashi
* January 1996 - Promoted to Makushita yobidashi
* January 2002 - Promoted to Juryo yobidashi
* March 2008 - Changed his ringname to Teruki (照喜)
* November 2015 - Promoted to Makuuchi yobidashi

## **Sources**

* Teruki (yobidashi) Japanese Wikipedia Article
* JSA Teruki Personal Page
* Mutsuryu Rikishi Information
Tsuyuharai

In professional sumo, the **tsuyuharai** (Japanese: 露払い, literally "dew sweeper") is one of the two attendants that accompany a yokozuna when he performs his dohyo-iri or ring entrance ceremony. The other attendant is called the tachimochi.

During the ceremony the tsuyuharai will precede the yokozuna into the ring. He will usually be following the gyoji who leads the three wrestlers, or rikishi to the dohyo. As the yokozuna performs the ceremony he will squat on his left hand side. After the yokozuna has completed his ceremonial dance the tsuyuharai will once again precede him away from the dohyo.

The tsuyuharai must be a makuuchi ranked sumo wrestler (or rikishi) and is, if possible, from the same training stable (or heya) as the yokozuna. If there are no appropriate choices from within the stable then the tsuyuharai will normally be from another related stable (from the same stable grouping called an ichimon). The tsuyuharai is always the lower ranked wrestler of the two attendants.

All three wrestlers will wear a matching set of kesho-mawashi belonging to the yokozuna during the ceremony, and as the ceremony is directly after the ring entry ceremony for the makuuchi division wrestlers on a tournament day this means that the tsuyuharai will also wear the yokozuna's keshō-mawashi for his own entrance.

A wrestler who is scheduled to fight the yokozuna on a particular day of a honbasho (or tournament) will not act as his tsuyuharai.

In normal circumstances, the tsuyuharai will not be another yokozuna or an ozeki. An ozeki can act as a tsuyuharai during a wrestlers's very first dohyō-iri, held at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. A yokozuna will only usually fulfil this role at another yokozuna's retirement ceremony, or at a special event after the other yokozuna has announced his retirement, but before the final ceremony.

## **See Also**

* Tachimochi
* Yokozuna Dohyo-iri
Yotsugamine Tokichi

Yotsugamine Tokichi - 四賀峰 東吉 (born 1790 - September 3, 1832) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kitakami, Iwate. He made his debut in November 1812 and wrestled for Nishonoseki stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 1819. His highest rank was ozeki and he retired in March 1828.

## **Career**

Born in Kitakami, Iwate, Otokichi Odajime joined Nishonoseki stable and made his professional debut in November 1812 at the jonidan division. Upon promotion to juryo in October 1817 he was given the shikona "Yotsugamine" (四賀峰). He reached makuuchi in March 1819 and was promoted to komusubi in October 1822. He was promoted to ozeki in October 1824 and he remained at there for four years before retiring in March 1828.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 74-27-68-5draws-1hold-5no results/112 (20 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 72-26-68-4draws-1hold-5no results/108 (19 basho)
* **Juryo:** 2-1-1draw/4 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Yotsugamine Otokichi (1817.10 - 1819.03)
* Yotsugamine Otozo (1819.11 - 1825.01)
* Yotsugamine Tokichi (1825.10 - 1828.03)

## **Gallery**

19th century woodblock print of ozeki Yotsugamine Tokichi
## **Sources**

* Yotsugamine Tokichi Rikishi Information
Tochiseiryu Yuki

Tochiseiryu Yuki - 栃清龍 勇気 (born April 26, 1995) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Gifu City, Gifu. He made his debut in March 2014 and currently wrestles for Kasugano stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 7.

## **Early Life**

Nagao was introduced to sumo by his older brother and he began sumo wrestling at the age of 4. During is third year at Gifu Shiritsu Tokiwa Elementary School, he won the All Japan Elementary School Sumo Tournament and also achieved third place at the Wanpaku National Sumo Tournament. He then attended Gifu City Aoyama Junior High School and later Gifu Prefectural Gifu Agricultural and Forestry High School. During his time in high school, Nagao played an active role in the national competitions, finishing top 16 at the National High School Sumo Championship. After graduating high school, he joined Kasugano stable as it was already home to his older brother.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 2014 alongside Shodai, Daishomaru and Takaryu. In his first tournament, he won his first six matches, but missed out on the jonokuchi yusho after losing to future ozeki Shodai in his final match. Upon promotion to makushita in September 2015, he was given the shikona "Tochiseiryu" (栃清龍). In May 2017, he won his first six matches, but lost his final match to Murata to miss out on the sandanme yusho. In January 2018, Tochiseiryu won his first six matches again, but this time lost to Wakatakakage in his seventh match to miss out on the makushita yusho. For the July and September 2019 tournaments, Tochiseiryu was in the makushita yusho race again, however, he still lost his final matches, this time to Chiyonokuni in July and Terasawa in September, to finish with 6-1 records. In July 2021, he was promoted to a career-best makushita 7.

## **Family**

* Tochiseiryu's older brother, Genki Nagao, is also a professional sumo wrestler at Kasugano stable. He wrestles under the shikona "Tochigidake" (栃岐岳) and has not made it pass the sandanme division.

## **Fighting Style**

Tochiseiryu is an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used are tsukiotoshi (thrust out) and oshidashi (push out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 215-181-3/396 (58 basho)
* **Makushita:** 156-149-3/305 (44 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 47-30/77 (11 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Nagao Yuki (2014.03 - 2015.07)
* Tochiseiryu Yuki (2015.09 - )

## **Gallery**

Tochiseiryu gets recruited into Kasugano stable (c. 2014)Tochiseiryu in Maezumo (c. 2014)Tochiseiryu defeats Oazuma (c. 2017)Tochiseiryu prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2018)Tochiseiryu throws and defeats Ura (c. 2020)Tochiseiryu throws and defeats Yoshii (c. 2022)
## **Sources**

* Tochiseiryu Yuki Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Tochiseiryu Yuki Rikishi Information
Tokoyumi (tokoyama)

Tokoyumi - 床弓 (born October 12, 1961) is a Japanese professional sumo hairdresser from Obama, Fukui. He was recruited in April 1977 and debuted in the May 1977 tournament. He belongs to Takasago stable. He reached the First class in January 2008.

## **Career**

* May 1977 - Had his debut under Takasago stable as a tokoyama
* January 1998 - Promoted to second class tokoyama (nito - 二等)
* January 2008 - Promoted to first class tokoyama (itto - 一等)
Tokoshin (tokoyama)

Tokoshin - 床真 (born December 3, 1981) is a Japanese professional sumo hairdresser from Matsudo, Chiba. He debuted in the March 2000 tournament and he belongs to Kataonami stable. He reached the Second class in January 2021.

## **Career**

* March 2000 - Joined Kataonami stable as a tokoyama
* January 2006 - Promoted to fourth class tokoyama (yonto - 四等)
* January 2011 - Promoted to third class tokoyama (santo - 三等)
* January 2021- Promoted to second class tokoyama (nito - 二等)
Tokoyu (tokoyama)

Tokoyu - 床雄 (born December 3, 1996) is a Japanese professional sumo hairdresser from Komoro, Nagano. He debuted in the May 2012 tournament and he belongs to Onomatsu stable. He reached the Third class in January 2023.

## **Career**

* May 2012 - Joined Onomatsu stable as a tokoyama
* January 2018 - Promoted to fourth class tokoyama (yonto - 四等)
* January 2023 - Promoted to third class tokoyama (santo - 三等)
Wakaikari Seigo

Wakaikari Seigo - 若碇 成剛 (born February 22, 2005) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Edogawa, Tokyo. He made his debut in January 2023 and currently wrestles for Isenoumi stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 15.

## **Early Life**

Seigo Saito was born the son of former maegashira Oikari in Edogawa, Tokyo, on February 22, 2005. At age of 5, he began practicing sumo at Komatsuryu Dojo in Taito, Tokyo. After graduating from Edogawa Kuritsu Harue Junior High School, he enrolled at Saitama Sakae High School where he was a member of the school's elite sumo club. He achieved strong results at the high school sumo scene and subsequently joined Isenoumi stable in December 2022 where his father worked as a coach.

## **Career**

Saito made his professional debut in January 2023 and was given the shikona "Wakaikari" (若碇). In July 2023, he finished with a perfect 7-0 record and defeated Asahakuryu in a playoff to clinch the sandanme yusho. He was promoted to makushita for the following September 2023 tournament.

## **Fighting Style**

Wakaikari is a tsuki/oshi specialist, who prefers pushing and thrusting at his opponents rather than fighting on the mawashi or belt. His most common winning kimarite or technique is oshidashi or a straightforward push out. He is also fond of employing tsukitoshi, or thrust down.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 29-6/35 (6 basho)
* **Makushita:** 11-3/14 (2 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 7-0/7 (1 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Sandanme** Championship (July 2023)

## **Gallery**

Wakaikari gets recruited into Isenoumi stable (c. 2022)Wakaikari gets measured upon joining sumo (c. 2022)Wakaikari defeats Nagamura (c. 2023)Wakaikari prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2023)Wakaikari throws Asahakuryu to win the Sandanme Yusho (c. 2023)Wakaikari wins his first Sandanme Yusho (c. 2023)
## **Sources**

* Wakaikari Seigo Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Wakaikari Seigo Rikishi Information
Tomonoshima Naoyuki

Tomonoshima Naoyuki - 友乃島 直志 (born January 3, 1957) is a former Tongan professional sumo wrestler. He made his debut in September 1975 and wrestled for Asahiyama stable. His highest rank was jonidan 18 and he retired in September 1976.

## **Early Life**

At the age of 21, he was part of a group of six teenagers and young men sent by the King of Tonga to Japan to study Sumo. After moving to Japan in 1975, he competed under the shikona of Tomonoshima (友乃島).

## **Career**

Tomonoshima made his debut in September 1975 which was five tournaments later than the initial four Tongan sumo wrestlers and two tournaments later than Sachinoshima. In his first tournament, Tomonoshima was 6-0 by the end of the twelfth day, but lost on the thirteenth day to finish with a 6-1 record. He was placed in a three-man playoff for the jonokuchi yusho with two junior Sadogatake wrestlers. He defeated Kotoedo by yorikiri (force out) in the first round, but lost by shitatenage (underarm throw) to the eventual yusho winner, Kotonobori. Tomonoshima spent the next five tournaments in jonidan and reached a career high of jonidan 18.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

### **Controversial Dismissal**

Tomonoshima's stablemaster, ex-maegashira Futaseyama, died suddenly in 1975 and he and his Tongan stablemates were caught up in a succession dispute between former maegashira Ryuo and the man who eventually became the new head, former komusubi Wakafutase. They sided with Futaseyama's widow, who preferred Ryuo to take over, and were ultimately dismissed by the Japan Sumo Association. As a result of the controversy sumo officials had to fly to Tonga to explain themselves to the country's king, Taufaʻahau Tupou IV.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 25-17/42 (7 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 19-16/35 (5 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Tomonoshima Naoyuki (1975.09 - 1976.09)

## **Gallery**

Tomonoshima (c. 1976)Tongan sumo wrestlers protest their new stablemaster (c. 1976)The Tongan rikishi return to Tonga after their dismissal (c. 1976)
## **Sources**

* Tomonoshima Naoyuki Rikishi Information
Wakenosato Eisaku

Wakenosato Eisaku - 和氣の里 栄作 (born September 28, 1993) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Wake, Okayama. He made his debut in May 2016 and currently wrestles for Nishonoseki stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 24.

## **Early Life**

Eisaku Tsunetsugu was born on September 28, 1993, in Wake, Okayama. He attended Ichikawa High School in Hyogo prefecture where he was a member of the sumo club. During his third year, he and his team made it to the top 16 at the national high school team competition. After high school, he enrolled at Nippon Sport Science University to continue his amateur career. Despite not achieving remarkable results during his time in university, Tsunetsugu opted to turn pro after university and was subsequently recruited into Oguruma stable by sekiwake Yoshikaze who was also an alumnus of Nippon Sport Science University.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in May 2016 and posted three consecutive winning records in his first three tournaments. Upon promotion to sandanme in January 2017, he was given the shikona "Sakaekaze" (栄風). He struggled in sandanme and did not achieve promotion to makushita until July 2020 after three years in sandanme. He was unable to establish himself in makushita and has been bouncing back and forth between sandanme and makushita. Following the closure of his stable, he moved to Nishonoseki stable in February 2022. He was subsequently given the new shikona "Wakenosato" (和氣の里) in May 2022.

## **Fighting Style**

Wakenosato is a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won most of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 161-147/308 (45 basho)
* **Makushita:** 33-51/84 (12 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 107-89/196 (28 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 16-5/21 (3 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Tsunetsugu Eisaku (2016.05 - 2016.11)
* Sakaekaze Eisaku (2017.01 - 2022.03)
* Wakenosato Eisaku (2022.05 - )

## **Gallery**

Wakenosato gets recruited by Yoshikaze (c. 2016)Wakenosato prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2020)Wakenosato defeats Mudoho (c. 2021)
## **Sources**

* Wakenosato Eisaku Rikishi Information
* Nikkan Sports Article on Wakenosato
University of the Ryukyus

The University of the Ryukyus (琉球大学, *Ryukyu Daigaku*), abbreviated to  *Ryudai* (琉大), is a Japanese national university in Nishihara, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Established in 1950, it is the westernmost national university of Japan and the largest public university in Okinawa Prefecture. Located in the Senbaru neighborhood of the town of Nishihara, its campus borders both the village of Nakagusuku and the city of Ginowan.

The university has a sumo club which was established by physics student Tetsuhiro Matsuda. After graduating from university, Matsuda joined Takasago stable and became the first professional sumo wrestler to graduate from a National University. Matsuda wrestled under the shikona Ichinoya and could not break through the sandanme division, but he was better known for his longevity in the sport.

## **List**

**List of All Sumo Wrestlers from University of the Ryukyus**
Tokinishiki Harunobu

Tokinishiki Harunobu - 豊稀錦 晴信 (born May 18, 2003) is a former Mongolian professional sumo wrestler from Ulaanbaatar. He made his debut in November 2022 and wrestled for Asahiyama stable. His highest rank was sandanme 85 and he retired in July 2023.

## **Early Life**

Tüshig Tsendsuren was born on May 18, 2003, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. When he was little he watched yokozuna Asashoryu on TV and aspired to come to Japan and become a professional sumo wrestler.

He began training seriously at the age of 15 and arrived to Japan in the spring of 2019. He attended Kibogaoka Senior High School in Fukuoka prefecture where he was a member of the school's sumo club. He did not have an exceptional amateur career during his time in high school, with his best performance being top 4 at the Kyushu Tournament. Upon graduating high school, Tsendsuren joined Asahiyama stable.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in November 2022 and was given the shikona "Tokinishiki" (豊稀錦). He struggled in maezumo (pre-sumo), winning only one of his five bouts, and his sumo ability was seen as considerably lower than many of his fellow Mongolian compatriots. In March 2023, during his jonokuchi debut, he finished with a 4-3 record and was promoted to jonidan in May 2023. He performed well in May, finishing with a strong 6-1 record, and was promoted to sandanme in July 2023. However, he sat out of the July 2023 tournament and unexpectedly retired after the tournament.

## **Fighting Style**

Tokinishiki was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. However, his most common kimarite was oshidashi (push out). He also regularly won by shitatenage (underarm throw) and uwatedashinage (pulling overarm throw).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 10-4-7/14 (4 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 0-0-7/0 (1 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Tokinishiki Harunobu (2022.11 - 2023.07)

## **Gallery**

Tokinishiki gets measured upon joining sumo (c. 2022)Tokinishiki outside the Ryogoku Kokugikan (c. 2022)Tokinishiki battles Asahakuryu in Maezumo (c. 2023)Tokinishiki during his time in Maezumo (c. 2023)Tokinishiki defeats Agora (c. 2023)Tokinishiki prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2023)

## **Sources**

* Tokinishiki Harunobu Rikishi Information
* Sponichi Annex Article on Tokinishiki
Unzenyama Naotoshi

Unzenyama Naotoshi - 雲仙山 尚敏 (born July 3, 1938) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kazusa, Nagasaki. He made his debut in January 1955 and last wrestled for Nishonoseki stable. He reached the juryo division in May 1960. His highest rank was juryo 7 and he retired in May 1963.

## **Career**

Born in Kazusa, Nagasaki, Iwanaga joined Nishonoseki stable and made his professional debut in January 1955. Initially wrestling under his surname, after his was promoted to makushita in 1958, he was given the shikona "Uzenyama" (雲仙山). He was promoted to juryo in May 1960, but only lasted one tournament after finishing with a 3-12 record. From the 10th day of the January 1962 tournament, he served as the yumitori-shiki (bow twirler) to mark the end of the tournament day. He returned to juryo in the following March 1962 tournament and was ranked there for six consecutive tournaments. he retired in May 1963.

## **Fighting Style**

Unzenyama was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was uwatenage, or overarm throw.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 212-188/400 (46 basho)
* **Juryo:** 44-61/105 (7 basho)
* **Makushita:** 108-88/196 (26 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 47-33/80 (10 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 11-5/16 (2 basho)
* **Shinjo:** 2-1/3 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Iwanaga Naotoshi (1955.01 - 1957.11)
* Unzenyama Naotoshi (1958.01 - 1963.05)

## **Sources**

* Unzenyama Naotoshi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Unzenyama Naotoshi Rikishi Information
Tokotatsu (tokoyama)

Tokotatsu - 床辰 (born December 9, 1960) is a Japanese professional sumo hairdresser from Sagamihara, Kanagawa. He was recruited and debuted in the March 1979 tournament and he belongs to Tatsunami stable. He reached the First class in January 2010.

## **Career**

* March 1979 - Had his debut under Tatsunami stable as a tokoyama
* Before 1999 - Promoted to third class tokoyama (santo - 三等) sometime before 1999, the exact date is not published
* January 2000 - Promoted to second class tokoyama (nito - 二等)
* January 2010 - Promoted to first class tokoyama (itto - 一等)
Tokoshun (tokoyama)

Tokoshun - 床竣 (born June 11, 2002) is a Japanese professional sumo hairdresser from Tottori, Tottori. He debuted in the March 2019 tournament and he belongs to Miyagino stable. He reached the Fourth class in January 2024.

## **Career**

* March 2019 - Joined Miyagino stable as a tokoyama
* January 2024 - Promoted to fourth class tokoyama (yonto - 四等)
Yamatoiwa Eitaro

Yamatoiwa Eitaro - 倭岩 英太郎 (born July 6, 1910 - December 2, 1982) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Fukuoka City, Fukuoka. He made his debut in January 1926 and wrestled for Dewanoumi stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1939. His highest rank was maegashira 13 and he retired in January 1944.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Eitaro Nakamura joined Dewanoumi stable at the age of 15 and made his professional debut in January 1926 under the shikona "Yamatoiwa" (倭岩). Yamatoiwa was promoted to juryo in January 1932, however, this coincided with the so-called "Shunjuen Incident", when a number of top division wrestlers went on strike. Yamatoiwa participated in the strike and he left the Japan Sumo Association to participated in the Kansai Sumo Association which was set up by former sekiwake Tenryu. Following the closure of the Kansai Sumo Association in January 1938 he returned to the Japan Sumo Association and restarted his career at the makushita division. He was promoted back to juryo in May 1938 and makuuchi in May 1939.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Yamatoiwa was ranked in the top division for a total of 6 tournaments, reaching as high as maegashira 13. He retired from sumo in January 1944.

## **Fighting Style**

Yamatoiwa was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. His most common kimarite were yoritaoshi (crush out) and yorikiri (force out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 90-83-16/169 (15 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 33-45-12/75 (6 basho)
* **Juryo:** 47-35-4/81 (7 basho)
* **Makushita:** 10-3/13 (1 basho)

## **Sources**

* Yamatoiwa Eitaro Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Yamatoiwa Eitaro Rikishi Information
Umenishiki Toranosuke

Umenishiki Toranosuke - 梅錦 寅之助 (born May 20, 1926 - April 22, 1977) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Umezawa, Aomori. He made his debut in January 1942 and last wrestled for Takashima stable. He reached the makuuchi division in October 1948. His highest rank was maegashira 20 and he retired in September 1951.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Suzuki moved to Tokyo in 1942 and joined Takashima stable. He made his professional debut in January 1942 under the shikona "Umenishiki" (梅錦) which is derived from his hometown Umezawa. He won the jonokuchi yusho in May 1942 with a perfect 8-0 record and rose up the ranks at a consistent manner. He was promoted to sandanme in May 1944 and makushita in June 1945. By the time he reached juryo in June 1947, Umenishiki had only posted one losing record throughout his whole career. After three tournaments in juryo, he was promoted to makuuchi in October 1948.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Umenishiki struggled in makuuchi and was demoted back down to juryo after only two tournaments. Around 1950, Umenishiki began suffering from an illness and sat out from tournaments multiple times. He eventually fell down to makushita in September 1950. He began wrestling under his surname Suzuki in May 1951 before retiring from the sport in September 1951.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring, Umenishiki left the Japan Sumo Association and returned to Aomori where he worked at the mining industry. He later left the mining industry due to an oil crisis and worked for Tokyo Rubber. He died on April 22, 1977, at the age of 50 due to an illness.

## **Fighting Style**

Umenishiki 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.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 92-84-44/176 (23 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 9-15/24 (2 basho)
* **Juryo:** 35-42/77 (7 basho)
* **Makushita:** 19-14-44/33 (7 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 7-3/10 (2 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 14-10/24 (3 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 8-0/8 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Jonokuchi** Championship (May 1942)

## **Shikona History**

* Umenishiki Toranosuke (1942.01 - 1951.01)
* Suzuki (1951.05 - 1951.09)

## **Sources**

* Umenishiki Toranosuke Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Umenishiki Toranosuke Rikishi Information
Tokotakeshi (tokoyama)

Tokotakeshi - 床武 (born September 13, 1977) is a Japanese professional sumo hairdresser from Osaka, Osaka. He debuted in the January 1995 tournament and he belongs to Fujishima stable. He reached the Second class in January 2015.

## **Career**

* January 1995 - Joined Musashigawa stable as a tokoyama using the name Tokonishi (床西) but immediately changed his name to Tokotakeshi (床武)
* Before 1999 - Promoted to fifth class tokoyama (goto - 五等) sometime before 1999, the exact date is not published
* January 2001 - Promoted to fourth class tokoyama (yonto - 四等)
* January 2006 - Promoted to third class tokoyama (santo - 三等)
* January 2015 - Promoted to second class tokoyama (nito - 二等)
Sakurakuni Teruo

Sakurakuni Teruo - 櫻國 輝男 (born June 8, 1926 - date of death unknown) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Shibecha, Hokkaido. He made his debut in May 1942 and last wrestled for Araiso stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1951. His highest rank was maegashira 11 and he retired in January 1959.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

At the age of 15, he moved to Tokyo, overcoming the opposition from his parents, and joined Isegahama stable (later renamed Araiso stable). Wrestling under the shikona "Sakurakuni" (櫻國), he was promoted to sandanme in November 1944 and makushita in June 1945. After three years in makushita, he was promoted to juryo in May 1948.

### **Juryo Career**

In his first tournament as a sekitori, Sakurakuni finished with a solid 7-4 record. After nearly three years in juryo, he was promoted to makuuchi in January 1951.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Sakurakuni was ranked in the top division for a total of 11 tournaments, and he primarily struggled against his much larger opponents as he was on the smaller side of the size spectrum. In May 1956, he injured his right knee and withdrew on the 6th day. This was his last appearance in the top division and he wrestled in the juryo division for the majority of his later career.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Sakurakuni retired from sumo in January in January 1959 after falling down to makushita. Upon retiring, he moved to Chiba and managed an apartment. He later died due to illness, but the age and date of death are unknown.

## **Fighting Style**

Sakurakuni was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was kirikaeshi, or twisting backward knee trip.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 319-324-31-1d/640 (53 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 66-80-18-1d/144 (11 basho)
* **Juryo:** 214-221-5/434 (30 basho)
* **Makushita:** 16-12-8/28 (6 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 5-0/5 (1 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 14-7/21 (3 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-4/8 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Inukai (1942.05 - 1943.01)
* Sakurakuni Teruo (1943.05 - 1959.01)

## **Sources**

* Sakurakuni Teruo Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Sakurakuni Teruo Rikishi Information
Tokokatsu (tokoyama)

Tokokatsu - 床勝 (born August 29, 1970) is a Japanese professional sumo hairdresser from Setagaya, Tokyo. He debuted in the November 1988 tournament and he belongs to Tokiwayama stable. He reached the First class in January 2019.

## **Early Life**

Prior to becoming a tokoyama, Kojiro was a sumo wrestler at Futagoyama stable using his surname "Kida" (木田) as his ringname. He had his debut in September 1986 and he reached his highest career rank of jonidan 117 in May 1988. He had already started working as a tokoyama in November 1988, but his name was still on the banzuke, thus technically retiring after this basho while already being a tokoyama.

## **Career**

* November 1988 - Joined Futagoyama stable as a tokoyama using the name Tokoni (床二)
* Before 1999 - Promoted to third class tokoyama (santo - 三等) sometime before 1999, the exact date is not published
* January 2007 - Changed his ringname to Tokokatsu (床勝)
* January 2009 - Promoted to second class tokoyama (nito - 二等)
* November 2018 - Transferred to Chiganoura stable due to the closure of Takanohana stable
* January 2019 - Promoted to first class tokoyama (itto - 一等)

## **Sources**

* JSA Tokokatsu Personal Page
* Kida Rikishi Information
Tsurugizan Taniemon I

## Tsurugizan Taniemon

Tsurugizan Taniemon - 劔山 谷右衛門 (born 1803 - August 26, 1854) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Niikawa District, Etchu. He made his debut in March 1827 and wrestled for Onomatsu stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1834 and has six top division championships. His highest rank was ozeki and he retired in February 1852.

## **Career**

Bunzo joined Onomatsu stable and was later trained under yokozuna Onomatsu Midorinosuke. At first he fought under the ring name Waniishi. He was one of few wrestlers to defeat yokozuna Inazuma Raigoro, who held a winning percentage of 90.9. After he won all bouts as sekiwake in the November 1841 tournament, he was promoted to ozeki in February 1842. He was to have the best individual record in six tournaments, equivalent to six yusho today, and recorded 29 consecutive wins. He changed his techniques according to the circumstances. He was granted a yokozuna licence but rejected this and nominated Hidenoyama Raigoro instead. He held the ozeki rank for 11 years, but he finally retired as an active wrestler in February 1852 shortly before the age of 50.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring, he remained in the sumo world as an elder under the name Futagoyama, however, he died shortly after on October 17, 1854, at the age of 54.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 160-39-148-25draws-6holds-5no results/235 (43 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 143-31-148-22draws-6holds-5no results/207 (37 basho)
* **Juryo:** 17-8-3draws/28 (6 basho)

### **Championships**

* 6 Unofficial **Makuuchi** Championships
	+ 1st (February 1836)
	+ 2nd (November 1836)
	+ 3rd (October 1837)
	+ 4th (January 1841)
	+ 5th (November 1841)
	+ 6th (October 1842)

## **Shikona History**

* Waniishi Bunzo (1830.11 - 1842.10)
* Tsurugizan Taniemon (1843.01 - 1852.02)

## **Gallery**

Woodblock print of ozeki Tsurugizan Taniemon (c. 1847)
## **Sources**

* Tsurugizan Taniemon Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Tsurugizan Taniemon Rikishi Information
Yuji (yobidashi)

Yuji - 雄志 (born March 1, 1997) is a Japanese professional sumo usher from Nikko, Tochigi. He was recruited in February 2015 and debuted in the March 2015 tournament and he belongs to Sakaigawa stable. He reached the Sandanme rank in January 2024.

## **Career**

* March 2015 - Had his debut under Sakaigawa stable as a Jonokuchi yobidashi
* January 2022 - Promoted to Jonidan yobidashi
* January 2024 - Promoted to Sandanme yobidashi
Wakaimonogashira

A wakaimonogashira (若い者頭) is a youth leader. A retired wrestler (usually a former juryo or maegashira) who is a functionary of the Sumo Association, working with new recruits at his former stable or associated ichimon, and who also arranges maezumo matches.

## **Overview**

Since the Edo Period, the wakaimonogashira role has existed, and at the time an active wrestler could be one (usually a makushita wrestler). Experienced wrestlers who have been wrestling for about 20 years are usually the wakaimonogashira. In 1943, the wakaimonogashira were required to be retired wrestlers and had to already have their danpatsu-shiki (hair-cutting ceremony).

Most wakaimonogashira are former juryo wrestlers, but there are some makushita ranked wrestlers and even former meagashiras. The capacity of wakaimonogashira is 8, and retirement age is still mandatory at 65.

## **List of Active Wakaimonogashira**

* Iyozakura Masayuki, former juryo - since May 1988
* Fukunosato Kunio, former juryo - since July 1993
* Hananokuni Akihiro, former maegashira - since November 1994
* Zenshinyama Ryota, former juryo - since November 1999
* Tochinofuji Tatsuyuki, former maegashira - since March 2001
* Torafusuyama Yoshiyuki, former makushita - since March 2004
Yanagi Joji

Yanagi Joji - 柳 譲治 (born December 23, 1973) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa. He made his debut in January 1996 and wrestled for Musashigawa stable. His highest rank was makushita 14 and he retired in May 2005.

## **Early Life**

Joji Yanagi was born on December 23, 1973, in Tama Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa (although his birthplace is also listed as Kagoshima prefecture). He attended Senshu University where he was a member of a member of the school's sumo club. However, he dropped out midway and joined Musashigawa stable.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in January 1996 and wrestled under his surname "Yanagi" (柳). Already weighing 177 kg (390 lb), he was the heaviest new recruit of his class. He breezed through the lower three divisions and was promoted to makushita in March 1997. At the time he had not posted a single losing record, however, he could only manage one win in his makushita debut.

In November 1997, he won the sandanme yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted to a career-best rank of makushita 14 in January 1998. However, he could only manage a 2-5 record in that tournament. Yanagi spent the majority of his later career in makushita with a few spells in sandanme. He retired from sumo in May 2005.

## **Fighting Style**

Yanagi was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. His most common kimarite was yorikiri (force out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 201-182-9/381 (57 basho)
* **Makushita:** 92-112-6/203 (30 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 91-67-3/158 (23 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 12-2/14 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/6 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Sandanme** Championship (November 1997)

## **Gallery**

Yanagi prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2000)Yanagi (white yukata) attends a Senshu University event (c. 2005)
Tsuyukusa Kazuki

Tsuyukusa Kazuki - 露草 和樹 (born December 6, 1994) is a former Polish-Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Chuo, Sagamihara, Kanagawa. He made his debut in September 2016 and wrestled for Otake stable. His highest rank was makushita 51 and he retired in January 2021.

## **Early Life**

Kazuyuki "Paul" Tsuyukusa was born in Chuo Ward, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan, to a Polish father and a Japanese mother. His father, Kazuyoshi, originally from Poland, acquired Japanese citizenship after meeting his mother while studying abroad in Japan. Tsuyukusa moved to Poland at the age of 5 and attended local schools and international schools. After five years in Poland, he moved to Prague, Czech Republic, for two years. He returned to Japan for junior high school and attended International Christian University High School in Koganei, Tokyo. He initially played soccer and also participated in baseball and bodybuilding. Upon graduating high school, he attended Rikkyo University before dropping out to pursue a career in sumo wrestling.

## **Career**

Tsuyukusa joined Otake stable and made his professional debut in September 2016. In May 2017, during his fourth professional tournament, Tsuyukusa finished with a perfect 7-0 record, but missed out on the jonidan yusho after losing to Mihamaumi in a playoff. Three tournaments later Tsuyukusa finished with another spotless 7-0 record, but this time missed out on the sandanme yusho after losing to Tomokaze in a playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to makushita for the following January 2018 tournament. Tsuyukusa never managed to establish himself in makushita and never posted a winning record in makushita. He retired from sumo in January 2021, citing personal reasons.

## **Personal Life**

* Tsuyukusa's Polish name is Kazimierz Konkor.
* Tsuyukusa is trilingual, speaking Japanese, English, and Polish.

## **Fighting Style**

Tsuyukusa was an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used was a straightforward oshidashi, or push out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 88-79-8/166 (26 basho)
* **Makushita:** 4-16-1/19 (3 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 64-55-7/119 (18 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 15-6/21 (3 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Tsuyukusa gets measured upon joining sumo (c. 2016)Tsuyukusa prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2020)Tsuyukusa's retirement ceremony (c. 2021)

## **Sources**

* Tsuyukusa Kazuki Rikishi Information
* A New Face of the Japanese Sumo Industry by Kent Kitabatake
* Nikkan Sports Article on Tsuyukusa Joining Sumo
* Town News Article on Tsuykusa
Waseda University

Waseda University, abbreviated as *Sodai* (早大) , is a private research university in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as the *Tokyo Senmon Gakko* by Okuma Shigenobu, the school was formally renamed Waseda University in 1902. Waseda is regarded as one of the most selective and prestigious universities in Japanese university rankings, particularly for its humanities and social sciences education. In 2020–2021, Waseda University ranked 189th in the QS World University Rankings. Waseda is selected as one of the “Top Type” (Type A) universities under MEXT's Top Global University Project.

The University's sumo club has produced a couple professional sumo wrestlers, with sekiwake Kasagiyama being their most successful alumnus. As of 2023, 4 members of Waseda University's sumo club have turned professional, with 3 reaching the elite sekitori status.

## **List**

* Green row indicates wrestler reached the elite sekitori ranks.

**List of All Sumo Wrestlers from Waseda University**
 Yamaguchi
 Kimikaze | Toshiji Naoe
Yoshiyasu Masataka

Yoshiyasu Masataka - 良安 大宜 (born May 12, 1994) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ogaki, Gifu. He made his debut in March 2017 and currently wrestles for Kise stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 8.

## **Early Life**

Tanabe began sumo wrestling at a local dojo in Ogaki, Gifu, during his fourth year of elementary school. He continued his amateur sumo career at Kanazawa Gakuin High School where he performed well on the national stage such as placing third at the National Sports Festival of Japan's sumo tournament during his third year. After graduating high school, Tanabe enrolled at Kanazawa Gakuin University where he studied sports medicine. He was also a member of the sumo club where he was teammates with the future Enho. Upon graduation from university, he joined Kise stable.

## **Career**

Tanabe made his professional debut in March 2017 alongside Wakatakakage, Enho and Asashiyu. He finished with a 6-1 record in his first three tournaments, however, his three losses were all against Enho. He reached makushita by January 2018 in only just his fifth tournament. Tanabe reached a career-best makushita 8 in January 2023. In January 2024, he was given the shikona "Yoshiyasu" (良安) after having fought under his family name for the previous seven years.

## **Fighting Style**

Tanabe is an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used are oshidashi (push out) and hatakikomi (slap down).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 148-118-7/266 (40 basho)
* **Makushita:** 119-112-7/231 (34 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 17-4/21 (3 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Tanabe Masataka (2017.03 - 2023.11)
* Yoshiyasu Masataka (2024.01 - )

## **Gallery**

Tanabe gets measured upon joining sumo (c. 2017)Tanabe joins alongside college teammate Enho (c. 2017)Tanabe loses to college teammate Enho (c. 2017)Tanabe battles Hoshoryu (c. 2018)Tanabe prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2022)Tanabe defeats Kawazoe (c. 2023)
## **Sources**

* Tanabe Masataka Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Tanabe Masataka Rikishi Information
Wakasoryu Shuzo

Wakasoryu Shuzo - 若双龍 秀造 (born May 28, 1950) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kotooka, Akita. He made his debut in May 1968 and last wrestled for Futagoyama stable. He reached the juryo division in November 1974. His highest rank was juryo 8 and he retired in January 1978.

## **Early Life**

At Mitane Choritsu Kotooka Junior High School, Sawata was a member of the sumo club and he won the Akita Prefectural tournament. He went on to attend Kanaashi Agricultural High School which was known for its strong sumo club. Sawata wanted to join Futagoyama stable, because he was a fan of the stablemaster, Wakanohana I, who rose all the way up to yokozuna despite being a rather small wrestler. However, his stable had a strong connection to Isegahama stable, which Sawata had no intention of joining, so he dropped out of high school, against his mother's wishes, and joined Futagoyama stable.

## **Career**

He made his debut in May 1968 and was given the shikona "Kotooka" (琴岡). He won the jonokuchi yusho with a perfect 7-0 record in his first professional tournament. He was promoted to sandanme in November 1968 and makushita in January 1970. He changed his shikona to "Kanehikari" (金光) in November 1970, before chaining it again to "Wakafutago" (若二子) in September 1971. In May 1974, he changed his shikona to "Wakaryuji" (若龍児) and three tournaments later he was promoted to juryo. He made his juryo debut in November 1974, but could only finish with a 6-9 record. In March 1976, he changed his shikona to "Wakasoryu" (若双龍) and was promoted back to juryo in November 1976. He was ranked in juryo for an additional four tournaments, reaching as high as juryo 8 in January 1977. He announced his retirement after the January 1978 tournament.

## **Fighting Style**

Wakasoryu was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right 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 shitatenage, or underarm throw.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 236-206-4/442 (59 basho)
* **Juryo:** 29-46/75 (5 basho)
* **Makushita:** 160-137-4/297 (43 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 35-21/56 (8 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 7-0/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Jonokuchi** Championship (July 1968)

## **Shikona History**

* Sawada (1968.05 - 1968.05)
* Kotooka (1968.07 - 1969.03)
* Momiji (1969.05 - 1969.07)
* Kotooka Shuzo (1969.09 - 1970.09)
* Kanehikari (1970.11 - 1971.07)
* Wakafutago (1971.09 - 1974.03)
* Wakaryuji Shuzo (1974.05 - 1976.01)
* Wakasoryu Shuzo (1976.03 - 1978.01)

## **Gallery**

Wakasoryu during his time in makushita (c. 1972)
## **Sources**

* Wakasoryu Shuzo Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Wakasoryu Shuzo Rikishi Information