Chiyozakura Teruo

Chiyozakura Teruo - 千代櫻 輝夫 (born April 14, 1950) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Imakane, Hokkaido. He made his debut in March 1966 and wrestled for Kokonoe stable. He reached the makuuchi division in September 1976. His highest rank was maegashira 5 and he retired in May 1978.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

After graduating from junior high school, Saito joined Dewanoumi stable and made his professional debut in March 1966. He later transferred to the newly opened Kokonoe stable in 1967. He was given the shikona "Chiyozakura" (千代櫻). He was promoted to sandanme in January 1968 and makushita in January 1969. He was unable to establish himself in makushita until he won the sandanme yusho with a perfect 7-0 record in May 1969. In September 1970, he changed his shikona to "Kitahikari" (北輝), but reverted back to Chiyozakura in November 1971. In January 1973, he posted a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 2 and was promoted to juryo in March 1973.

### **Juryo Career**

Even though Chiyozakura was able to establish himself as a sekitori, he struggled to break into the top makuuchi division. In January 1974, he won the juryo yusho with an 11-4 record, but followed with a 5-10 record. In July 1976, after three years in juryo, Chiyozakura produced a 10-5 record at the rank of juryo 3 and was promoted to makuuchi in the following September 1976 tournament.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Chiyozakura's first makuuchi stint lasted five tournaments and he rose as high as maegashira 5 in March 1977. He was demoted back down to juryo in July 1977, but returned to makuuchi after winning his second juryo yusho in September 1977. His second juryo stint only lasted two tournaments and he fell back down to juryo in March 1978.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After falling down to juryo, Chiyozakura produced a disastrous 1-14 record and was demoted down to the unsalaried ranks in May 1978. He was unable to wrestle as he was suffering from visceral disease and he announced his retirement midway through the May 1978 tournament. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Kimigahama. He left the Sumo Association in March 1979.

## **Fighting Style**

Chiyozakura 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 uwatenage, or overarm throw. He was also fond of employing tsuppari, a series of rapid thrusts to the chest.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 383-369-3/752 (74 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 42-63/105 (7 basho)
* **Juryo:** 180-180/360 (24 basho)
* **Makushita:** 89-79-3/168 (25 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 33-16/49 (7 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 35-28/63 (9 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 2 **Juryo** Championships
	+ 1st (January 1974)
	+ 2nd (September 1977)
* 1 **Sandanme** Championship (May 1969)

## **Shikona History**

* Saito Teruo (1966.03 - 1967.01)
* Chiyozakura Teruo (1967.03 - 1970.07)
* Kitahikari Teruo (1970.09 - 1971.09)
* Chiyozakura Teruo (1971.11 - 1978.05)

## **Gallery**

Chiyozakura's first tournament of Juryo (c. 1973)Chiyozakura poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1976)Chiyozakura's Makuuchi promotion party (c. 1976)Chiyozakura (right) with Kitaseumi and the former Kitanofuji
## **Sources**

* Chiyozakura Teruo Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Chiyozakura Teruo Rikishi Information