Daigo Kenshi

Daigo Kenshi - 大豪 健嗣 (born May 23, 1952) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yamamoto, Akita. He made his debut in May 1966 and wrestled for Hanakago stable. He reached the makuuchi division in November 1975. His highest rank was maegashira 11 and he retired in March 1982.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

While still attending junior high school, Itakura joined Hanakago stable and made his professional debut in May 1966. He was promoted to sandanme in July 1968 and makushita in November 1969. In November 1973, he began serving as the yumitori-shiki, or bow twirler. In January 1975, he produced a 4-3 record at the rank of makushita 1 and was promoted to juryo in the following tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

In his first tournament as a sekitori in March 1975, Itakura still performed the bow twirling ceremony, however, this was his last tournament as the bow twirler. He changed his shikona from his surname to "Daigo" (大豪) and was promoted to makuuchi after four tournaments in juryo.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Daigo made his makuuchi debut in November 1975, but could only manage a 4-11 record. He returned to makuuchi on three other separate occasions, but also produced double-digit losing records in each tournament. His last makuuchi appearance was in July 1977.

### **Later Career**

After his last top division appearance, Daigo remained in juryo for another five years where he produced consistent, but unspectacular results. He was demoted down to makushita in January 1982, but returned to juryo in the following March tournament. However, in this tournament he could only manage a 3-12 record and announced his retirement after the tournament.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association. He was forced to leave the Sumo Association in September 1988, as the Kitajin elder name he was using was needed by the retiring sekiwake Kirinji.

After leaving the sumo world, he opened up a chanko restaurant in Kokubunji, Tokyo.

## **Fighting Style**

Daigo 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 uwatenage, or overarm throw.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 498-482-14/980 (96 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 14-46/60 (4 basho)
* **Juryo:** 289-281/570 (38 basho)
* **Makushita:** 113-97/210 (30 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 47-30/77 (11 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 23-19-7/42 (7 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 12-9-7/21 (4 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Juryo** Championship (November 1976)

## **Shikona History**

* Itakura (1966.05 - 1966.05)
* Hisahikari (1966.07 - 1967.03)
* Itakura (1967.05 - 1969.05)
* Miyazakura (1969.07 - 1973.07)
* Itakura Kenshi (1973.09 - 1975.07)
* Daigo Kenshi (1975.09 - 1982.03)

## **Gallery**

Daigo performs the bow twirling ceremony (c. 1973)Daigo poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1976)Daigo after retirement as Yamahibiki Oyakata (c. 1987)
## **Sources**

* Daigo Kenshi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Daigo Kenshi Rikishi Information