Kairyuyama Kannojo

Kairyuyama Kannojo - 開隆山 勘之亟 (born August 28, 1939 - September 10, 1986) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Showa, Akita. He made his debut in March 1956 and wrestled for Isegahama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in July 1960 and has three special prizes as well as eight kinboshi. His highest rank was sekiwake and he retired in March 1968.

## **Early Life**

When he was a student at Kanaashi Agricultural High School, which had a strong sumo program, he was recruited by Araiso Oyakata (the 38th yokozuna Terukuni). His parents initially opposed the idea as he was their eldest son, however, he was later persuaded by the president of Kairyudo Publishing Co., Ltd. which was one of the sponsors of Araiso stable. He subsequently dropped out of high school and joined professional sumo.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his professional debut in March 1956 and initially wrestled under the shikona "Terunowaka" (照ノ若) before settling with "Kairyuyama" (開隆山) in September 1956. He won the jonidan yusho in September 1956 and sandanme yusho in November 1956 with perfect 8-0 records. He was ranked in makushita by March 1957 after only one tournament in each of the previous divisions. In September 1959, he finished with a 5-3 record at the rank of makushita 1 and was promoted to juryo in November 1959.

### **Juryo Career**

In his first tournament as a sekitori, Kairyuyama finished with a solid 9-6 record. He followed with a 10-5 record and an 8-7 record. In May 1960 he won the juryo yusho with a strong 12-3 record and was promoted to makuuchi in July 1960 after only four tournaments in juryo.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Kairyuyama was ranked in makuuchi for a total of 44 tournaments with his highest rank being sekiwake which he held twice in May and November 1964. He accumulated eight kinboshi throughout his career, defeating Taiho thrice, Tochinoumi thrice, and Kashiwado twice. Since he defeated the yokozuna as a maegashira on multiple occasions, he was awarded the Outstanding Performance prize three times. However, due to gout and injuries, he eventually fell back down to juryo in November 1967 and he announced his retirement after the March 1968 tournament.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Kiriyama and he worked as coach for Isegahama stable as well as a judge during official tournaments. He left the Sumo Association in December 1980 and returned to his hometown.

### **Death**

He died in Akita city on September 10, 1986, due to diabetes. He was 47 years old.

## **Fighting Style**

Kairyuyama 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 uwatehineri (twisting overarm throw) and kubinage (neck throw).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 451-441-6/890 (70 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 306-354/660 (44 basho)
* **Juryo:** 48-40-6/86 (7 basho)
* **Makushita:** 75-45/120 (15 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 8-0/8 (1 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 8-0/8 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-2/8 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Juryo** Championship (May 1969)
* 1 **Sandanme** Championship (January 1956)
* 1 **Jonidan** Championship (September 1956)

### **Achievements**

* **Special Prizes:** Outstanding Performance Prize (3)
* **Kinboshi:** 8: (3) Taiho, (3) Tochinoumi, (2) Kashiwado

## **Shikona History**

* Aoki Kannojo (1956.03 - 1956.03)
* Terunowaka Kannojo (1956.05 - 1956.05)
* Kairyuyama Kannojo (1956.09 - 1966.09)
* Kairyuyama Teruhisa (1966.11 - 1968.03)

## **Gallery**

Kairyuyama poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1966)Kairyuyama's retirement ceremony pamphlet (c. 1968)Kairyuyama after retirement as Kiriyama Oyakata (c. 1976)
## **Sources**

* Kairyuyama Kannojo Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kairyuyama Kannojo Rikishi Information