Okanoyama Yoshiro

Okanoyama Yoshiro - 岡ノ山 喜郎 (born November 3, 1935) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yakage, Okayama. He made his debut in May 1955 and wrestled for Tokitsukaze stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 1962. His highest rank was maegashira 5 and he retired in January 1965.

## **Early Life**

Yamabe was born in the town of Yakage in Okayama prefecture to wholesale fish dealers. He was a member fo the handball club during his time at Okayama Prefectural Yakage High School. After graduating high school, he was recruited into professional sumo by Tokitsukaze stable.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his professional debut in May 1955 and was given the shikona "Okanoyama" (岡ノ山) which was derived from his hometown of Okayama prefecture. He was promoted to sandanme in May 1956 and makushita in September 1958. In May 1961 he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record at the rank of makushita 3 and was promoted to juryo for the following July 1961 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

In his first tournament as a sekitori, Okanoyama finished with a strong 10-5 record. He followed with a nine-win performance in September before experiencing a setback after posting a 5-10 record in November 1961. He bounced back with an 11-4 record and was promoted to makuuchi in March 1962.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Okanoyama produced a solid 9-6 record in his top division debut and was promoted to the rank of maegashira 5 for the following May 1962 tournament. In this tournament, he sprained his right knee joint and pulled out from the tournament on the sixth day after going winless. He subsequently fell down to juryo in September 1962, but won the juryo yusho in November 1962 after producing a superb 14-1 record. He returned to juryo in the following January 1963 tournament but could only retain his top division status for two tournaments.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After losing his top division rank, Okanoyama remained in juryo for a year before falling down to makushita in May 1964. He announced his retirement in January 1965. After retiring, he worked for a construction company in Sumida, Tokyo.

## **Personal Life**

During his time in makuuchi he served as the tsuyuharai, or dew sweeper, for Yokozuna Kashiwado during his ring entering ceremony.

He was ozeki Yutakayama's primary training partner during the ozeki's early career.

## **Fighting Style**

Okanoyama 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.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 269-229-22/496 (54 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 23-43-9/65 (5 basho)
* **Juryo:** 88-75-2/162 (12 basho)
* **Makushita:** 91-63-11/154 (22 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 50-38/88 (11 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 14-10/24 (3 basho)
* **Shinjo:** 3-0/3 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Juryo** Championship (November 1962)
* 1 **Makushita** Championship (May 1961)

## **Shikona History**

* Yamabe Kiichiro (1955.05 - 1955.05)
* Okanoyama Yoshiro (1955.09 - 1965.01)

## **Gallery**

Okanoyama during his time in juryo (c. 1961)Okanoyama with his kesho-mawashi
## **Sources**

* Okanoyama Yoshiro Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Okanoyama Yoshiro Rikishi Information