Kitaseumi Hiromitsu

Kitaseumi Hiromitsu - 北瀬海 弘光 (born July 2, 1948) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kitahiyama, Hokkaido. He made his debut in July 1964 and last wrestled for Kokonoe stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 1972 and has three special prizes as well as one kinboshi. His highest rank was sekiwake and he retired in May 1979.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He was recruited by Kokonoe Oyakata (the 41st yokozuna Chiyonoyama) who worked as a coach for Dewanoumi stable. He made his professional debut in July 1964 and initially wrestled under his surname Tsuchiya before changing it to "Wakahazayama" (若狭山) in May 1966. In 1967, he transferred to the newly established Kokonoe stable and subsequently changed his shikona to "Kitaseumi" (北瀬海). In July 1969, he won the makushita yusho at the rank of makushita 6 and was promoted to juryo in the following September 1969 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

Kitaseumi's first juryo stint only lasted two tournaments and he was regulated back down to makushita in January 1970. He returned to juryo in July 1970 and was able to establish himself with a 10-5 record. In November 1971, he won the juryo yusho with an 11-4 record and was promoted to the top of juryo where he posted an 8-7 record.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Kitaseumi made his makuuchi debut in March 1972. In March 1976, Kitaseumi defeated yokozuna Wajima to earn his first and only career kinboshi and finished the tournament with a strong 12-3 record. He was subsequently awarded the Outstanding Performance prize and promoted to komusubi in May 1976. In his san'yaku debut, Kitaseumi finished the tournament with a 10-5 record and was awarded his second consecutive Outstanding Performance prize. He was promoted to sekiwake in the following July 1976 tournament, but he could only manage three wins at that rank. In March 1977 while ranked at maegashira 1, Kitaseumi defeated three ozeki (Kaiketsu, Wakamisugi and Asahikuni) and finished with a 10-5 record which earned him his first Technique prize. He was promoted to sekiwake again in the following May 1977 tournament, but he sprained his left ankle during the tournament and subsequently withdrew on the ninth day. He fell down to juryo in July 1978 and announced his retirement midway through the May 1979 tournament.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

He retired in May 1979 and was active elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Kimigahama. As Kimigahama-oyakata he first coached at Kokonoe stable, but moved to Hakkaku stable when it was started up by former Kokonoe wrestler Hokutoumi (the 61st Yokozuna) in 1993. He reached the Sumo Association's mandatory retirement age of 65 in July 2013. The Kimigahama toshiyori-kabu (or elder name) was acquired by Hakkaku wrestler Okinoumi in October 2013.

## **Fighting Style**

Kitaseumi 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). He also sometimes preferred the morozashi (double-hand inside) grip. His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 536-526-6/1060 (90 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 266-310-6/574 (39 basho)
* **Juryo:** 135-120/255 (17 basho)
* **Makushita:** 64-41/105 (15 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 43-41/84 (12 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 22-13/35 (5 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Juryo** Championship (November 1971)
* 1 **Makushita** Championship (July 1969)

### **Achievements**

* **Special Prizes:** Outstanding Performance Prize (2), Technique Prize (1)
* **Kinboshi:** (1) Wajima

## **Gallery**

Kitaseumi ensures Juryo promotion with Makushita Yusho (c. 1969)Kitaseumi poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1976)Kitaseumi (left) with Chiyozakura and the former KitanofujiKitaseumi loses to former Ozeki Kaiketsu (c. 1976)Kitaseumi defeats future Yokozuna Wakanohana (c. 1976)Kitaseumi's retirement ceremony pamphlet (c. 1979)Kitaseumi after retirement as Kimigahama Oyakata (c. 1986)Kitaseumi's tegata
## **Sources**

* Kitaseumi Hiromitsu Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kitaseumi Hiromitsu Rikishi Information