Tamakiyama Masanori

Tamakiyama Masanori - 玉輝山 正則 (born April 29, 1951) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Maebaru, Fukuoka. He made his debut in May 1964 and wrestled for Kataonami stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1974. His highest rank was komusubi and he retired in March 1984.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Hagio was introduced to Kataonami stable by an acquaintance. He joined the stable in January 1963 at the age of 11, but did not make his professional debt until May 1964 at the age of 13. He was given the shikona "Tamakiyama" (玉輝山). He was promoted to sandanme in November 1966 and makushita in September 1968. In July 1971, he posted a strong 6-1 record at the rank of makushita 5 and was promoted to juryo in the following September 1971 tournament at the age of 20.

### **Juryo Career**

Tamakiyama initially struggled to establish himself as a sekitori. He constantly fell down to makushita on several occasions. In March 1973, he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted back to juryo, but he was only able to maintain his rank for one tournament. He returned to juryo for the fourth time in November 1973 where he was finally able to keep his rank with a 10-5 record. In March 1974, he produced an 11-4 record at the rank of juryo 6 and was promoted to makuuchi in the following May 1974 tournament.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Tamakiyama was ranked in makuuchi for a total of 24 tournaments. In January 1979 he defeated his first ozeki: Asahikuni. In May 1979, he defeated both ozeki Asahikuni and Takanohana; in addition, he also finished with an 8-7 record which earned him a promotion to komusubi in July 1979. In his komusubi debut, Tamakiyama struggled and lost his first eight matches. He finished with a 4-11 record and this was his only tournament ranked in san'yaku. In the following September 1979 tournament, he suffered an injury to his right leg and thigh on the second day in match against Misugiiso. He subsequently withdrew from he tournament and was demoted back down to juryo. This proved to be his last tournament in makuuchi.

### **Juryo Career**

Tamakiyama spent the majority of his later career in juryo, however, he fell down to makushita on multiple occasions. He did manage to return to juryo, but was unable to keep his rank for more than three tournaments. He announced his retirement after the March 1984 tournament.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Kitajin. He worked as a coach in Kataonami stable, but left the Sumo Association in January 1988. After leaving, he opened up a chanko restaurant, called "Yagura Taiko" (やぐら太鼓), in his wife's hometown of Chichibu, Saitama.

## **Fighting Style**

Tamakiyama 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:** 652-655-15/1305 (120 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 153-195-12/347 (24 basho)
* **Juryo:** 283-284-3/566 (38 basho)
* **Makushita:** 117-86/203 (29 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 56-42/98 (14 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 37-40/77 (11 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-8/14 (2 basho)

### **Championships**

* 2 **Juryo** Championships
	+ 1st (March 1975)
	+ 2nd (November 1977)
* 1 **Makushita** Championship (March 1973)

## **Shikona History**

* Tamakiyama Masanori (1964.05 - 1984.03)

## **Gallery**

Tamakiyama returns to his hometown after Juryo promotion (c. 1971)Tamakiyama poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1976)Tamakiyama trains during a training sessionTamakiyama's retirement ceremony pamphlet (c. 1984)Tamakiyama's chanko restaurant "Yagura Taiko" (やぐら太鼓).
## **Sources**

* Tamakiyama Masanori Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Tamakiyama Masanori Rikishi Information