Daimanazuru Kenji

Daimanazuru Kenji - 大真鶴 健司 (born January 16, 1977) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kawakami, Nara. He made his debut in May 1992 and wrestled for Asahiyama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in July 2006. His highest rank was maegashira 16 and he retired in January 2010.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Omae joined Asahiyama stable in May 1992 and initially wrestled under his family name. He struggled in his first year and could not make it out of jonokuchi until May 1993. In November 1994 he changed his shikona to "Futasewaka" (二瀬若). The following tournament he was promoted to sandanme, but he could not establish himself in the division until March 1996. He was promoted to makushita in November 1997 and would wrestle in that division for the next six years. In January 2007 he changed his shikona to "Daimanazuru" (大真鶴). In November 2001 and November 2003 he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted to juryo in January 2004.

### **Juryo Career**

He made his juryo debut alongside future yokozuna Hakuho. After two losing scores in January and March 2004 he slipped back to makushita, but he returned to juryo in January 2005. He made steady progress, rising slowly up the juryo division with a succession of 8-7 scores, which was enough to earn him promotion to the top makuuchi division for the July 2006 tournament.

### **Makuuchi Career**

It had taken him 85 tournaments to reach makuuchi from his professional debut, the seventh slowest ever. However, his single tournament there saw him win only two bouts, against veterans Buyuzan and Tochisakae, and he was demoted straight back to juryo.

### **Later Career**

In September 2007 he suffered an eye injury and had to withdraw on the 4th day, resulting in demotion back to the unsalaried makushita division. By July 2008 he had fallen to Makushita 26, the same rung on the ladder as fellow former top division wrestler Takahama. He scored six wins against one loss in that tournament however, and took part in an eight-way playoff for the makushita championship. He missed out on his third title, eliminated in the semifinal stage by Yamamotoyama.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Restricted by a nagging shoulder injury, a series of mediocre performances after that saw him fall to Makushita 54 for the January 2010 basho, his lowest rank since entering the makushita division at the end of 1997. Despite recording 4 wins against 3 losses, he announced his retirement after the tournament at the age of 33. He did not fight in enough sekitori tournaments to qualify for a toshiyori (elder) position, and left the sumo world to work in a Tokyo based firm.

## **Personal Life**

* He announced his engagement in May 2006.
* His hobby is fishing.

## **Fighting Style**

Daimanazuru had a straightforward fighting style, with around 70% of his wins being either yorikiri (force out) or oshidashi (push out). He preferred a migi-yotsu grip on the mawashi, with his left hand outside and right hand inside his opponent's arms.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 443-436-15/876 (107 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 2-13/15 (1 basho)
* **Juryo:** 122-137-11/258 (18 basho)
* **Makushita:** 202-179-4/379 (55 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 53-45/98 (14 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 46-38/84 (12 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 18-24/42 (6 basho)

### **Championships**

* 2 **Makushita** Championships
	+ 1st (November 2001)
	+ 2nd (November 2003)

### **Achievements**

* **Record:** Tied for **9th** Slowest progress to top division (85 tournaments)

## **Shikona History**

* Omae Kenji (1992.05 - 1994.09)
* Futasewaka Kenji (1994.11 - 1999.11)
* Daimanazuru Kenji (2000.01 - 2010.01)

## **Gallery**

### **JSA Profile Pictures**

Daimanazuru Kenji - 2005 (Retrieved from the JSA)Daimanazuru Kenji - 2004 (Retrieved from the JSA)
### **Career Overview**

Daimanazuru after promotion to Juryo (c. 2003)Daimanazuru during the Juryo dohyo-iriDaimanazuru makes his way into the Ryogoku KokugikanDaimanazuru after promotion to Makuuchi (c. 2006)Daimanazuru hands out his autographs (c. 2009)Daimanazuru's retirement ceremony (c. 2010)
## **Sources**

* Daimanazuru Kenji Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Daimanazuru Kenji Rikishi Information