recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Tochiiyama Hiroyuki

Tochiiyama Hiroyuki - 栃偉山 弘行 (born March 30, 1949) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Chiba City, Chiba. He made his debut in November 1967 and wrestled for Kasugano stable. He reached the juryo division in September 1973. His highest rank was juryo 13 and he retired in March 1975.

## **Basketball Career**

Prior to sumo, Ono was a professional basketball player. After graduating from Chiba Commercial High School, he signed a contract with the recently established Daiwa Securities Hot Blizzard of the Basketball Japan League in 1967. However, his father who was a former sandanme wrestler that wrestled under the name "Donannohana" (道南の花) from 1957 to 1961, wanted him to become a professional sumo wrestler.

## **Sumo Career**

To succeed his father's wish, he joined Kasugano stable and made his debut in November 1967 at the age of 18. He won the jonokuchi yusho in his first professional debut. Upon promotion to makushita in July 1969, he changed his shikona from his surname Ono to "Tochiiyama" (栃偉山). In July 1973, he produced a 6-1 record at the rank of makushita 6 and was promoted to juryo in September 1973.

In his first tournament as a sekitori, he produced a 4-11 record and was demoted back down to makushita. This proved to be his only tournament ranked in juryo. He announced his retirement after the March 1975 tournament.

## **Fighting Style**

Tochiiyama 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 on the sekitori level was uwatenage (overarm throw).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 173-129-14/302 (45 basho)
* **Juryo:** 4-11/15 (1 basho)
* **Makushita:** 120-97-14/217 (33 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 31-18/49 (7 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 12-2/14 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Jonokuchi** Championship (January 1968)

## **Shikona History**

* Ono Atsushi (1967.11 - 1969.05)
* Tochiiyama Hiroyuki (1969.07 - 1975.03)

## **Gallery**

Tochiiyama during his time in the unsalaried ranks (c. 1972)Tochiiyama's akeni box
## **Sources**

* Tochiiyama Hiroyuki Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Tochiiyama Hiroyuki Rikishi Information
Shunrai Shoma

Shunrai Shoma - 春雷 正真 (born April 10, 2005) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kashiwa, Chiba. He made his debut in May 2021 and currently wrestles for Tatsunami stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 52.

## **Early Life**

Shoma Sakamoto was born on April 10, 2005, in Sumida, Tokyo, as the second son of maegashira Tokitsuumi. He began sumo wrestling at the age of three and participated at the Wanpaku Sumo Tournament from the fourth grade to the sixth grade. He attended Kashiwa 2nd Junior High School where he finished third at the National Junior High School Sumo Championship in his third year.

## **Career**

After graduating junior high school, Sakamoto initially wanted to join Tokitsukaze stable because his father, the former Tokitsuumi, was the stablemaster. However, right when he was about to join, Sakamoto's father was caught breaking COVID-19 regulations and had to resign from the Japan Sumo Association. In response to the situation, Sakamoto decided it would be better to join Tatsunami stable.

He made his professional debut in May 2021 and was given the shikona "Shunrai" (春雷). In his first official tournament in July 2021, he won the jonokuchi yusho with a perfect 7-0 record. He was promoted to sandanme in November 2021 and makushita in September 2023.

## **Family**

* Shunrai's father is former maegashira Tokitsuumi. Shunrai's older brother Hirokazu joined Tatsunami stable at the same time as him and he took up the shikona "Kiryuko" (木竜皇).

## **Fighting Style**

Shunrai is proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His most often used winning kimarite are oshidashi (push out) and yorikiri (force out), followed by yoritaoshi (frontal crush out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 58-47/105 (16 basho)
* **Makushita:** 1-6/7 (1 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 39-38/77 (11 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 11-3/14 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 7-0/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Jonokuchi** Championship (July 2021)

## **Gallery**

Shunrai gets measured upon joining sumo (c. 2021)Shunrai defeats Daitensho in Maezumo (c. 2021)Shunrai and his brother Kiryuko in Maezumo (c. 2021)Shunrai defeats Mogamizakura to win the Jonokuchi Yusho (c. 2021)Shunrai wins his first Jonokuchi Yusho (c. 2021)Shunrai prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2022)
## **Sources**

* Shunrai Shoma Rikishi Information
* Nikkan Sports Article on Shunrai
Minato Stable

Minato stable (湊部屋, Minato-beya) is a stable of sumo wrestlers, formerly part of the Tokitsukaze ichimon or group of stables. It was founded in 1982 by former komusubi Yutakayama, who branched off from Tokitsukaze stable. In July 2010 Minatofuji became the new Minato Oyakata when his stablemaster reached the mandatory retirement age of 65.

As of January 2023 it has 11 active sumo wrestlers.

## **History**

Minato stable was established in 1982 by former komusubi Yutakayama, who branched off from Tokitsukaze stable. The stable produced their first sekitori when Minatofuji was promoted to juryo in 1992. Until the arrival of Ichinojō, the stable had produced just one makuuchi division wrestler, Minatofuji, who reached a highest rank of maegashira 2 in 1995 and later became a coach at the stable under the name Tatsutagawa. In July 2010 Minato and Tatsutagawa swapped roles. In the same month the Chinese wrestler Nakanokuni earned promotion to the jūryō division. The stable's most successful rikishi, Mongolian Ichinojo was promoted to makuuchi in 2014. Ichinojo would earn promotion to sekiwake later that year. In December 2017 Minato Oyakata left the Tokitsukaze ichimon, leaving the stable unaffiliated to any group. As of January 2021, it had 9 wrestlers. In September 2018 it joined the Nishonoseki ichimon.

Minato-oyakata, the former Yutakayama, studied at the Tokyo University of Agriculture, and due to his interest in academia his stable was the first to introduce a library on its premises.

## **Ring Name Conventions**

Many wrestlers at this stable take ring names or shikona that include the character 湊 (read: minato), meaning port or harbor, which is the first character in the stable name, and which is also in deference to their coach and the stable's owner, the former Minatofuji. It can be used as a prefix, as in Minatoryū and Minatoshō, or as a suffix, as in Hamaminato and Haruminato.

## **Owners**

* 2010-present: 23rd Minato Takayuki (iin, former maegashira Minatofuji)
* 1982-2010: 22nd Minato Hiromitsu (former komusubi Yutakayama)

## **Notable Former Wrestlers**

* Ichinojo (former sekiwake)
* Minatofuji (former maegashira)
* Nakanokuni (former juryo)
* Kuninofuji (former jonidan)

## **Links**

* Minato stable's website [1]
* Minato stable’s Youtube channel [2]
Tatsutayama Stable (Edo period)

Tatsutayama stable (立田山部屋, Tatsutayama-beya) was a stable of sumo wrestlers which was established in the Edo period and it closed down in 1946.

## **History**

Tatsutayama stable was founded by maegashira Orochigata in 1902. He died in 1912 and the stable was inherited by his apprentice, komusubi Chitosegawa. However, Chitosegawa left the Japan Sumo Association in 1927 and the stable subsequently closed down. The stable was briefly re-stablished from January to May of 1930 by former maegashira Shiraiwa.

## **Owners**

* 1930-1930: 7th Tatsutayama (former maegashira Shiraiwa)
* 1913-1927: 6th Tatsutayama (former komusubi Chitosegawa)
* 1902-1912: 5th Tatsutayama (former maegashira Orochigata)
Satonofuji Hisashi

Satonofuji Hisashi - 聡ノ富士 久志 (born April 15, 1977) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yoshioka, Gunma. He made his debut in January 1996 and currently wrestles for Isegahama stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 55.

## **Early Life**

Matsuoka attended Maebashi Commercial High School where he was a member of the school's judo club. He was scouted for professional sumo when a member of the Ajigawa stable's Gunma Supporters Association visited his high school. He subsequently joined Ajigawa stable (later renamed Isegahama stable) after graduating from high school.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in January 1996 under the shikona "Asatofuji" (安聡富士). He reached the sandanme division in September 1997, but did not establish himself as a sandanme regular until January 2000. He reached makushita in September 2005, but finished with a 1-6 record and this proved to be the only time he wrestled in the division. He was given the new shikona "Satonofuji" (聡ノ富士) in March 2008. In May 2012, Satonofuji won all seven matches, but missed out on the jonidan yusho after losing to Oazuma in a playoff.

His stablemate Harumafuji was promoted to the rank of yokozuna in September 2012. Because of this Satonofuji began performing the bow-twirling ceremony beginning in January 2013. He continued to perform his duties until January 2018 when Harumafuji retired. In September 2021, Shohoryu, the bow twirler at the time, got injured and Satonofuji was asked to replace him. At 44 years and 5 months, Satonofuji became the oldest bow twirler in sumo history. After the tournament, he returned to becoming a full-time bow twirler.

## **Fighting Style**

Satonofuji is a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. His most common kimarite are tsukiotoshi (thrust down) and yorikiri (force out). He is also a masterful technician having used the zubuneri (head pivot throw) on 27 occasions and izori (backwards body drop) on 16 occasions.

## **Record**

### **Divison Results**

* **Total:** 550-584-21/1132 (166 basho)
* **Makushita:** 1-6/7 (1 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 254-301-19/554 (82 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 286-272-2/557 (80 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 9-5/14 (2 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Asatofuji Hisashi (1996.01 - 2008.01)
* Satonofuji Hisashi (2008.03 - )

## **Gallery**

Satonofuji with future Yokozuna Terunofuji (c. 2015)Satonofuji defeats Takaseiryu (c. 2018)Satonofuji prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2020)Satonofuji defeats his opponent by Izori (c. 2020)Satonofuji performs the bow-twirling ceremony (c. 2021)
## **Sources**

* Satonofuji Hisashi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Satonofuji Hisashi Rikishi Information
Tatsutagawa Stable

Tatsutagawa stable (立田川部屋, Tatsutagawa beya) was a heya of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tokitsukaze ichimon or group of stables. It was active from 1971 until 2000.

## **History**

The stable was founded in 1971 by the former yokozuna Kagamisato. He had become head coach of the Tokitsukaze stable in 1968 upon the death of the previous stablemaster, Futabayama, but was forced out because Futabayama's widow (who retained the rights of the stable and its premises) wanted the former ozeki Yutakayama Katsuo in charge instead. Kagamisato took the elder name of Tatsutagawa (which had previously been used by several gyoji but had remained vacant since 1961) and set up the stable without taking any recruits with him from Tokitsukaze stable. He was joined by Tatsutayama Oyakata, the former ozeki Ouchiyama, who worked as a coach at the new stable until his death in 1985. The stable was unable to attract many promising wrestlers and Kagamisato reached the Japan Sumo Association's mandatory retirement age of 65 in April 1988 without having produced any top division wrestlers, and just one sekitori, Takamichi, who reached a highest rank of juryo 9.

Following Kagamisato's retirement the stable was taken over by the former sekiwake Aonosato who moved from the parent Tokitsukaze stable. He produced the sekitori Fukunosato, Shikishima, Jumonji and Ryuho. The stable took in its first foreigner in 2000 when they recruited Mongolian Hakuba.

The stable folded upon Aonosato's retirement in November 2000 upon reaching 65 years of age, with the remaining wrestlers and personnel transferring to Michinoku stable. Among them were future top division wrestlers Toyozakura and Hakuba.

## **Owners**

* 1988-2000 14th Tatsutagawa: (former sekiwake Aonosato)
* 1968-1988 13th Tatsutagawa: (the 42nd yokozuna Kagamisato)

## **Notable Former Wrestlers**

* Hakuba (former komusubi) - *transferred to Michinoku stable before sekitori status*
* Toyozakura (former maegashira) - *transferred to Michinoku stable*
* Shikishima (former maegashira) - *transferred to Michinoku stable*
* Jumonji (former maegashira) - *transferred to Michinoku stable*
* Ryuho (former maegashira) - *transferred to Michinoku stable before sekitori status*
* Morinosato (former juryo)
* Fukunosato (former juryo)
Tasuke (yobidashi)

Tasuke - 太助 (born September 14, 1979) is a Japanese professional sumo usher from Kyoto, Kyoto. He was recruited in June 1995 and debuted in the July 1995 tournament and he belongs to Yamahibiki stable. He reached the Juryo rank in November 2015.

## **Career**

* July 1995 - Had his ring debut under Kitanoumi stable as a Jonokuchi yobidashi
* January 1999 - Promoted to Jonidan yobidashi
* January 2002 - Promoted to Sandanme yobidashi
* January 2004 - Promoted to Makushita yobidashi
* November 2015 - Promoted to Juryo yobidashi

## **Sources**

* Tasuke (yobidashi) Japanese Wikipedia Article
* JSA Tasuke Personal Page
Shikimori Shiho

Shikimori Shiho - 式守 志豊 (born June 17, 1992) is a Japanese professional sumo referee from Saga, Saga. He was recruited and debuted in the May 2008 tournament and he belongs to Sadogatake stable.

## **Career**

* May 2008 - Had his ring debut under Sadogatake stable
* July 2008 - Promoted to Jonokuchi-kaku gyoji and took on the name Shikimori Shiho (式守 志豊)
* January 2011 - Promoted to Jonidan-kaku gyoji
* January 2015 - Promoted to Sandanme-kaku gyoji
* January 2019 - Promoted to Makushita-kaku gyoji
Tamahibiki Katsumi

Tamahibiki Katsumi - 玉響 克己 (born October 3, 1935) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Beppu, Oita. He made his debut in January 1954 and last wrestled for Kataonami stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 1959. His highest rank was maegashira 2 and he retired in September 1962.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

After dropping out of Oita Prefectural High School of Maritime Science, Shinkawa joined Nishonoseki stable and made his professional debut in January 1954. In March 1956 he won the sandanme yusho with a perfect 8-0 record and was promoted to makushita for the following May tournament. In May 1957 he changed his shikona from his surname to "Tamahibiki" (玉響) and was promoted to juryo in May 1958.

### **Juryo Career**

In his first tournament as a sekitori, Tamahibiki finished with a strong 11-4 record, but missed out on the yusho after losing to Wakachichibu in the playoff. In November 1958 he posted another 11-4 record and followed with a 10-5 record at the rank of juryo 1 which earned him a spot in the top makuuchi division for the March 1959 tournament.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Tamahibiki was ranked in the top division for 15 consecutive tournaments. He posted three straight winning records from his makuuchi debut and was promoted to the rank of maegashira 2 in September 1959. However, he posted a 6-9 record and was unable to ever defeat a yokozuna or ozeki. in 1961 he transferred to the recently established Kataonami stable. He was demoted back down to juryo in September 1961 and had already reverted his shikona back to his surname Shinkawa.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After posting a 4-11 record at the rank of juryo 14 in September 1962, he retired from sumo. After retiring, he worked for a shipping company.

## **Fighting Style**

Tamahibiki 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:** 289-257-3/545 (46 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 107-115-3/221 (15 basho)
* **Juryo:** 91-89/180 (12 basho)
* **Makushita:** 44-28/72 (9 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 26-14/40 (5 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 15-9/24 (3 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-2/8 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Sandanme** Championship (March 1956)

## **Shikona History**

* Shinkawa Katsumi (1954.01 - 1957.03)
* Tamahibiki Katsumi (1957.05 - 1960.11)
* Tamahibiki Masanobu (1961.01 - 1961.05)
* Shinkawa Katsumi (1961.07 - 1962.09)

## **Gallery**

Tamahibiki (c. 1959)Tamahibiki with his kesho-mawashi
## **Sources**

* Tamahibiki Katsumi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Tamahibiki Katsumi Rikishi Information
Shigejiro (yobidashi)

Shigejiro - 重次郎 (born September 26, 1992) is a Japanese professional sumo usher from Urasoe, Okinawa. He was recruited in February 2011 and debuted in the March 2011 tournament and he belongs to Kokonoe stable. He reached the Sandanme rank in January 2020.

## **Career**

* March 2011 - Had his debut under Kokonoe stable as a Jonokuchi yobidashi using the ringname Kaito (海人)
* January 2015 - Promoted to Jonidan yobidashi
* May 2017 - Changed his ringname to Shigejiro (重次郎)
* January 2020 - Promoted to Sandanme yobidashi
Tenzan Hisaharu

Tenzan Hisaharu - 天山 久晴 (born May 15, 1931) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yunotsu, Shimane. He made his debut in March 1956 and last wrestled for Nishonoseki stable. He reached the juryo division in November 1960. His highest rank was juryo 5 and he retired in September 1962.

## **Early Life**

Prior to sumo, Yoshichi was a professional wrestler. With backgrounds in karate and judo, he joined the All Japan Pro-Wrestling Association (no relation with All Japan Pro-Wrestling), however, after the closure of the All Japan Pro-Wrestling Association, he was recruited into Nakamura stable by makushita wrestler Kabutogata.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 1956 at the age of 24 and initially wrestled under the shikona "Kabutogata" (甲潟), which was the ring name of the wrestler who recruited him. He reached makushita in January 1958 and had not produced a losing record at the time. In May 1959 he changed his shikona to "Tenzan" (天山). He was promoted to juryo in November 1960 and was ranked in the division for eleven tournaments, reaching as high as juryo 5 in November 1961. He transferred to Nishonoseki stable in 1962 due to his Nakamura stable's closure and subsequently retired from sumo in September 1962 as he struggled to get acquainted with his new stable life.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

### **Professional Wrestling Career**

After retiring, he returned back to the professional wrestling industry. He struggled to establish himself in the Japanese wrestling scene and primarily wrestled as a freelance wrestler overseas in South Korea under his real name Hisaharu Yoshichi.

## **Fighting Style**

Tenzan 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 (force out) and uwatenage (overarm throw).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 197-146-14/343 (37 basho)
* **Juryo:** 80-85/165 (11 basho)
* **Makushita:** 80-54-7/134 (18 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 19-5/24 (3 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 15-1/16 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 0-1-7/1 (1 basho)
* **Shinjo:** 3-0/3 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Jonidan** Championship (March 1957)

## **Shikona History**

* Kabutogata Hisaharu (1956.03 - 1959.03)
* Tenzan Hisaharu (1959.05 - 1962.09)

## **Gallery**

Tenzan as a professional wrestler prior to his sumo careerTenzan during his first juryo tournament (c. 1960)
## **Sources**

* Tenzan Hisaharu Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Tenzan Hisaharu Rikishi Information
Shikimori Kinosuke

Shikimori Kinosuke - 式守 輝乃典 (born October 15, 1989) is a Japanese professional sumo referee from Kurayoshi, Okayama. He was recruited and debuted in the March 2008 tournament and he belongs to Sadogatake stable.

## **Career**

* March 2008 - Had his ring debut under Sadogatake stable
* May 2008 - Promoted to Jonokuchi-kaku gyoji and took on the name Shikimori Kinosuke (式守 輝乃典)
* January 2011 - Promoted to Jonidan-kaku gyoji
* January 2014 - Promoted to Sandanme-kaku gyoji
* January 2016 - Promoted to Makushita-kaku gyoji
Shoho Koichi

Shoho Koichi - 翔鵬 豪一 (born January 5, 1957) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture. He made his debut in September 1971 and last wrestled for Taiho stable. He reached the juryo division in January 1980. His highest rank was juryo 11 and he retired in September 1982.

## **Early Life**

Murayama was a member of the baseball club in elementary school where he was a center fielder. Moreover, he also participated in soccer and track and field. Due to his athletic background, he joined Nishonoseki stable and made his debut in September 1971 at the age of 14.

## **Career**

In December 1971, Murayama transferred from Nishonoseki stable to the newly opened Taiho stable. He was promoted to sandanme in July 1972 and makushita in May 1975. He changed his shikona to "Shoho" in November 1978. After nine years in the unsalaried ranks, Shoho was promoted to juryo in January 1980.

Shoho struggled in his first juryo tournament and lost his first seven matches. He finished the tournament with a 4-11 record and was demoted back down to makushita. This proved to be his only tournament ranked as a sekitori. He remained in makushita for another year before falling down to sandanme in September 1981. He reverted back to his surname as his shikona in January 1982.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Shoho announced his retirement after the September 1982 tournament. After retirement, he opened up a chanko restaurant in Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, called "Shoho" (翔鵬).

## **Personal Life**

Shoho's sister married his stablemate Onohana.

## **Fighting Style**

Shoho 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). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 230-208-18/438 (67 basho)
* **Juryo:** 4-11/15 (1 basho)
* **Makushita:** 127-107-18/234 (36 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 79-82/161 (23 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 17-7/24 (5 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 3-1/4 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Murayama (1971.09 - 1978.09)
* Shoho Koichi (1978.11 - 1981.11)
* Murayama (1982.01 - 1982.09)

## **Gallery**

A young Shoho joins professional sumo (c. 1971)Shoho's kesho-mawashi and akeni box on display
## **Sources**

* Shoho Koichi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Shoho Koichi Rikishi Information
Sasaki Yuta

Sasaki Yuta - 佐々木 悠太 (born January 12, 1987) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Towada, Aomori. He made his debut in March 2002 and wrestled for Naruto stable. His highest rank was makushita 13 and he retired in July 2010.

## **Career**

After graduating junior high school, Sasaki joined Naruto stable and made his professional debut in March 2002 alongside stablemate Kisenosato. In September 2002, he won his first six matches, but missed out on the jonidan yusho after losing to Tatsuyutaka in his final match. He was promoted to sandanme in May 2003. In September 2006, he was aiming for the sandanme yusho and he won his first six matches, but he lost his final match to Wakamifuji. Nevertheless, he was promoted to makushita for the following November 2006 tournament. In September 2008, he won his first six matches and was aiming for the makushita yusho, however, he lost his final match to Yotsuguruma. He reached a career-best makushita 13 in March 2010, however, he finished with a poor 1-6 record. He sat out of the following two tournaments and retired in July 2010.

## **Fighting Style**

Sasaki was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. His most common kimarite was yorikiri (force out) and yoritaoshi (frontal crush out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 178-158-14/336 (51 basho)
* **Makushita:** 62-64-7/126 (19 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 79-75-7/154 (23 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 32-17/49 (7 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Sasaki prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2005)
## **Sources**

* Sasaki Yuta Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Sasaki Yuta Rikishi Information
Takenosato Takezo

Takenosato Takezo - 武ノ里 武三 (born April 20, 1909 - date of death unknown) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Goshogawara, Aomori. He made his debut in January 1926 and wrestled for Dewanoumi stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1940. His highest rank was maegashira 14 and he retired in January 1944.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Takezo Yoshizaki joined Dewanoumi stable and made his professional debut in January 1926 under the shikona "Takenosato" (武ノ里). He was promoted to sandanme in January 1928 and makushita in January 1929. In October 1930, Takenosato won the makushita yusho with a 5-1 record and was promoted to juryo for the following January 1931 tournament. However, in 1932 he was caught up in the so-called "Shunjuen Incident", when a number of top division wrestlers went on strike. He left the Japan Sumo Association in May 1934 and participated in the Kansai Sumo Association which was set up by former sekiwake Tenryu. Following the closure of the Kansai Sumo Association in January 1938 he returned to the Japan Sumo Association and restarted his career at the makushita division. He was promoted back to juryo in May 1939 and reached the top division in May 1940.

### **Makuuchi Career**

At the time of his makuuchi debut, Takenosato was 31 and had been in sumo for 14 years. He was only ranked in the top division for three tournaments, reaching as high as maegashira 14 in January 1943. He retired from sumo in January 1944.

## **Personal Life**

Takenosato's cousin is the mother of Yokozuna Wakanohana I and ozeki Takanohana. Takenosato's younger brother also joined Dewanoumi stable, however, he retired after only two years in sumo and making it no higher than the jonidan division.

## **Fighting Style**

Takenosato 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:** 94-87/181 (16 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 18-27/45 (3 basho)
* **Juryo:** 60-56/116 (9 basho)
* **Makushita:** 16-4/20 (3 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (October 1930)

## **Sources**

* Takenosato Takezo Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Takenosato Takezo Rikishi Information
Shikimori Kindayu (born 1973)

The 12th Shikimori Kindayu - 12代 式守 錦太夫 (born April 29, 1973) is a Japanese professional sumo referee from Kashiwa, Chiba. He was recruited and debuted in the March 1989 tournament and he belongs to Hanaregoma stable. He reached the Makuuchi rank in January 2014.

## **Career**

* March 1989 - Had his ring debut under Nishonoseki stable
* May 1989 - Promoted to Jonokuchi-kaku gyoji and took on the name Shikimori Hiromitsu (式守 裕光)
* January 1990 - Promoted to Jonidan-kaku gyoji
* January 1991 - Promoted to Sandanme-kaku gyoji
* January 1996 - Promoted to Makushita-kaku gyoji and took on the name Shikimori Shinnosuke (式守 慎之助)
* March 2006 - Promoted to Juryo-kaku gyoji
* March 2013 - Transferred to Matsugane stable due to the closure of Nishonoseki stable
* January 2014 - Promoted to Makuuchi-kaku gyoji and took on the name Shikimori Kindayu (式守 錦太夫)

## **Shikona History**

Shikimori Hiromitsu (式守 裕光) → 4th Shikimori Shinnosuke (4代 式守 慎之助) → 12th Shikimori Kindayu (12代 式守 錦太夫)

## **Sources**

* 12th Shikimori Kindayu Japanese Wikipedia Article
* JSA Shikimori Kindayu Personal Page
Tamahinada

Tamahinada - 玉比洋 - is a former Filipino professional sumo wrestler. He made his debut in September 1988 and wrestled for Kataonami stable. His highest rank was jonidan 129 and he retired in September 1989.

## **Early Life**

After watching a sumo documentary, a good number of young Filipinos were inspired to try the sport, so they wrote to the local office of the Japan Society to ask how to join the sport. Kataonami Oyakata (ex-sekiwake Tamanofuji) personally flew to Manila to interview and select three that he felt had the greatest potential. Angelito Labampa was chosen alongside Jun Terrado (Tamahikuni) and Samson Pael (Tamahiryu).

## **Career**

Angelito Labampa made his debut on September 1988 under the shikona "Tamahinada" (玉比洋). In his only first professional tournament he produced a winning record of 5-2. He and his Fillipino stablemates ended up running out of the stable after a year. According to *Newsweek*, the three Filipinos took up sumo as a scam to get work visas.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 5-2-14/7 (4 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 0-0-7/0 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2-7/7 (2 basho)

## **Gallery**

Tamahikuni (far right) joins sumo (c. 1988)Tamahinada and his stablemates become the first Filipino rikishi (c. 1988)Tamahinada (front row) in maezumo (c. 1988)

## **Sources**

* Tamahinada Rikishi Information
* Newsweek Article about Foreign Rikishi
* Sharnoff, Lora (1993). *Grand Sumo*. Weatherhill
Tensuiyama Masanori

Tensuiyama Masanori - 天水山 正則 (born December 8, 1940) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Tensui, Kumamoto. He made his debut in May 1956 and wrestled for Isegahama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1965. His highest rank was maegashira 10 and he retired in September 1968.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

After graduating junior high school, Ikeda moved to Tokyo and joined Araiso Stable (later renamed Isegahama stable). He made his professional debut in May 1956 and was given the shikona "Tensuiyama" (天水山). He was promoted to sandanme in May 1957 and makushita in September 1958. In May 1963 he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record at the rank of makushita 6 and was promoted to juryo for the following July 1963 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

In his first tournament as a sekitori, Tensuiyama posted a solid 9-6 record and was able to establish himself in the division. In January 1964 Tensuiyama produced an 11-4 record and was promoted to the rank of juryo 4 in March. In this tournament, Tensuiyama won the juryo yusho with an 12-3 record and was promoted to makuuchi for the following May 1965 tournament.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Prior to his makuuchi debut, Tensuiyama suffered from appendicitis and muscled through the tournament by taking pain killers and he finished with an 8-7 record. He was promoted to maegashira 10 where he posted a disastrous 2-13 record and was demoted back down to juryo. He returned to makuuchi in July 1967 after winning his second juryo yusho. However, he could only retain his top division status for two more tournaments before falling back down to juryo.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After falling back down to makushita in September 1968 he announced his retirement after the tournament. After retiring, he worked for Sumitomo Metal Industries and he also worked as an instructor for the company's sumo club.

## **Fighting Style**

Tensuiyama 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). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 397-367-2/764 (72 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 23-37/60 (4 basho)
* **Juryo:** 203-202/405 (27 basho)
* **Makushita:** 122-97-2/219 (30 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 33-23/56 (7 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 13-3/16 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 3-5/8 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 2 **Juryo** Championships
	+ 1st (March 1965)
	+ 2nd (May 1967)
* 1 **Makushita** Championship (May 1963)

## **Shikona History**

* Ikeda Masanori (1956.05 - 1956.05)
* Tensuiyama Masanori (1956.09 - 1963.01)
* Ikeda Masanori (1963.03 - 1963.05)
* Tensuiyama Masanori (1963.07 - 1968.09)

## **Gallery**

Tensuiyama's first tournament in Juryo (c. 1963)Tensuiyama poses with his kesho-mawashi
## **Sources**

* Tensuiyama Masanori Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Tensuiyama Masanori Rikishi Information
Shikimori Kiichiro (born 1974)

The 6th Shikimori Kiichiro - 6代 式守 鬼一郎 (born July 17, 1974) is a Japanese professional sumo referee from Saga, Saga. He was recruited and debuted in the May 1990 tournament and he belongs to Oitekaze stable. He reached the Makuuchi rank in January 2019.

## **Career**

* May 1990 - Had his ring debut under Onaruto stable
* July 1990 - Promoted to Jonokuchi-kaku gyoji and took on the name Kimura Osamu (木村 修)
* January 1992 - Promoted to Jonidan-kaku gyoji and changed his ringname to Shikimori Shuichiro (式守 修一郎)
* January 1993 - Promoted to Sandanme-kaku gyoji
* January 1995 - Transferred to Kiriyama stable due to the closure of Onaruto stable
* January 1999 - Promoted to Makushita-kaku gyoji
* March 2002 - Changed his ringname to Shikimori Osamu (式守 修)
* March 2004 - Changed the writing of his shikona first name to 脩
* March 2006 - Promoted to Juryo-kaku gyoji and took on the name Shikimori Kiichiro (式守 鬼一郎)
* March 2011 - Transferred to Oitekaze stable due to the closure of Kiriyama stable
* January 2019 - Promoted to Makuuchi-kaku gyoji

## **Shikona History**

Kimura Osamu (木村 修) → Shikimori Shuichiro (式守 修一郎) → Shikimori Osamu (式守 修) → Shikimori Osamu (式守 脩) → 6th Shikimori Kiichiro (6代 式守 鬼一郎)

## **Sources**

* 6th Shikimori Kiichiro Japanese Wikipedia Article
* JSA Shikimori Kiichiro Personal Page
Ryuo Ryota

Ryuo Ryota - 龍王 良﻿太 (born November 16, 1993) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ikawa, Akita. He made his debut in January 2012 and currently wrestles for Nishonoseki stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 3.

## **Early Life**

Ryota Hatakeyama was born on November 16, 1993, in Ikawa, Akita. He attended Kanaashi Agricultural High School where he was a member of the sumo club. In 2011 he finished third at the Tohoku High School Selection Tournament and was runner-up in the previous year. After high school, he was recruited into Oguruma stable by Takekaze who was an alumnus of Hatakeyama's high school.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in January 2012 and initially wrestled under his surname Hatakeyama. Upon promotion to sandanme in July 2013, he was given the shikona "Tatsukaze" (竜風). After seven years in sandanme, he finally reached makushita in July 2020. Following the closure of his stable, he moved to Nishonoseki stable in February 2022. He was subsequently given the new shikona "Ryuo" (龍王) in May 2022. In March 2023, Ryuo won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted to a career-best makushita 3 rank in May 2023. In this tournament, he could only manage one win and was unable to capitalize on a juryo promotion.

## **Fighting Style**

Ryuo is proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His favored grip on his opponent's mawashi is migi-yotsu, a left hand outside, right hand inside position. His most often used winning kimarite is oshidashi (push out), followed by yorikiri (force out). He also regularly employs hatakikomi (slap down) and uwatenage (overarm throw).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 243-219-29/459 (71 basho)
* **Makushita:** 41-39-19/79 (14 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 142-135-10/275 (41 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 54-44/98 (14 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (March 2023)

## **Shikona History**

* Hatakeyama Ryota (2012.01 - 2013.05)
* Tatsukaze Ryota (2013.07 - 2016.01)
* Tatsukaze Noboru (2016.03 - 2017.05)
* Tatsukaze Ryota (2017.07 - 2022.03)
* Ryuo Ryota (2022.05 - )

## **Gallery**

Ryuo gets recruited into Oguruma stable (c. 2011)Ryuo loses the Sandanme Yusho match to Ura (c. 2020)Ryuo prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2023)Ryuo throws Kaizen to win the Makushita Yusho (c. 2023)Ryuo wins his first Makushita Yusho (c. 2023)Ryuo loses to Chiyosakae in Juryo (c. 2023)
## **Sources**

* Ryuo Ryota Rikishi Information
* Ikawa Town News Issue No. 662
Takao Yu

Takao Yu - 隆王 瑜 (born December 28, 1969) is a former Chinese professional sumo wrestler from Shanghai. He made his debut in July 1991 and wrestled for Naruto stable. His highest rank was sandanme 41 and he retired in March 2003.

## **Early Life**

Yu Wang was born on December 28, 1969, and raised in Shanghai, China. He was a practitioner of judo and was a member of an amateur judo club based in Shanghai. At the time, he watched many sumo programs and was quite familiar with the sport. Since he had relatives living in Japan, he applied for a tourist visa to visit them in Tokyo. He met Naruto-Oyakata (the 59th yokozuna Takanosato) due to an acquaintance and was accepted to the stable after an invite from the stablemaster himself.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in July 1991 and was given the shikona "Takao" (隆王). Since he had no prior sumo experience he struggled to adapt to the sport and could not break past the jonidan division for his first couple years. He finally earned promotion to the sandanme division in November 1993. However, he did not establish himself as a sandanme regular until May 1998. He was promoted to a career-best sandanme 41 in July 1998. He would remain in the sandanme and jonidan divisions for the majority of his later career.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

In the January 2003 tournament, Takao produced a 1-6 record and was demoted back down to the jonidan division for the following tournament. He sat out of this tournament and his retirement was announced after the March 1993 tournament. At the time of retirement, he was the third oldest rikishi in jonidan at the age 33.

Upon retirement from sumo, Wang returned to Shanghai and opened up a chankonabe restaurant.

## **Fighting Style**

Takao was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won majority of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 236-246-8/482 (71 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 84-112/196 (28 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 148-131-8/279 (41 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

An undated picture of Takao (right) wrestling a aboutTakao launches at his opponent (c. 2001)Takao's chankonabe restaurant in Shanghai (c. 2005)

## **Sources**

* Takao Yu Rikishi Information
* Sina Sports Article about Takao
* Sina Sports Article about Takao's restaurant
Tendozan Taiga

Tendozan Taiga - 天道山 大河 (born December 1, 2001) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Fuji, Shizuoka. He made his debut in January 2020 and currently wrestles for Fujishima stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is makushita 21.

## **Early Life**

Shinohara began practicing at a local sumo club in Fuji, Shizuoka, during his second year of elementary school. He attended Hiryu High School where he was a member of the school's strong sumo program, however, he never participated in any national tournaments for individual competition. For team competition, he only competed in the qualifying round for the National High School Sumo Championship during his third year. After graduating from high school, he was invited by Fujinoyama, who also came from Fuji, Shizuoka, and was his high school senior classmate, to join Fujishima stable.

## **Career**

Shinohara made his professional debut in January 2020 and he won the jonokuchi yusho with a perfect 7-0 record in March 2020. He reached makushita by March 2021 and had no posted a single losing record at the time. He finished with a 5-2 record in his makushita debut and was promoted to a career-best makushita 29 in May 2021. However, he sat out of the March and May 2022 tournaments which resulted in a drop back to the lower sandanme ranks. In January 2023, he was given the shikona "Tendozan" (天道山).

## **Fighting Style**

Tendozan is an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used is a straightforward oshidashi, or push out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 85-55-14/140 (23 basho)
* **Makushita:** 40-37-7/77 (12 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 33-16-7/49 (8 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 7-0/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Jonokuchi** Championship (March 2020)

## **Shikona History**

* Shinohara Taiga (2020.01 - 2022.11)
* Tendozan Taiga (2023.01 - )

## **Gallery**

Tendozan gets invited to Fujishima stable (c. 2020)Tendozan during his time in Maezumo (c. 2020)Tendozan wins the Jonokuchi Yusho (c. 2020)Tendozan wins his first Jonokuchi Yusho (c. 2020)Tendozan prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2021)Tendozan battles Abi (c. 2021)
## **Sources**

* Tendozan Taiga Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Tendozan Taiga Rikishi Information
Suyama Hotaka

Suyama Hotaka - 須山 穂嵩 (born September 23, 1997) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Fujimino, Saitama. He made his debut in May 2022 and currently wrestles for Kise Stable. His highest rank as of 2023 is sandanme 39.

## **Early Life**

Hotaka Suyama was born on September 23, 1997 in Fujimino, Saitama, and has a younger brother. In junior high school, he was a member of the baseball club where he played catcher and outfielder. After graduating from Urawa High School in Saitama City, he enrolled at Keio University, a private university in Minato, Tokyo. He later transferred to the University of Tokyo, the most prestigious university in Japan, where he studied western philosophy. His favorite philosopher is Robert Nozick. Suyama took up sumo during his first year at the University of Tokyo and was a member of the school's sumo club. He initially only weighed 73 kg (161 lb) during his first year with the club, but increased his weight up to 105 kg (231 lb) by his final year.

He became the first ever student from the University of Tokyo to enter professional sumo after being accepted into Kise Stable at the age of 24, however, he needed special exemption as new apprentices must apply when under the age of 23 and he was granted the exemption for wrestlers under 25 who have experience in amateur sumo.

## **Career**

Suyama made his professional debut in May 2022 and won all his bouts in maezumo (pre-sumo), including a surprise win over Imazeki who came from the much stronger Nippon Sport Science Sumo Club. He finished with a 5-2 record in his first two tournaments, but finished with a 3-4 record in November 2022. He reached the sandanme division in May 2023, but scored a poor 2-5 record in that tournament.

## **Fighting Style**

Suyama is proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His most common techniques are tsukidashi (frontal thrust out), oshidashi (frontal push out) and yorikiri (frontal force out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 37-26/63 (10 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 10-11/21 (3 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 22-13/35 (5 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Suyama joins Kise stable (c. 2023)Suyama gets measured upon joining sumo (c. 2022)Suyama during his time in Maezumo (c. 2022)Suyama defeats Hokutoizumi (c. 2022)Suyama prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2023)Suyama pushes out and defeats Kobayashi (c. 2023)
## **Sources**

* Suyama Hotaka Rikishi Infomation
* Daily Co. Article on Suyama
* Sanspo Article on Suyama
Tamakongo Takuma

Tamakongo Takuma - 玉金剛 拓磨 (born September 19, 1995) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kasama, Ibaraki. He made his debut in March 2014 and wrestled for Kataonami Stable. His highest rank was makushita 25 and he retired in March 2022.

## **Early Life**

Takuma Kogure was born on September 19, 1995, in Kasama, Ibaraki. He attended Toyo University Ushiku Senior High School where he was a member of the school's sumo club. After graduating high school, he joined Kataonami stable.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 2014 and initially wrestled under his surname Kogure. In July 2014, he was given the shikona "Tamakongo" (玉大輝). He was promoted to sandanme in September 2014 and makushita in September 2015. At the time of his makushita debut, Tamakongo had only posted one losing record. However, he was unable to establish himself as a makushita regular and mainly wrestled in the sandanme division.

In March 2017, he won all seven of his matches to claim the sandanme yusho. As a result he was promoted to a career-best rank of makushita 25 in May 2017, however, he finished with a disastrous 0-7 record. He followed with a 1-6 record in July 2017 and was relegated back to sandanme by September 2017.

From May 2019 to March 2020, Tamakongo and senior stablemate Tamawashi were the only wrestlers in Kataonami stable. Throughout his career, Tamakongo served as Tamawashi's tsukebito, or personal servant. He retired from sumo in March 2022. His danpatsu-shiki, or retirement ceremony, was held on April 9, 2022.

## **Fighting Style**

Tamakongo was an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used was a straightforward oshidashi (push out) followed by tsukiotoshi (thrust down).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 170-159/329 (48 basho)
* **Makushita:** 35-70/105 (15 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 124-86/210 (30 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Sandanme** Championship (March 2017)

## **Shikona History**

* Kogure Takuma (2014.03 - 2014.05)
* Tamakongo Takuma (2014.07 - 2022.03)

## **Gallery**

Tamakongo during his time in Maezumo (c. 2014)Tamakongo throws Nakazono to win the Sandanme Yusho (c. 2017)Tamakongo wins his first Sandanme Yusho (c. 2017)Tamakongo with his stablemaster, Kataonami Oyakata (c. 2017)Tamakongo slaps down and defeats Mudoho (c. 2020)Tamakongo prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2020)Tamakongo throws and defeats Mudoho (c. 2021)Tamakongo after wrestling his final match (c. 2022)Tamakongo's retirement ceremony (c. 2022)
## **Sources**

* Tamakongo Takuma Rikishi Information
* Kataonami Blog Post on Tamakongo