Tochinofuji Tatsuyuki

Tochinofuji Tatsuyuki - 栃乃藤 達之 (born November 15, 1969) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Itoshima, Fukuoka. He made his debut in March 1985 and wrestled for Kasugano stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 1993. His highest rank was maegashira 11 and he retired in January 2001.

## **Early Life**

Tatsuyuki Kusano was born in the town of Shima (currently Itoshima) in Fukuoka prefecture. He was a member of the judo club in junior high school, but due to his big size he was introduced to Kasugano stable by an acquaintance and he made his professional debut on March 1985.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He initially wrestled under his surname Kusano before switching to "Tochinofuji" (栃乃藤) in January 1987. He was promoted to sandanme in January 1987 and makushita in March 1988. He could not establish himself in makushita because of an injured right elbow and spent many tournaments in sandanme. By March 1990 he was able to become a makushita regular and he was promoted to juryo in July 1992.

### **Juryo Career**

Tochinofuji immediate established himself in juryo after posting a 10-5 record in his debut. He followed with an 8-7 record and two consecutive 9-6 records which earned him a promotion to makuuchi in March 1993 after four tournaments in juryo.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Tochinofuji managed to produce an 8-7 record in his debut after winning his last four matches. He was promoted to a career-best maegashira 11 for the following May tournament, but in this tournament he produced a 4-11 record and was demoted back down to juryo after two makuuchi tournaments.

### **Later Career**

After his demotion, Tochinofuji continued to struggle and he lost his sekitori status in January 1994. He returned to juryo in May of the same year, but only lasted one year and he fell back down to makushita in May 1995. He briefly returned to juryo or two tournaments in 1997 and in March 1998 he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record. As a result he was promoted back to juryo a disastrous 1-14 record in September of the same year regulated him back down to the unsalaried ranks. His last tournament as a sekitori was in May 1999.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Tochinofuji wrestled in makushita for around a year and a half after his last juryo demotion and he announced his retirement after the January 2001 tournament. After retirement, he did not obtain elder stock, but managed to stay in the Japan Sumo Association as a wakaimonogashira.

## **Fighting Style**

Tochinofuji is a tsuki/oshi specialist, who prefers pushing and thrusting at his opponents rather than fighting on the mawashi or belt. His most common winning kimarite or technique is oshidashi or a straightforward push out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 414-387-24/797 (96 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 12-18/30 (2 basho)
* **Juryo:** 121-143-6/262 (18 basho)
* **Makushita:** 178-148-10/324 (48 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 58-46-8/104 (16 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 36-27/63 (9 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 9-5/14 (2 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (March 1998)

## **Shikona History**

* Kusano Tatsuyuki (1985.03 - 1986.11)
* Tochinofuji Tatsuyuki (1987.01 - 2001.01)

## **Gallery**

### **JSA Profile Pictures**

Tochinofuji Tatsuyuki - 1998 (Retrieved from the JSA)
### **Career Overview**

Tochinofuji's early career in the unsalaried ranksTochinofuji prepares for his upcoming match (c. 1993)Tochinofuji defeats his opponent by hatakikomi (c. 1998)Tochinofuji after retirement as a wakaimonogashiraTochinofuji celebrates Tochinoshin's Yusho (c. 2018)Tochinofuji with fellow Kasugano stable trainee, Tochimaru (c. 2020)
## **Sources**

* Tochinofuji Tatsuyuki Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Tochinofuji Tatsuyuki Rikishi Information