Asakishin Katsutada

Asakishin Katsutada - 朝鬼神 克忠 (born September 29, 1992) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kasai, Hyogo. He made his debut in March 2015 and wrestled for Takasago stable. His highest rank was makushita 25 and he retired in January 2022.

## **Early Life**

Katsutada Yamabana was born on September 29, 1992, in Kasai, Hyogo. He started practicing kendo during his elementary school years and continued with it until high school. After dropping out of Osaka Sangyo University in one year, he began weight training. He belonged to Osaka's KING GYM and achieved 5th place in the Japan Physique Committee Novice category in September 2014. Yamabana was later introduced to Takasago stable by a member of the stable's koenkai, or support group. Upon joining Takasago stable, he received significant media coverage due to his bodybuilding background.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 2015 and was given the shikona "Asayamabana" (朝山端). In his first tournament, he finished with a strong 6-1 record with his only loss coming from Ura. He was promoted to sandanme in November 2015, however, due to injuries he was relegated back to jonidan in May 2016. In November 2016, he finished with a perfect 7-0 record to capture the jonidan yusho. Upon promotion to makushita in January 2018, he was given the new shikona "Asakishin" (朝鬼神). Asakishin was unable to establish himself as a makushita regular and mainly bounced back and forth between sandanme and makushita.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Asakishin retired from sumo in January 2022. After retiring, he currently works at a restaurant in Toyonaka, Osaka called "Genghis Khan Sheep" (ジンギスカンひつじ).

## **Personal Life**

* From November 2017 up until his retirement, he served as ozeki Asanoyama's tsukebito, or personal servant.
* Prior to joining sumo, Asakishin held a record of lifting over 300 kg (661 lb) in the deadlift.

## **Fighting Style**

Asakishin 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, or push out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 144-119-17/259 (41 basho)
* **Makushita:** 35-48-1/82 (12 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 76-62-16/136 (22 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 27-8/34 (5 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Jonidan** Championship (November 2016)

## **Shikona History**

* Asayamabana Katsutada (2015.03 - 2017.11)
* Asakishin Katsutada (2018.01 - 2021.03)
* Asakishin Enma (2021.05 - 2021.09)
* Asakishin Katsutada (2021.11 - 2022.01)

## **Gallery**

Asakishin gets measured upon joining sumo (c. 2015)Asakishin pushes out his opponent in Maezumo (c. 2015)Asakishin during his time in Maezumo (c. 2016)Asakishin wins his first Jonidan Yusho (c. 2016)Asakishin loses the Makushita Yusho match (c. 2019)Asakishin prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2019)Asakishin defeats Fujitoshi (c. 2021)Asakishin defeats Komanokuni in his final match (c. 2022)Asakishin's retirement ceremony (c. 2022)
## **Sources**

* Asakishin Katsutada Rikishi Information
* Nikkan Sports Article on March 2015 Recruits
* Hochi News Article on Asanoyama's Return