Nishikikaze Shingo

Nishikikaze Shingo - 錦風 真悟 (born February 14, 1978) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Edogawa, Tokyo. He made his debut in March 1993 and wrestled for Oguruma stable. His highest rank was makushita 1 and he retired in March 2015.

## **Early Life**

Yasuyuki Adachi was born February 18, 1978, in Edogawa, Tokyo, which is close to Ryogoku district, the home of sumo. As a result, he visited the Ryogoku Kokugikan several times. During his second year of junior high school, he was recommended by his father to join Oguruma stable. After graduating junior high school, he initially had intentions of attending high school, but decided to join Oguruma stable out of respect for his father.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in March 1993 and was given the shikona "Nishikikaze Shingo" (錦風 真悟). The "Nishiki" (錦) is derived from Yokozuna Tochinishiki who also came from Edogawa, Tokyo, and the "Kaze" (風) is derived from his stablemaster, the former Kotokaze. The "Shingo" (真悟) is derived from his older brother who died at the age of two. In March 1998, he won the sandanme yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted to makushita for the following May 1998 tournament.

In March 2001, Nishikikaze finished with a perfect 7-0 record to claim the makushita yusho and was promoted to the rank of makushita 3 in May 2001. In this tournament, he was on the verge of a juryo promotion, but lost to juryo-ranked Sumanofuji in an exchange match on the 12th day. Nevertheless, he finished with a 4-3 record and was promoted to makushita 1 for the following July 2001 tournament. By the end of the 11th day in July 2001, Nishikikaze's record was 3-3. He was placed in an exchange match against juryo-ranked Senshuyama on the 12th day, however, he lost by yorikiri (force out). Nishikikaze never managed to reach elite sekitori status and wrestled mainly in makushita, with small stints in sandanme, during his later career.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Nishikikaze retired from sumo in March 2015 after 22 years in the sport. His retirement ceremony, or danpatsu-shiki, was held on April 29, 2015, and 260 guests took turns cutting his hair. After retiring he remained in the Japan Sumo Association as a sewanin, or assistant.

On September 2, 2021, he contracted COVID-19. Shibatayama Oyakata (the 62nd Yokozuna Onokuni), head of the public relations department, stated that Nishikikaze was asymptomatic and that the September 2021 tournament will still be held.

## **Personal Life**

* Nishikikaze's was born in Edogawa, Tokyo, and he used this as his official birthplace when joining sumo. However, he later changed it to Ishikari, Hokkaido, which is his grandfather's hometown.
* Nishikikaze wrestled a total of five matches in juryo, winning two matches and losing three matches. In May 2001, he defeated Wakaazuma, but lost to Sumanofuji. In July 2001, he lost to Buyuzan and Senshuyama. In September 2001, he defeated Kotokanyu.

## **Fighting Style**

Nishikikaze was proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His favored grip on his opponent's mawashi was hidari-yotsu, a right hand outside, left hand inside position. His most often used winning kimarite was oshidashi (push out), followed by yorikiri (force out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 461-449-7/910 (132 basho)
* **Makushita:** 263-290/553 (79 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 153-127-7/280 (41 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 40-30/70 (10 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (March 2001)
* 1 **Sandanme** Championship (March 1998)

## **Gallery**

Nishikikaze prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2007)Nishikikaze defeats Towanoyama in his final match (c. 2015)Nishikikaze's retirement ceremony (c. 2015)
## **Sources**

* Nishikikaze Shingo Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Nishikikaze Shingo Rikishi Information