Yamatofuji Mitsuru

Yamatofuji Mitsuru - 大和富士 充 (born December 19, 1984) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hiroshima City, Hiroshima. He made his debut in November 2004 and last wrestled for Onomatsu stable. His highest rank was makushita 2 and he retired in May 2017.

## **Early Life**

Mitsuru Yamato was born on December 19, 1984, in Hiroshima's Nishi Ward. He began practicing judo since his time in elementary school. After graduating from Nobeoka Gakuen High School, he enrolled at Meiji University where he was a member of the school's judo club. However, he was unsure of his judo career and decided to join professional sumo after he saw a feature on Onomatsu stable on TV. He subsequently dropped out of university and joined Onomatsu stable.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in November 2004 and was given the shikona "Yamatofuji" (大和富士). In his first tournament, he finished with a strong 6-1 record which qualified him for a five-man playoff for the jonokuchi yusho. However, he lost in the final round to Nakatani. By September 2005, he had established himself in sandanme, but he injured his neck prior to the May 2007 tournament and had to miss the following three tournaments. As a result, he dropped down to jonokuchi, but he returned in November 2007 and posted five consecutive winning records which sent him to makushita for the September 2008 tournament.

In March 2009, he finished with a 6-1 record and was placed in an eight-man playoff for the makushita yusho. He defeated Tamaasuka in the first round, but lost to Tokushinho in the second round. In March 2014, he was ranked at a career-best makushita 2. By the end of day 11, his record was 3 wins and 3 losses and he was placed in an exchange match against juryo-ranked Daikiho, but he lost the match. This proved to be his highest rank as he was unable to capitalize on a juryo promotion. He remained in makushita for the majority of his later career.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Yamatofuji retired from sumo in May 2017. After retiring, he intends to return back to his hometown in Hiroshima to work in construction while taking care of his parents.

## **Controversy**

### **Gambling Scandal**

Yamatofuji was suspended from the July 2010 tournament, along with several other wrestlers, after admitting involvement in illegal gambling on baseball. As a result, he dropped back to juryo for September. This was a major scandal which involved 29 other wrestlers he admitted involvements and some were also given suspensions as well.

## **Personal Life**

* Yamatofuji was friends with future ozeki Takayasu as they joined sumo at around the same time and would often see each other sumo school. After Yamatofuji wrestled his final match, he was congratulated by Takayasu who handed him a batch of flowers.
* Yamatofuji's hobbies are judo and sleeping.

## **Fighting Style**

Yamatofuji was an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used was a straightforward hatakikomi, or slap down.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 272-218-28/490 (75 basho)
* **Makushita:** 172-157-7/329 (48 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 64-48-7/112 (17 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 24-11-14/35 (7 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 12-2/14 (2 basho)

## **Gallery**

Yamatofuji prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2009)Yamatofuji after wrestling his final match (c. 2017)Yamatofuji's retirement ceremony (c. 2017)
## **Sources**

* Yamatofuji Mitsuru Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Yamatofuji Mitsuru Rikishi Information