Shiraiwa Masatoshi

Shiraiwa Masatoshi - 白岩 政寿 (born March 5, 1957 - February 17, 2022) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kakunodate, Akita. He made his debut in January 1975 and wrestled for Isegahama stable. He reached the juryo division in January 1983. His highest rank was juryo 7 and he retired in September 1987.

## **Early Life**

Sato was born and raised in the town Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture. He attended Omagari Agricultural High School where he was a member of the sumo club. He later joined Isegahama stable and made his professional debut in January 1975.

## **Career**

He made his professional debut in January 1975 and was given the shikona "Shiraiwa" (白岩). In his very first tournament, he finished with a 6-1 record, but missed out on the jonokuchi yusho after losing to Dewanoumi stable wrestler Shoji in a playoff. In July 1976, he finished the tournament with a perfect 7-0 record, but again missed out on the yusho after losing to Kaiyama in a playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to makushita in the following September 1976 tournament, but he struggled to establish himself in the division as he was a relative lightweight, weighing only 85 kg (187 Ib). After six years in makushita, he was promoted to juryo in January 1983.

In his juryo debut, Shiraiwa could only manage a 3-12 record and was demoted back down to makushita. He returned immediately to juryo after winning the makushita yusho in March 1983. Upon his return to juryo in May 1983, he posted two consecutive winning records and was promoted to a career-best juryo 7 in September 1983. However, he followed with two consecutive losing records and fell down to makushita in March 1984. He returned to juryo in July 1985, but could only manage a 2-13 record at that rank. He remained in makushita for another two years before announcing his retirement in September 1987.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retirement, he remained in the Sumo Association as a wakaimonagashira or a youth leader. He was affiliated with his Isegahama stable, but after the stable closed down in 1995, he transferred to Kiriyama stable. Kiriyama stable closed in 2011, so he transferred to Asahiyama stable where he stayed for four years until 2015 due to the stable's closure. Because of this, he transferred to Asakayama stable.

### **Death**

Shiraiwa died on February 17, 2022, at a hospital in Saitama prefecture due to an abdominal aortic aneurysm. He was 64 years old.

## **Fighting Style**

Shiraiwa 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 favorite kimarite was uwatenage (overarm throw) and shitatenage (underarm throw).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 301-280-7/581 (77 basho)
* **Juryo:** 35-70/105 (7 basho)
* **Makushita:** 203-175-7/378 (55 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 44-26/70 (10 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 13-8/21 (3 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-1/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (March 1983)

## **Gallery**

Shiraiwa during his time in the unsalaried ranks (c. 1976)Shiraiwa poses with his kesho-mawashiShiraiwa prepares for his upcoming match in juryoShiraiwa after retirement as a wakaimonogashira (c. 2019)Shiraiwa's tegata
## **Sources**

* Shiraiwa Masatoshi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Shiraiwa Masatoshi Rikishi Information