Shinko Katsunori

Shinko Katsunori - 神幸 勝紀 (born January 2, 1950) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Oguni, Yamagata. He made his debut in September 1966 and last wrestled for Isegahama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1980. His highest rank was maegashira 8 and he retired in November 1983.

## **Early Life**

At Oguni Choritsu Oguni Junior High School, Kobayashi was participated in judo and he continued to practice judo at Oguni High School where he rose as high as second dan. During his second year of high school, he was recruited by Isegahama oyakata (the 38th yokozuna Terukuni) and as a result dropped out of high school. He joined Isegahama stable and made his professional debut in September 1966.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He initially wrestled under his surname Kobayashi before switching to "Daishinko" (大神幸) in March 1967 and "Shinko" (神幸) in January 1970. He was promoted to sandanme in September 1967 and makushita in September 1970. He won his first makushita yusho in March 1972 with a perfect 7-0 record, but struggled to reach juryo due to a right shoulder dislocation. In July 1976, he won his second makushita yusho and was promoted to juryo in September 1976.

### **Juryo Career**

Shinko could only manage 4 wins in his first tournament as a sekitori and was demoted back down to makushita. He did not return to juryo until November 1978 after winning his third makushita yusho. In September 1979, he finished with a string 10-5 record, but missed out on the yusho after losing to Kotochitose in the playoff. Nevertheless, four tournaments later, he was promoted to makuuchi in May 1980.

### **Makuuchi Career**

At the time of his makuuchi debut, Shinko took 81 tournaments to reach makuuchi which was a record at the time (later surpassed by Hoshiiwato in July 1989). He finished with a solid 9-6 record in his top division debut and was promoted to a career-best maegashira 8 in the following July 1980 tournament. However, he finished with a 6-9 record and eventually fell back down to juryo in November 1980. He wrestled in makuuchi for another additional five tournaments, with his last appearance in November 1982.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After an inevitable demotion to makushita, Shinko announced his retirement after the November 1983 tournament. He remained in the Sumo Association as an elder, but could not obtain permanent stock. Instead he borrowed the names Nakamura and Takashima and worked as a coach for Isegahama stable. He left the sumo world all together in March 1987.

After leaving the sumo world, Shinko opened up a chanko restaurant in Toshima, Tokyo. He also worked as a part-time coach for Azumazeki stable.

## **Fighting Style**

Shinko preferred yotsu-sumo techniques, fighting his opponent at close quarters on the mawashi. His favorite grip was hidari-yotsu, with his right hand outside and left hand inside his opponent's arms. His most common winning kimarite was yorikiri (force out), but he also regularly used his right hand grip to win with uwatenage, or overarm throw.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 497-480/977 (104 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 50-70/120 (8 basho)
* **Juryo:** 174-186/360 (24 basho)
* **Makushita:** 164-137/301 (43 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 74-66/140 (20 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 30-19/49 (7 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 3 **Makushita** Championships
	+ 1st (March 1972)
	+ 2nd (July 1976)
	+ 3rd (July 1978)

## **Shikona History**

* Kobayashi Fumio (1966.09 - 1967.01)
* Daishinko (1967.03 - 1969.11)
* Shinko Katsunori (1970.01 - 1973.11)

## **Gallery**

Shinko joins professional sumo (c. 1966)Shinko's early career in the unsalaried ranksShinko poses with his kesho-mawashiShinko prepares for his upcoming match (c. 1979)Shinko's retirement ceremony (c. 1983)Shinko after retirement as Nakamura Oyakata (c. 1986)Shinko's book
## **Sources**

* Shinko Katsunori Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Shinko Katsunori Rikishi Information