Wakanofuji Shoichi

Wakanofuji Shoichi - 若の富士 昭一 (born March 29, 1956) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ota, Tokyo. He made his debut in September 1971 and wrestled for Kokonoe stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 1982 and has one kinboshi. His highest rank was maegashira 2 and he retired in November 1984.

## **Early Life**

In junior high school, Saito practiced kendo and tennis. He went on to attend Takanawa Senior High School where he was a member of the judo club. He was recruited for sumo by an acquaintance of Kokonoe oyakata (the 41st yokozuna Chiyonoyama) and he subsequently dropped out of high school and joined Kokonoe stable.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his professional debut in September 1971 and was given the shikona "Wakanofuji" (若の富士). He was promoted to sandanme in January 1974 and makushita in November 1975. In 1974, he transferred to Izutsu stable following the retirement of stablemate Kitanofuji, but he returned to Kokonoe stable in 1977 following the death of Kokonoe oyakata (the 41st yokozuna Chiyonoyama). In May 1979 he was promoted to the top of makushita where he defeated juryo-ranked opponents, Tamaryu and Kokuni, but he finished with a 3-4 record. After over a year in the upper level of makushita, Wakanofuji was promoted to juryo in March 1981.

### **Juryo Career**

Wakanofuji only managed a 5-10 record in his juryo debut and he was demoted back down to makushita. He returned to sekitori status in November 1981 where he produced two winning records and was promoted to makuuchi in March 1982.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Wakanofuji finished with a solid 9-6 record in his top division debut. In the following May 1982 tournament, he defeated yokozuna Kitanoumi by kotenage (armlock throw) on the 4th day to claim his first and only kinboshi. In September 1982 he was promoted to a career-best maegashira 2. However due to a medial collateral ligament injury on his left knee, he fell down to juryo in March 1983. He eventually returned to makuuchi for a four tournament stint in March 1984.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Wakanofuji announced his retirement prior to the start of the November 1984 tournament due to a worsening liver disease. He currently works as a representative director for the business management company "Fuji Co., Ltd" (株式会社 冨) which was established in 1985 and headquartered in Habikino, Osaka.

## **Fighting Style**

Wakanofuji 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 most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out. He also regularly emloyed uwatenage (overarm throw) and kotenage (armlock throw).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 359-327-12/685 (80 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 62-76-12/137 (10 basho)
* **Juryo:** 72-63/135 (10 basho)
* **Makushita:** 137-108/245 (35 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 29-27/56 (8 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 55-50/105 (15 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Saito Shoichi (1971.09 - 1971.09)
* Wakanofuji Shoichi (1971.11 - 1984.11)

## **Gallery**

Wakanofuji poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1982)Wakanofuji serves as Chiyonofuji's flag bearer (c. 1982)Wakanofuji warms up for his upcoming match (c. 1984)
## **Sources**

* Wakanofuji Shoichi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Wakanofuji Shoichi Rikishi Information