Saganobori Hiroshi

Saganobori Hiroshi - 佐賀昇 博 (born November 27, 1961) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Shiota, Saga. He made his debut in March 1977 and wrestled for Oshiogawa stable. He reached the makuuchi division in November 1988. His highest rank was maegashira 14 and he retired in January 1996.

## **Early Life**

Hayashi lost his parents from a young age and grew up with his older sister, who is three years older, and younger brother, who is five years younger, at an orphanage in Ureshino, Saga. By the time he was in junior high school, Hayashi already stood 1.84 m (6 ft 0.5 in) and was recommended by a ramen shop owner, who personally knew Oshiogawa oyakata (former ozeki Daikirin), to join sumo. Although he had no interest in sumo, he was taken to the Kyushu Basho held in Fukuoka and was treated with chankonabe at Oshiogawa stable. After graduating from Ueda Shiritsu Shioda Junior High School, he joined Oshiogawa stable.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Hayashi made his professional debut in March 1977 and initially wrestled under the shikona "Obayashi" (大林) before switching to "Saganobori" (佐賀昇) in his fourth tournament. He was promoted to sandanme in July 1979 and makushita in September 1981. In July 1986, he produced a strong 6-1 record at the rank of makushita 6 and was promoted to juryo in the following September 1986 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

Saganobori's first stint as a sekitori, only lasted four tournaments and he was demoted back down to makushita in May 1987. After four consecutive 4-3 records, he was promoted back to juryo in January 1988. In July 1988, he posted a strong 10-5 record, but missed out on the yusho after losing to Tagaryu in a playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to the top of juryo where he finished with an 8-7 record. As a result, he was promoted to makuuchi in November 1988.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Weighing only 116 kg (256 Ib), he was the lightest wrestler in the top division, but he was also one of the tallest, standing at 6 ft 3 in (1.90 m). Due to the odd combination, he struggled to establish himself and finished with a poor 5-10 record. He was demoted back down to juryo and this proved to be his only appearance in the top division.

### **Later Career**

Saganobori remained in juryo for nearly four years after his makuuchi demotion. He fell to the unsalaried ranks in November 1992. He hurt his back in the prior to the following January 1993 tournament and underwent two hip surgeries. As a result, he sat out of four consecutive tournaments which resulted in him falling down to the rank of jonidan 60 in September 1993. He eventually returned to makushita in September 1994 but never managed to return to the elite makushita ranks.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Saganobori announced his retirement after the January 1996 tournament. His danpatsu-shiki, or retirement ceremony, was held on January 27th, 1996. After retiring, he opened up two chankonabe restaurants. The first one is called "Saganobori" (相撲茶屋 佐賀昇) and is located in Chuo, Tokyo. The second one is called "Sumo Kitchen Saganobori" (すもうキッチン 佐賀昇) and is located in Chuo-ku, Osaka.

## **Fighting Style**

Saganobori 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 employed shitatenage, or underarm throw.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 516-497-35/1013 (114 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 5-10/15 (1 basho)
* **Juryo:** 220-245/465 (31 basho)
* **Makushita:** 146-128-21/274 (42 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 87-60-14/147 (23 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 51-40/91 (13 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 7-14/21 (3 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Hayashi Hiroshi (1977.03 - 1977.03)
* Obayashi Hiroshi (1977.05 - 1977.07)
* Saganobori Hiroshi (1977.09 - 1996.01)

## **Gallery**

A young Saganobori trains with Yokozuna ChiyonofujiSaganobori (c. 1988)Saganobori gets thrown by the future Takanohana (c. 1989)Saganobori poses with his kesho-mawashiSaganobori's retirement ceremony (c. 1996)Saganobori after retirement outside his restaurantSaganobori's tegata
## **Sources**

* Saganobori Hiroshi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Saganobori Hiroshi Rikishi Information