Wakatsukuba Shigeru

Wakatsukuba Shigeru - 若筑波 茂 (born October 30, 1956) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Tsuchiura, Ibaraki. He made his debut in July 1972 and wrestled for Takasago stable. He reached the juryo division in May 1984. His highest rank was juryo 8 and he retired in January 1987.

## **Early Life**

In junior high school, Tanaka was a member of the judo club and he placed second in a local tournament. He later studied part-time at a high school while working at a market in Kanda, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. An owner of a cafeteria in the market was a former sumo wrestler from Takasago stable and he recommended that Tanaka try out sumo. However, Tanaka was only 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) and weighed only 67 kg (147 Ib), so he was not confident that he could succeed and consulted the idea with his high school teacher who suggested that he join the stable during the summer vacation, and if it did not work out, he could still return to continue his education. Tanaka agreed and joined Takasago stable in July 1972.

## **Career**

He initially wrestled under the shikona "Tanakayama" (田中山) before switching to "Wakatsukuba" (若筑波) in March 1974. He was promoted to sandanme in January 1975 and makushita in May 1977. At the time of his makushita promotion, he weighed only weighed 70 kg (154 Ib), but he started to put on more weight and by the time he reached the top of makushita, he weighed over 100 kg (220 Ib). In March 1984, he posted a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 2 and was promoted to juryo in May 1984, after nearly 12 years in the unsalaried ranks.

Wakatsukuba's first juryo stint lasted a total of five tournaments. He was demoted back down to makushita in January 1985, but returned to juryo in March 1986 after winning the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record. In his return, Wakatsukuba could only manage a 3-12 record and was regulated back down to makushita. This proved to be his last tournament ranked as a sekitori.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Wakatsukuba remained in makushita for another five tournaments, before announcing his retirement after the January 1987 tournament due to an inevitable demotion to sandanme. After retiring, he opened up a chankonabe restaurant in his hometown of Tsuchiura, Ibaraki, called "Wakatsukuba" (若筑波).

## **Fighting Style**

Wakatsukuba was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out. He was also fond of employing shitatenage, or underarm throw.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 330-317-10/647 (88 basho)
* **Juryo:** 36-54/90 (6 basho)
* **Makushita:** 182-165-10/347 (51 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 37-26/63 (9 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 71-69/140 (20 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (January 1986)

## **Shikona History**

* Tanaka (1972.07 - 1972.07)
* Tanakayama (1972.09 - 1974.01)
* Wakatsukuba Shigeru (1974.03 - 1987.01)

## **Gallery**

Wakatsukuba during the juryo dohyo-iri (c. 1984)Wakatsukuba's kesho-mawashi and photos on display in his restaurantWakatsukuba's tegata
## **Sources**

* Wakatsukuba Shigeru Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Wakatsukuba Shigeru Rikishi Information