Maruyama Takahiko

Maruyama Takahiko - 丸山 孝彦 (born November 14, 1946) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Katsuyama, Fukuoka. He made his debut in May 1962 and last wrestled for Tokitsukaze stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1973. His highest rank was maegashira 13 and he retired in September 1976.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

After graduating from junior high school, Maruyama was recruited by Tokitsukaze Oyakata (the 35th yokozuna Futabayama) for professional sumo. He joined Tokitsukaze stable and made his professional debut in May 1962 at the age of 15. He was promoted to sandanme in July 1963 and makushita in September 1964. In March 1968, he changed his shikona to "Junko" (純光), but reverted back to Maruyama in March 1969. In July 1970, he produced a perfect 7-0 record, but missed out on the makushita yusho after losing the playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to juryo in the following September 1970 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

Maruyama's first juryo run only lasted four tournaments and he fell back down to makushita in May 1971. He returned to juryo in September 1972. In January 1973, he won the juryo yusho with an 11-4 record and was promoted to the top of juryo in March 1973. In this tournament, he injured his right knee on the 12th day and had to withdraw from the tournament on the 13th day. Luckily he already secured his winning record and was promoted to makuuchi in the following May 1973 tournament.

### **Makuuchi Career**

He had been injured during the previous tournament, withdrawing on Day 13 a day after getting his kachi-koshi or majority of wins. He was awarded kosho seido status for the next tournament, meaning he could miss it without effect on his rank. This made him not only the first wrestler ever to be awarded kosho status but also the first to obtain it in his top division debut. He entered the following tournament in July but scored only four wins against eleven losses and was demoted. He had one more tournament in makuuchi nearly three years later, in January 1976. He left the sumo world upon retirement from active competition in September 1976.

## **Fighting Style**

Maruyama 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.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 401-368-26/767 (87 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 8-20-17/27 (3 basho)
* **Juryo:** 159-169-2/327 (22 basho)
* **Makushita:** 167-134-7/301 (44 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 38-25/63 (9 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 25-17/42 (6 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Juryo** Championship (January 1973)
* 1 **Makushita** Championship (July 1974)

## **Shikona History**

* Maruyama Takahiko (1962.05 - 1968.01)
* Junko (1968.03 - 1969.01)
* Maruyama Takahiko (1969.03 - 1976.09)

## **Gallery**

Maruyama (c. 1975)Maruyama in his Tokitsukaze themed kesho-mawashiMaruyama poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1976)
## **Sources**

* Maruyama Takahiko Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Maruyama Takahiko Rikishi Information