Kagetora Kazuhiko

Kagetora Kazuhiko - 影虎 和彦 (born May 21, 1954) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Karumai, Iwate. He made his debut in November 1968 and last wrestled for Kokonoe stable. He reached the makuuchi division in July 1978. His highest rank was maegashira 11 and he retired in March 1981.

## **Early Life**

When he was in junior high school, Takisawa participated in track and field. During his second year at junior high school, he was scouted by ozeki Kitanofuji who was on tour in Iwate Prefecture. After this, he moved to Tokyo and joined Kokonoe stable.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his debut in November 1968 at the age of 14. He was promoted to sandanme in January 1970 and makushita in November 1971. He initially wrestled under his surname "Takisawa", but switched to "Kagetora" (影虎) in January 1972. He later reverted back to his surname in November 1974, nevertheless changing it back to Kagetora in January 1976. In May 1977, he posted a 6-1 record and won the makushita yusho after defeating Taiko in a playoff. He followed with three more winning records and was promoted to juryo in January 1978.

### **Juryo Career**

Kagetora produced a strong 11-4 record in his first tournament as a sekitori, but missed out on the yusho after losing to Kurosegawa in a playoff. Nevertheless, he followed with a 9-6 record in March and an 8-7 record in May to earn a promotion to makuuchi in July 1978.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Kagetora was never able to establish himself in the top division due to a neck injury. He was ranked in makuuchi for a total of four tournaments in four separate stints. In his first three attempts, he could only manage a 5-10 record and was immediately demoted back down to juryo in all three attempts. His fourth attempt was similar as produced a 4-11 record in July 1980 and was demoted back down to juryo.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Kagetora sprained his cervical spine in his later career and announced his retirement in March 1981 at the age of 26. After retiring, he opened up a chanko restaurant called "Chanko Kagetora" (ちゃんこ影虎) in Morioka, Iwate.

## **Fighting Style**

Kagetora was proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His favored grip on his opponent's mawashi was hidari-yotsu, a right hand outside, left hand inside position. His most often used winning kimarite was oshidashi (push out), followed by yorikiri (force out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 351-312/663 (74 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 19-41/60 (4 basho)
* **Juryo:** 122-103/225 (15 basho)
* **Makushita:** 140-112/252 (36 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 38-32/70 (10 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 28-21/49 (7 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (May 1977)

## **Shikona History**

* Takisawa Kazuhiko (1968.11 - 1971.11)
* Kagetora Kazuhiko (1972.01 - 1974.09)
* Takisawa Kazuhiko (1974.11 - 1975.11)
* Kagetora Kazuhiko (1976.01 - 1981.03)

## **Gallery**

Kagetora poses with his kesho-mawashiKagetora prepares for his upcoming match (c. 1979)Kagetora and Fujizakura serve as Chiyonofuji's flag bearer (c. 1981)A monument of Kagetora which includes his handprint (c. 2017)
## **Sources**

* Kagetora Kazuhiko Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kagetora Kazuhiko Rikishi Information