Daio Yoshinobu

Daio Yoshinobu - 大旺 吉伸 (born June 23, 1949) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Shinminato, Toyama. He made his debut in November 1964 and last wrestled for Futagoyama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1973. His highest rank was maegashira 4 and he retired in November 1981.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Aratani made his professional debut in November 1964, wrestling for Futagoyama stable. He was given the shikona "Wakakami" (若神) and he won the jonidan yusho with a perfect 7-0 record in January 1966. He later changed his shikona to "Daio" (大旺) in November 1966. In January 1972, he changed his shikona to "Iko" (威光), but quickly reverted back to Daio in the following tournament. He was promoted to juryo in May 1972.

### **Juryo Career**

Daio was able to establish himself and posted two consecutive 8-7 records from his juryo debut. He then followed with two consecutive 9-6 records and was promoted to makuuchi in January 1973 after only four tournaments in juryo.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Daio was ranked in the top division for a total of ten tournaments. His first two makuuchi stints only lasted one tournament. He returned to makuuchi in November 1974 where he produced a career-best 10-5 record and was promoted to maegashira 4 in January 1975. He struggled in this tournament and eventually fell down to juryo in July 1975. He returned to makuuchi for three tournaments in 1977, but produced unspectacular results. From 1978 to his retirement in November 1981, he was ranked in juryo for 23 tournaments and only one tournament in makuuchi (November 1978).

## **Retirement from Sumo**

In September 1981, he produced an 8-7 record in juryo and still held a comfortable position as a sekitori, but he abruptly retired prior to the November 1981 tournament. He cited that he was eager to enter the restaurant management industry which was the main reason for his early retirement.

After leaving the sumo world, he opened up a chanko restaurant in Itabashi, Tokyo, called "Sumo Chaya Daio" (相撲茶屋 大旺).

## **Personal Life**

On May 29, 1974, he had a joint wedding ceremony with his stablemate Wakajishi. The wedding was held at Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

## **Fighting Style**

Daio 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 uwatenage, or overarm throw, and tsuridashi, or lift out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 587-569/1156 (102 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 57-93/150 (10 basho)
* **Juryo:** 360-345/705 (47 basho)
* **Makushita:** 87-74/161 (23 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 57-41/98 (14 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 22-13/35 (5 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Jonidan** Championship (January 1966)

## **Shikona History**

* Aratani Kuniharu (1964.11 - 1964.11)
* Wakakami Kuniharu (1965.01 - 1966.09)
* Daio Yoshinobu (1966.11 - 1971.11)
* Iko (1972.01 - 1972.01)
* Daio Yoshinobu (1972.03 - 1981.11)

## **Gallery**

Daio poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1976)Daio launches at his opponent (c. 1977)Daio prepares for his upcoming match (c. 1979)Daio's chanko restaurant, "Sumo Chaya Daio" (相撲茶屋 大旺)Daio's tegata
## **Sources**

* Daio Yoshinobu Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Daio Yoshinobu Rikishi Information