Kaido Yasuhiro

Kaido Yasuhiro - 魁道 康弘 (born October 24, 1975) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Fuchu, Tokyo. He made his debut in March 1998 and last wrestled for Tomozuna stable. He reached the juryo division in May 2003. His highest rank was juryo 4 and he retired in September 2006.

## **Early Life**

As a child he played baseball. Tanaka went to Meiji Nakano High School where he was a year senior of Tochiazuma, and he was named the High School Yokozuna in 1990. He was an amateur sumo champion at Chuo University before making his professional debut in March 1998, at the bottom of the third highest makushita division as a makushita tsukedashi entrant.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He initially fought under the shikona of Tanaka, before changing to Kaito and then Kaido (the character "Kai" being a common one in his stable or heya). He fell to sandanme in November 1998 but immediately returned back to makushita. From 1999 to 2003, Kaido wrestled mainly in the upper levels of makushita. In March 2003 at the rank of makushita 5, Kaido produced a 5-2 record and was promoted to juryo in May 2003.

### **Juryo Career**

In Kaido's juryo debut, he could only produce a 7-8 record after losing on the last day to Kotoiwakumi. As a result he was demoted back down to makushita, but he immediately returned after posting a 5-2 record. In his return, he produced a solid 9-6 record and was promoted to the rank of juryo 6 for the November 2003 tournament. He was promoted to juryo 4 in March 2004, and produced a solid 8-7 record. Sadly this record did not boost him up the rankings. In May 2005, Kaido faced off against Kobo who was ranked in Makuuchi, but he lost by susoharai (rear foot sweep). He remained in juryo for another before falling down to makushita in May 2005.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

He announced his retirement on August 18, 2006. He had been injury-prone throughout his career, suffering a number of knee injuries, although diabetes was the major factor in his decision. His danpatsu-shiki or official retirement ceremony was held in the Shinagawa Prince hotel in Takanawa, Tokyo on October 15, 2006.

In 2007 he began running a yakiniku restaurant called "Sakigo" in Ogawamachi, Tokyo.

## **Personal Life**

* Kaido's hobby is collecting Radio-controlled models. His favorite food is shrimp and his favorite classes in school was mathematics and physical education.
* For many years he was a training partner to Sentoryu, as the two were the second and third most senior members of Tomozuna stable behind longtime ozeki Kaio. Kaido served as Kaio's tsukebito or personal assistant when he was in the lower ranks and credited his senior stablemate for encouraging him when he was struggling with injuries.

## **Fighting Style**

Kaido's favourite techniques were hidari-yotsu, a right hand outside, left hand inside grip on the opponent's mawashi, and yorikiri (force out). He also regularly used uwatenage, or overarm throw, and like Kaio was keen on arm grabs such as tottari and kotenage.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 222-201-29/421 (52 basho)
* **Juryo:** 76-89/165 (11 basho)
* **Makushita:** 141-110-29/249 (40 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Tanaka Yasuhiro (1998.03 - 2003.03)
* Kaito Yasuhiro (2003.05 - 2003.07)
* Kaido Yasuhiro (2003.09 - 2006.09)

## **Gallery**

### **JSA Profile Pictures and Tegata**

Kaido Yasuhiro - 2004 (Retrieved from the JSA)Kaito Yasuhiro - 2003 (Retrieved from the JSA)Kaido's tegata
### **Career Overview**

Kaido after promotion to juryo (c. 2003)Kaido with his stable master after promotion to juryo (c. 2003)Kaido defeats Kitazakura (c. 2003)Kaido defeats Masutsuyoshi (c. 2003)Kaido serves as Ozeki Kaio's flag bearer (c. 2004)Kaido after falling to the unsalaried ranks
## **Sources**

* Kaido Yasuhiro Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kaido Yasuhiro Rikishi Information