Wakatosho Toshio

Wakatosho Toshio - 若闘将 敏男 (born October 23, 1968) is a former Korean-Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Inage-ku, Chiba. He made his debut in July 1985 and wrestled for Magaki stable. He reached the juryo division in July 1992. His highest rank was juryo 9 and he retired in September 1993.

## **Early Life**

Hwang was born the second son of a driver in Inage Ward, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture. He practiced judo in junior high school and high school, and won many regional tournaments. He also practiced karate and basketball and initially aspired to become a professional wrestler, so he began lifting weights at a gym. However, he suddenly had a change of heart and wanted to become a sumo wrestler. He dropped out of high school and joined Magaki stable in July 1985.

## **Career**

Hwang initially wrestled under his Japanese surname 'Kanemoto" (金本). He was promoted to sandanme in January 1987 and upon promotion to makushita in January 1989 he changed his shikona to "Wakatosho" (若闘将). He initially struggled to establish himself in the upper ranks of makushita but nevertheless, in May 1992 he posted a 4-3 record at the rank of makushita 3 which secured him a promotion to juryo.

Wakatosho produced a solid 9-6 record in his sekitori debut and was promoted to a career-best rank of juryo 9 in the following September 1992 tournament. However, he produced two consecutive 7-8 record which resulted in him falling to the bottom of juryo in January. He was able to finish with 8 wins in this tournament, but finished with a poor 4-11 record which resulted in a fall back down to makushita in May 1993. He wrestled in makushita briefly before announcing his retirement at the age of 24 in September 1993.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring, he became a businessman and ran a car dealership and a financial company. However, on May 11th, 2000, he was arrested on suspicion of fraud as he was embezzling money from his financial company. He was sentenced to imprisonment.

He currently works as a gospel singer under the name "Kou Lennon" (幸礼音).

## **Personal Life**

Wakatosho is a South Korean national. His Korean name is Hwang Min-bu (황민부) and his Japanese name is "Toshio Kanemoto" (金本 敏男). However, his shusshin is listed as Inage Ward, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture.

His hobbies are listening to music, playing the guitar, and reading.

## **Fighting Style**

Wakatosho was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left 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 (overarm throw).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 205-171-7/376 (50 basho)
* **Juryo:** 35-40/75 (5 basho)
* **Makushita:** 89-72-7/161 (24 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 47-37/84 (12 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 29-20/49 (7 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Kanemoto Toshio (1985.07 - 1988.11)
* Wakatosho Toshio (1989.01 - 1993.09)

## **Gallery**

Wakatosho after promotion to Juryo (c. 1992)Wakatosho poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1992)Wakatosho (c. 1992)Wakatosho during the Juryo dohyo-iri (c. 1993)Wakatosho after retirement working at a car dealership

## **Sources**

* Wakatosho Toshio Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Wakatosho Toshio Rikishi Information