Takanoumi

Takanoumi - 高の湖 (born March 10, 1961) is a former American professional sumo wrestler from San Antonio, Texas. He made his debut in May 1981 and wrestled for Taiho stable. His highest rank was jonokuchi 29 and he retired in September 1981.

## **Early Life**

Philip McKinley Smoak of Texas lived in Japan for a while in the mid-1970s, because his father was stationed at Yokota Air Base. While living in Japan, Smoak was an avid sumo fan and would consistently follow it on TV. After moving back to Texas, he took a five year absence from sumo as it was hard to follow a sport that took place 8,000 miles away. His only stateside contact with sumo was through back issues of *Sumo World*, the English language sumo magazine. It was actually September 1976 issue which got Smoak to take sumo seriously. The issue contained information on sumo exercises and techniques. He started to practice these exercises and also added weight training to prepare for sumo. He also played American football in high school.

Even though Smoak had been in contact with Andy Adams, the editor of *Sumo World*, in hope that he could enter the professional sumo world, his parents and friends were vehemently against it. In the end they all gave in. After much negotiation between Smoak's guarantors and the sumo world, ex-yokozuna Taiho agreed to take him into his stable. Clyde McAvoy, a local bossman of Continental Airlines, became a sponsor for Smoak's visa. He arrived to Japan in his cowboy boots and hat and later had a steak dinner with his new stablemaster. He was given the shikona "Takanoumi" (高の湖).

## **Career**

Takanoumi wasted no time upon arriving to Japan, and the very next day he woke up at 4:30 to begin training. Takanoumi was diligent in training and even defeated his first five opponents when stepping foot on the stable dohyo. Like most foreigners, Takanoumi, who was accustomed to meat and potatoes and other such foods, found it hard to adjust to Japanese food. Even though he at first disliked the food, he still ate it to show respect to his fellow stablemates.

Takanoumi made his professional debut in May 1981 wrestling in maezumo. He won all three of his matches in this unranked division and was promoted to jonokuchi 29 for the July 1981 tournament.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Before the July 1981 tournament, Smoak snuck out of the stable to Yokota Air Base to try and get a flight back to the United States.

Andy Adams, the editor of *Sumo World*, reported that Smoak, then 19, called his mother nearly every night during his apprenticeship and complained about the food, about the training, about not being able to communicate and about not being able to control his temper when senior apprentices started pushing him around. This was big factor which led to his early retirement.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 0-0-7/0 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 0-0-7/0 (1 basho)

## **Gallery**

Philip Smoak arrives in Japan in his Texan clothing (c. 1981)Philip Smoak eager to start sumo (c. 1981)Philip Smoak and Sumo World editor, Andy Adams (c. 1981)Philip Smoak joins Taiho stable (c. 1981)Takanoumi practices sumo (c. 1981)Takanoumi training in Taiho Stable (c. 1981)Takanoumi pushes his opponent (c. 1981)Takanoumi observes the sumo lifestyle (c. 1981)Takanoumi in the maezumo division (c. 1981)

## **Sources**

* Takanoumi Rikishi Information
* LA Times Article about Sumo
* Tokyo Weekender Article about Takanoumi by Tod McAvoy (May 8, 1981)