Kiraiho Ryozo

Kiraiho Ryozo - 鬼雷砲 良蔵 (born January 5, 1966) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa. He made his debut in March 1981 and wrestled for Takadagawa stable. He reached the makuuchi division in November 1991. His highest rank was maegashira 4 and he retired in July 1996.

## **Early Life**

Ryozo Uchima was born in Minami ward in the city of Yokohama in Kanagawa prefecture. He played baseball up to junior high school, but was recommended to join sumo upon graduation from junior high school. He agreed and joined Takadagawa stable.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his debut in March 1981 and initially wrestled under his surname before switching to "Maeshuho" (前秀峰) in his second tournament. He was promoted to sandanme in November 1982 and he briefly changed his shikona to "Shuho" (秀峰) for three tournaments in 1984 before switching to "Hamachidori" (浜千鳥) in September 1984. He was promoted to makushita in March 1985 and he changed his shikona to "Kiraiho" (鬼雷砲) in November 1986. He was promoted to juryo in March 1988.

### **Juryo Career**

Kiraiho was not very consistent in his first juryo run, and he was demoted back to makushita in January 1990. He returned to juryo in March 1991. After four tournaments in juryo, he was promoted to makuuchi for the November 1991 tournament.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Kiraiho managed to stay in makuuchi for 25 consecutive tournaments, but he never managed to reach san'yaku, obtain a special prize, or defeat a yokozuna. His highest rank was Maegashira 4 which he earned in July 1992, but he only managed a 7-8 record after losing on the last day. His total top division performance was 177 wins to 198 losses. He was demoted back down to juryo in January 1996.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After falling down to juryo, Kiraiho only lasted in juryo for three tournaments and he fell down to makushita in July 1996. He subsequently retired after the July 1996 tournament. After retiring he stayed in the Japan Sumo Association, but he could not obtain permanent stock and he borrowed from former and active sumo wrestlers. He was known as Sanoyama and Yamahibiki Oyakata. He left the Sumo Association in March 1999. After that, he ran a ramen restaurant in Tokyo and worked for a Ryokan in Niigata Prefecture.

## **Personal Life**

* When he was active, Kiraiho's hobby was playing cards.
* His older brother, Yoshiyuki (born December 20, 1962), was also a sumo wrestler who fought under the shikona "Maenofuji" (前乃富士). He joined Takadagawa stable and made his debut in March 1978 and rose to makushita 33. He retired in May 1986.

## **Fighting Style**

Kiraiho was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won most of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 496-489-3/985 (93 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 177-198/375 (25 basho)
* **Juryo:** 128-142/270 (18 basho)
* **Makushita:** 97-78/175 (25 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 60-42-3/102 (15 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 27-22/49 (7 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 7-7/14 (2 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Uchima Ryozo (1981.03 - 1981.03)
* Maeshuho Ryozo (1981.05 - 1984.01)
* Shuho Ryozo (1984.03 - 1984.07)
* Hamachidori Ryozo (1984.09 - 1986.09)
* Kiraiho Ryozo (1986.11 - 1996.07)

## **Gallery**

Kiraiho in Juryo (c. 1988)Kiraiho serves as Yokozuna Akebono's dew sweeper (c. 1993)Kiraiho serves as Yokozuna Akebono's flag bearer (c. 1993)Kiraiho with his kesho-mawashiKiraiho's retirement ceremony pamphlet (c. 1997)Kiraiho's tegata
## **Sources**

* Kiraiho Ryozo Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kiraiho Ryozo Rikishi Information