Taiko Yoshio

Taiko Yoshio - 大觥 吉男 (born October 30, 1953) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture. He made his debut in November 1968 and last wrestled for Futagoyama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1978. His highest rank was maegashira 8 and he retired in November 1980.

## **Early Life**

Yokoyama was born the youngest of eight siblings to a construction family in Aomori. Originally, he had no intention of joining professional sumo, but his eldest brother was a successful amateur sumo wrestler and he recommended that Yokoyama try out professional sumo. Yokoyama agreed and joined Futagoyama stable while he was in junior high school.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his professional debut in November 1968 under the shikona "Tsugarudake" (津軽岳), but he switched to "Taiko" (大觥) in July 1969. The shikona, Taiko, is derived from his elder brother's construction company called "Taiko Construction" (大觥建設). He was promoted to sandanme in November 1969 and makushita in November 1970. In May 1975, he posted a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 2 and was promoted to juryo in the following July 1975 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

Taiko posted a solid 10-5 record in his first tournament as a sekitori, but followed with a disastrous 1-14 record in September 1975 and was demoted back down to makushita. He returned to juryo in July 1977 and produced five consecutive winning records, including a juryo yusho in March 1978, to earn a promotion to makuuchi in May 1978.

### **Makuuchi Career**

In his makuuchi debut, Taiko finished with an 8-7 record and was promoted to the rank of maegashira 8. However, he followed with two consecutive losing records and was demoted back down to juryo. He returned to makuuchi in May 1979, but could only manage a 6-9 record. Taiko remained in juryo for majority of his later career. He won his second juryo yusho with an 11-4 record in January 1980, but was unable to return to makuuchi.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Taiko was demoted back down to makushita in November 1980 where he went winless and announced his retirement after the tournament at the young age of 27. After retiring he opened up a restaurant in his hometown called "Sumo Teahouse Taiko" (相撲茶屋 大觥), but it has since closed.

## **Fighting Style**

Taiko 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.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 350-326-4/675 (73 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 24-36/60 (4 basho)
* **Juryo:** 133-134-3/266 (18 basho)
* **Makushita:** 133-118-1/251 (36 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 36-20/56 (8 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 21-14/35 (5 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 3-4/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 2 **Juryo** Championships
	+ 1st (March 1978)
	+ 2nd (January 1980)

## **Shikona History**

* Yokoyama Yoshio (1968.11 - 1968.11)
* Tsugarudake Yoshio (1969.01 - 1969.05)
* Taiko Yoshio (1969.07 - 1974.01)
* Yokoyama Yoshio (1974.03 - 1974.11)
* Taiko Yoshio (1975.01 - 1980.11)

## **Gallery**

Taiko poses with his kesho-mawashiTaiko prepares for his upcoming match (c. 1979)
## **Sources**

* Taiko Yoshio Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Taiko Yoshio Rikishi Information