Chiyonoshin Kensho

Chiyonoshin Kensho - 千代の眞 賢澄 (born June 23, 1986) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Iga, Mie. He made his debut in March 2002 and wrestled for Kokonoe stable. His highest rank was makushita 59 and he retired in September 2012.

## **Early Life**

Sawada was born in Iga, Mie Prefecture to a Buddhist temple head priest. He is the older brother by 4 years of maegashira Chiyonokuni and from a very young age both them and their sister had great interest in combat sports such as karate, with both participating in multiple competitions growing up.

During the summer of his second year in junior high school, he, his younger brother and his father visited the Nagoya lodgings of Kokonoe stable. After this visit, and spectating a regional jungyo tour, he decided he wanted to join the stable upon graduation from high school in order to leave the strict environment at home.

## **Career**

He made his debut under his real family name of "Sawada" (澤田) in March 2002. He would slowly progress in the bottom two divisions, making his jonidan debut in November 2002 and reaching the sandanme division in September 2005, but being instantly demoted back to jonidan after just one tournament.

In November 2005 he would received the shikona of Chiyonoshin (千代の真) as just 4 tournaments later, his younger brother, future maegashira Chiyonokuni, would join the same stable and use their family name "Sawada" as his shikona.

During the next 3 years he would solidify his presence in the sandanme division, where he would spend most of his career. He reached the rank of sandanme 7 west in January 2009 after a 5-2 winning record in November 2008. At this rank he would post a 3-4 losing record, but was able to bounce back with another 5-2 record the next tournament, even though he had injuries to his knee and neck. He was then promoted to the makushita division in May 2009 to his highest career rank of makushita 59.

Unfortunately, this would be his only tournament in the division, posting a losing record and being demoted back to sandanme. He would then remain in this division until the end of his career. In 2012, after his brother had his debut at the top division of Makuuchi, he decided to retire after the September 2012 tournament. He had his hair-cutting ceremony just days after the tournament ended, at his stable's after-tournament party.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retirement, he reportedly ran a couple of restaurants, first a yakiniku restaurant, then a chanko restaurant. However, in 2020, his business suffered a hard hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. Reportedly, he feared going bankrupt, but luckily, he heard of a casting call by Netflix Japan for a drama series about professional sumo called "Sanctuary". He applied and was selected for the role of "Enya", a former komusubi, thus making his debut as an actor. He then started doing more talent jobs as an ex-sumo wrestler, now participating alongside many former rikishi in sumo shows around the world organized by former ozeki Konishiki.

## **Personal Life**

* He is the older brother of top division wrestler Chiyonokuni and they both wrestled for the same stable.
* He made his maezumo debut alongside future yokozuna Kisenosato.
* Sawada participated in the show "The Reluctant Traveler", alongside legendary actor Eugene Levy.
* He practiced both sumo and karate as a child.
* His hobbies inlcude eating out, reading, playing games and watching anime.

## **Fighting Style**

Chiyonoshin was an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used was a straightforward oshidashi, or push out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 216-198-20/414 (63 basho)
* **Makushita:** 3-4/7 (1 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 131-122-13/253 (38 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 66-60-7/126 (19 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 16-12/28 (4 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Sawada Kensho (2002.03 - 2005.09)
* Chiyonoshin Kensho (2005.11 - 2008.09)
* Chiyonoshin Satoru (2008.11 - 2011.07)
* Chiyonoshin Kensho (2011.09 - 2012.09)

## **Gallery**

Chiyonoshin trains at Kokonoe stable (c. 2008)Chiyonoshin prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2010)Chiyonoshin with his brother, Chiyonokuni (c. 2010)Chiyonoshin's retirement ceremony (c. 2012)Chiyonoshin after retirement as an actor (c. 2023)
## **Sources**

* Sawada Kensho Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Chiyonoshin Kensho Rikishi Information