Takanomine Akihiko

Takanomine Akihiko - 貴ノ嶺 明彦 (born January 23, 1959) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Mizumaki, Fukuoka. He made his debut in September 1974 and wrestled for Izutsu stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 1989. His highest rank was maegashira 12 and he retired in May 1991.

## **Early Life**

Akihiko Okazaki was born in the town of Mizumaki in Fukuoka Prefecture. In junior high school and high school he participated in rugby. Five months after enrolling in Fukuoka Kenritsu Onga High School, he dropped out and joined Kimigahama stable (later Izutsu stable).

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Okazaki made his professional debut in September 1974 and he changed his shikona to "Takanomine" (貴ノ嶺) in March 1976. He was promoted to sandanme in September 1976 and makushita in November 1978. At the time of his makushita promotion, he only weighed 85 kg (187 Ib) and he struggled to put on weight, weighing 102 kg (225 Ib) at his heaviest. As a result, he climbed the ranks rather slowly. In July 1988, he won the makushita yusho after defeating Kamakari on the final day to finish with a 7-0 record.

### **Juryo Career**

After the makushita yusho, Takanomine was promoted to juryo in September 1988. In his sekitori debut, he finished with an 8-7 record and followed with a strong 10-5 record. In his third juryo tournament he finished with a 9-6 record at the rank of juryo 1 and was promoted to makuuchi.

### **Makuuchi Career**

The 87 tournaments it took Takanomine to reach makuuchi currently ranks the 8th slowest progress to the top division. Takanomine made his makuuchi debut in March 1989. He struggled in his makuuchi debut and lost his first five matches. He finished the tournament with a poor 4-11 record and was demoted back to juryo after one tournament in makuuchi. This proved to be his only appearance in makuuchi.

### **Later Career**

After falling down from makuuchi, Takanomine went on a slump and fell down to the lower ranks of juryo by November 1989. After two consecutive 5-10 records he was demoted down to makushita in July 1990. Takanomine continued to struggle in makushita and fell down to the lower ranks of makushita by November 1990.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Takanomine fell down to the rank of makushita 42 in May 1991 and he finished with a 6-1 record. However, he announced his retirement after the tournament. After retiring, he was employed at a chankonabe restaurant in Higashiosaka, Osaka. As of 2011, he was working as a newspaper deliveryman.

## **Personal Life**

Takanomine's maternal uncle Yutaka Beppu (born 1947) was a sumo wrestler who wrestled for Dewanoumi stable. He wrestled from March 1963 to September 1968 and his highest rank was sandanme 16.

## **Fighting Style**

Takanomine was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri (force out) followed closely uwatenage (overarm throw).

## **Record**

### **Division Result**

* **Total:** 403-376-9/779 (101 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 4-11/15 (1 basho)
* **Juryo:** 73-77/150 (10 basho)
* **Makushita:** 197-188/385 (55 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 75-56-9/131 (20 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 47-37/84 (12 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 7-7/14 (2 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (July 1988)

### **Achievements**

* **Record:** **5th** slowest progress to top division (87 tournaments)

## **Shikona History**

* Okazaki Akihiko (1974.09 - 1976.01)
* Takanomine Akihiko (1976.03 - 1991.05)

## **Gallery**

Takanomine's early career in the unsalaried ranks (c. 1979)Takanomine poses with his kesho-mawashiTakanomine with Izutsu Oyakata and his sekitori stablematesTakanomine during the Juryo dohyo-iri (c. 1989)Takanomine before a boutTakanomine announces his retirement (c. 1991)
## **Sources**

* Takanomine Akihiko Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Takanomine Akihiko Rikishi Information