Hakuryuyama Norifumi

Hakuryuyama Norifumi - 白竜山 憲史 (born July 10, 1954) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Himeji, Hyogo. He made his debut in September 1969 and last wrestled for Tokitsukaze stable. He reached the makuuchi division in September 1981. His highest rank was maegashira 13 and he retired in September 1983.

## **Early Life**

Okumura practiced judo at Himeji Shiritsu Aboshi Junior High School. He was recruited to sumo by a former juryo wrestler who came from the same area. He joined Tokitsukaze stable shortly before graduating junior high school.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his debut in September 1969 and initially wrestled under his surname Okumura. He was promoted to sandanme in November 1970 and in November 1972, he changed his shikona to "Hakuryuyama" (白竜山). He was promoted to makushita in November 1973. In May 1977, Hakuryuyama had to withdraw after suffering a retinal detachment. He continued to sit out of the following tournament after undergoing eye surgery. As a result, he fell down to sandanme, but eventually returned and he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record in November 1978. He was promoted to the top of makushita in the following tournament where he posted a 4-3 record.

### **Juryo Career**

Hakuryuyama made his juryo debut in March 1979, and he produced an 8-7 record. In July 1979, he finished with a strong 10-5 record, but missed out on the yusho after losing to Mitsuruyama in the playoff. After this, he went on a little slump and fell down to makushita in May 1980. He returned to juryo for one tournament in July 1980 where he finished with a poor 5-10 record. He returned to juryo for the third time in March 1981 and posted three consecutive winning records which earned him a promotion to the top makuuchi division in September 1981.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Hakuryuyama finished with a 6-9 record in his makuuchi debut and was demoted back down to juryo. He returned to makuuchi in January 1982, but finished with a poor 5-10 record. In May 1982, Hakuryuyama returned for a third time and got off to a good start where his record was 4-1 by the end of the 5th day. However, on the 6th day, he injured his right ankle in a match against Takamiyama and subsequently withdrew from the tournament. This proved to be his last appearance in makuuchi.

### **Later Career**

Hakuryuyama continued to struggle in juryo due to his right ankle injury and he was demoted back down to makushita in September 1983. He continued to produce losing records in the unsalaried ranks and went winless in July 1983.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After going winless in July 1983, Hakuryuyama announced his retirement after the September 1983 tournament. At the time, Hakuryuyama was on a big slump and had produced nine consecutive losing records. After retiring, he returned to his hometown of Himeji, Hyogo, and opened up a chanko restaurant called "Chanko Hakuryuyama" (ちゃんこ 白竜山). The restaurant has been closed since May 2014 due to land readjustment project in the area.

## **Fighting Style**

Hakuryuyama was a tsuki/oshi specialist, who prefers pushing and thrusting at his opponents rather than fighting on the mawashi or belt. His most common winning kimarite was oshidashi, or push out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 357-345-31/701 (85 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 15-22-8/36 (3 basho)
* **Juryo:** 112-128/240 (17 basho)
* **Makushita:** 131-112-16/243 (37 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 67-59-7/126 (19 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 28-21/49 (7 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (November 1978)

## **Shikona History**

* Okumura (1969.09 - 1972.09)
* Hakuryuyama Norifumi (1972.11 - 1993.09)

## **Gallery**

Hakuryuyama prepares for his upcoming match (c. 1979)Hakuryuyama poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1981)Hakuryuyama's signature
## **Sources**

* Hakuryuyama Norifumi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Hakuryuyama Norifumi Rikishi Information