Kiyoenami Kiyotaka

Kiyoenami Kazutsuna - 清惠波 一綱 (born June 24, 1923 - April 25, 2006) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Anamizu, Ishikawa. He made his debut in January 1940 and wrestled for Tatsunami stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1949. His highest rank was maegashira 2 and he retired in January 1960.

## **Early Life**

Kiyotaka Inokari was born in the town of Maoka (currently Khomlsk, Sakhalin Oblast, Russia) in Karafuto prefecture (South Sakhalin). He later moved back to Ishikawa prefecture which he would use as his official birthplace as South Sakhalin was returned to Russia after the Second World War.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Inokari joined Tatsunami stable at the age of 16 and was given the shikona "Kiyoenami" (清惠波). He made his professional debut in January 1940. He was promoted to sandanme in May 1942 and makushita in May 1943. After four years in makushita, he was promoted to juryo in November 1947.

### **Juryo Career**

In May 1948, Kiyoenami finished with a 9-2 record, but missed out on the juryo yusho after losing the playoff to Kuninobori. Nevertheless, he won the juryo yusho in the following October 1948 and was promoted to makuuchi for the January 1949 tournament.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Kiyoenami was ranked in the makuuchi division for a total of 36 tournaments, however, he was unable to reach the san'yaku ranks, or achieve any kinboshi or sansho prizes. His highest rank was maegashira 2 which he achieved in May 1951. In the May 1951 tournament, he defeated ozeki Shionoumi by the now outdated oshikiri technique. In January 1959, Kiyoenami returned to makuuchi at the age of 35 years and 7 months which made him the second oldest (at the time) wrestler to earn a re-promotion to makuuchi after World War II. He eventually retired from sumo in January 1960 after 20 years in sumo.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring, Kiyoenami remained in the Japan Sumo Association as an elder under the name Nakagawa. He had married the daughter of the previous Nakagawa Oyakata, a coach at Tatsunami stable, and was legally adopted by him as his son, changing his real name from Kiyotaka Inokari to Kiyotaka Okamito. In May 1960 he branched off from Tatsunami stable and established Nakagawa stable, however, after failing to produce any sekitori, the stable closed in December 1972, and Nakagawa returned to his coaching duties at Tatsunami stable. He left the Sumo Association in June 1988 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65.

### **Death**

Kiyoenami died on April 25, 2006, at the age of 82 due to arrhythmia.

## **Fighting Style**

Kiyoenami 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, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 392-419-6/810 (64 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 237-295-6/531 (36 basho)
* **Juryo:** 102-81/183 (13 basho)
* **Makushita:** 25-23/48 (8 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 11-5/16 (2 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 14-10/24 (3 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 3-5/8 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Juryo** Championships (October 1948)

## **Shikona History**

* Kiyoenami Kiyotaka (1940.01 - 1954.09)
* Kiyoenami Kazutsuna (1955.01 - 1960.01)

## **Sources**

* Kiyoenami Kiyotaka Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kiyoenami Kiyotaka Rikishi Information