Takakeisho Takanobu

Takakeisho Takanobu - 貴景勝 貴信 (born August 5, 1996) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ashiya, Hyogo. He made his debut in September 2014 and currently wrestles for Tokiwayama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 2017 and has seven special prizes, three kinboshi and four top division championships. His highest rank as of 2023 is ozeki.

## **Early Life**

Sato's given name of Takanobu was derived from the name of yokozuna Takanohana, who would eventually become his stablemaster. Growing up in Ashiya, Hyogo, Sato competed in full-contact karate in early primary school, and was runner up for the championship in a national competition. However, his father was determined that his son would become a sumo wrestler, and in Sato's third year he began participating sumo at a local dojo. After primary school, he entered Hotoku Gakuen Junior High School, known for its sumo program. In his third year there he won a national championship and took the title of junior high school yokozuna, or grand champion.

Encouraged by his father to eat hamburgers and French fries, his weight increased from 30 kilos in the third grade to 80 kilos by sixth grade. He then moved to eastern Japan and entered the private high school Saitama Sakae, which had an athletics course. During his time at Saitama Sakae, Sato won two successive championships, the Kanto regional high school sumo tournament and the National Junior Sumo Tournament, wrestling in the free weight category. In total Sato won 10 national titles in his high school years. In his third year, he was also champion in the free weight category of the World Junior Sumo Tournament held in Taiwan.

Sato was quite eager to join the professional sumo world, so after high school, he decided to forego university in favour of competing in national sumo tournaments (which would have given him a chance to later gain makushita tsukedashi status) and quickly joined Takanohana stable. Though it is common practice for wrestlers to take on a ring name upon entering this particular stable, he chose to use his real name. Because of his strong desire to join the professional ranks as quickly as possible, he participated in maezumo (preliminary sumo tryouts) in September 2014 while still a high school student, a very rare occurrence. His coach, the former yokozuna Takanohana, made an arrangement with Sato's high school that he would continue to attend school when not participating in official tournaments. Later news reports however stated that he had dropped out of high school.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Sato officially entered the sumo ring as a professional rikishi in November 2014, and in his debut won the lowest division, or jonokuchi, championship with a perfect 7–0 record. He added on another championship, again with a perfect 7–0 record in his next tournament in the next highest division jonidan. In the following March tournament in Osaka, competing in the sandanme division, he finally lost his first bout on the third day, ending his successive win record at 15 bouts.

In the following May 2015 tournament, in the makushita division, he had a perfect 6–0 record up until his last bout, but he lost this one to the future Takaryu, who took the championship. This happened again two tournaments later, where he chalked up another six wins in his first six bouts, only to lose to veteran Azumaryu. This was still a good enough record to compete in an eight-man playoff. He defeated two opponents to make it to the final round, but then lost the last round for the championship to future sekitori Chiyoshoma. In the following November 2015 tournament after winning three bouts in a row, he lost his next four and got his first make-koshi or losing tournament. He would bounce back two tournaments later, in March of the following year, winning all of his bouts and defeating former sekitori Oiwato in his final bout to clinch his first makushita championship. This was a decisive championship that would, in the next tournament, propel him into the salaried ranks of juryo.

### **Juryo Career**

In his first juryo tournament he became only the sixth wrestler in history, and the first ever in his teens to win eight consecutive bouts (a kachi-koshi) in his debut. He however went on to lose four bouts and ended with an 11–4 record for that May 2016 tournament. He spent the next few tournaments rising steadily up the ranks of juryo recording only one make-koshi, his second up to that point. This culminated in his fourth tournament in juryo where he chalked up a 12–3 record in the ultra-competitive upper ranks of this division and earned his first championship as a salaried wrestler.

In January 2017, he was promoted to the top flight makuuchi division. On this occasion he chose to adopt the ring name Takakeisho Mitsunobu. The first character in his shikona surname comes from the first character in the shikona of his stablemaster, Takanohana, and the second two characters are taken from the given name of the Japanese historical figure, Kagekatsu Uesugi.

### **Makuuchi Career**

In Takakeisho's top division debut he only managed a 7–8 record. However, he followed up with eleven wins against four losses in the March 2017 tournament and was awarded his first special prize, for Fighting Spirit. Another 11–4 record in May saw him promoted to maegashira 1, but he struggled at his new rank and recorded only five wins in July. Ranked at maegashira 5 in September 2017, he earned his first kinboshi or victory over a yokozuna by defeating Harumafuji, who went on to win the tournament. Takakeisho was awarded the Outstanding Performance Prize on the final day. In November he again recorded eleven wins, earning two further kinboshi with victories over Harumafuji and Kisenosato and receiving a second consecutive prize for Outstanding Performance.

In January 2018 Takakeisho made his san'yaku debut at komusubi, the first member of Takanohana stable to reach this rank since his stablemaster established the stable in February 2004. He fell short with a 5–10 record, and withdrew from the following tournament in March with only three wins due to pain in his right ankle. He returned to the komusubi rank in September 2018 and secured a winning record. Shortly after this tournament his stable was dissolved and he moved to Chiganoura stable, now renamed Tokiwayama stable.

The 2018 Kyushu tournament in November saw many withdrawals due to injury (kyujo). Neither yokozuna Hakuho nor yokozuna Kakuryu competed. Komusubi Kaisei also withdrew from contention with an injury. Takakeisho started the tournament well going undefeated the first six days including wins over yokozuna Kisenosato on Day 1, and ozeki Goeido on Day 2. He suffered his first lost on Day 7 to sekiwake Mitakeumi. He then proceeded to win the next six days including a win over ozeki Tochinoshin on Day 9, before suffering his second loss to ozeki Takayasu on Day 14, with the result that both rikishi entered the final day tied with two losses each. Takakeisho won his final bout against Nishikigi, ensuring that he was either assured victory or a playoff with Takayasu if the ozeki won his final bout. But instead Takakeisho watched as the same wrestler who handed him his first loss, Mitakeumi, guaranteed him his first top division championship by defeating Takayasu in the final bout. With just 26 career tournaments under his belt this victory tied him with yokozuna Akebono for fourth fastest all time from debut to winning a top division championship. At 22 years of age he was the sixth youngest top division championship winner since the six tournaments per year system began in 1958. The win also meant that Takakeisho has won championships in all but the sandanme division in his career.

Takakeisho followed up with an 11–4 record in January 2019, winning the Technique Prize. This gave him a record of 33 wins over the last three tournaments, but he was not promoted to ozeki due to a combination of his failure to win more than nine victories in September, and his one-sided loss to ozeki Goeido on the final day. In March he entered the penultimate day with a record of 9-4, including wins over Kakuryu and Takayasu, but was quickly defeated by Ichinojo. On the final day he was matched against Tochinoshin who needed a win to preserve his ozeki rank. Takakeisho dominated the bout and pushed his opponent out to win by oshi-dashi. Reports in Japan declared it a certainty that he would be promoted to ozeki, and at a press conference in Higashiosaka he spoke of his relief at earning promotion after missing out in January. The Sumo Association made the ozeki promotion official on 27 March 2019, and delivered the news to Takakeisho at a press conference in Osaka. "I will respect the bushido spirit," he said in his acceptance speech, "and be thoughtful and thankful at all times while devoting myself to the way of the sumo."After his promotion ceremony, Takakeisho thanked his parents Kazuya and Junko Sato for supporting him, and promised to repay them through sumo. He said that reaching the rank of ozeki is "a childhood dream," but that "there's a higher rank in the banzuke." He made ozeki in 28 tournaments after his professional debut, which is the sixth fastest rise since the six-tournament a year system was established in 1958. At 22 years and seven months he was also the ninth youngest to be promoted to ozeki.

### **Ozeki Career**

Takakeisho withdrew on the fifth day of his debut ozeki tournament in May 2019 due to a right knee injury, only to return to the tournament on Day 8 and fight one more bout before pulling out again the following day after damaging ligaments in the same knee. He became the first ozeki since 15-day tournaments began in 1949 to withdraw from a tournament twice. On 4 July it was announced that Takakeisho's injury had not fully healed and that he would not compete in that month's upcoming Nagoya tournament, meaning that he would drop back to sekiwake in September. His stablemaster, former Takamisugi Takakatsu commented "He's still young with his future ahead of him. Had he wrestled... there was a big possibility his condition could worsen. If your legs go, you have to give up your sumo career. If his leg heals, he can come back stronger".

On Day 12 of the September tournament, Takakeisho earned his tenth win against Myogiryu, securing his promotion back to ozeki for the upcoming November tournament. He entered the final day on 11-3, tied for the lead with Okinoumi and Mitakeumi. He quickly defeated Okinoumi and then entered a play-off against Mitakeumi, whom he had already defeated on day 8. After a strong tachi-ai he retreated and went for a pull-down win but was forced out by his opponent. He suffered a left pectoral muscle strain during the tachi-ai, requiring six weeks of rest. He resumed light training on October 11, and got through the November 2019 Kyushu tournament with a 9–6 record, losing the last match of the tournament to Hakuho in a bout lasting over a minute. Hakuho commented that Takakeisho was "just the harbinger of strong young wrestlers yet to come who will represent the sumo world well."

Takakeisho finished the January 2020 basho with a record of 11-4. He entered the final day of the March tournament with a record of 7-7 but lost to Asanoyama. A kadoban ozeki in the next tournament in July 2020, he secured a winning record of eight wins on Day 11 to retain his rank, but then withdrew from the remainder of the tournament to rest a medial collateral ligament injury in his left leg. He then came back strong in September, finishing as the runner-up to Shodai with a 12–3 record, his first runner-up performance as an ozeki.

    The November 2020 basho started without both yokozuna and with two ozeki withdrawing in the first five days, leaving Takakeisho as the only remaining ozeki in the tournament and the highest ranked in the field. After winning his first eight matches in a row, he faced Terunofuji on the final day, while leading the tournament with a 13-1 record. Although he lost that match, the two faced off again in a playoff, which Takakeisho won to earn his second top division championship, his first as an ozeki. Takakeisho also had the most wins in 2020 out of any wrestler, with 51.

Takakeisho had been aiming for promotion to yokozuna in the January 2021 tournament, but the opportunity was all but gone after losing his first four matches. After just two wins in nine days, he withdrew on day 10 as a result of an ankle injury, facing demotion from his rank in the March tournament, where he secured a 10-5 winning record, allowing him to stay an ozeki. He was runner-up to Terunofuji in the May tournament with a 12–3 record, defeating Terunofuji in their regulation match on the final day but losing to him in the subsequent playoff.

Takakeisho withdrew from the July 2021 tournament after suffering a neck injury in his Day 2 match against Ichinojo. The injury required one month of recovery time, according to officials. Upon his return in September he lost his first three matches, and would have lost his ozeki rank had he withdrawn again. He managed an 8–7 record, and performed better in November, finishing runner-up to Terunofuji on 12–3.

Takakeisho pulled out of the January 2022 tournament on the fourth day after he sprained his right ankle in his loss to Ura the day before. It was Takakeisho's eighth career kyujo, and the March 2022 basho will be his fifth tournament in kadoban status. He preserved his ozeki rank by securing his eighth win on the 11th day of the March tournament against Kotonowaka.

Following a further 8-7 record in the March tournament, Takakeisho achieved three consecutive double-digit winning scores in the July, September and November basho, finishing as joint runner-up to Ichinojo alongside yokozuna Terunofuji and losing a play-off for the November title to Abi in November. On the strength of the latter performance, he was a candidate for yokozuna promotion in the January 2023 basho, requiring a strong yusho to clinch promotion to sumo's highest rank. Although Takakeisho won the tournament - his third in the top makuuchi division - head judge Sadogatake-oyakata indicated that he would not be recommended for promotion given his 12-3 final score. After his victory Takakeisho spoke of the expectations on him as the only ozeki and top competitor in the absence of Terunofuji but said "I've channeled that pressure into energy and inspiration."

Takakeisho aimed for promotion to yokozuna at the March 2023 tournament in Osaka, which he regards as his home tournament coming from Hyogo Prefecture, and where he also clinched promotion to juryo and to ozeki. Things got off to a bad start when he lost to Tobizaru on the opening day. He then suffered a left knee injury in his Day 3 victory over Shodai. He reportedly sought medical treatment after the injury, and the next day his left knee was taped up in the dohyo. Entering Day 6 with two losses, he was defeated by Mitakeumi, further aggravating his knee injury. Takakeisho withdrew from the tournament the following day, with his stablemaster Tokiwayama (former sekiwake Takamisugi) saying that he would not return to the basho. Tokiwayama told reporters upon his ozeki's withdrawal: "His face might not show it, but he's more frustrated than anyone." With Terunofuji having withdrawn prior to the opening day, Takakeisho's departure left the grand sumo tournament with no competing yokozuna or ozeki since the start of the Showa era in 1926.

Before the May 2023 tournament, Takakeisho changed the first name of his shikona to his legal given name, "Takanobu". He entered the tournament in Tokyo at demotion-threatened kadoban status for the sixth time in his career. Despite being plagued by injuries to both knees and in a battered state, he secured his eighth win and his Ozeki status after defeating Meisei on Day 13 by sidestepping at the tachiai. His former coach from the Saitama Sakae High School Sumo Club commented, "I could feel his mental strength and determination. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't be able to compete. It's truly amazing that he secured a winning record.". He eventually ended up with an 8-7 record for this tournament. Takakeisho however withdrew from the July tournament citing cartilage damage in both his knees, requiring around 3 weeks' treatment. When asked about a potential return from kyujo during the tournament, his stablemaster Tokiwayama said it was likely he would not do so. This marks the tenth time Takakeisho has forfeited a tournament (partially or fully), and the seventh time he has had to return to competition in a kadoban situation.

At the end of August, it was reported that Takakeisho intended to take part in the September tournament, giving himself a chance to emerge from kadoban status. In his preparation, he faced ozeki Kirishima and newly-promoted ozeki Hoshoryu, winning 3 times in four matches. On the eleventh day of the September tournament, he recorded an eighth victory over sekiwake Wakamotoharu, thus saving his rank for the seventh time in total. Going into the final day, Takakeisho had a record of ten wins and four losses, one win behind the leader Atamifuji. While Atamifuji lost his final match, Takakeisho beat Daieisho to set up a playoff between himself and Atamifuji, with both finishing on identical 11–4 records. Takakeisho won the playoff by slapping down his opponent shortly after the tachi-ai, clinching his fourth tournament championship. He became the second ozeki to win a championship having sat out the previous tournament, following Chiyotaikai in 2003.

Takakeisho had a chance to be promoted to Yokozuna with the condition of winning a high-level championship in the November tournament. However, Takakeisho's hope of Yokozuna promotion became slim after he suffered his third loss on Day 8. He concluded the November tournament with a 9-6 score.

## **Personal Life**

* In August 2020 Takakeisho announced his engagement to fashion model Yukina Chiba. She is the daughter of former ozeki Hokutenyu.
* Takakeisho is sponsored by Yakult and they presented him with a kesho-mawashi.
* Takakeisho's hobby is sleeping. His favorite foods are meat (especially beef), sushi, and boiled eggs. He dislikes watermelon.

## **Fighting Style**

Takakeisho specializes in pushing and thrusting techniques (tsuki/oshi). He regularly wins by oshidashi (push out) and hataki-komi (slap down). His tendency to avoid yotsu grappling techniques and throws has been attributed by some sumo commentators to his relatively short arms. It was noted however that he expanded his repertoire somewhat during his January 2023 tournament victory, winning two matches by kotenage (armlock throw) and clinching the championship with a sukuinage (beltless arm throw).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 426-231-81/649 (55 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 338-196-81/526 (41 basho)
* **Juryo:** 39-21/60 (4 basho)
* **Makushita:** 30-12/42 (6 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 7-0/7 (1 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 7-0/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 4 **Makuuchi** Championships
	+ 1st (November 2018)
	+ 2nd (November 2020)
	+ 3rd (January 2023)
	+ 4th (September 2023)
* 1 **Juryo** Championship (November 2016)
* 1 **Makushita** Championship (March 2016)
* 1 **Jonidan** Championship (January 2015)
* 1 **Jonokuchi** Championship (November 2014)

### **Achievements**

* **Special Prizes:** Outstanding Performance Prize (3), Fighting Spirit Prize (2), Technique Prize (2)
* **Kinboshi:** 3: (2) Harumafuji, (1) Kisenosato
* **Record:** **1st** teenager to win his first eight matches in juryo

## **Shikona History**

* Sato Takanobu (2014.09 - 2016.11)
* Takakeisho Mitsunobu (2017.01 - 2023.03)
* Takakeisho Takanobu (2023.05 - )

## **Gallery**

### **JSA Profile Pictures and Tegata**

Takakeisho Mitsunobu - 2023 (Retrieved from the JSA)Takakeisho Mitsunobu - 2022 (Retrieved from the JSA)Takakeisho Mitsunobu - 2022 (Retrieved from the JSA)Takakeisho Mitsunobu - 2018 (Retrieved from the JSA)Takakeisho Mitsunobu - 2017 (Retrieved from the JSA)Sato Takanobu - 2017 (Retrieved from the JSA)Sato Takanobu - 2016 (Retrieved from the JSA)Sato Takanobu - 2016 (Retrieved from the JSA)Sato's tegataTakakeisho's tegata
### **Career Overview**

Sato joins professional sumo (c. 2014)Sato gets measured upon joining professional sumo (c. 2014)Sato defeats Oiwato to win the Makushita Yusho (c. 2016)Sato after promotion to Juryo (c. 2016)Sato presented with his kesho-mawashi (c. 2016)Sato pushes out Seiro to win the Juryo Yusho (c. 2016)Sato becomes Takakeisho upon promotion to Makuuchi (c. 2017)Takakeisho pushes out Chiyoshoma (c. 2017)Takakeisho with his first of many sansho prizes (c. 2017)Takakeisho defeats Yokozuna Harumafuji (c. 2017)Takakeisho after promotion to Komusubi (c. 2017)Takakeisho defeats Nishikigi to win his first Yusho (c. 2018)Takakeisho wins his first Yusho (c. 2018)Takakeisho celebrates his first Yusho (c. 2020)Takakeisho's first Yusho parade (c. 2018)Takakeisho after promotion to Sekiwake (c. 2018)Takakeisho defeats Ozeki Tochinoshin (c. 2019)Takakeisho gets promoted to Ozeki (c. 2019)Takakeisho celebrates promotion to Ozeki (c. 2019)Takakeisho pushes out Endo (c. 2019)Takakeisho loses the Yusho playoff to Mitakeumi (c. 2019)Takakeisho defeats Terunofuji to win his 2nd Yusho (c. 2020)Takakeisho wins his second Yusho (c. 2020)Takakeisho poses with the Emperor's Cup (c. 2020)Takakeisho presented with his Yusho portrait (c. 2021)Takakeisho pushes out Ozeki Shodai (c. 2021)Takakeisho pushes out Wakatakakage (c. 2022)Takakeisho loses the Yusho playoff match to Abi (c. 2022)Takakeisho defeats Kotoshoho to win his 3rd Yusho (c. 2023)Takakeisho wins his third Yusho (c. 2023)Takakeisho's second Yusho parade (c. 2023)Takakeisho celebrates his third Yusho (c. 2023)Takakeisho prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2023)Takakeisho defeats Atamifuji to win his fourth Yusho (c. 2023)Takakeisho wins his fourth Yusho (c. 2023)Takakeisho's third Yusho parade (c. 2023)
## **Sources**

* Takakeisho Mitsunobu Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Takakeisho Mitsunobu Rikishi Information