Shiratayama Hidetoshi

Shiratayama Hidetoshi - 白田山 秀敏 (born December 25, 1943) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kagami, Kumamoto. He made his debut in July 1959 and last wrestled for Takasago stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 1971. His highest rank was maegashira 4 and he retired in May 1977.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

After graduating from a local junior high school in Kagami, Kumamoto, he enrolled at Shugakukan High School, however, he dropped out after just three months and moved to Tokyo to join Takasago stable. He made his professional debut in July 1959 and was given the shikona "Shiratayama" (白田山) which was derived from his surname Shirata. At the time of his debut, he only weighed 64 kg (141 Ib) and rose up the ranks at a rather slow pace. He was promoted to sandanme in January 1961 and makushita in July 1963. In November 1967, he produced a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 2 and was promoted to juryo in January 1968.

### **Juryo Career**

Shiratayama was able to establish himself as a sekitori because he put up consistent numbers. In January 1971, after three years in makushita, he won the juryo yusho with an 11-4 record after defeating Wakajishi in the playoff. He was promoted to makuuchi in the following March 1971 tournament.

### **Makuuchi Career**

In his top division debut, Shiratayama posted an 8-7 record and due to banzuke luck, he was promoted to the rank of maegashira 4 in the following May 1971 tournament. However, this proved to be his highest rank as he was unable to reach san'yaku. Moreover, he never managed to win a special prize or defeat a yokozuna. He was ranked in makuuchi for a total of 14 tournaments with his last appearance being in July 1975.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

He announced his retirement after the May 1977 tournament to avoid an inevitable demotion to makushita. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, under the name Tanigawa. He reached the Sumo Association's mandatory retirement age in December 2008.

## **Controversy**

### **Gang Altercation**

In 1976, Shiratayama and Mutsuarashi got into an altercation with a leader of gang which lead to members of the gang firing into the ceiling. As a result, Shiratayama and Mutsuarashi were subsequently punished by the Japan Sumo Association with a 10% reduction to their salary for three months.

## **Fighting Style**

Shiratayama was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out. He was also fond of employing sotogake, or outside leg trip.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 594-608/1202 (108 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 88-122/210 (14 basho)
* **Juryo:** 314-316/630 (42 basho)
* **Makushita:** 106-90/196 (28 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 48-50/98 (14 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 34-26/60 (8 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-4/8 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Juryo** Championship (January 1971)

## **Shikona History**

* Shiratayama Hidetoshi (1959.07 - 1977.05)

## **Gallery**

Shiratayama prepares for his upcoming match (c. 1971)Shiratayama serves as Yokozuna Kitanofuji's dew sweeperShiratayama with Takamiyama and KitanofujiShiratayama prepares for his upcoming match (c. 1975)Shiratayama poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1976)Shiratayama's retirement ceremony pamphlet (c. 1977)Shiratayama after retirement as Tanigawa Oyakata (c. 2000)Shiratayama's tegata
## **Sources**

* Shiratayama Hidetoshi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Shiratayama Hidetoshi Rikishi Information