Yoshioyama Osamu

Yoshioyama Osamu - 吉王山 修 (born May 20, 1949) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yatsushiro, Kumamoto. He made his debut in March 1965 and last wrestled for Mihogaseki stable. He reached the makuuchi division in November 1969. His highest rank was maegashira 2 and he retired in January 1976.

## **Early Life**

Yoshimura was always a big kid and in his third year of elementary school he was scouted by Mihogaseki Oyakata (former ozeki Masuiyama I). Since then he was recommended to try out professional sumo by many of his close acquaintances and upon graduating junior high school, he joined Mihogaseki stable.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his professional debut in March 1965 and was given the shikona "Yoshioyama" (吉王山). He was promoted to sandanme in March 1966 and in November 1966 he won the sandanme yusho with a perfect 7-0 record to earn a promotion to makushita in January 1967. In September 1968, he produced a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 5 and was promoted to juryo in the following November 1968 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

At the time of his juryo debut, Yoshioyama was still only 19 years old. In his first juryo tournament, he finished with a solid 8-7 record. He followed up with a strong 11-4 record, but missed out on the yusho after losing to Asanobori in the playoff. Nevertheless, after three consecutive winning records he was promoted to makuuchi in November 1969.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Yoshioyama was unable to establish himself in the top division until November 1971 where he got his first top division kachi-koshi (winning record). In January 1972, he produced a 10-5 record and was runner-up to Tochiazuma's 11-4 performance. He was promoted to maegashira 2 for the following March 1972 tournament, but he was unable to progress any further. His last makuuchi appearance was in September 1974 and he announced his retirement after the January 1976 tournament.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Onogawa. He left the Sumo Association in January 1977. After leaving the sumo world, he opened up a snack bar in Nagoya, Aichi.

## **Fighting Style**

Yoshioyama 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. He was also fond of employing uwatenage, or overarm throw.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 403-396/799 (66 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 99-141/240 (16 basho)
* **Juryo:** 210-195/405 (27 basho)
* **Makushita:** 40-30/70 (10 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 31-18/49 (7 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 18-10/28 (4 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Juryo** Championship (July 1971)
* 1 **Sandanme** Championship (November 1966)

## **Gallery**

Yoshioyama (second left) joins professional sumo (c. 1965)Yoshioyama prepares for his upcoming matchYoshioyama serves as Yokozuna Kitanoumi's dew sweeper (c. 1974)Yoshioyama poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1976)Yoshioyama's retirement ceremony pamphlet (c. 1976)Yoshioyama's tegata
## **Sources**

* Yoshioyama Osamu Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Yoshioyama Osamu Rikishi Information