Tochimatoi Yuko

Tochimatoi Yuko - 栃纒 勇光 (born January 30, 1959 - January 7, 2012) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa. He made his debut in January 1975 and last wrestled for Kasugano stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1985. His highest rank was maegashira 11 and he retired in March 1989.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

After graduating junior high school, Imai joined Kasugano stable. He made his debut in January 1975 and was given the shikona "Imaiyama" (今井山). He was promoted to sandanme in March 1976 and makushita in March 1977. He changed his shikona to "Tochimatoi" (栃纒) in July 1979, and the shikona was derived from his deceased father.

In July 1981, he finished with a 6-1 record and qualified for a seven man playoff for the makushita yusho, but he lost in the second round to Oko. Nevertheless, two tournaments later, he was promoted to juryo after producing two 4-3 records.

### **Juryo Career**

Tochimatoi made his sekitori debut in January 1982, but he struggled and finished the tournament with 3 wins. He returned to juryo in September 1983, but finished with a 2-13 record. He was promoted to juryo for a third time in July 1984 where he finished with a strong 10-5 record. He followed with more winning records, consisting of 9-6 and 10-5 records, and was promoted to makuuchi in May 1985.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Tochimatoi only managed 6 wins in his makuuchi debut and was demoted back down to juryo. In January 1986, Tochimatoi finished with a strong 11-4 record, but missed out on the yusho after losing to Mitoizumi in a playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted back to makuuchi in the following March 1986. In his return, Tochimatoi posted a disastrous 1-14 record and was demoted back down to juryo. This proved to be his last tournament ranked in the top division.

### **Later Career**

After falling back down to juryo, Tochimatoi was still able to put up consistent numbers. In January 1987, Tochimatoi won the juryo yusho with a 10-5 record after defeating Kobayashiyama in a playoff. However, this proved to be his last meaningful performance and he was eventually demoted back down to makushita in July 1988 where he remained for the rest of his career.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Tochimatoi remained in makushita for five tournaments before announcing his retirement after the March 1989 tournament. After retiring, Tochimatoi did not remain in the Japan Sumo Association and instead, in 1991, he opened up a snack bar in Sendai, Miyagi, called "Ashi-te Matoi" (足手纒).

### **Death**

Tochimatoi died of sepsis on January 7, 2012. He was 52 years old.

## **Personal Life**

Prior to becoming a sekitori, Tochimatoi was a performer of comic sumo displays (初っ切り, shokkiri) on regional tours and exhibition tournaments. His partner was stablemate, Tochiminato. Tochiminato only weighed 76.5 kg (169 Ib) while Tochimatoi weighed over 170 kg (375 Ib). Due to the juxtaposition, they were fan favorites and highly popular. After falling back down to makushita in July 1988, he returned to performing shokkiri.

When Tochimatoi was a child, his legs were injured in a car accident. As a result, the length of his left and right leg are slightly different and his center gravity was quite poor compared to the other wrestlers. He also suffered from gout during his active career.

## **Fighting Style**

Tochimatoi 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 or technique was oshidashi or a straightforward push out, followed closely by tsukidashi, or thrust out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 405-385-13/789 (86 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 7-23/30 (2 basho)
* **Juryo:** 175-179-6/353 (24 basho)
* **Makushita:** 155-132-7/287 (42 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 35-28/63 (9 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 30-19/49 (7 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 3-4/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Juryo** Championship (January 1987)

## **Shikona History**

* Imaiyama Yuji (1975.01 - 1979.05)
* Tochimatoi Yuko (1979.07 - 1989.03)

## **Gallery**

Tochimatoi poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1986)Tochimatoi charges towards his opponent (c. 1988)Tochimatoi's retirement ceremony (c. 1989)Tochimatoi's signature
## **Sources**

* Tochimatoi Yuko Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Tochimatoi Yuko Rikishi Information