Owashi Hitoshi

Owashi Hitoshi - 大鷲 平 (born January 12, 1946) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Saku, Nagano. He made his debut in September 1962 and last wrestled for Wakamatsu stable. He reached the makuuchi division in November 1972. His highest rank was maegashira 3 and he retired in January 1978.

## **Early Life**

Ito was born on January 12, 1946, in the city of Saku in Nagano Prefecture. He attended Higashi Junior High School where he was a pitcher in the school's baseball club. After graduating junior high school, he met Nishiiwa Oyakata (former maegashira Wakaarashi) who also came from Saku, Nagano, and was recruited into Wakamatsu stable.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his professional debut in September 1962 and initially wrestled under his surname Ito. He was promoted to sandanme in September 1963 and makushita in May 1964. In November 1964, he changed his shikona to "Owashi" (大鷲). In July 1968, he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record at the rank of makushita 15 and was promoted to juryo in the following September 1968 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

In his first tournament as a sekitori, Owashi struggled and was demoted back down to makushita after only one tournament. He did manage to return to juryo in the following January 1969 tournament, but could only maintain his rank for three tournaments. After two years in the unsalaried ranks, Owashi returned to juryo for a third time in September 1971. After two consecutive 10-5 records, Owashi was promoted to makuuchi in November 1972.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Owashi was ranked in makuuchi for a total of 18 tournaments. He never managed to defeat a yokozuna or earn a special prize. His highest rank was maegashira 3 which he first held in January 1975 and once more in May 1976. His most notable win came against komusubi Kaiketsu in November 1974 where he defeated the future ozeki by kotenage (armlock throw). The win was notable because Kaiketsu won the yusho in this tournament. His last tournament ranked in the top division was in November 1976.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Owashi announced his retirement after the January 1978 tournament to avoid an inevitable demotion to the unsalaried makushita division. Upon retirement from professional sumo, he remained in the Japan Sumo Association as an elder, but he was unable to obtain permanent stock and had to borrow. He left the sumo world all together in September 1980.

After leaving, he opened up a restaurant in his hometown of Saku, Nagano.

## **Personal Life**

His son, Toru Ito (born 1975), was also a professional sumo wrestler. He joined Wakamatsu stable in March 1993 and was given the shikona "Asawashi" (朝鷲). His highest rank was jonidan 42 and he retired in January 1999. After retiring, he gained more fame as professional wrestler under the ring name Toru Owashi.

## **Fighting Style**

Owashi 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 tsuridashi, or lift out, followed by uwatenage, or overarm throw.

## **Record**

### **Divison Results**

* **Total:** 488-500/988 (93 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 114-156/270 (18 basho)
* **Juryo:** 182-193/375 (25 basho)
* **Makushita:** 150-123/273 (39 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 23-12/35 (5 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 15-13/28 (4 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (July 1968)

## **Shikona History**

* Ito Hitoshi (1962.09 - 1964.09)
* Owashi Kihei (1964.11 - 1972.09)
* Owashi Hitoshi (1972.11 - 1978.01)

## **Gallery**

Owashi ensures Juryo promotion with Makushita Yusho (c. 1968)Owashi throws future Ozeki Kaiketsu (c. 1974)Owashi defeats Washuyama (c. 1974)Owashi prepares for his upcoming matchOwashi poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1976)Owashi's tegata
## **Sources**

* Owashi Hitoshi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Owashi Hitoshi Rikishi Information