Kotonofuji Muneyoshi

Kotonofuji Muneyoshi - 琴乃富士 宗義 (born November 7, 1951) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Rusutsu, Hokkaido. He made his debut in May 1967 and wrestled for Sadogatake stable. He reached the makuuchi division in July 1974. His highest rank was maegashira 5 and he retired in January 1982.

## **Early Life**

Ever since he was a child, Fujisawa aspired to become a professional sumo wrestler. He was introduced to Sadogatake stable by a teacher at Rusutsu Junior High School. He made his debut in May 1967 alongside future sekiwake Kirinji.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He initially wrestled under his surname Fujisawa before switching to Kotonofuji in July 1968. He was promoted to sandanme in November 1968 and makushita in May 1970. In September 1972, he produced a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 4 and was promoted to juryo in the following November 1972 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

Kotonofuji was able to establish himself as a sekitori, but he struggled to put up strong numbers and most of the time barely managed to finish with a winning record. In May 1974, Kotonofuji produced a 9-6 record at the rank of juryo 4 and was promoted to makuuchi in July 1974.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Kotonofuji was ranked in makuuchi for a total of 12 tournaments. In September 1975, he produced a strong 10-5 record (his only double-digit kachi-koshi in makuuchi) which included a win over ozeki Kaiketsu. He was promoted to maegashira 5, his highest rank, in the following tournament, but could only manage 5 wins. In March 1977, he won the juryo yusho with an impressive 14-1 record and was promoted back to makuuchi in May 1977. However, in May 1977 he injured his left thigh in a match against Yutakayama and subsequently withdrew from the tournament. His last makuuchi appearance was in September 1979. He remained in juryo for another two years before falling back down to makushita in September 1981. He ultimately announced his retirement after the January 1982 tournament.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Oguruma. He left the Sumo Association in November 1985, as his elder name was needed by the retiring Kotokaze. In July 1986, he opened up a chankonabe restaurant in the Kagurazaka neighborhood of Tokyo called "Kotonofuji" (ちゃんこ料理 琴乃富士).

## **Fighting Style**

Kotonofuji 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, and tsuridashi, or lift out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 511-508-21/1016 (89 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 72-104-4/174 (12 basho)
* **Juryo:** 311-299-5/609 (41 basho)
* **Makushita:** 59-53-7/112 (17 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 41-29/70 (10 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 23-21-5/44 (7 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Fujisawa (1967.05 - 1968.05)
* Kotonofuji (1968.07 - 1972.09)
* Kotonofuji Muneyoshi (1972.11 - 1975.07)
* Kotonofuji Taiki (1975.09 - 1979.07)
* Kotonofuji Muneyoshi (1979.09 - 1982.01)

## **Gallery**

Kotonofuji prepares for his upcoming match (c. 1975)Kotonofuji poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1976)Kotonofuji serves as Yokozuna Kotozakura's dew sweeperKotonofuji performs Shiko at a shrine (c. 1980)Kotonofuji's kesho-mawashi and tegata on display
## **Sources**

* Kotonofuji Muneyoshi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kotonofuji Muneyoshi Rikishi Information