Kyokudōzan Kazuyasu
Sumo career. Kyokudozan was born in Tokyo, but moved to his mother's hometown of Tokunoshima in Ōshima District as a child. In high school he was offered a volleyball scholarship, but he opted for sumo. He joined the newly formed Ōshima stable, making his professional debut in May 1980. He was one of the lightest sumo wrestlers ever, capable of running the 100 metres in 11 seconds. He did not reach 100 kg in weight until 1989, the year he was promoted to the top "makuuchi" division. Kyokudozan stayed in the top division for 48 tournaments. Mainoumi  was the only "makuuchi" wrestler lighter than himself during this period. In May 1992 he defeated "ōzeki" Konishiki, winner of the previous tournament and some 150 kg heavier than him, with the rare leg-sweeping technique "ketaguri." In September 1992 he reached his highest rank of "komusubi." Unusually for someone making their "san'yaku" debut he was able to hold his rank. For this he was awarded the "Kantō-shō", or Fighting Spirit prize. In March 1993 he defeated the newly crowned "Yokozuna" Akebono to earn his only "kinboshi." Political career. In October 1996 Kyokudozan submitted his retirement papers to the  Sumo Association and announced he would run for election to the Diet of Japan. He stood for the New Frontier Party and was elected to the lower House of Representatives, representing the Kansai region. When his party was disbanded he joined the New Peace Party (now New Komeito) before continuing as an independent. In May 2000 he announced he would not stand in the next general election and was retiring from politics. Later career. Kyokudozan subsequently moved to Osaka, where he set up a business, running a health food company. He was also involved in local politics in the area . In 2008 he attended the retirement ceremony of former stablemate Kyokutenzan. He also occasionally commentates on sumo broadcasts. His younger brother remains in sumo, as a "gyōji" or referee, and is known as Kimura Hisanosuke. He is affiliated to Tomozuna stable (where all Ōshima stable personnel moved to upon its closure) and referees at "makuuchi" level. Fighting style. Despite his light weight Kyokudozan preferred "yotsu-sumo" techniques, fighting his opponent at close quarters on the "mawashi." His favourite grip was "migi-yotsu", with his left hand outside and right hand inside his opponent's arms. His most common winning kimarite  was "yorikiri" (force out), but he also regularly used his left hand grip to win with "uwatenage", or outer arm throw. Career record.