Sakahoko Nobushige (born Yoshiaki Fukuzono; 18 June 1961 – 16 September 2019) was a Japanese sumo wrestler. The son of…
Sakahoko Nobushige (born Yoshiaki Fukuzono; 18 June 1961 – 16 September 2019) was a Japanese sumo wrestler. The son of Tsurugamine, he made his professional debut in 1978, reaching the top makuuchi division in 1982. His highest rank was sekiwake. He won nine special prizes and seven gold stars for defeating yokozuna. He retired in 1992 and became the head coach of Izutsu stable in 1994, succeeding his father. He oversaw Kakuryū's promotion to the yokozuna rank in 2014 but also saw the size of his stable decline. He was a deputy director of the Japan Sumo Association and a judge of tournament bouts. He died of pancreatic cancer in 2019. He was the elder brother of fellow top division sumo wrestler Terao Tsunefumi.
Famous Japanese People: Sumo
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Akira Taue (田上 明, Taue Akira; born May 8, 1961) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his…
Akira Taue (田上 明, Taue Akira; born May 8, 1961) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his runs in All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah, where he worked for all of his career in both promotions. A former sumo wrestler who went under the name Tamakirin Yasumasa (玉麒麟 安正, Tamakirin Yasumasa), he retired from sumo to make his debut in pro-wrestling, where he went under his real name. He is a former Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, a former GHC Heavyweight Champion. He is one-half of the Holy Demon Army (聖鬼軍, Sei Ki Gun), alongside Toshiaki Kawada, where they won six World Tag Team Championships and two World's Strongest Tag Determination Leagues. In 1993, he was officially dubbed as one of the members of the Four Heavenly Kings (プロレスの四天王, Puroresu no shiten'nō; also called the Four Pillars of Heaven) of AJPW, alongside Kawada, Mitsuharu Misawa, and Kenta Kobashi.
Maenoshin Yasuo (born 17 April 1961 as Yasuo Sawabe) is a former sumo wrestler from Chikuho, Fukuoka, Japan. He made…
Maenoshin Yasuo (born 17 April 1961 as Yasuo Sawabe) is a former sumo wrestler from Chikuho, Fukuoka, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1977, and reached the top division in November 1985. His highest rank was komusubi. He retired in March 1990. He became an elder of the Sumo Association under the name Yamahibiki, but was forced to leave his position for disciplinary reasons in January 1997.
Ishinriki Kōji (born 24 January 1961 as Kōji Iibashi) is a former sumo wrestler from Suginami, Tokyo, Japan. His…
Ishinriki Kōji (born 24 January 1961 as Kōji Iibashi) is a former sumo wrestler from Suginami, Tokyo, Japan. His highest rank was jūryō 1. He was one of the smallest sekitori ever at 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) and 85 kg (187 lb). After his retirement in 1990 he became a professional wrestler for a number of organizations including Super World of Sports, WAR, Pro Wrestling Crusaders and IWA Japan.
Ichinoya Mitsuru (born 28 December 1960 as Tetsuhiro Matsuda) is a former sumo wrestler from Tokunoshima, Ōshima…
Ichinoya Mitsuru (born 28 December 1960 as Tetsuhiro Matsuda) is a former sumo wrestler from Tokunoshima, Ōshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was sandanme 6. He is a rare example of a national university graduate joining professional sumo. Entering the Takasago stable at age 23, he wrestled until the age of 46, making him one of the oldest ever rikishi.
Kototsubaki Katsuyuki (琴椿 克之) (born 6 December 1960 as Katsuyuki Tokashiki) is a former sumo wrestler from Naha…
Kototsubaki Katsuyuki (琴椿 克之) (born 6 December 1960 as Katsuyuki Tokashiki) is a former sumo wrestler from Naha, Okinawa, Japan.
Fujinoshin Tsukasa (born 6 November 1960 as Tetsuya Yagi) is a former sumo wrestler from Funabashi, Chiba, Japan. He…
Fujinoshin Tsukasa (born 6 November 1960 as Tetsuya Yagi) is a former sumo wrestler from Funabashi, Chiba, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1976, and reached the top division in September 1986. His highest rank was maegashira 1. He retired in September 1990 after suffering multiple injuries and became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association.
Hattori Yūji (born Yūji Hattori; 20 August 1960 – 6 June 2025) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Obu, Aichi. While an…
Hattori Yūji (born Yūji Hattori; 20 August 1960 – 6 June 2025) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Obu, Aichi. While an amateur at Doshisha University he won a then–record seventeen collegiate sumo titles. He joined Isenoumi stable and for a time used the prestigious shikona Fujinokawa, the fighting name of Isenoumi Oyakata, formerly sekiwake Fujinokawa Takeo. He made his professional debut in March 1983 and reached the top division in March 1985. However, he was very injury-prone and never made the san'yaku ranks, his highest rank being maegashira 3. He left the sumo world upon retirement from active competition in July 1987 at the age of just 26. Yūji later became a sumo commentator. He died from liver cancer on 6 June 2025, at the age of 64.
Hokuten'yū Katsuhiko (北天佑 勝彦) (August 8, 1960 – June 23, 2006) was a sumo wrestler, from Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan. The…
Hokuten'yū Katsuhiko (北天佑 勝彦) (August 8, 1960 – June 23, 2006) was a sumo wrestler, from Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan. The highest rank he achieved was ōzeki which he held for seven years from 1983 until 1990. He won two top division yūshō or tournament championships. After his retirement as an active wrestler he worked as a sumo coach until his death in 2006 from cancer.
Enazakura Tooru (born 29 July 1960 as Toru Hayakawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Sakashita, Gifu, Japan. He made his…
Enazakura Tooru (born 29 July 1960 as Toru Hayakawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Sakashita, Gifu, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1977 and reached the top division in November 1987. His highest rank was maegashira 1. Upon retirement from active competition in 1994 he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, leaving in July 1999.
Asahifuji Seiya (旭富士 正也; born Seiya Suginomori (杉野森 正也) on July 6, 1960) is a Japanese former professional sumo…
Asahifuji Seiya (旭富士 正也; born Seiya Suginomori (杉野森 正也) on July 6, 1960) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Aomori. He joined professional sumo in 1981, reaching the top makuuchi division just two years later. He reached the second highest rank of ōzeki in 1987 and became the 63rd yokozuna in the history of the sport in 1990 at the age of 30. He won four tournaments and was a runner-up on nine other occasions. He retired in 1992 and was the stablemaster of Isegahama stable from 1993 until 2025. As a coach he has produced two yokozuna, Harumafuji and Terunofuji.
Jingaku Takashi (born 24 December 1959 as Takashi Nakayama) is a former sumo wrestler from Shibushi, Kagoshima, Japan.…
Jingaku Takashi (born 24 December 1959 as Takashi Nakayama) is a former sumo wrestler from Shibushi, Kagoshima, Japan. He made his professional debut in May 1977, and reached the top division in January 1983. His highest rank was komusubi and he earned two kinboshi. He retired in September 1991.
Tochiizumi Takayuki (born 26 November 1959 as Takayuki Nakayama) is a former sumo wrestler from Izumisano, Osaka…
Tochiizumi Takayuki (born 26 November 1959 as Takayuki Nakayama) is a former sumo wrestler from Izumisano, Osaka, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1975, but never reached the top division. His highest rank was jūryō 3. He left the sumo world upon retirement from active competition in March 1990.
Hananokuni Akihiro (born 15 October 1959 as Akihiro Noguchi) is a former sumo wrestler from Fujiidera, Osaka, Japan.
Kirishima Kazuhiro (霧島 一博; born April 3, 1959) is a former sumo wrestler from Makizono, Kagoshima, Japan, who held the…
Kirishima Kazuhiro (霧島 一博; born April 3, 1959) is a former sumo wrestler from Makizono, Kagoshima, Japan, who held the second highest rank of ōzeki from 1990 to 1992 and won one top division tournament championship, and was runner up in seven others. He retired in March 1996, and from December 1997 until April 2024 was the head coach of Michinoku stable under the elder name of Michinoku.
Tōryū Kenji (born 19 December 1958 as Kenji Tanaka) is a former sumo wrestler from Kakogawa, Hyōgo, Japan. He made his…
Tōryū Kenji (born 19 December 1958 as Kenji Tanaka) is a former sumo wrestler from Kakogawa, Hyōgo, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1974, and reached the top division in November 1979. His highest rank was sekiwake. He retired in January 1990.
Ōnohana Taketora (born 23 June 1958 as Hisayoshi Ono) is a former sumo wrestler from Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan. He…
Ōnohana Taketora (born 23 June 1958 as Hisayoshi Ono) is a former sumo wrestler from Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1974 and reached the top division in March 1988. His highest rank was maegashira 13. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, under the name Onoe. He left the Sumo Association in April 2004. He won a third-division title in September 1983, in an eight-way playoff, defeating both future ōzeki Konishiki and future yokozuna Futahaguro.
Tochitsukasa Tetsuo (born 25 April 1958 as Tetsuo Goto) is a former sumo wrestler from Nakagawa, Nagoya, Aichi…
Tochitsukasa Tetsuo (born 25 April 1958 as Tetsuo Goto) is a former sumo wrestler from Nakagawa, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was sekiwake. After his retirement from sumo in 1992 he became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association and established Irumagawa stable in 1993, which he ran until 2023.
Tagaryū Shōji (Japanese: 多賀竜 昇司, born February 15, 1958) is a former sumo wrestler from Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture…
Tagaryū Shōji (Japanese: 多賀竜 昇司, born February 15, 1958) is a former sumo wrestler from Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. The highest rank he reached was sekiwake. In 1984 he won a top division yūshō or tournament championship from the maegashira ranking. After retiring in 1991 he became a sumo coach and head of the Kagamiyama stable, as well as a director of the Japan Sumo Association.
Chikubayama Masakuni (born August 21, 1957, as Makoto Tazaki) is a former sumo wrestler from Ukiha, Fukuoka, Japan. He…
Chikubayama Masakuni (born August 21, 1957, as Makoto Tazaki) is a former sumo wrestler from Ukiha, Fukuoka, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1973, breaking into the top makuuchi division thirteen years later in 1986. His highest rank was maegashira 13. After retiring in 1989 he became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association. He was the head coach of the Miyagino stable and his most successful wrestler is yokozuna Hakuhō.
Kōbōyama Daizō (born 15 August 1957 as Kōkichi Yomogida) is a former sumo wrestler from Tsukidate, Kurihara, Miyagi…
Kōbōyama Daizō (born 15 August 1957 as Kōkichi Yomogida) is a former sumo wrestler from Tsukidate, Kurihara, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1973 and reached the top makuuchi division in 1981. His highest rank was sekiwake. He earned two special prizes for Technique and was a runner-up in one tournament. He retired in 1990. He is now a sumo coach and ran the Takashima stable from 1993 until 2011. He was elected to the Japan Sumo Association's board of directors in 2018.
Sasshūnada Yasutaka (born 7 June 1957 as Katsuyuki Yoshizaki) is a former sumo wrestler from Ibusuki, Kagoshima, Japan.…
Sasshūnada Yasutaka (born 7 June 1957 as Katsuyuki Yoshizaki) is a former sumo wrestler from Ibusuki, Kagoshima, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1976, and reached the top division in September 1986. His highest rank was maegashira 1. He retired in September 1992. As of 2023 he is an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Tatsutayama.
Kotokaze Kōki (born 26 April 1957 as Koichi Nakayama) is a former sumo wrestler from Tsu, Mie, Japan. Beginning his…
Kotokaze Kōki (born 26 April 1957 as Koichi Nakayama) is a former sumo wrestler from Tsu, Mie, Japan. Beginning his career in 1971, he reached the top makuuchi division in 1977 but after a serious injury in 1979 he fell greatly in rank before staging a comeback. His highest rank was ōzeki, which he reached in 1981. He won two tournament championships and was a runner-up in two others. He won six special prizes and six gold stars for defeating yokozuna. He retired in 1985 and became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association and the head coach of Oguruma stable.
Kotochitose Kosei (born 22 April 1957 as Minoru Yamamoto) is a former sumo wrestler from Chitose, Hokkaidō, Japan. In…
Kotochitose Kosei (born 22 April 1957 as Minoru Yamamoto) is a former sumo wrestler from Chitose, Hokkaidō, Japan. In July 1971, he made his professional debut and he reached the top division in May 1981. His highest rank was maegashira 5. He retired from active competition in July 1986. He became a wakaimonogashira (assistant) at Sadogatake stable after his retirement.
Wakashimazu Mutsuo (若嶋津 六夫) (born Mutsuo Hidaka; 12 January 1957 – 15 March 2026) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from…
Wakashimazu Mutsuo (若嶋津 六夫) (born Mutsuo Hidaka; 12 January 1957 – 15 March 2026) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Nakatane, Kagoshima. His highest rank was ōzeki. He won two top-division yūshō or tournament championships. Mutsuo retired in 1987 and founded Matsugane stable in 1990 (now known as Hanaregoma stable).
Hōō Tomomichi, born Tomomichi Kabetani (7 December 1956 – 16 January 2013) was a sumo wrestler from Gamagōri, Aichi…
Hōō Tomomichi, born Tomomichi Kabetani (7 December 1956 – 16 January 2013) was a sumo wrestler from Gamagōri, Aichi, Japan. He made his professional debut in September 1971, and reached the top division in July 1979. His highest rank was sekiwake. He is the only sekiwake since the six-tournaments-a-year schedule began in 1958 to never win a sanshō or special prize. He was one of the few wrestlers to face both Takanohana Kenshi and his son Takanohana Kōji, having fought the latter in the makushita division towards the end of his career. He left the sumo world upon retirement in May 1990. He died of heart disease in 2013.
Daitetsu Tadamitsu (大徹 忠晃; born 29 October 1956 as Tadamitsu Minami (南 忠晃)) is a former sumo wrestler from Ōno, Fukui…
Daitetsu Tadamitsu (大徹 忠晃; born 29 October 1956 as Tadamitsu Minami (南 忠晃)) is a former sumo wrestler from Ōno, Fukui, Japan. He made his professional debut in July 1971, and reached the top division in November, 1983. His highest rank was komusubi. He retired in September 1990, and has worked as a coach at both the original Nishonoseki stable and the new version of the stable, under the elder name Minatogawa.
Takarakuni Minoru (born 16 August 1956 as Minoru Saisu) is a former sumo wrestler from Higashi, Fukushima, Japan. He…
Takarakuni Minoru (born 16 August 1956 as Minoru Saisu) is a former sumo wrestler from Higashi, Fukushima, Japan. He made his professional debut in July 1971, joining the original Isegahama stable, recruited by former yokozuna Terukuni, and reached the top division in March 1982. His highest rank was maegashira 2. Following his retirement from active competition he remained in the sumo world as a sewanin under his real name Saisu, and was a member of Asahiyama stable and then the new Isegahama stable. He reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 for sumo personnel in August 2021 and left his position. In November 1973 he won out in an extraordinary twelve-way playoff for the Jonidan championship, winning four additional bouts for a final score of 6–1–PPPP.
Sadanoumi Kōji (佐田の海 鴻嗣) (born 19 July 1956 as Kōji Matsumara (松村 宏司, Matsumura Kōji)) is a former sumo wrestler from…
Sadanoumi Kōji (佐田の海 鴻嗣) (born 19 July 1956 as Kōji Matsumara (松村 宏司, Matsumura Kōji)) is a former sumo wrestler from Sakai, Osaka, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1972, and reached the top division in November 1980. His highest rank was komusubi. He retired in July 1988 and became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Tagonoura. He left the Sumo Association in August 1999. He is the father of the current sekitori wrestler of the same name, Sadanoumi Takashi.
Misugiiso Takuya (born 11 May 1956 as Hidenori Kamisawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan. He…
Misugiiso Takuya (born 11 May 1956 as Hidenori Kamisawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1971, and reached the top division in November 1977. His highest rank was maegashira 2. He was a member of Hanakago stable and served as sword-bearer to his stablemate Wajima during the yokozuna dohyo-iri. He retired in September 1986, and as of 2021 he is an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Minezaki. He was the head coach of Minezaki stable which he founded in 1988 until its closure in 2021. He speaks English due to his frequent trips to Hawaii. He is married with one son. After reaching 65 years of age in May 2021 he was re-employed for a further five years as a consultant and is currently working at Shibatayama stable. Nicknamed "Drone master", Misugiiso is known for his passion for drones piloting his own machines and having accumulated over 280 hours of flight handling. In December 2021, he was asked by the Japan Sumo Association to collaborate on an aerial photography project of the Ryōgoku Kokugikan.
Ōzutsu Takeshi (born 18 April 1956 as Takatoshi Matsumoto) is a former sumo wrestler from Mie, Japan. Beginning his…
Ōzutsu Takeshi (born 18 April 1956 as Takatoshi Matsumoto) is a former sumo wrestler from Mie, Japan. Beginning his professional career in May 1971, he was ranked in the top makuuchi division continuously from March 1979 to January 1992, and his record of 1170 consecutive bouts there is the second best in history after Takamiyama. His highest rank was sekiwake. He was runner-up in one tournament and earned ten kinboshi or gold stars for defeating yokozuna. He also won four sanshō or special prizes. He wrestled for Taihō stable and after his retirement in May 1992 he worked there as a coach before leaving the Japan Sumo Association in 2008.
Itai Keisuke (板井圭介, Itai Keisuke; 21 March 1956 – 14 August 2018) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Usuki, Oita, Japan.…
Itai Keisuke (板井圭介, Itai Keisuke; 21 March 1956 – 14 August 2018) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Usuki, Oita, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi. He held the record for most consecutive victories from entry into sumo for several years before it was broken by Jōkōryū in 2012. After his retirement, Itai caused controversy by claiming that the outcomes of many of his matches were set by match-fixing.
Shishihō Yoshimasa (born Osamu Tanaka; August 14, 1955 – October 7, 2006) was a sumo wrestler from Moriyama, Nagasaki…
Shishihō Yoshimasa (born Osamu Tanaka; August 14, 1955 – October 7, 2006) was a sumo wrestler from Moriyama, Nagasaki, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1971, and became the first sekitori from Taiho stable when he reached the juryo division in July 1977. He reached the top division in September 1979. His highest rank was maegashira 2. His favourite techniques were migi-yotsu and uwatenage. Upon retirement in May 1987 he was hired by the Sumo Association as a wakaimonogashira. He left the sumo world in July 1991. He died of cancer in 2006.
Konuma Katsuyuki (born 14 August 1955 as Katsuyuki Konuma) is a former sumo wrestler from Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan. He…
Konuma Katsuyuki (born 14 August 1955 as Katsuyuki Konuma) is a former sumo wrestler from Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan. He made his professional debut in July 1971, and reached the top division in March 1976. His highest rank was maegashira 9. He was a contemporary of Chiyonofuji, and the second man after him born in the Shōwa 30s (1955–1964) to reach the top division. He was talked of as a future yokozuna candidate and the "new Kitanoumi" but after breaking his leg in May 1976 his career never recovered. He retired from active competition in November 1978 at the age of just 23, due partly to the effects of his injury but also to a breakdown in relations with his stablemaster Kagamiyama, former yokozuna Kashiwado. After leaving sumo he ran a restaurant in his hometown of Kasukabe. His relationship with Kagamiyama later improved enough for the latter to attend his wedding ceremony.
Hoshiiwato Yūji (born 25 July 1955 as Yūji Noguchi) is a former sumo wrestler from Kaimon, Kagoshima, Japan. He made…
Hoshiiwato Yūji (born 25 July 1955 as Yūji Noguchi) is a former sumo wrestler from Kaimon, Kagoshima, Japan. He made his professional debut in May 1970 and reached the top division in July 1989, 115 tournaments later. This was the slowest ever rise to the top division. His highest rank was maegashira 14. Upon retirement from active competition after the January 1991 tournament, where he faced demotion to the makushita division, he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association and took over as head coach at Michinoku stable. He oversaw the promotion to the jūryō division of two wrestlers from Argentina, Hoshitango and Hoshiandesu. He left the Sumo Association in December 1997 and was succeeded as head coach by former ōzeki Kirishima. He ran a restaurant in Kagoshima city after leaving sumo. Throughout his long career, Hoshiiwato changed his shikona or fighting name eight times, making his debut under his family name of Noguchi and then being variously known as Kaimondake, Hoshikabuto, Satsumafuji, Hoshisatsuma, Oiwato, Hoshiiwato, Hoshikabuto (again) and finally Hoshiiwato again. This is believed to be a record.
Chiyonofuji Mitsugu (Japanese: 千代の富士 貢; June 1, 1955 – July 31, 2016), born Mitsugu Akimoto (秋元 貢, Akimoto Mitsugu)…
Chiyonofuji Mitsugu (Japanese: 千代の富士 貢; June 1, 1955 – July 31, 2016), born Mitsugu Akimoto (秋元 貢, Akimoto Mitsugu), was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler and the 58th yokozuna of the sport. Chiyonofuji is considered one of the greatest yokozunas in sumo's history, winning 31 tournament championships (yūshō) at the top division (makuuchi). This was second only to Taihō at the time of Chiyonofuji's retirement. He was particularly remarkable for his longevity in sumo's top rank, which he held for a period of ten years from 1981 to 1991. Promoted at the age of twenty-six after winning his second championship, his performance improved with age, winning more tournaments in his thirties than any other wrestler and dominating the sport in the second half of the 1980s. He finally retired in May 1991, just short of his thirty-sixth birthday. Following his retirement as a wrestler, he became an elder (oyakata) of the Japan Sumo Association and became the Kokonoe-oyakata the following year in 1992, serving as the stable master of Kokonoe stable until his death. During his 21-year professional career, Chiyonofuji set records for most career victories (1045) and most wins in the top makuuchi division (807), earning an entry in the Guinness World Records, although both of these records were later broken by Kaiō. He won the November Kyushu tournament, one of the six annual honbasho, a record eight consecutive years from 1981 until 1988, and also set the record for the longest postwar run of consecutive wins (53 bouts in 1988). That record stood for 22 years until Hakuhō broke it with his 54th straight win in September 2010. In a sport where weight is often regarded as vital, Chiyonofuji was comparatively light at around 120 kg (260 lb), making him the lightest yokozuna since Tochinoumi during the 1950s and 60s; he primarily relied on his muscle and superior technique to defeat his opponents. Chiyonofuji was a popular sumo wrestler who also went by his nickname "The Wolf" (ウルフ, Urufu) due to his muscular build atypical of most other sumo wrestlers, his competitive ferocity, and his appeal as a sex symbol owing to his body and his masculine facial features.
Ōyutaka Masachika (born 29 March 1955 as Eiji Suzuki) is a former sumo wrestler from Horinouchi, Niigata, Japan. He…
Ōyutaka Masachika (born 29 March 1955 as Eiji Suzuki) is a former sumo wrestler from Horinouchi, Niigata, Japan. He made his professional debut in November 1973, and reached the top division in May 1982. His highest rank was komusubi. He retired in January 1987, and became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Arashio. He opened Arashio stable in 2002. His son fought for the stable under the shikona Chikarayama, retiring in January 2017. Arashio-oyakata reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 in March 2020, and was replaced as head coach of the stable by his most successful wrestler, maegashira Sōkokurai. Sōkokurai had been expelled from sumo in 2011 for alleged match-fixing, but Arashio always stood by his wrestler, and Sōkokurai was re-admitted to sumo in 2013 after winning a court case.
Iwashita Eiichi (岩下 栄一, born Eiichi Iwashita; February 15, 1955 – January 21, 1999) was a sumo wrestler from Kisarazu…
Iwashita Eiichi (岩下 栄一, born Eiichi Iwashita; February 15, 1955 – January 21, 1999) was a sumo wrestler from Kisarazu, Chiba, Japan. He made his professional debut in November 1971, and reached the top division in July 1977. His highest rank was maegashira 8. He also fought under the shikona of Terunoyama (照の山) and Iwanami (岩波). He left the sumo world upon retirement in March 1984.
Tochiakagi Takanori (born Masao Kanaya; October 31, 1954 – August 18, 1997) was a sumo wrestler from Numata, Gunma…
Tochiakagi Takanori (born Masao Kanaya; October 31, 1954 – August 18, 1997) was a sumo wrestler from Numata, Gunma, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1973, and reached the top division in May 1977. His highest rank was sekiwake, which he first reached in May 1979. Unusually he kept the rank for the following tournament even though he had a majority of losses (7–8), because there were few wrestlers below him with good enough records to replace him. This was the first such occurrence since the establishment of the six tournaments per year system in 1958. He beat three yokozuna, Wajima, Wakanohana and Mienoumi, in one tournament in November 1979, and was to win eight kinboshi in total during his top division career. He won four Outstanding Performance and four Fighting Spirit prizes. He was one of the few wrestlers to employ the rare foot sweep technique of susoharai. In 1980 he was tipped alongside Kotokaze and Asashio as a possible ozeki candidate, but never achieved his potential due to an apparent aversion to hard training, and a smoking habit. He missed the November 1980 tournament because of a leg injury and thereafter had chronic problems with both his ankles. In addition he had a poor diet and suffered from diabetes towards the end of his career. He fought in the unsalaried makushita division for 27 tournaments after being demoted from the jūryō division in 1985, longer than any other former sekiwake. He decided to retire when his stable master, former yokozuna Tochinishiki died in January 1990, although his name remained on the banzuke for the following tournament in the sandanme division, making him the first former sanyaku wrestler to fall this low since Ōyutaka in November 1985. He left the sumo world upon retirement. He died of a heart attack in 1997.
Tamaryū Daizō (born 22 July 1954 as Daizō Nagata) is a former sumo wrestler from Nagasaki, Japan. He made his debut in…
Tamaryū Daizō (born 22 July 1954 as Daizō Nagata) is a former sumo wrestler from Nagasaki, Japan. He made his debut in 1970, retiring in 1992. He was one of the lighter sekitori wrestlers. His highest rank was komusubi. He was a member of Kataonami stable.
Amanoyama Shizuo (born Shizuo Ogata; December 28, 1953 – September 17, 1997) was a sumo wrestler from Taku Saga, Japan.…
Amanoyama Shizuo (born Shizuo Ogata; December 28, 1953 – September 17, 1997) was a sumo wrestler from Taku Saga, Japan. He was an amateur champion at Komazawa University and so was given makushita tsukedashi status upon entering professional sumo. He made his professional debut in March 1976, fighting under surname of Ogata, winning the third-division championship in September 1976, in an eight-way playoff, but following up with a losing record of six losses. In July 1977 he would win the third-division championship again, this time undefeated, and earning promotion to Jūryō. He then reached the top division in March 1978. In his top division debut he defeated ozeki Takanohana and scored 11 wins against 4 losses, winning the Fighting Spirit prize for the only time. He made his makuuchi debut in the same tournament as Kotowaka and as both were unusually tall, they were nicknamed "Jumbo Jet" and "Concorde". His highest rank was maegashira 1. Upon retirement from active competition, he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Tatsutayama. He died while an active oyakata in September 1997 at the age of 43. He had been suffering from diabetes and liver disease since his days as an active wrestler.
Hidanohana Shigeyoshi (born 13 December 1953 as Osamu Hirabayashi) is a former sumo wrestler from Asahi, Gifu, Japan.…
Hidanohana Shigeyoshi (born 13 December 1953 as Osamu Hirabayashi) is a former sumo wrestler from Asahi, Gifu, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1969 and reached the top division in September 1980. His highest rank was maegashira 1. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Onoe. He left the Sumo Association in March 1994.
Taikō Yoshio (born 30 October 1953 as Yoshio Yokoyama) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. He made his…
Taikō Yoshio (born 30 October 1953 as Yoshio Yokoyama) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. He made his professional debut in November 1968, and reached the top division in May 1978. His highest rank was maegashira 2. He left the sumo world upon retirement in November 1980.
Ōnishiki Ittetsu (born 11 September 1953 as Morio Obori) is a former sumo wrestler from Sado, Niigata, Japan. He made…
Ōnishiki Ittetsu (born 11 September 1953 as Morio Obori) is a former sumo wrestler from Sado, Niigata, Japan. He made his professional debut in May 1968, and reached the top division in September 1973. His highest rank was komusubi. He retired in January 1988 and became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Yamashina, holding the Special Executive position.
Seiei Kimura (木村 聖裔, Kimura Seiei; born September 4, 1953) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, best known…
Seiei Kimura (木村 聖裔, Kimura Seiei; born September 4, 1953) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, best known under the ring name Kengo Kimura (木村 健悟, Kimura Kengo) and for his many years working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in Japan.
Wakanohana Kanji (Japanese: 若乃花 幹士; 3 April 1953 — 16 July 2022) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ōwani…
Wakanohana Kanji (Japanese: 若乃花 幹士; 3 April 1953 — 16 July 2022) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ōwani, Aomori. He was the sport's 56th yokozuna. He was popular with sumo fans and was well-known for his rivalry with Kitanoumi. After retirement, he became the head coach of Magaki stable. Due to poor health, he left the Japan Sumo Association in December 2013. He died of lung cancer in July 2022 at the age of 69.
Kirinji Kazuharu, real name Kazuharu Tarusawa (9 March 1953 – 1 March 2021) was a sumo wrestler from Kashiwa, Chiba…
Kirinji Kazuharu, real name Kazuharu Tarusawa (9 March 1953 – 1 March 2021) was a sumo wrestler from Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1967, reaching the top makuuchi division in 1974. His highest rank was sekiwake. During his long career he won several awards and set a number of longevity records. Upon his retirement in 1988 he became a sumo coach and elder of the Japan Sumo Association, until reaching 65 years of age in 2018.
Kaneshiro Kōfuku (February 27, 1953 - December 29, 2002) was a sumo wrestler from Takanabe, Miyazaki, Japan. He made…
Kaneshiro Kōfuku (February 27, 1953 - December 29, 2002) was a sumo wrestler from Takanabe, Miyazaki, Japan. He made his professional debut in September 1969, and reached the top division in September 1974. His highest rank was sekiwake. He was a runner-up in two tournaments and earned two gold stars and three Fighting Spirit prizes. After retiring in 1987 he opened up a sumo-themed restaurant. He died of a heart attack in 2002.
Takashi Ishikawa (石川 孝志, Ishikawa Takashi; ring names: 石川 敬士 and 石川 泰士, born February 5, 1953) is a Japanese former…
Takashi Ishikawa (石川 孝志, Ishikawa Takashi; ring names: 石川 敬士 and 石川 泰士, born February 5, 1953) is a Japanese former professional wrestler and sumo wrestler from Fujishima, Higashitagawa District, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.
Takanosato Toshihide (Japanese: 隆の里 俊英; September 29, 1952 – November 7, 2011), real name Toshihide Takaya (高谷 俊英), was…
Takanosato Toshihide (Japanese: 隆の里 俊英; September 29, 1952 – November 7, 2011), real name Toshihide Takaya (高谷 俊英), was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Namioka, Aomori. He was the sport's 59th yokozuna from 1983 to 1986 and won four top division tournament championships. After retirement he established Naruto stable which he ran from 1989 until his death.