|
Tochinowaka Kiyotaka (born 22 May 1962 as Kiyotaka Kaseda) is a former sumo wrestler from Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. A former amateur champion, he turned professional in 1985, reaching the top ''makuuchi'' division in 1987. His highest rank was ''sekiwake.'' He was a runner-up in one tournament and earned six special prizes and four ''kinboshi''. After 76 tournaments and 1114 bouts in the top division he retired in 1999. He is now an elder of the Japan Sumo Association and the head coach of Kasugano stable. ==Career== He was born in Shimotsu, Kaisō District. He was named Kiyotaka after the great ''yokozuna'' of the 1950s, Tochinishiki Kiyotaka. He played baseball in junior high school and ambitions to be a professional, but switched to sumo in high school due to his size.〔 He was an amateur champion at Meiji University, and finished runner-up in the national collegiate ''yokozuna'' competition.〔 He made his professional debut in March 1985 in the ''makushita'' division, having been given ''makushita tsukedashi'' status because of his amateur achievements. The first graduate of Meiji University to have a major impact in professional sumo, he quickly moved up the ranks, progressing through ''jūryō'' in just two tournaments and reaching the top ''makuuchi'' division in January 1987. He was also the first top division wrestler from Wakayama Prefecture for nearly 40 years. He reached his highest rank of ''sekiwake'' in September 1987, and defeated a ''yokozuna'' and two ''ozeki'' in his first three bouts at the rank. Tochinowaka remained in the top division for 76 tournaments, winning six special prizes and earning four gold stars for defeating ''yokozuna''. He was runner-up to Konishiki in the tournament of March 1992 and looked set to launch a drive for ''ozeki'' promotion, but he was injured in the next tournament and had to withdraw. He made his last appearance in the ''sanyaku'' ranks in March 1994. He carried on fighting until the age of 37, retiring in July 1999 when he was the oldest man in the top division. He was utterly unable to defeat Musashimaru, losing to him 23 times in 23 meetings, and he also lost all 14 bouts he contested with Chiyonofuji. His wins over ''yokozuna'' were against Futahaguro in September 1987, Onokuni in January 1988, September 1988 and September 1989, Hokutoumi in January 1990, July 1991 and November 1991, and finally Takanohana in January 1997. He was a heavy smoker during his active days. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Tochinowaka Kiyotaka」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|