is a Japanese former professional
sumo
is a form of competitive full-contact wrestling where a ''rikishi'' (wrestler) attempts to force his opponent out of a circular ring (''dohyō'') or into touching the ground with any body part other than the soles of his feet (usually by thr ...
wrestler from
Aomori
is the capital city of Aomori Prefecture, in the Tōhoku region of Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 278,964 in 136,457 households, and a population density of 340 people per square kilometer spread over the city's total area of ...
. He joined professional sumo in 1981, reaching the top ''
makuuchi
, or , is the top division of the six divisions of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers (''rikishi''), ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments.
This is the on ...
'' division just two years later. He reached the second highest rank of ''
ōzeki'' in 1987 and became the 63rd ''
yokozuna
, or , is the top division of the six divisions of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers (''rikishi''), ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments.
This is the on ...
'' 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 is now the head coach of
Isegahama stable
Isegahama stable was a heya or stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tatsunami-Isegahama ''ichimon,'' or group of stables.
It was founded in 1859 by former ''komusubi'' Arakuma. It was led from 1929 by former ''sekiwake'' Kiyosegawa. His dau ...
. As a coach he has produced two ''yokozuna'' himself,
Harumafuji and
Terunofuji
, lead=yes), is a Mongolian-born naturalised-Japanese professional sumo wrestler. Wrestling for the Isegahama stable, he entered professional sumo in January 2011 and took the second division ''jūryō'' championship in his debut as a ''sekitori ...
.
Early life
He was born in the fishing town of
Kizukuri in
Nishitsugaru District. His father, who worked as an electrician, was a keen amateur sumo enthusiast and Vice President of the Prefectural Sumo Federation.
He was determined to see his son succeed in sumo and even built a ''
dohyō
A ''dohyō'' (, ) is the space in which a sumo wrestling bout occurs. A typical ''dohyō'' is a circle made of partially buried rice- straw bales 4.55 meters in diameter. In official professional tournaments (''honbasho''), it is mounted on a squ ...
'' in the garden for him to practise.
Asahifuji also did well at sumo at school, finishing third in a national schoolboy competition, and later winning the West Japan Student Newcomers tournament while studying at
Kinki University
is a private non-sectarian and coeducational university based in Higashiosaka, Osaka, Japan with campuses in five other locations: Nara, Nara; Ōsakasayama, Osaka; Uchita, Wakayama; Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima; and Iizuka, Fukuoka.
The En ...
.
However, tiring of the never-ending training, he gave up sumo for a while and spent his time fishing.
Eventually an acquaintance of his father introduced him to Ōshima-''oyakata'', former ''
ōzeki''
Asahikuni
, born April 25, 1947, as is a former sumo wrestler from Hokkaidō, Japan. His highest rank was '' ōzeki''. After his retirement he set up Ōshima stable which he ran from 1980 until he left the Japan Sumo Association in 2012 upon reaching the ...
, who had recently opened his own ''
heya
Heya or Hey Ya may refer to:
*Heya (sumo) from the Japanese word for "room" (部屋), also in compounds -beya, or Sumo-beya, an organization of sumo wrestlers (pronounced ''beya'' when in compound form)
* Heya TV, from the Arabic word for "Hers", ...
'' or stable of wrestlers,
Ōshima stable
was a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tatsunami '' ichimon'' or group of stables. It was set up in 1980 by former '' ōzeki'' Asahikuni, who branched off from Tatsunami stable. The head of Tatsunami stable opposed the setting up of the ne ...
.
Early sumo career
Asahifuji made his professional debut in January 1981. He was already 20 years old, considerably older than most new recruits who tend to be 15 or 16. However, because of his amateur sumo experience he was able to work his way up the ranks very quickly and won tournament championships in the ''
jonokuchi
Professional sumo as administered by the Japan Sumo Association is divided into six ranked divisions. Wrestlers are promoted and demoted within and between these divisions based on the merit of their win–loss records in official tournaments. For ...
'', ''
sandanme
Professional sumo as administered by the Japan Sumo Association is divided into six ranked divisions. Wrestlers are promoted and demoted within and between these divisions based on the merit of their win–loss records in official tournaments. For ...
'' and ''
makushita
Professional sumo as administered by the Japan Sumo Association is divided into six ranked divisions. Wrestlers are promoted and demoted within and between these divisions based on the merit of their win–loss records in official tournaments. For ...
'' divisions with perfect records. He reached the second highest ''
jūryō
Professional sumo as administered by the Japan Sumo Association is divided into six ranked divisions. Wrestlers are promoted and demoted within and between these divisions based on the merit of their win–loss records in official tournaments. For ...
'' division after only eight tournaments, a record that stood unbeaten until 2008. He was promoted to the top ''
makuuchi
, or , is the top division of the six divisions of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers (''rikishi''), ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments.
This is the on ...
'' division in March 1983. He won his first
special prize for Fighting Spirit in the November 1984 tournament, where he finished runner-up. He reached ''
sekiwake
, or , is the top division of the six divisions of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers (''rikishi''), ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments.
This is the on ...
'' rank for the first time in January 1986. After regular training sessions at
Takasago stable
is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Takasago group of stables. It is correctly written in Japanese as "髙砂部屋", but the first of these ''kanji'' is rare, and is more commonly written as "高砂部屋".
History
The stable was establi ...
, where he knew
Asashio from his university days,
he began to develop a more rounded technique,
and after three double figure records he was promoted to sumo's second highest rank of ''ōzeki'' after the September 1987 tournament.
''Ōzeki''
In January 1988 Asahifuji won his first top division tournament championship, which was also the first for the Tatsunami-Isegahama ''
icihimon'' or group of stables in nearly twenty years.
In 1989 he won 40 out of a possible 45 bouts in the first three championships of the year and came very close to promotion to the highest rank of ''
yokozuna
, or , is the top division of the six divisions of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers (''rikishi''), ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments.
This is the on ...
'', but he was defeated by ''yokozuna''
Hokutoumi
is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Hokkaidō. He was the sport's 61st ''yokozuna'' and won eight top division championships. He wrestled for Kokonoe stable, as did Chiyonofuji, and the two were the first ''yokozuna'' stablemat ...
in playoffs in both January and May 1989. His 13–2 record in May was his fifth consecutive runner-up performance, and his seventh overall, but he had been unable to win two tournaments in a row, regarded by the
Japan Sumo Association
The is the body that operates and controls professional sumo wrestling (called ''Ōzumō'', 大相撲) in Japan under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). ''Rikishi'' (active ...
as the minimum requirement for ''yokozuna'' promotion after the embarrassment of
Futahaguro's brief tenure at sumo top's rank.
After managing only 8–7 in the following tournament in July, Asahifuji endured a long slump. This was partly caused by longstanding pancreatic trouble,
which had first been diagnosed in 1984 and had also afflicted his stablemaster during his active days.
After a string of mediocre 8–7 and 9–6 scores it seemed Asahifuji would finish his career as an ''ōzeki''. However, by mid-1990 his health began to improve, and after encouragement from his stablemaster, who reminded him that he would soon turn 30 years of age and was down to his last chance, he won consecutive championships in May and July 1990. He scored 14–1 in both tournaments, securing his ''yokozuna'' promotion on the final day in July by defeating ''yokozuna''
Chiyonofuji
, born , was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler and the 58th ''yokozuna'' of the sport. Following his retirement as a wrestler, he was the stable master of Kokonoe stable until the time of his death.
Chiyonofuji was considered one of the gr ...
for only the fifth time in 28 meetings.
''Yokozuna''
Asahifuji began his ''yokozuna'' career with 12 straight wins in the September 1990 tournament, but he lost to
Kirishima on Day 13 and was defeated by Hokutoumi in the championship deciding bout on the final day. In November 1990 he finished runner-up again, to Chiyonofuji. In January and March 1991 he posted reasonable scores of 11–4 but was never really in contention for the championship in either tournament, although he did have a memorable win over the young rising star
Takahanada in March. He had to wait until May 1991 for his first title as a ''yokozuna'', when he defeated
Konishiki
Saleva'a Fuauli Atisano'e (born December 31, 1963), professionally known as is an American former sumo wrestler.Franz LidzMeat Bomb, 05.18.92 - ''Sports Illustrated'' He was the first non-Japanese-born wrestler to reach '' ōzeki'', the second- ...
twice on the last day, once in their regulation match and once in the playoff, to finish with a 14–1 record.
This was to prove Asahifuji's only tournament championship as a ''yokozuna'', as the rest of his career was dogged by illness and injury. He managed only a bare majority of 8–7 in July 1991, the last tournament he was to complete. He pulled out of the September 1991 tournament with an injured shoulder on the sixth day, and hampered by the return of his old pancreatic problems missed the November 1991 tournament altogether. He returned in January 1992 but after losing his opening three bouts to
Akebono, his nemesis
Akinoshima
Akinoshima Katsumi (born 16 March 1967 as Katsumi Yamanaka) is a former sumo wrestler from Akitsu, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1982, and after reaching the top division in 1988 he remained there for 15 years. H ...
(for the fifth time in a row) and finally
Wakahanada, he announced his retirement at the age of 31. Asahifuji's three bout losing streak from the opening day was equal to the worst ever for a ''yokozuna'' in the 15-day era until
Kisenosato
is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Ibaraki. He made his professional debut in 2002, and reached the top ''makuuchi'' division in 2004 at the age of just 18. After many years in the junior ''san'yaku'' ranks, he reached the seco ...
lost his first four bouts in November 2018. He gave the worsening condition of his pancreas as the reason for his retirement. His ''
danpatsu-shiki
The following words are terms used in sumo wrestling in Japan.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
...
'' or retirement ceremony was held in September 1992. There were no active ''yokozuna'' at the time, so he was unable to follow the tradition of having one serve as his ''
tachimochi
In professional sumo, the ''tachimochi'' (太刀持ち; lit.: sword carrier) is one of the two attendants that accompany a ''yokozuna'' when he performs his '' dohyō-iri'', or ring entrance ceremony. The other attendant is called the ''tsuyuhar ...
'' and ''
tsuyuharai
In professional sumo, the ''tsuyuharai'' (Japanese: 露払い, literally "dew sweeper") is one of the two attendants that accompany a ''yokozuna'' when he performs his '' dohyō-iri'' or ring entrance ceremony. The other attendant is called the ...
'' for the event.
After retirement
![Yokoduna Keiko Soken-3](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97/Yokoduna_Keiko_Soken-3.jpg)
Asahifuji has remained in the sumo world as a coach. He had married a niece of the former Kasugayama-''oyakata'' (former ''maegashira''
Ōnobori) in 1988, and seemed set to revive
Kasugayama stable
was a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Isegahama '' ichimon'' or group of stables. In its modern form it dates from 1954 when it was re-established by former '' ōzeki'' Nayoroiwa who led it until his death in 1971. It went out of existence ...
,
but instead he took over
Ajigawa stable in 1993 due to the poor health of the previous incumbent (former ''sekiwake''
Mutsuarashi). The first top division wrestler he produced was
Aminishiki in 2000, who reached the ''sekiwake'' rank in 2007. Aminishiki's brother
Asōfuji, who retired in 2011 after a
match-fixing scandal, was also briefly a top division wrestler. In November 2007 Asahifuji acquired the prestigious Isegahama
elder name and renamed his stable
Isegahama stable
Isegahama stable was a heya or stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tatsunami-Isegahama ''ichimon,'' or group of stables.
It was founded in 1859 by former ''komusubi'' Arakuma. It was led from 1929 by former ''sekiwake'' Kiyosegawa. His dau ...
. (The Ajigawa name was acquired by Aminishiki and was loaned to
Shikishima of
Michinoku stable
The is a Heya (sumo), stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tokitsukaze stable, Tokitsukaze ''Glossary of sumo terms#ichimon, ichimon'' or group of stables. It was established in 1974 by former ''maegashira'' Hoshikabuto Yoshio, Hoshikabuto, who ...
until July 2012, when Shikishima switched to the Urakaze name.) He has also worked as a
judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as a part of a panel of judges. A judge hears all the witnesses and any other evidence presented by the barristers or solicitors of the case, assesses the credibility an ...
at tournament matches.
Asahifuji's greatest success as a trainer came first with
Harumafuji, who he recruited in 2001 and who initially fought under the ''
shikona
A is a sumo wrestler's ring name. The tradition of ring names in sumo dates back to the Edo period, where they were used as a means to attract customers and hide the identities of the ''rikishi''.
Like standard Japanese names, a ''shikona'' co ...
'' of Ama. Harumafuji reached the second highest rank of ''ōzeki'' in November 2008 and won his first top division championship in May 2009. Harumafuji took his second championship in July 2011, the same tournament in which
Takarafuji
is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler. He completes in the ''makuuchi'' division. The highest rank he has reached is ''sekiwake''.
Early life and sumo background
From the third grade of elementary school, Sugiyama began practicing at a sumo ...
, like Asahifuji a Kinki University graduate, made his top division debut.
Homarefuji
is a retired professional sumo wrestler from the town of Ajigasawa in Aomori prefecture, Japan. A former amateur champion, he made his professional debut in January 2008 and wrestled for Isegahama stable, one of the more successful stables in s ...
reached ''jūryō'' in 2012, and in September of that year Harumafuji was promoted to ''yokozuna'' following two consecutive 15–0 championships. Isegahama had motivated Harumafuji by telling him before his July 2011 championship, "If you are content with being ozeki then it is all over. You do not become a yokozuna just by wanting to be a yokozuna." Like Asahifuji, Harumafuji performed the ''yokozuna'' ring entering ceremony or ''
dohyō-iri
The following words are terms used in sumo wrestling in Japan.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
...
'' in the Shiranui style. He has continued to produce top wrestlers, with
Takarafuji
is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler. He completes in the ''makuuchi'' division. The highest rank he has reached is ''sekiwake''.
Early life and sumo background
From the third grade of elementary school, Sugiyama began practicing at a sumo ...
reaching ''komusubi'' rank and
Terunofuji
, lead=yes), is a Mongolian-born naturalised-Japanese professional sumo wrestler. Wrestling for the Isegahama stable, he entered professional sumo in January 2011 and took the second division ''jūryō'' championship in his debut as a ''sekitori ...
, inherited from the defunct
Magaki stable was a stable of sumo wrestlers, formerly one of the Nishonoseki group of stables. Wakanohana Kanji II, the 56th ''yokozuna'' in sumo history, re-established the stable in 1983. Its first wrestler to reach the top ''makuuchi'' division was the Ha ...
, being promoted to ''ōzeki'', both in 2015. Terunofuji fell to the ''jonidan'' division through injury in 2019. Isegahama refused to accept Terunofuji's request to be allowed to retire, and his faith was rewarded when Terunofuji staged a spectacular comeback and reached the ''yokozuna'' rank in July 2021.
He submitted Harumafuji's retirement papers to the Sumo Association on 29 November 2017 after the ''yokozuna'' took responsibility for an assault on fellow Mongolian
Takanoiwa
Takanoiwa Yoshimori (born 26 February 1990 as Adiyagiin Baasandorj) is a retired sumo wrestler from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. He made his professional debut in January 2009. He has both a ''sandanme'' and a ''jūryō'' division championship. He reac ...
in a
Tottori restaurant and bar the previous month. At a subsequent news conference Isegahama shed tears as he told reporters, "I've watched him grow since he was 16 and have never seen or heard of him being violent before... I can't imagine why it happened." At a meeting on 20 December 2017 the Sumo Association accepted Isegahama's resignation as a director. He was moved to the competition inspection committee as a deputy chairman. He returned to the board of directors in 2020 as head of the judging department.
Asahifuji turned 60 in July 2020. His ''
kanreki dohyō-iri
In sumo wrestling, a ''kanreki dohyō-iri'' (Japanese: 還暦土俵入り) is a ring-entering ceremony ('' dohyō-iri'') performed by a former ''yokozuna'' in celebration of his 60th birthday (called ''kanreki'' in Japanese). If he is a ''toshiyor ...
'', originally postponed from May 2020 due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
,
was held at
Ryōgoku Kokugikan
, also known as Ryōgoku Sumo Hall or Kokugikan Arena, is the name bestowed to two different indoor sporting arenas located in Tokyo. The fist ''Ryōgoku Kokugikan'' opened its doors in 1909 and was located on the lands of the Ekōin temple in Ry ...
on 3 October 2021. Two of Isegahama stable's retired wrestlers, Ajigawa (former ''sekiwake''
Aminishiki) and ''yokozuna''
Harumafuji, served as his ''
tsuyuharai
In professional sumo, the ''tsuyuharai'' (Japanese: 露払い, literally "dew sweeper") is one of the two attendants that accompany a ''yokozuna'' when he performs his '' dohyō-iri'' or ring entrance ceremony. The other attendant is called the ...
'' and ''
tachimochi
In professional sumo, the ''tachimochi'' (太刀持ち; lit.: sword carrier) is one of the two attendants that accompany a ''yokozuna'' when he performs his '' dohyō-iri'', or ring entrance ceremony. The other attendant is called the ''tsuyuhar ...
'', respectively. He told reporters shortly after the original postponement that he would need to put on weight to be able to wear his ''
tsuna''.
Fighting style
Asahifuji's favoured ''
kimarite
''Kimarite'' ( ja, 決まり手) is the technique used in sumo by a ''rikishi'' (wrestler) to win a match. It is officially decided or announced by the ''gyōji'' (referee) at the end of the match, though judges can modify this decision. The rec ...
'' or techniques were listed by the Sumo Association as ''migi-yotsu'' (a left hand outside, right hand inside grip on the opponent's ''
mawashi
In sumo, a is the loincloth that (sumo wrestlers) wear during training or in competition. Upper ranked professional wrestlers wear a as part of the ring entry ceremony or .
For top ranked professional , it is made of silk and comes in a var ...
''), ''yorikiri'' (force out) and ''uwatedashinage'' (pulling overarm throw). However, he was also fond of employing more unorthodox techniques little used by other wrestlers and certainly not taught by coaches. He was criticised for this by his stablemaster, the former ''ōzeki'' and noted technician
Asahikuni
, born April 25, 1947, as is a former sumo wrestler from Hokkaidō, Japan. His highest rank was '' ōzeki''. After his retirement he set up Ōshima stable which he ran from 1980 until he left the Japan Sumo Association in 2012 upon reaching the ...
, whose view was that by winning by his own idiosyncratic methods, he would be unable to cure his faults. Asahifuji himself claimed in an interview with
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network operated by the state-owned enterprise, state-owned Channel Four Television Corporation. It began its transmission on 2 November 1982 and was established to provide a four ...
television to have no favourite technique, but did say that while "everyone likes to throw an opponent, that's not sumo."
["Sumo", Cheerleader Productions, ]Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network operated by the state-owned enterprise, state-owned Channel Four Television Corporation. It began its transmission on 2 November 1982 and was established to provide a four ...
, 1990.
Career record
See also
*
*
List of past sumo wrestlers
This is a list of prominent past wrestlers (either retired or deceased) in the sport of professional sumo. They are listed in order of the year and tournament month that they made their professional debuts. The information listed below was gleaned ...
*
List of sumo elders
A ''list'' is any set of items in a row. List or lists may also refer to:
People
* List (surname)
Organizations
* List College, an undergraduate division of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
* SC Germania List, German rugby union ...
*
List of sumo tournament top division champions
This is a list of rikishi, wrestlers who have won the Makuuchi, top division (''makuuchi'') yusho, championship in professional sumo since 1909, when the current championship system was established. These honbasho, official tournaments are held ex ...
*
List of sumo tournament top division runners-up
The table below lists the runners up ('' jun-yusho'') in the top '' makuuchi'' division at official sumo
is a form of competitive full-contact wrestling where a '' rikishi'' (wrestler) attempts to force his opponent out of a circular ring ...
*
List of yokozuna
This is a list of all sumo wrestlers who have reached the sport's highest rank of ''yokozuna''. It was not recorded on the ''banzuke'' until 1890 and was not officially recognised as sumo's highest rank until 1909. Until then, ''yokozuna'' was mer ...
References
External links
Article on Asahifuji
{{DEFAULTSORT:Asahifuji, Seiya
Japanese sumo wrestlers
Sumo people from Aomori Prefecture
People from Tsugaru, Aomori
Yokozuna
1960 births
Living people