Hiradoumi Yūki

is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hirado. He wrestles for the Sakaigawa stable. His highest rank is ''maegashira'' 5.

Career

Early career

Sakaguchi Yūki comes from the city of Hirado, in the Nagasaki Prefecture. He started sumo wrestling at Himosashi Elementary School, under the guidance of former '' sandanme''-wrestler Sakao Hiroki who's also from Hirado, but didn't take the sport seriously until sixth grade, mimicking the serious training of his elders in the club. As a kid he participated in the Wanpaku National Sumo Championships for three consecutive years. In high school, he participated to the National Junior High School Sumo Championship. During this tournament, he stayed at the Sakaigawa stable to be lodged and trained there. In 2016, after graduating from junior high school, he decided to join professional sumo and entered Sakaigawa stable because its head coach (former '' komusubi'' Ryōgoku) is also from Nagasaki. During his '' shin-deshi'' presentation, he shared the ring with Asanoyama and Yutakayama. In 2017, he changed his '' shikona'' to Hiradoumi to pay homage to his hometown. During his years at the stable he struck up a friendship with Tsushimanada, with whom he maintains a friendly rivalry, competing with him at the time to see who would be promoted to '' sekitori'' ahead of the other.

In 2021, it was announced that he will be promoted to sumo's second highest division (''jūryō'') for the November tournament. He is the first wrestler within his stable to reach sekitoriship since , who reached the jūryō division in 2010. Following a strong performance in the July 2022 tournament, he was promoted to the '' makuuchi'' division. It was the first time in eleven years that a wrestler from Nagasaki prefecture was promoted to the top division. The last wrestler was Sadanofuji, Hiradoumi's coach at Sakaigawa stable, who made his ''makuuchi'' debut at the Kyūshū tournament in 2011.

''Makuuchi'' career

Hiradoumi entered the top division during the September 2022 tournament, at the rank of '' maegashira'' 16. However, he suffered a narrow loss in his first tournament, achieving a 7-8 '' make-kochi'' record. In the following tournament of November, he managed to maintain his ''makuuchi'' rank due to the balance of promotion and demotion of other wrestlers. Even with a losing record, his performance received praises, notably from former ''yokozuna'' Kitanofuji, who praised his energy and his "unrivaled training enthusiasm". In the last tournament of 2022, he managed his first '' kachi-koshi'' in the top division by the twelfth day. He was listed as a potential Fighting spirit prize recipient but was shelved because he did not reach the majority of the attending committee members votes. In the first ''banzuke'' of 2023 Hiradoumi was ranked ''maegashira'' 10. He secured ''kachi-koshi'' at the January tournament on day 14 with a win over Kotoekō. Reaching his highest rank, Hiradoumi notably won his match against former ''ōzeki '' Takayasu on Day 8, but suffered a close losing record. After a good tournament in March 2023, Hiradoumi was promoted to ''Maegashira'' 5 for the July tournament of the same year. However, he suffered a negative record ('' make-koshi'') and had to declare himself '' kyūjō'' for the final day of the tournament, having been seen limping after his fight against Abi.

Fighting style

At the time of his promotion to ''makuuchi'' for 2022, Hiradoumi was described as a wrestler who never backs down and frequently uses pushing techniques. One of the wrestlers who inspires him most in his sumo style is ''Yokozuna'' Chiyonofuji, whose matches he watches to perfect his own style.

Personal life

Hiradoumi has four brothers and sisters. He regularly cites his two youngest siblings as his driving force.

Career record

See also

* Glossary of sumo terms
* List of active sumo wrestlers

References

External links

*

2000 births
Living people
Japanese sumo wrestlers
Sumo people from Nagasaki Prefecture

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