Takanoiwa Yoshimori (born 26 February 1990 as Adiyagiin Baasandorj) is a retired
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
Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar (; mn, Улаанбаатар, , "Red Hero"), previously anglicized as Ulan Bator, is the capital and most populous city of Mongolia. It is the coldest capital city in the world, on average. The municipality is located in north ce ...
,
Mongolia
Mongolia; Mongolian script: , , ; lit. "Mongol Nation" or "State of Mongolia" () is a landlocked country in East Asia, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south. It covers an area of , with a population of just 3.3 million, ...
. He made his professional debut in January 2009. He has both a ''
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 a ''
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 championship. He reached the ''jūryō'' division in July 2012 and 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 for the first time in January 2014. He was the only wrestler recruited by former ''
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 ...
''
Takanohana to reach the elite ''
sekitori
A ''sekitori'' (関取) is a ''rikishi'' (力士, sumo wrestler) who is ranked in one of the top two professional divisions: ''makuuchi'' and ''jūryō''.
The name literally translates to having taken the barrier, as only a relatively small fract ...
'' ranks. He was runner-up in one top division tournament and earned two
special prizes, one for Fighting Spirit and one for Outstanding Performance. His highest rank was ''
maegashira
, 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 ...
'' 2.
Takanoiwa was the victim of an assault by sumo wrestler
Harumafuji in October 2017. Takanoiwa was then the assailant in an incident against a junior member of his own stable the following year, which led to his retirement from the sport.
Early life and sumo background
Baasandorj passed a selective test administered by a Japanese coach from Johoku High School in
Shimane Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. Shimane Prefecture is the second-least populous prefecture of Japan at 665,205 (February 1, 2021) and has a geographic area of 6,708.26 km2. Shimane Prefecture borders Yamaguc ...
, who had come to Mongolia looking for sumo prospects. He was then invited to come to Japan as an exchange student on a sumo program at the age of sixteen. Only three months after coming to Japan, his father died of
liver disease
Liver disease, or hepatic disease, is any of many diseases of the liver. If long-lasting it is termed chronic liver disease. Although the diseases differ in detail, liver diseases often have features in common.
Signs and symptoms
Some of the sig ...
in Mongolia. He had already lost his mother to
heart disease
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels. CVD includes coronary artery diseases (CAD) such as angina and myocardial infarction (commonly known as a heart attack). Other CVDs include stroke, hea ...
when he was eight years old. Through this adversity, he still managed to excel, and in 2007 made the best four in the individual category at a national junior sumo competition and in 2008 finished second in the middle-weight category at the
World Junior Sumo Championships
In its most general sense, the term "world" refers to the totality of entities, to the whole of reality or to everything that is. The nature of the world has been conceptualized differently in different fields. Some conceptions see the worl ...
held in
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai (, from th, เชียงใหม่ , nod, , เจียงใหม่ ), sometimes written as Chiengmai or Chiangmai, is the largest city in northern Thailand, the capital of Chiang Mai province and the second largest city in ...
,
Thailand
Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bo ...
.
Career
In November 2008 he joined
Takanohana stable
was a stable of sumo wrestlers, created in 2004 when Takanohana Kōji took over the running of Futagoyama stable from his father Takanohana Kenshi. Formerly of the Nishonoseki '' ichimon'' or group of stables, it became the leader of a breaka ...
, run by former ''
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 ...
''
Takanohana who he had idolized since a young age. The
ring name
A ring name is a type of stage name used by an athlete such as a professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, or boxer whose real name is considered unattractive, dull, difficult to pronounce or spell, amusing for the wrong reasons, or projecting ...
he would choose is purported to have come from a chance meeting with singer and author
Akihiro Miwa
(born May 15, 1935), better known by his stage name , is a Japanese singer, actor, director, composer, author and drag queen.
Career
Miwa began his career aged 17 as a professional cabaret singer in the Ginza district in Chūō, Tokyo, after h ...
in
Haneda airport
, officially , and sometimes called as Tokyo Haneda Airport or Haneda International Airport , is one of two international airports serving the Greater Tokyo Area, the other one being Narita International Airport (NRT). It serves as the primary ...
, as he was being accompanied by Takanohana from
Shimane Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. Shimane Prefecture is the second-least populous prefecture of Japan at 665,205 (February 1, 2021) and has a geographic area of 6,708.26 km2. Shimane Prefecture borders Yamaguc ...
to his new stable. Upon meeting him, Miwa described him a "like a rock" (岩 ''iwa''). This left an impression on him and that very evening he consulted with his stablemaster and together they conceived of the ring name of Takanoiwa (noble rock), the taka (貴) coming from his stablemaster's ring name (as is the custom at the stable).
His debut was delayed one tournament while his visa was procured, and he debuted in ''
maezumō
The following words are terms used in sumo wrestling in Japan.
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'' in the January 2009 tournament along with fellow recruits Takageppō and Takatoshi. Proceeding him were graduates from Johoku High School (well known for its strong sumo program)
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 ...
,
Kimikaze
(born 23 September 1986 as Toshiji Naoe) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Tokyo, Japan. His highest rank was ''maegashira'' 13. He won the ''jūryō'' championship in March 2012.
Career
He was the first professional sumo wrestler from ...
and
Tokushōryū. His official debut was in the following March 2009 tournament where he managed a strong 5–2 record 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 ...
'' division. In the May 2009 tournament in the ''
jonidan
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. Fo ...
'' division, he would vie for the championship, logging a perfect 7–0 record and only losing on the final day in a play-off. After two winning tournaments in the ''
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 ...
'' division, in the November 2009 he took the championship in that division with a 7–0 record and playoff win. This allowed him promotion to the ''
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 ...
'' third division, but he struggled in this division for an over a year, rarely achieving a winning tournament and in the midway through the May 2011 tournament he dropped out and also missed the following tournament. He was relegated back to ''sandanme'' but was not deterred and posted a 6–1 record his first tournament back which allowed him to be promoted back to ''makushita'' the very next tournament where he achieved a 6–1 record and participated in a three-man playoff for the championship, losing the second playoff match to future ''
sekitori
A ''sekitori'' (関取) is a ''rikishi'' (力士, sumo wrestler) who is ranked in one of the top two professional divisions: ''makuuchi'' and ''jūryō''.
The name literally translates to having taken the barrier, as only a relatively small fract ...
''
Chiyoōtori. His fortunes continued to improve and after four winning tournaments at ''makushita'' he was promoted to the salaried ranks of ''
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 ...
'' for the first time for the July 2012 tournament. After recording a winning 8–7 record, he had managed only two 7–8 tournaments after this. However, at the rank of ''jūryō'' 13, a rank low enough to face possible relegation if he did not perform well, he turned his fortunes around and took the championship in ''jūryō'' with a 12–3 record. After another five tournaments, achieving mostly winning records in ''jūryō'' he was finally promoted to the top tier ''
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 for the January 2014 tournament.
Over the next two years Takanoiwa moved back and forth between the top two divisions. He was relegated after the May tournament but returned immediately after recording twelve wins in July. After two losing records he dropped back to ''jūryō'' but was promoted again after the March 2015 tournament. He again lasted only two tournaments before being relegated but was promoted for the fourth time after a ''
kachi-koshi
The following words are terms used in sumo wrestling in Japan.
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'' or winning record in November 2015. In January and March 2016 he achieved back-to-back winning records for the first time in the top division. In July he had his best performance to date in the top division, scoring 12–3 and finishing runner-up to
Harumafuji. He was awarded his first
special prize, for Fighting Spirit, and won promotion to his highest rank to date of ''maegashira'' 3 for the September 2016 tournament.
Losing records in the last two tournaments of 2016 saw him drop to ''maegashira'' 10 but he returned to form in January 2017. After compiling a 10–3 record he earned his first ''
kinboshi
is a notation used in professional sumo wrestling to record a lower-ranked (''maegashira'') wrestler's victory over a ''yokozuna''.
It is believed that the term stems from the usage of the terms ''shiroboshi'' (lit: white star) to designate a b ...
'' on day 14 with force out (''
yorikiri'') win over
Hakuhō. Despite losing to
Sokokurai on the final day he finished in a tie for third place and was awarded the special prize for Outstanding Performance. He was promoted to his highest rank to date of ''maegashira'' 2 for the Haru tournament in March. He withdrew from the May 2017 tournament on the 12th day due to a thigh injury.
Assault
He was injured during the
Tottori stage of the regional tour in October 2017, and was hospitalized from November 5 to November 9 in
Fukuoka
is the sixth-largest city in Japan, the second-largest port city after Yokohama, and the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. The city is built along the shores of Hakata Bay, and has been a center of international commerce since ancie ...
, reportedly with concussion and a fractured skull among other ailments. He withdrew from the November 2017 tournament as a result. On November 14 it was reported that he had been assaulted with a beer bottle (later said to be a karaoke remote control) by ''yokozuna''
Harumafuji.
Harumafuji withdrew from the November tournament on the same day and did not deny the reports, saying "I sincerely apologize for causing trouble."
It later emerged that Takanoiwa's injuries were not as severe as first reported, with a doctor at the Fukuoka hospital who wrote the initial medical certificate submitted to 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 ...
by stablemaster Takanohana saying that there were no symptoms of skull fracture or brain fluid leakage, and that the "two weeks of recovery time" mentioned in the certificate should have started from the date of the incident in late October, not when the certificate was issued on November 9, meaning that Takanoiwa was cleared to enter the tournament. Takanoiwa was questioned by Tottori prefectural police as part of their enquiry into the incident, which is alleged to have been sparked off by Takanoiwa disrespecting ''yokozuna'' Hakuhō by telling him that "your era is over" and playing with his cell phone while he was being reprimanded for his bad attitude.
He did not take part in the regional tour in December, despite his stablemaster not submitting a new medical certificate.
He finally spoke to the Sumo Association's crisis committee investigating the affair on December 19, and said that he had not done anything discourteous that would warrant being struck by Harumafuji. He also said that he was embarrassed about being hit in front of officials from Tottori Johoku High School, which Takanoiwa attended and whose graduates were being celebrated when the incident occurred. He added that he had not wanted Harumafuji to retire. He fell to the ''jūryō'' division for the January 2018 tournament, but
Hakkaku Oyakata, chairman of the Sumo Association, said Takanoiwa would not be demoted further if he provided a medical certificate and would still be ranked in ''jūryō'' for March 2018 even were he to be absent from the January tournament.
Takaniowa officially withdrew from the tournament on January 12.
Takanoiwa made his first public appearance since the scandal at a training event on March 1, where he said he was gradually returning to fitness. He entered the March 2018 tournament and earned an 8–7 record in the ''jūryō'' division. He won the ''jūryō'' division championship in July 2018 with a 13–2 record and a playoff win over
Takanosho to ensure his return to the top division after a year's absence.
On October 4, 2018 Takanoiwa filed a lawsuit in Tokyo District Court seeking 24 million yen in damages from Harumafuji, after negotiations over an informal settlement broke down. He withdrew the suit on October 30, saying his family had suffered abuse over the legal action because of Harumafuji's continued popularity in Mongolia.
Return to Makuuchi
In his first tournament back in the top division Takanoiwa scored ten wins and five losses. After this tournament his stablemaster Takanohana resigned from the Sumo Association and Takanoiwa moved with his fellow Takanohana stable wrestlers to the
Chiganoura stable is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Nishonoseki ''ichimon'' or group of stables. As of January 2022, it had nine wrestlers.
History
It was founded as Chiganoura stable in September 2004 by former ''sekiwake'' Masudayama, who branched of ...
. In his first (and only) tournament for his new stable in November 2018, he scored 6–9.
Retirement
On 5 December 2018 the Japan Sumo Association announced that Takanoiwa had assaulted one of his personal attendants, or ''tsukebito,'' during a regional tour, giving him a swollen face. Two days after this announcement, the Sumo Association accepted Takanoiwa's resignation from the sport.
[ At a press conference, Takanoiwa said that he caused "anguish" and that he would take responsibility for the incident by retiring.][ He had a '']danpatsu-shiki
The following words are terms used in sumo wrestling in Japan.
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'' or retirement ceremony at the 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 February 2, 2019, although it was not an official Sumo Association event. Hakuhō, Kakuryū and Harumafuji attended, although Takanohana did not.
Fighting style
Takanoiwa was a ''yotsu-sumo'' wrestler who preferred grappling techniques to pushing and thrusting. His favoured grip on his 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 ...
'' or belt was ''migi-yotsu'', a left hand outside, right hand inside position. He regularly used his left hand outer grip to win by ''uwatenage'', or overarm throw, but his most common winning ''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 ...
'' was a straightforward ''yori-kiri'', or force out.
Career record
See also
*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 sumo tournament second division champions
This is a list of wrestlers who have won the sumo second division ''jūryō'' championship since 1909, when the current championship system was established. These official tournaments are held exclusively in Japan.
The wrestler who has won the mo ...
*
*List of non-Japanese sumo wrestlers
This is a list of foreign-born professional sumo wrestlers by country and/or ethnicity of origin, along with original name, years active in sumo wrestling, and highest rank attained. Names in bold indicate a still-active wrestler.
There are 186 w ...
*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 ...
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Takanoiwa, Yoshimori
1990 births
Living people
Mongolian sumo wrestlers
Sportspeople from Ulaanbaatar