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is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from
Fukushima may refer to: Japan * Fukushima Prefecture, Japanese prefecture ** Fukushima, Fukushima, capital city of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan ***Fukushima University, national university in Japan *** Fukushima Station (Fukushima) in Fukushima, Fukushim ...
. He made his debut in March 2017 and reached 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 November 2019. He wrestles for
Arashio stable is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tokitsukaze ''ichimon'' or group of stables. It was set up in June 2002 by former ''komusubi'' Ōyutaka, who branched off from Tokitsukaze stable. At the end of 2009 the stable produced its first ''se ...
, where he is a
stablemate Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of jargon throughout its existence. Much of it stems from the industry's origins in the days of carnivals and circuses. In the past, professional wrestlers used such terms in the presence o ...
of his older brothers Wakatakamoto and
Wakamotoharu is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Fukushima. He wrestles for the Arashio stable, where he is a stable mate of his brothers Wakatakakage and Wakatakamoto. His highest rank to date has been ''komusubi''. Career Wakamotoharu comes from ...
. His highest rank has been ''
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 ...
''. He has four special prizes for Technique. In March 2022 he won his first top division
championship In sport, a championship is a competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion. Championship systems Various forms of competition can be referred to by the term championship. Title match system In this system ...
.


Family background

The three Onami brothers are the grandchildren of former ''
komusubi , 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 ...
''
Wakabayama was a sumo wrestler from Yame, Fukuoka, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi. He earned four gold stars for defeating yokozuna. After his retirement from active competition in 1961 he became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name ...
. They were given their ''
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 ...
'' or sumo names by
Arashio stable is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tokitsukaze ''ichimon'' or group of stables. It was set up in June 2002 by former ''komusubi'' Ōyutaka, who branched off from Tokitsukaze stable. At the end of 2009 the stable produced its first ''se ...
's head coach Ōyutaka, after the three sons of
Mōri Motonari was a prominent ''daimyō'' (feudal lord) in the western Chūgoku region of Japan during the Sengoku period of the 16th century. The Mōri clan claimed descent from Ōe no Hiromoto (大江広元), an adviser to Minamoto no Yoritomo. Motonari w ...
in the well-known Japanese
parable A parable is a succinct, didactic story, in prose or verse, that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles. It differs from a fable in that fables employ animals, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature as characters, w ...
" Lesson of the three arrows" – Takamoto, Motoharu, and Takakage. The eldest brother, Wakatakamoto, has a highest rank of ''
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 ...
'' 7 and has been in sumo the longest, debuting in November 2009. Wakatakakage and
Wakamotoharu is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Fukushima. He wrestles for the Arashio stable, where he is a stable mate of his brothers Wakatakakage and Wakatakamoto. His highest rank to date has been ''komusubi''. Career Wakamotoharu comes from ...
are the 19th pair of brothers in sumo to both reach ''
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 ...
'' level. Wakamotoharu is the second eldest and entered in November 2011, but did not make his ''
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 ...
'' debut until after Wakatakakage, in March 2019. On the January 2022 ''
banzuke A , officially called is a document listing the rankings of professional sumo wrestlers published before each official tournament (''honbasho''). The term can also refer to the rankings themselves. The document is normally released about two w ...
'' Wakamotoharu made his ''
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 debut. Wakatakakage, the youngest brother, has had by far the quickest rise up the rankings of the three.


Career

He made his professional debut in March 2017, and because of his success in amateur sumo began as a ''
sandanme tsukedashi The following words are terms used in sumo wrestling in Japan. A B C D E F G H ...
'' entrant. He won 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 championship in May 2017 with a perfect 7–0 record and also won the ''makushita'' division championship in January 2018 by the same score. He made his ''jūryō'' debut in May 2018, the second to do from
Arashio stable is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tokitsukaze ''ichimon'' or group of stables. It was set up in June 2002 by former ''komusubi'' Ōyutaka, who branched off from Tokitsukaze stable. At the end of 2009 the stable produced its first ''se ...
after Sokokurai in 2010 and the first from
Fukushima Prefecture Fukushima Prefecture (; ja, 福島県, Fukushima-ken, ) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu. Fukushima Prefecture has a population of 1,810,286 () and has a geographic area of . Fukushima Prefecture borders Miya ...
since Sotairyu in 2009. He rose slowly up the ''jūryō'' division, winning promotion 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 after a 9–6 record at ''jūryō'' 3 in September 2019. Despite a poor 2–6 start to that tournament he won his final seven matches (including wins over top division veterans such as
Toyonoshima Toyonoshima Daiki (born June 26, 1983 as Daiki Kajiwara) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Sukumo, Kōchi, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 2002, reaching the top ''makuuchi'' division in September 2004. He was a runner-u ...
and Kaisei) to secure his promotion. He was the third ''sandanme tsukedashi'' entrant to reach the top division after Yutakayama and
Asanoyama is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Toyama Prefecture. He wrestles for Takasago stable. He debuted in sumo in March 2016 and made his ''makuuchi'' debut in September 2017. His highest rank has been ''ōzeki''. He has earned six spec ...
. Wakatakakage won his first four bouts in his top division debut in November 2019, but dislocated a joint in his right foot after landing awkwardly during his fourth day win over
Terutsuyoshi is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hyōgo Prefecture. He made his debut in March 2010, and wrestles for Isegahama stable. He reached the top ''makuuchi'' division in March 2019 and has a special prize for Fighting Spirit. His high ...
and had to withdraw from the rest of the tournament. Back in ''jūryō'' he put together two consecutive winning records of 9–6 and 10–5 upon his return from injury to earn promotion back the top division for the (subsequently cancelled) May 2020 tournament at his highest rank to date of ''
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 ...
'' 14. In July 2020 he completed his first full tournament in ''makuuchi'', posting a respectable 10 wins. In September he was on the leaderboard for much of the tournament, although he picked up his fourth loss to
Mitakeumi is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Agematsu, Nagano. He is in the Dewanoumi stable. He is a pusher thruster-type wrestler. A former amateur champion at Toyo University, he made his professional debut in March 2015, reaching the top '' ...
on Day 14 and finished in a share of third place on 11–4. On 31 December 2020 – 10 days before the start of the January 2021 ''basho'' - it was announced by the Sumo Association that Wakatakakage tested positive for
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei, identified in Wuhan, China, in December ...
. The entire Arashio stable – along with the
Miyagino Miyagino may refer to: *Miyagino-ku, Sendai * Miyagino Nishikinosuke, a sumo wrestler *Miyagino stable is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Isegahama '' ichimon'' or group of stables. It was founded by the 43rd ''yokozuna'' Yoshibayama as ...
, Tomozuna and
Kokonoe stable is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Takasago group of stables. It was formed in 1967 and until 2021 was located in Ishiwara, Sumida, Tokyo. As of November 2022 it had 27 sumo wrestlers, four of whom are of ''sekitori'' rank. It is the most s ...
s – sat out the tournament. He returned in March and produced a 10–5 record, defeating two '' ōzeki'' and receiving the Technique
Prize A prize is an award to be given to a person or a group of people (such as sporting teams and organizations) to recognize and reward their actions and achievements.
. He earned his second Technique Prize in May 2021 with a 9–6 record and was promoted to the ''san'yaku'' ranks for the first time as ''
komusubi , 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 ...
''. He was the first from Arashio stable to reach the ''komusubi'' rank since its founding in 2002. After consecutive winning records at the top ''maegashira'' rank in November 2021 and January 2022, Wakatakakage was promoted to a career-best rank of ''
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 ...
'' for the March 2022 tournament. He followed up this ''sekiwake'' debut by winning his first ''makuuchi'' tournament after producing a 12-3 record and defeating co-leader Takayasu in a playoff, along with receiving his third Technique prize. This marked the first time in 86 years that a newly promoted ''sekiwake'' won the championship (after
Futabayama was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Oita Prefecture. Entering sumo in 1927, he was the sport's 35th ''yokozuna'' from 1937 until his retirement in 1945. He won twelve ''yūshō'' or top division championships and had a winning streak ...
in 1936), as well as the first time in 50 years that a wrestler from
Fukushima Prefecture Fukushima Prefecture (; ja, 福島県, Fukushima-ken, ) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu. Fukushima Prefecture has a population of 1,810,286 () and has a geographic area of . Fukushima Prefecture borders Miya ...
won the championship (after Tochiazuma in January 1972). Wakatakakage failed to defeat ''ōzeki'' Shōdai in the final regulation match (thus missing out on the Outstanding Performance Prize that he would have received with a 13–2 record), but was guaranteed at least a playoff as Takayasu had lost his own match to Abi earlier in the day. Wakatakakage followed up his tournament win with a 9–6 record in the May 2022 tournament. Maintaining his ''sekiwake'' rank in July, Wakatakakage recovered from losing his first three matches in September to produce an 11–4 record. He received his fourth Technique Prize on the final day.


Fighting style

According to his
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 ...
profile Wakatakakage prefers a ''migi-yotsu'' (right hand inside, left hand outside) 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 ...
.'' 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 ...
'' are ''oshi-dashi'' (push out), ''yori-kiri'' (force out) and ''okuri-dashi'' (push out from behind). He is below the average weight for a ''sekitori'' at and makes use of his speed and agility.


Career record


See also

*
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 active sumo wrestlers The following is an alphabetical list of all active professional sumo wrestlers in the top ''makuuchi'' division, and all those currently in lower divisions who have a Wikipedia article. Please refer to professional sumo divisions for more informa ...
* Active special prize winners *
Glossary of sumo terms The following words are terms used in sumo wrestling in Japan. A B C D E F G H ...
*
List of sekiwake This is a list of all sumo wrestlers whose pinnacle in the sport has been the third highest rank of ''sekiwake'' and who held the rank in the modern era of sumo since the 1927 merger of the Tokyo and Osaka organizations. There are usually two act ...


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Wakatakakage, Atsushi 1994 births Living people Japanese sumo wrestlers Sumo people from Fukushima Prefecture Sekiwake