Tsurugishō Momotarō

is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Katsushika, Tokyo. He is a graduate of Nihon University. His highest rank has been '' maegashira'' 6. He won a Fighting Spirit Prize in his debut tournament in the top ''makuuchi'' division in September 2019. He is a member of the Oitekaze stable.

Career

Tsurugishō was an amateur wrestler at Nihon University, and although he did not win an individual title he was on the winning team in the Student Yokozuna 2012 championships. He entered professional sumo in January 2014. He rose up the ranks quickly, winning championships in the '' jonokuchi,'' ''jonidan'' and '' makushita'' divisions before slowing down a little and spending eight tournaments in ''makushita''. He won promotion to the ''jūryō'' division after the November 2015 tournament, and adopted a new ''shikona,'' having previously fought under his family name of Abiko. He wanted a two-kanji name to make it easy to remember, and suggested "Ken" from his own first name, combined with the "shō" suffix common at his Oitekaze stable. However, as "kenshō" is the name used for the prize money awarded after a bout it was therefore unavailable, and he used the reading "Tsurugi" instead.

He took some time to settle in ''jūryō'', recording a succession of 7–8 and 8–7 scores, before suffering a setback in March 2018 with his first double-digit loss score of 4–11. However he recovered to post 11–4 in the following tournament, and in July 2019 he won the ''jūryō'' championship with a 13–2 record to earn promotion to the top ''makuuchi'' division. He was the eighth member of Oitekaze stable to win promotion to the top division since his stablemaster, ex-''maegashira'' Daishōyama, opened the '' heya'' in 1998. He had a strong debut, scoring double-digit wins and staying in contention for the championship with a win over Takarafuji on Day 13. Although he lost his last two matches he was awarded the Fighting Spirit Prize on Day 15. He was promoted to a new highest rank of ''maegashira'' 7 for the November 2019 tournament, but could only score 6–9 there. He suffered a left knee injury in January 2020, but competed until the end of the tournament, again scoring 6–9. He entered in March but withdrew on Day 5, with the medical certificate citing a left knee anterior cruciate ligament injury. By the time of the next tournament, held in July 2020, he was back in ''jūryō''. In January 2021 he won his second ''jūryō'' championship with a 12–3 record. His stablemate Daieishō won the ''makuuchi'' championship in the same tournament. This was the first time that the top two divisions had been won by members of the same stable since Takasago stable's Asashōryū and Tōki in November 2005. This saw him promoted back to the top division for the March 2021 tournament. He returned to ''jūryō'' after scoring only 5–10 in September 2021.

At the September 2023 tournament, Tsurugishō put in a good performance, securing his place in the ''makuuchi'' division with an eighth victory on day eleven. This tournament, in which he achieved the fastest ''kachi-koshi'' score of his career, held particular significance for him, having learned of the death of his grandmother during the competition.

On Day 4 of the March 2024 tournament, Tsurugishō appeared to reinjure his left knee in his match against Hiradoumi and had to be taken away from the ''dohyō'' in a wheelchair. He withdrew the following day, with his medical certificate stating that he would miss two months due to injuries to his left ACL, MCL and meniscus.

Fighting style

Tsurugishō is a yotsu-sumo wrestler, who prefers grabbing the ''mawashi'' to pushing or thrusting at his opponents. His favoured grip is ''migi-yotsu'', a left arm outside, right hand inside position. His most common winning '' kimarite'' or technique is ''yori-kiri'' or force out.

Career record

See also

*List of sumo tournament second division champions
*List of active sumo wrestlers
* Active special prize winners

References

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tsurugishō, Momotarō
1991 births
Living people
Japanese sumo wrestlers
People from Katsushika
Sumo people from Tokyo
Nihon University alumni