Asahikuni Masuo
Encyclopedia
is a former sumo
wrestler from Hokkaidō
, Japan
. His highest rank was ozeki. He is now the head coach of Ōshima stable
.
, Kamikawa District
, Asahikuni made his professional debut in July 1963, joining Tatsunami stable
. He reached the second highest juryo division in March 1969 and the top makuuchi
division just two tournaments after that. In 1970 he dropped to juryo once again but he returned to the top division in 1972, reaching sekiwake in November. He was an extremely skilful wrestler, earning the nickname "the PhD
of sumo", such was his knowledge of a wide variety of techniques. He won the prestigious Ginosho, or Technique prize
, on six occasions. He achieved this despite the fact that he suffered regularly from pancreatitis
and was known even to commute to tournaments from hospital.
At the beginning of 1976 Asahikuni put together two strong records of 12-3 and 13-2, finishing as runner-up in both tournaments, and this earned him promotion to the rank of ozeki. In July 1977 he lost just one bout but finished as runner-up to Kitanoumi who won with a perfect record. Asahikuni was never able to win a top division championship. He retired in September 1979 after 21 tournaments as an ozeki. His retirement was enforced, as he had broken his shoulder in a bout with Mienoumi
. The two wrestlers had been friends as well as rivals, having made their professional debuts in the same month, and their friendship survived the incident.
, despite strong opposition from his old stable boss Tatsunami
. Oshima stable has produced yokozuna Asahifuji and more recently the Mongolia
ns Kyokushuzan and Kyokutenho. Oshima intends to pass over ownership of the stable to Kyokutenho once he reaches the mandatory retirement age of sixty five. He has also worked as a shinpan or judge of tournament bouts and was on the Japan Sumo Association
's board of directors until 2010 when he lost an election to Takanohana.
Sumo
is a competitive full-contact sport where a wrestler attempts to force another wrestler out of a circular ring or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. The sport originated in Japan, the only country where it is practiced professionally...
wrestler from Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. His highest rank was ozeki. He is now the head coach of Ōshima stable
Oshima stable
is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tatsunami ichimon or group of stables. It was set up in 1980 by former ozeki Asahikuni, who branched off from Tatsunami stable. The head of Tatsunami stable opposed the setting up of the new stable, and did not speak to Oshima Oyakata until Asahifuji was...
.
Career
Born in AibetsuAibetsu, Hokkaido
is a town located in Kamikawa District, Kamikawa, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2007, the town has an estimated population of 3,610 and a density of 15.38 persons per km². The total area is 249.71 km².-External links:* in Japanese...
, Kamikawa District
Kamikawa (Ishikari) District, Hokkaido
is a district located in Kamikawa Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan. Confusingly, there is a district of the same name, Kamikawa District, in the same subprefecture. In 1869, Hokkaidō was divided into 11 provinces and 86 districts. Kamikawa district was placed under Ishikari Province...
, Asahikuni made his professional debut in July 1963, joining Tatsunami stable
Tatsunami stable
is a stable of sumo wrestlers, and the head stable of the Tatsunami ichimon or group.-History:The stable is one of the most prestigious in sumo. It was originally founded in 1876 by Onigazaki, but the current incarnation dates from 1915...
. He reached the second highest juryo division in March 1969 and the top makuuchi
Makuuchi
or is the top division of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers , ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments....
division just two tournaments after that. In 1970 he dropped to juryo once again but he returned to the top division in 1972, reaching sekiwake in November. He was an extremely skilful wrestler, earning the nickname "the PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
of sumo", such was his knowledge of a wide variety of techniques. He won the prestigious Ginosho, or Technique prize
Sansho (Sumo)
Sanshō are the three special prizes awarded to top division sumo wrestlers for exceptional performance during a sumo honbasho or tournament. The prizes were first awarded in November 1947.-Criteria:...
, on six occasions. He achieved this despite the fact that he suffered regularly from pancreatitis
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It occurs when pancreatic enzymes that digest food are activated in the pancreas instead of the small intestine. It may be acute – beginning suddenly and lasting a few days, or chronic – occurring over many years...
and was known even to commute to tournaments from hospital.
At the beginning of 1976 Asahikuni put together two strong records of 12-3 and 13-2, finishing as runner-up in both tournaments, and this earned him promotion to the rank of ozeki. In July 1977 he lost just one bout but finished as runner-up to Kitanoumi who won with a perfect record. Asahikuni was never able to win a top division championship. He retired in September 1979 after 21 tournaments as an ozeki. His retirement was enforced, as he had broken his shoulder in a bout with Mienoumi
Mienoumi Tsuyoshi
(born February 4, 1948 as is a former champion sumo wrestler, the 57th yokozuna of the sport. He is the founder of Musashigawa stable and a former chairman of the Japan Sumo Association. He was born in Matsusaka, Mie prefecture, Japan.- Career :...
. The two wrestlers had been friends as well as rivals, having made their professional debuts in the same month, and their friendship survived the incident.
Retirement from sumo
Asahikuni stayed in the sumo world as an elder under the name of Oshima Oyakata. In 1980 he established Oshima stableOshima stable
is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tatsunami ichimon or group of stables. It was set up in 1980 by former ozeki Asahikuni, who branched off from Tatsunami stable. The head of Tatsunami stable opposed the setting up of the new stable, and did not speak to Oshima Oyakata until Asahifuji was...
, despite strong opposition from his old stable boss Tatsunami
Osamu Annen
Haguroyama Sojō is a former sumo wrestler from Hokkaidō, Japan.- Sumo career :As an active wrestler he was first known as Annenyama and reached a highest rank of sekiwake upon winning the top makuuchi division tournament championship in May 1957...
. Oshima stable has produced yokozuna Asahifuji and more recently the Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
ns Kyokushuzan and Kyokutenho. Oshima intends to pass over ownership of the stable to Kyokutenho once he reaches the mandatory retirement age of sixty five. He has also worked as a shinpan or judge of tournament bouts and was on the Japan Sumo Association
Japan Sumo Association
The is the body that operates and controls professional sumo wrestling in Japan under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Rikishi , gyōji , tokoyama , and yobidashi , are all on the Association's payroll, but the organisation is run...
's board of directors until 2010 when he lost an election to Takanohana.
Top division record
See also
- Glossary of sumo termsGlossary of sumo termsThe following words are terms used in sumo wrestling in Japan. azukari : Hold. A kind of draw. After a mono-ii, the gyōji or the shimpan "holds" the result if it was too close to call...
- List of sumo tournament second division winners
- List of past sumo wrestlers