Kitataiki Akeyoshi
Encyclopedia
Kitataiki Akeyoshi is a professional sumo
wrestler from Machida City
, Tokyo, Japan. Making his debut in March 1998, he reached the top division for the first time in September 2008, returning in January 2010. His highest rank to date has been maegashira 3.
after junior high school instead of going on to high school.
and made his professional debut in March 1998. He spent over nine years struggling in the lower divisions, but finally achieved promotion to jūryō in July 2007. He was the first wrestler from his stable in nine years (following Kitazakura) to achieve sekitori
status. After a year in jūryō he gained promotion to makuuchi
in September 2008 where he lasted two tournaments before being relegated back to jūryō, restricted by a serious injury to his left knee. Another year in jūryō, ending with his first career yusho
or division championship after a three-way playoff with Koryu
and Tokusegawa, put him back in makuuchi for the second time in January 2010. There he produced his first kachi-koshi in the top division, scoring 9-6 despite aggravating his knee injury. This saw him promoted to maegashira 10 in March and he produced another strong performance with a 10-5 score. For the May 2010 tournament he was in the upper maegashira ranks for the first time at #4. In this tournament he defeated ozeki Kotomitsuki but failed to secure a winning record; losing his last three matches to finish on 7-8. A 9-6 score in September saw him promoted to a new highest rank of maegashira 3 for the November tournament. He scored only 5-10 in that basho but returned to the maegashira 3 rank for the May 2011 Technical Examination Tournament. There he beat struggling ozeki Kotooshu but won only two other matches.
with a right hand outside, left hand inside position (hidari-yotsu). His most common winning kimarite
is yori-kiri or force out, closely followed by oshi-dashi or push out.
, which he took after two years in sumo. This shikona
combines the "kita" of Kitanoumi and "taiki" meaning large tree and symbolizing strength and growth.
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 Machida City
Machida, Tokyo
is a city located in the western part of the greater metropolis of Tokyo, Japan. The city was founded on February 1, 1958.As of October 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 424,669 and a population density of 5,928.65 persons per km². The total area is 71.63 km²...
, Tokyo, Japan. Making his debut in March 1998, he reached the top division for the first time in September 2008, returning in January 2010. His highest rank to date has been maegashira 3.
Early years and entry into sumo
Born Sanuki Akeyoshi, he participated in swimming, soccer and some judo as an elementary school student. His only experience with sumo during this time was one national children's sumo competition. He went on to play basketball in junior high school. However, starting from his elementary school days he made several visits to the stable of Kitanoumi, who was an acquaintance of his father. Deciding he wanted something different he chose to join Kitanoumi stableKitanoumi stable
is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Dewanoumi ichimon or group of stables. It was set up in 1985 by former yokozuna Kitanoumi, who branched off from Mihogaseki stable. It absorbed Hatachiyama stable in 2006, following the death of its head coach, former ozeki Hokuten'yū...
after junior high school instead of going on to high school.
Career
He joined Kitanoumi stableKitanoumi stable
is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Dewanoumi ichimon or group of stables. It was set up in 1985 by former yokozuna Kitanoumi, who branched off from Mihogaseki stable. It absorbed Hatachiyama stable in 2006, following the death of its head coach, former ozeki Hokuten'yū...
and made his professional debut in March 1998. He spent over nine years struggling in the lower divisions, but finally achieved promotion to jūryō in July 2007. He was the first wrestler from his stable in nine years (following Kitazakura) to achieve sekitori
Sekitori
A sekitori is a sumo wrestler who is ranked in one of the top two professional divisions: makuuchi and juryo.Currently there are 70 rikishi in these divisions...
status. After a year in jūryō he gained promotion to 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....
in September 2008 where he lasted two tournaments before being relegated back to jūryō, restricted by a serious injury to his left knee. Another year in jūryō, ending with his first career yusho
Yusho
A Yūshō is a tournament championship in sumo. It is awarded in each of the six annual honbasho or official tournaments, to the wrestler who wins the most number of bouts. Yūshō are awarded in all six professional sumo divisions...
or division championship after a three-way playoff with Koryu
Koryu
is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. This word literally translates as "old school" or "traditional school"...
and Tokusegawa, put him back in makuuchi for the second time in January 2010. There he produced his first kachi-koshi in the top division, scoring 9-6 despite aggravating his knee injury. This saw him promoted to maegashira 10 in March and he produced another strong performance with a 10-5 score. For the May 2010 tournament he was in the upper maegashira ranks for the first time at #4. In this tournament he defeated ozeki Kotomitsuki but failed to secure a winning record; losing his last three matches to finish on 7-8. A 9-6 score in September saw him promoted to a new highest rank of maegashira 3 for the November tournament. He scored only 5-10 in that basho but returned to the maegashira 3 rank for the May 2011 Technical Examination Tournament. There he beat struggling ozeki Kotooshu but won only two other matches.
Fighting style
Kitataiki is a yotsu-sumo specialist, preferring to grip his opponent's mawashiMawashi
In sumo, a mawashi is the belt that the rikishi wears during training or in competition. Upper ranked professional wrestlers wear a keshō-mawashi as part of the ring entry ceremony or dohyo-iri.-Mawashi:...
with a right hand outside, left hand inside position (hidari-yotsu). His most common winning kimarite
Kimarite
Kimarite are winning techniques in a sumo bout. For each bout in a Grand Sumo tournament , a sumo referee, or gyoji, will decide and announce the type of kimarite used by the winner...
is yori-kiri or force out, closely followed by oshi-dashi or push out.
Trivia
His father came up with his current ring nameRing name
A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
, which he took after two years in sumo. This shikona
Shikona
A shikona is a sumo wrestler's ring name.As with standard Japanese names, a shikona consists of a 'surname' and a 'given' name, and the full name is written surname first. However, the given name is rarely used outside formal or ceremonial occasions. Thus, the former yokozuna Asashōryū Akinori is...
combines the "kita" of Kitanoumi and "taiki" meaning large tree and symbolizing strength and growth.