Ryota Hama
Encyclopedia
is a retired Japanese
sumo
wrestler and current professional wrestler
, competing in All Japan Pro Wrestling
.
run by former yokozuna Hokutoumi. His shikona
was Hokutoarashi and he reached a highest rank of makushita 6 in November 2001. Injury-prone, he fell greatly in rank and announced his retirement in May 2008. His career record was 235 wins to 169 losses, with 114 absences due to injury.
.
On September 23, 2009, Hama and Akebono won the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship, defeating Minoru Suzuki
and Nosawa Rongai
. With Akebono as his partner, Hama participated in the 2009 World's Strongest Tag Team League, finishing 5th out of 9 teams with four victories and four defeats.
While still holding the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship, Hama won the AJPW Triple Crown defeating champion Satoshi Kojima
on March 21, 2010. Hama holds the record for fastest superstar to attain the AJPW Triple Crown title, winning the title 503 days after his debut.
Hama finished the 2010 Champion's Carnival
in 4th place in Block A. He totaled 4 points having defeated Minoru Suzuki
and Seiya Sanada. Hama and Akebono ended up losing the All Asia Tag Team Championship at the hands of Voodoo Murders
' TARU
and Big Daddy Voodoo
on April 29, 2010. Three days later, on May 2, 2010, he lost the Triple Crown Championship in a match against Minoru Suzuki.
1Championship not officially recognized by All Japan Pro Wrestling.
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
sumo
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 and current professional wrestler
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
, competing in All Japan Pro Wrestling
All Japan Pro Wrestling
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
.
Sumo
Hama joined sumo in July 1995, and he fought for the Hakkaku stableHakkaku stable
is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Takasago group of stables.The stable was established on 27 September 1993 by former yokozuna Hokutoumi Nobuyoshi, who took with him four wrestlers from Kokonoe stable. The stable has so far produced nine sekitori, and three makuuchi wrestlers...
run by former yokozuna Hokutoumi. His 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...
was Hokutoarashi and he reached a highest rank of makushita 6 in November 2001. Injury-prone, he fell greatly in rank and announced his retirement in May 2008. His career record was 235 wins to 169 losses, with 114 absences due to injury.
Professional wrestling
After retiring from sumo, Hama became a professional wrestler. Hama debuted in professional wrestling on November 3, 2008 losing to former Sumo champion AkebonoAkebono Taro
is a retired American born-Japanese sumo wrestler from Waimānalo, Hawaii. Joining the professional sport in Japan in 1988, he was trained by pioneering Hawaiian sumo wrestler Takamiyama and rose swiftly up the rankings, reaching the top division in 1990...
.
On September 23, 2009, Hama and Akebono won the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship, defeating Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the Pancrase promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion...
and Nosawa Rongai
Kazushige Nosawa
, better known by his ring names NOSAWA and NOSAWA Rongai, is a Japanese freelance professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in All Japan Pro Wrestling and various independent promotions.-Career:...
. With Akebono as his partner, Hama participated in the 2009 World's Strongest Tag Team League, finishing 5th out of 9 teams with four victories and four defeats.
While still holding the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship, Hama won the AJPW Triple Crown defeating champion Satoshi Kojima
Satoshi Kojima
is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling. As a singles wrestler, he was the first wrestler to hold NJPW's IWGP Heavyweight Championship and All Japan Pro Wrestling's Triple Crown Championship simultaneously...
on March 21, 2010. Hama holds the record for fastest superstar to attain the AJPW Triple Crown title, winning the title 503 days after his debut.
Hama finished the 2010 Champion's Carnival
Champion's Carnival
The Champion's Carnival is an annual professional wrestling tournament held by All Japan Pro Wrestling, established in 1973. Originally a single-elimination tournament, the Champion's Carnival is currently held as a round-robin, with a victory worth 2 points, a time limit draw worth 1 and a loss,...
in 4th place in Block A. He totaled 4 points having defeated Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the Pancrase promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion...
and Seiya Sanada. Hama and Akebono ended up losing the All Asia Tag Team Championship at the hands of Voodoo Murders
Voodoo Murders
VOODOO-MURDERS was the main heel group in All Japan Pro Wrestling. They are famous for their violent actions and lack of respect for their opponents...
' TARU
Yoshikazu Taru
Yoshikazu Taru is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name TARU. He works for All Japan Pro Wrestling and El Dorado Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:...
and Big Daddy Voodoo
Nelson Frazier, Jr.
Nelson Frazier, Jr. is an American professional wrestler and actor, better known by his ring names Mabel, Viscera, Big Daddy V, and King V. He is best known for his work with World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment...
on April 29, 2010. Three days later, on May 2, 2010, he lost the Triple Crown Championship in a match against Minoru Suzuki.
In Wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Ryota Hammer (Vertical suplex powerslam pin)
- Signature moves
- Body avalanche
- Running splash
- Scoop powerslam
- Shining Wizard
Championships and accomplishments
- All Japan Pro WrestlingAll Japan Pro Wrestlingis a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
- AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- AJPW All Asia Tag Team ChampionshipAJPW All Asia Tag Team ChampionshipThe All Japan Pro Wrestling All Asia Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling . It was created on November 16, 1955 in the Japan Wrestling Association when King Kong Czaya & Tiger Jokinder defeated JWA founder Rikidōzan &...
(1 time) - with AkebonoAkebono Tarois a retired American born-Japanese sumo wrestler from Waimānalo, Hawaii. Joining the professional sport in Japan in 1988, he was trained by pioneering Hawaiian sumo wrestler Takamiyama and rose swiftly up the rankings, reaching the top division in 1990... - F–1 Tag Team Championship (1 time, current) – with Koriki ChoshuKoriki Choshuis a Japanese comedian. He is most famous for his act in which he mocks a famous Japanese professional wrestler Riki Chōshū due to his resemblance...
1
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him #24 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2010
- Tokyo Sports Newspaper
- Rookie of the Year (2009)
- Tag Team of the Year (2009) with Akebono
1Championship not officially recognized by All Japan Pro Wrestling.