Tokitenku Yoshiaki
Encyclopedia
Tokitenkū Yoshiaki is a sumo
wrestler. He made his professional debut in 2002, reaching the top makuuchi
division just two years later. The highest rank he has reached is komusubi, which he has held for just two tournaments so far. He has one special prize
, for Technique. He wrestles for Tokitsukaze stable
.
He first came to Japan in 2000 to study at Tokyo University of Agriculture
. Although he took part in sumo, winning the under 100 kg collegiate championships, he originally intended to return to Mongolia upon graduation. However, he was inspired to enter professional sumo by watching active wrestlers Asashōryū
and Asasekiryū
, with whom he had practised judo
as a teenager in Ulaanbaatar
. He joined Tokitsukaze stable
just before turning 23 years of age, the upper age limit set by the Japan Sumo Association
.
He was given the shikona or fighting name of Tokitenku, a reference to Mongolia's clear sky. He began his career in July 2002, winning all of his first 22 official bouts and earning three consecutive division championships
in the process. Only Itai and Tochiazuma
, who each won their first 26 matches, have had a longer unbeaten run from sumo entry. He progressed to the second highest jūryō division in March 2004 and, just two tournaments later, to the top makuuchi
division. It took him only 12 tournaments from his professional debut to make the top division, which is equal to the second fastest rise since six tournaments a year were introduced in 1958.
He was not able at first to maintain his makuuchi position, dropping back to jūryō twice, but a result of 10-5 in November 2005 gained him the rank of maegashira 1 as well as the technique prize
. He made his sanyaku or titled rank debut in March 2007 at komusubi, where he defeated Yokozuna Asashōryū
on the opening day but missed out on another special prize by falling just short of a majority of wins, posting a 7-8 score. He returned to komusubi in July 2007, but again scored 7-8, and he has remained a maegashira since then. In 2008 he became the first wrestler since Takanonami in 2003 to suffer six consecutive make-koshi or losing scores in the top division.
He pulled out of the January 2010 tournament on Day 10 after dislocating his toe; this was his first career withdrawal. He came back strongly posting three winning records in the next three tournaments, which sent him up to maegashira 1 for the September 2010 tournament. However there he recorded a disastrous 2-13 score.
, with his left hand outside and right hand inside his opponent's arms. His most common winning technique
is yori-kiri, or force out, although he also relies on pull-down techniques such as hataki-komi and hiki-otoshi. His is fond of throwing moves (nage). He is very adept at using tripping techniques, winning 17 career bouts by uchigake (inside leg trip). He has also used the extremely rare trip nimaigeri (ankle kicking twist down) on eleven occasions, although he was not credited with the technique in the top division until May 2011 in a win over Shotenro. (He also appeared to employ it to defeat ozeki Kotooshu in March 2007, but the kimarite was given as shitatenage (underarm throw) instead.)
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. He made his professional debut in 2002, reaching 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 years later. The highest rank he has reached is komusubi, which he has held for just two tournaments so far. He has one special 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:...
, for Technique. He wrestles for Tokitsukaze stable
Tokitsukaze stable
The is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Tokitsukaze group of stables. It was originally founded in 1769 and was dominant during the Taishō period. In its modern form it dates from 1941 when it was established by Futabayama, who was still an active wrestler at the time. Initially known as...
.
Career
Tokitenkū is the son of a Mongolian wrestler, who reached a rank equivalent to komusubi in Mongolian wrestling.He first came to Japan in 2000 to study at Tokyo University of Agriculture
Tokyo University of Agriculture
The , abbreviated as Nodai or Tokyo nodai , is a private university which treats agriculture in Japan.The campus is in three places, Setagaya, Atsugi, and Okhotsk .- Outline :...
. Although he took part in sumo, winning the under 100 kg collegiate championships, he originally intended to return to Mongolia upon graduation. However, he was inspired to enter professional sumo by watching active wrestlers Asashōryū
Asashōryū Akinori
is a former sumo wrestler from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. He was the 68th yokozuna in the history of the sport in Japan and became the first Mongol to reach sumo's highest rank in January 2003. He was one of the most successful yokozuna ever. In 2005 he became the first man to win all six official...
and Asasekiryū
Asasekiryu Taro
Asasekiryū Tarō is a sumo wrestler. He made his debut in January 2000, reaching the top division in March 2003. He has won four special prizes, and has spent a total of five tournaments to date in the titled sanyaku ranks...
, with whom he had practised judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
as a teenager in Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar
Ulan Bator or Ulaanbaatar is the capital and largest city of Mongolia. An independent municipality, the city is not part of any province, and its population as of 2008 is over one million....
. He joined Tokitsukaze stable
Tokitsukaze stable
The is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Tokitsukaze group of stables. It was originally founded in 1769 and was dominant during the Taishō period. In its modern form it dates from 1941 when it was established by Futabayama, who was still an active wrestler at the time. Initially known as...
just before turning 23 years of age, the upper age limit set by 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...
.
He was given the shikona or fighting name of Tokitenku, a reference to Mongolia's clear sky. He began his career in July 2002, winning all of his first 22 official bouts and earning three consecutive division championships
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...
in the process. Only Itai and Tochiazuma
Tochiazuma Daisuke
Tochiazuma Daisuke is a retired sumo wrestler. He began his professional career in 1994, reaching the top division just two years later after winning a tournament championship in each of the lower divisions...
, who each won their first 26 matches, have had a longer unbeaten run from sumo entry. He progressed to the second highest jūryō division in March 2004 and, just two tournaments later, to 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. It took him only 12 tournaments from his professional debut to make the top division, which is equal to the second fastest rise since six tournaments a year were introduced in 1958.
He was not able at first to maintain his makuuchi position, dropping back to jūryō twice, but a result of 10-5 in November 2005 gained him the rank of maegashira 1 as well as the 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:...
. He made his sanyaku or titled rank debut in March 2007 at komusubi, where he defeated Yokozuna Asashōryū
Asashōryū Akinori
is a former sumo wrestler from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. He was the 68th yokozuna in the history of the sport in Japan and became the first Mongol to reach sumo's highest rank in January 2003. He was one of the most successful yokozuna ever. In 2005 he became the first man to win all six official...
on the opening day but missed out on another special prize by falling just short of a majority of wins, posting a 7-8 score. He returned to komusubi in July 2007, but again scored 7-8, and he has remained a maegashira since then. In 2008 he became the first wrestler since Takanonami in 2003 to suffer six consecutive make-koshi or losing scores in the top division.
He pulled out of the January 2010 tournament on Day 10 after dislocating his toe; this was his first career withdrawal. He came back strongly posting three winning records in the next three tournaments, which sent him up to maegashira 1 for the September 2010 tournament. However there he recorded a disastrous 2-13 score.
Fighting style
When he began his sumo career he weighed around 113 kg (249.1 lb), but he has gained weight steadily and is now about 150 kg (330.7 lb), average for the top division. He favours a migi-yotsu grip on the 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 his left hand outside and right hand inside his opponent's arms. His most common winning technique
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, although he also relies on pull-down techniques such as hataki-komi and hiki-otoshi. His is fond of throwing moves (nage). He is very adept at using tripping techniques, winning 17 career bouts by uchigake (inside leg trip). He has also used the extremely rare trip nimaigeri (ankle kicking twist down) on eleven occasions, although he was not credited with the technique in the top division until May 2011 in a win over Shotenro. (He also appeared to employ it to defeat ozeki Kotooshu in March 2007, but the kimarite was given as shitatenage (underarm throw) instead.)
Tournament 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 active sumo wrestlers
External links
- Japanese Sumo Association Biography (English)(Japanese)
- complete biography and basho results (Japanese)