Hiroshi Wajima
Hiroshi Wajima | |
---|---|
輪島大士 | |
Personal information | |
Born | Hiroshi Wajima (輪島博) 11 January 1948 Ishikawa, Japan |
Died | 8 October 2018 | (aged 70)
Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
Weight | 130 kg (287 lb) |
Career | |
Hanakago | |
University | Nihon University |
Record | 673–234–85 |
Debut | January 1970 |
Highest rank | Yokozuna (May, 1973) |
Retired | March 1981 |
Elder name | Hanakago |
Championships | 14 (Makuuchi) 1 (Jūryō) 2 (Makushita) |
Special Prizes | Outstanding Performance (3) Fighting Spirit (2) |
* Up to date as of June 2020. |
Hiroshi Wajima (
Sumo career
After graduating from
division in January 1971.After finishing as runner-up in the November 1971 and January 1972 tournaments he was promoted to
Wajima won three championships in 1974 but then went into a slump, and did not take another title until March 1976.
Wajima was an unconventional wrestler in many ways, and was looked on as a contrast to the strong and silent Kitanoumi.[2] He was the only man ever to reach yokozuna without adopting a traditional shikona, instead fighting under his own surname of Wajima throughout his entire career.[1] He was the first and to date only former collegiate competitor to be promoted to yokozuna.[1][6] He was nicknamed the "Sumo Genius" because of his college background. His other departures from sumo norms included having his hair permed before growing a topknot, staying in luxury hotels and driving a Lincoln Continental whilst on regional sumo tours (jungyō), and associating himself with outsiders such as the yakuza and going out on late-night drinking sessions.[7][2]
He was a great friend and rival of Takanohana, whom he had known since his university days. The two were promoted to ōzeki simultaneously in November 1972.[2]
Fighting style
Wajima's preferred grip on the mawashi was hidari yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside), and he was famed for the power of his so-called "golden left arm" which he would use to down his opponents by shitatenage or inner-arm throw.[2] His other favourite kimarite included yori-kiri (force out) and tsuri-dashi (lift out).[8]
Retirement from sumo
Following his retirement Wajima took over as
Professional wrestling career
To pay off his debts, Wajima turned to pro wrestling.
Later career
After quitting as a wrestler Wajima coached the
Illness and death
In 2013, he was diagnosed with
Wajima died at his home in Tokyo on 8 October 2018. He was 70 years old.[16]
Career record
Year | January Hatsu basho, Tokyo |
March Haru basho, Osaka |
May Natsu basho, Tokyo |
July Nagoya basho, Nagoya |
September Aki basho, Tokyo |
November Kyūshū basho, Fukuoka |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1970 | Makushita tsukedashi #60 7–0 Champion |
East Makushita #8 7–0 Champion |
East Jūryō #8 10–5 |
East Jūryō #4 7–8 |
West Jūryō #6 13–2 Champion |
East Jūryō #1 9–6 |
1971 | West Maegashira #11 9–6 |
West Maegashira #5 5–10 |
East Maegashira #12 11–4 F |
West Maegashira #2 6–9 |
East Maegashira #6 10–5 |
East Maegashira #1 11–4 F |
1972 | East Komusubi #1 10–5 O |
West Sekiwake #1 9–6 |
West Sekiwake #1 12–3 O |
East Sekiwake #1 8–7 |
East Sekiwake #2 13–2 O |
East Ōzeki #1 11–4 |
1973 | West Ōzeki #1 11–4 |
East Ōzeki #1 13–2 |
East Ōzeki #1 15–0 |
East Yokozuna #1 11–4 |
East Yokozuna #2 15–0 |
East Yokozuna #1 12–2–1 |
1974 | East Yokozuna #1 12–3 |
East Yokozuna #1 12–3 |
East Yokozuna #1 10–5 |
East Yokozuna #1 13–2–P |
East Yokozuna #1 14–1 |
East Yokozuna #1 9–6 |
1975 | West Yokozuna-Ōzeki #1 10–5 |
West Yokozuna #1 0–4–11 |
West Yokozuna #1 0–3–12 |
West Yokozuna #1 Sat out due to injury 0–0–15 |
West Yokozuna #1 10–5 |
West Yokozuna #1 11–4 |
1976 | West Yokozuna #1 12–3 |
West Yokozuna #1 13–2–P |
East Yokozuna #1 13–2–P |
East Yokozuna #1 14–1 |
East Yokozuna #1 12–3 |
East Yokozuna #1 13–2 |
1977 | West Yokozuna #1 13–2 |
East Yokozuna #1 12–3 |
West Yokozuna #1 11–4 |
West Yokozuna #1 15–0 |
East Yokozuna #1 10–5 |
West Yokozuna #1 14–1 |
1978 | East Yokozuna #1 10–5 |
West Yokozuna #1 1–1–13 |
West Yokozuna #1 9–6 |
East Yokozuna #2 14–1 |
West Yokozuna #1 1–3–11 |
East Yokozuna #2 13–2 |
1979 | West Yokozuna #1 10–5 |
East Yokozuna #2 12–3 |
East Yokozuna #2 12–3 |
East Yokozuna #2 14–1–P |
East Yokozuna #1 10–5 |
West Yokozuna #2 10–5 |
1980 | West Yokozuna #2 0–3–12 |
West Yokozuna #2 11–4 |
East Yokozuna #2 11–4 |
East Yokozuna #2 1–4–10 |
West Yokozuna #2 11–4 |
East Yokozuna #2 14–1 |
1981 | East Yokozuna #1 10–5 |
West Yokozuna #1 Retired 1–2 |
x | x | x | x |
Record given as wins–losses–absencies Top division champion Top division runner-up Retired Lower divisions Non-participation Playoff (s)Divisions: Jonokuchi Makuuchi ranks: Maegashira |
Awards
- Tokyo Sports
- Special Award (1986)[17]
See also
- Glossary of sumo terms
- List of past sumo wrestlers
- List of sumo tournament top division champions
- List of sumo tournament top division runners-up
- List of sumo tournament second division champions
- List of yokozuna
References
- ^ a b c d "Hiroshi Wajima, lone yokozuna with college degree, dies at 70". Japan Times. 9 October 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Ex-yokozuna Wajima remembered for powerful left-arm throws, rivalry in ring". Mainichi Daily News. The Mainichi. 9 October 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d e "Wajima Hiroshi Rikishi Information". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
- ^ "Wajima Hiroshi". Japan Sumo Association. Archived from the original on 21 September 2007. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
- ^ Gunning, John (10 October 2018). "Departed yokozuna Wajima brought charisma to ring". Japan Times. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
- ^ Gunning, John (11 November 2020). "Universities offer foreign wrestlers new path to pro sumo". The Japan Times. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
- ISBN 0226894029.
- ^ "Wins of Wajima". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
- ^ Shapiro, Michael (7 March 1988). "Down from sumo's summit". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
- ^ ISBN 0-8348-0283-X.
- ^ Shapiro, Michael (7 March 1988). "Down From Sumo's Summit". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 27 June 2008.
- ^ "Wajima Hiroshi". Internet Wrestling Database. 9 October 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
- ^ 輪島さん デーモン閣下と「ドキドキ」解説 (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. 19 January 2009.
- ^ a b "デーモン閣下 輪島さんの闘病生活明かす". Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). 9 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "島大士氏「私のライバル」故北の湖前理事長を悼む" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 14 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ 大相撲の元横綱・輪島こと輪島大士氏が死去 70歳 輪湖時代を築く (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. 9 October 2018.
- ^ "プロレス大賞:選考経過(1980~1989)". Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 December 2017.
External links
- Japanese Sumo Association Biography (English)(Japanese)
- complete biography and basho results (Japanese)