Takakeishō Takanobu

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
In this Japanese shikona name, the surname is Takakeishō.
Takakeishō Takanobu
貴景勝 貴信
Kisenosato
1
* Up to date as of 28 August 2023.

Takakeishō Takanobu (貴景勝 貴信, born August 5, 1996) as Takanobu Satō (

yokozuna
. He won his second championship in November 2020, his third one in January 2023, and his fourth one in September 2023.

Early life and sumo experience

Satō's given name of Takanobu was derived from the name of

yokozuna Takanohana, who would eventually become his stablemaster. Growing up in Ashiya, Hyōgo,[1] Satō competed in full-contact karate in early primary school, and was runner up for the championship in a national competition. However, his father was determined that his son would become a sumo wrestler, and in Satō's third year he began participating sumo at a local dojo. After primary school, he entered Hotoku Gakuen Junior High School, known for its sumo program. In his third year there he won a national championship and took the title of junior high school yokozuna, or grand champion.[1]

Encouraged by his father to eat hamburgers and French fries, his weight increased from 30 kilos in the third grade to 80 kilos by sixth grade.

Kantō regional high school sumo tournament and the National Junior Sumo Tournament, wrestling in the free weight category. In total Satō won 10 national titles in his high school years. In his third year, he was also champion in the free weight category of the World Junior Sumo Tournament held in Taiwan.[3]

Career

Takakeishō in 2017

Satō was quite eager to join the professional sumo world, so after high school, he decided to forego university in favour of competing in national sumo tournaments (which would have given him a chance to later gain

makushita tsukedashi status) and quickly joined Takanohana stable.[4] Though it is common practice for wrestlers to take on a ring name upon entering this particular stable, he chose to use his real name. Because of his strong desire to join the professional ranks as quickly as possible, he participated in maezumo (preliminary sumo tryouts) in September 2014 while still a high school student, a very rare occurrence. His coach, the former yokozuna Takanohana
, made an arrangement with Sato's high school that he would continue to attend school when not participating in official tournaments. Later news reports however stated that he had dropped out of high school.

Satō officially entered the

jūryō
.

In his first jūryō tournament he became only the sixth wrestler in history, and the first ever in his teens to win eight consecutive bouts (a

Kagekatsu Uesugi.[7]

In Takakeishō's top division debut he only managed a 7–8 record.

Kisenosato and receiving a second consecutive prize for Outstanding Performance.[9]

In January 2018 Takakeisho made his

komusubi, the first member of Takanohana stable to reach this rank since his stablemaster established the stable in February 2004.[10] He fell short with a 5–10 record, and withdrew from the following tournament in March with only three wins due to pain in his right ankle.[1] He returned to the komusubi rank in September 2018 and secured a winning record. Shortly after this tournament his stable was dissolved and he moved to Chiganoura stable, now renamed Tokiwayama stable.[1]

First tournament championship and ōzeki promotion

The 2018

sandanme
 division in his career.

Takakeisho original Ozeki tegata (handprint & signature)

Takakeishō followed up with an 11–4 record in January 2019, winning the Technique Prize. This gave him a record of 33 wins over the last three tournaments, but he was not promoted to ōzeki due to a combination of his failure to win more than nine victories in September, and his one-sided loss to ōzeki Gōeidō on the final day.

Sumo Association made the ōzeki promotion official on 27 March 2019, and delivered the news to Takakeishō at a press conference in Osaka.[16] "I will respect the bushidō spirit," he said in his acceptance speech, "and be thoughtful and thankful at all times while devoting myself to the way of the sumo."[16] After his promotion ceremony, Takakeishō thanked his parents Kazuya and Junko Sato for supporting him, and promised to repay them through sumo.[17] He said that reaching the rank of ōzeki is "a childhood dream," but that "there's a higher rank in the banzuke."[17] He made ōzeki in 28 tournaments after his professional debut, which is the sixth fastest rise since the six-tournament a year system was established in 1958. At 22 years and seven months he was also the ninth youngest to be promoted to ōzeki.[18]

Ōzeki career

Takakeishō withdrew on the fifth day of his debut ōzeki tournament in May 2019 due to a right knee injury,[19] only to return to the tournament on Day 8 and fight one more bout before pulling out again the following day after damaging ligaments in the same knee. He became the first ōzeki since 15-day tournaments began in 1949 to withdraw from a tournament twice.[20] On 4 July it was announced that Takakeisho's injury had not fully healed and that he would not compete in that month's upcoming Nagoya tournament, meaning that he would drop back to sekiwake in September. His stablemaster, former Takamisugi Takakatsu commented "He's still young with his future ahead of him. Had he wrestled... there was a big possibility his condition could worsen. If your legs go, you have to give up your sumo career. If his leg heals, he can come back stronger".[21]

On Day 12 of the September tournament, Takakeishō earned his tenth win against

Mitakeumi. He quickly defeated Okinoumi and then entered a play-off against Mitakeumi, whom he had already defeated on day 8. After a strong tachi-ai he retreated and went for a pull-down win but was forced out by his opponent.[23] He suffered a left pectoral muscle strain during the tachi-ai, requiring six weeks of rest.[24] He resumed light training on October 11,[25] and got through the November 2019 Kyushu tournament with a 9–6 record, losing the last match of the tournament to Hakuhō in a bout lasting over a minute. Hakuhō commented that Takakeishō was "just the harbinger of strong young wrestlers yet to come who will represent the sumo world well."[26]

Takakeishō finished the January 2020 basho with a record of 11-4. He entered the final day of the March tournament with a record of 7-7 but lost to

Asanoyama. A kadoban ōzeki in the next tournament in July 2020, he secured a winning record of eight wins on Day 11 to retain his rank, but then withdrew from the remainder of the tournament to rest a medial collateral ligament injury in his left leg.[27] He then came back strong in September, finishing as the runner-up to Shōdai with a 12–3 record, his first runner-up performance as an ōzeki.[28]

The November 2020 basho started without both yokozuna and with two ōzeki withdrawing in the first five days, leaving Takakeishō as the only remaining ōzeki in the tournament and the highest ranked in the field. After winning his first eight matches in a row, he faced Terunofuji on the final day, while leading the tournament with a 13-1 record. Although he lost that match, the two faced off again in a playoff, which Takakeishō won to earn his second top division championship, his first as an ōzeki.[29] Takakeishō also had the most wins in 2020 out of any wrestler, with 51.[30]

Takakeishō had been aiming for promotion to yokozuna in the January 2021 tournament, but the opportunity was all but gone after losing his first four matches.

Terunofuji in the May tournament with a 12–3 record, defeating Terunofuji in their regulation match on the final day but losing to him in the subsequent playoff.[33]

Takakeishō withdrew from the July 2021 tournament after suffering a neck injury in his Day 2 match against Ichinojō. The injury required one month of recovery time, according to officials.[34] Upon his return in September he lost his first three matches, and would have lost his ōzeki rank had he withdrawn again.[35] He managed an 8–7 record, and performed better in November, finishing runner-up to Terunofuji on 12–3.[36]

Takakeishō pulled out of the January 2022 tournament on the fourth day after he sprained his right ankle in his loss to Ura the day before.[37] It was Takakeishō's eighth career kyūjō,[37] and the March 2022 basho was his fifth tournament in kadoban status. He preserved his ōzeki rank by securing his eighth win on the 11th day of the March tournament against Kotonowaka.[38]

Following a further 8-7 record in the March tournament, Takakeishō achieved three consecutive double-digit winning scores in the July, September and November basho, finishing as joint runner-up to

Terunofuji but said "I've channeled that pressure into energy and inspiration."[41]

Takakeishō aimed for promotion to yokozuna at the March 2023 tournament in

Terunofuji having withdrawn prior to the opening day, Takakeishō's departure left the grand sumo tournament with no competing yokozuna or ōzeki for the first time since the start of the Shōwa era in 1926.[46]

Before the May 2023 tournament, Takakeishō changed the first name of his shikona to his legal given name, "Takanobu".[47] He entered the tournament in Tokyo at demotion-threatened kadoban status for the sixth time in his career. Despite being plagued by injuries to both knees and in a battered state, he secured his eighth win and his Ozeki status after defeating Meisei on Day 13 by sidestepping at the tachiai. His former coach from the Saitama Sakae High School Sumo Club commented, "I could feel his mental strength and determination. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't be able to compete. It's truly amazing that he secured a winning record".[48] He eventually ended up with an 8-7 record for this tournament. Takakeishō however withdrew from the July tournament citing cartilage damage in both his knees, requiring around 3 weeks' treatment. When asked about a potential return from kyūjō during the tournament, his stablemaster Tokiwayama said it was likely he would not do so. This marks the tenth time Takakeishō has forfeited a tournament (partially or fully), and the seventh time he has had to return to competition in a kadoban situation.[49]

At the end of August, it was reported that Takakeishō intended to take part in the September tournament, giving himself a chance to emerge from

Chiyotaikai in 2003.[53]

Takakeishō had a chance to be promoted to yokozuna with the condition of winning a high-level championship in the November tournament. However, his hopes for promotion became slim after he suffered his third loss on Day 8. He concluded the November tournament with a 9–6 score.[54]

After winning two out of three matches at the start of the January 2024 tournament, Takakeishō withdrew from competition citing a pinched nerve. According to his stablemaster Tokiwayama, the neck condition worsened after his Day 2 bout against Atamifuji. He added that Takakeishō himself requested to withdraw from the tournament, and that there were no plans for him to re-enter. It was the eleventh time that Takakeishō withdrew from a sumo tournament. It was also the eighth time Takakeishō would wrestle under kadoban ōzeki status.[55][56] In preparation for the tournament, Takakeishō's physical condition cast doubt on his participation, as the ōzeki failed to show up for training the very week the tournament began.[57] When questioned, however, his master Tokiwayama declared that Takakeishō intended to take part in the tournament.[58] Although Takakeishō escaped demotion on Day 13 by recording an eighth win over fellow ōzeki Kotonowaka,[59] he withdrew from the tournament the following day as, per a statement from his stablemaster, he injured his right pectoral muscle in the process.[60] Later that same month, he withdrew from regional tours, giving details of his injuries and revealing that he hadn't recovered from his pinched nerve.[61]

Fighting style

Takakeishō specializes in pushing and thrusting techniques (tsuki/oshi). He regularly wins by oshi-dashi (push out) and hataki-komi (slap down). His tendency to avoid yotsu grappling techniques and throws has been attributed by some sumo commentators to his relatively short arms. It was noted however that he expanded his repertoire somewhat during his January 2023 tournament victory, winning two matches by kotenage (armlock throw) and clinching the championship with a sukuinage (beltless arm throw).[41]

Personal life

In August 2020 Takakeishō announced his engagement to fashion model Yukina Chiba. She is the daughter of former ōzeki Hokuten'yū.[62] During the press conference celebrating the achievement of his third tournament, it was revealed that he had a son with his wife.[63]

Career record

Takakeishō Mitsunobu[6]
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
2014 x x x x (Maezumo) West Jonokuchi #18
7–0
Champion
 
2015 East Jonidan #10
7–0
Champion
 		 East Sandanme #18
5–2
 		 East Makushita #55
6–1
 		 West Makushita #27
4–3
 		 West Makushita #21
6–1–PPP
 		 West Makushita #7
3–4
 
2016 West Makushita #13
4–3
 		 East Makushita #9
7–0
Champion
 		 East Jūryō #13
11–4
 		 West Jūryō #6
6–9
 		 East Jūryō #9
10–5
 		 West Jūryō #3
12–3
Champion
 
2017 East Maegashira #12
7–8
 		 East Maegashira #13
11–4
F		 West Maegashira #7
11–4
 		 West Maegashira #1
5–10
 		 West Maegashira #5
9–6
O★		 West Maegashira #1
11–4
O★★
2018 East Komusubi #1
5–10
 		 West Maegashira #3
3–8–4
 		 West Maegashira #10
10–5
 		 West Maegashira #3
10–5
 		 West Komusubi #1
9–6
 		 East Komusubi #1
13–2
FO
2019 East Sekiwake #1
11–4
T		 East Sekiwake #1
10–5
T		 East Ōzeki #2
3–4–8
 		 East Ōzeki #2
Sat out due to injury
0–0–15		 West Sekiwake #1
12–3–P
 		 East Ōzeki #2
9–6
 
2020 East Ōzeki #1
11–4
 		 East Ōzeki #1
7–8
 		 East Ōzeki #1
Tournament Cancelled
0–0–0		 East Ōzeki #1
8–4–3
 		 West Ōzeki #1
12–3
 		 East Ōzeki #1
13–2–P
 
2021 East Ōzeki #1
2–8–5
 		 East Ōzeki #2
10–5
 		 West Ōzeki #1
12–3–P
 		 West Ōzeki #1
1–2–12
 		 West Ōzeki #1
8–7
 		 West Ōzeki #1
12–3
 
2022 East Ōzeki #1
1–3–11
 		 West Ōzeki #2
8–7
 		 West Ōzeki #2
8–7
 		 East Ōzeki #1
11–4
 		 East Ōzeki #1
10–5
 		 East Ōzeki #1
12–3–PP
 
2023 West Ōzeki #1
12–3
 		 West Ōzeki #1
3–4–8
 		 West Ōzeki #1
8–7
 		 East Ōzeki #1
Sat out due to injury
0–0–15		 West Ōzeki #1
11–4–P
 		 East Ōzeki #1
9–6
 
2024 West Ōzeki #2
2–2–11
 		 East Ōzeki #2
8–6–1
 		 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

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Takakeisho overcame scandal, many challenges to win 1st grand sumo title". Mainichi Shimbun. 26 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  2. ^ "SUMO/ Father's push for feeding frenzies makes winner of Takakeisho". Asahi Shimbun. 26 November 2018. Archived from the original on 2020-01-27. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Fall tournament topics pg 108". Baseball Magazine. May 2014.
  4. ^ "Kyushu tournament topics pg 69". Baseball Magazine. Dec 2014.
  5. ^ "Takanohana stable hope takes jonokuchi title". Nikkan sports. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  6. ^ a b c "Takakeisho Mitsunobu Information". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 2017-02-08.
  7. ^ "Takanohana stable's Sato takes juryo title, promoted to makuuchi, will take ring name of Takakeisho". Sports Sunday. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  8. ^ "Sumo: Ozeki Goeido remains alone at the top in Tokyo". The Mainichi. 19 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 September 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  9. ^ "Hakuho finishes year strong". Yomiuri Shimbun. 26 November 2017.
  10. ^ "2018 January Grand Sumo Tournament Banzuke Topics". Japan Sumo Association. January 2018. Archived from the original on 11 January 2018.
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  14. ^ "SUMO/ Hakuho outduels Kakuryu in tough final to claim record 42nd title". Asahi Shimbun. 24 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  15. ^ "Sumo: Arm injury sours Hakuho's record-extending 42nd title". The Mainichi. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  16. ^ a b "Sumo: Takakeisho promoted to ozeki, sport's 2nd-highest rank". Kyodo News. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  17. ^ a b "Sumo: Promise to parents keeps new ozeki Takakeisho pushing forward". Kyodo News. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
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  19. ^ "Sumo: New ozeki Takakeisho withdraws from Summer tourney due to injury". The Mainichi. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  20. ^ "SUMO/ Ozeki Takakeisho withdraws from tournament, this time for good". Asahi Shimbun. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
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  22. ^ "Takakeisho moves ahead of the pack". The Japan Times. September 19, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  23. ^ "Sumo: Mitakeumi wins 2nd title after sekiwake playoff with Takakeisho". Kyodo News.
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  27. ^ "Sumo: Ozeki Takakeisho out of July tourney after avoiding demotion". The Mainichi. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  28. ^ "Sumo: Takakeisho gunning for yokozuna nod after winning 2nd title". Kyodo. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  29. ^ "SUMO/ Takakeisho takes playoff for first tournament win as ozeki". Asashi Shimbun. 22 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  30. ^ "Lone Ozeki rises to the occasion". NHK World-Japan. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  31. ^ "Sumo: Takakeisho all but out of yokozuna hunt with 4th loss in row". Kyodo. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  32. ^ "Sumo: Ozeki Takakeisho withdraws from New Year meet". Kyodo. 19 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  33. ^ "Sumo: Terunofuji beats Takakeisho to win 4th career championship". The Mainichi. May 23, 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  34. ^ "Sumo: Ozeki Takakeisho withdraws from Nagoya basho with neck injury". Kyodo News. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  35. ^ "Terunofuji beats Takanosho, Takakeisho drops to 0-3 on Day 3". Japan Times. 14 September 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  36. ^ "Sumo: Yokozuna Terunofuji secures 1st perfect record to celebrate 6th title". Kyodo News. 28 November 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  37. ^ a b "Sumo: Ozeki Takakeisho out of New Year basho with sprained ankle". Kyodo News. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  38. ^ "Sumo: Sekiwake Wakatakakage seizes share of Osaka tourney lead". Kyodo News. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  39. ^ "Takakeisho enters New Year Basho with golden opportunity". Japan Times. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  40. ^ "Sadogatake says it is tough to see yokozuna promotion for Takakeisho after losing this way". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 19 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  41. ^ a b "Sumo: Lone ozeki Takakeisho wins New Year meet, 3rd Emperor's Cup". Kyodo News. 22 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  42. ^ "Sumo: New Year champ Takakeisho sets sights on yokozuna promotion". Kyodo News. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  43. ^ "Sumo: Tobizaru upsets lone ozeki Takakeisho on Spring meet Day 1". Kyodo News. 12 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  44. ^ a b c "Sumo: Ozeki Takakeisho withdraws from Spring Tournament". Kyodo News. 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  45. ^ "大関 貴景勝が春場所を休場 横綱と大関不在の場所は昭和以降初". NHK (in Japanese). 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  46. ^ "Sumo: Midorifuji leads as tournament is left without ozeki, yokozuna". Kyodo News. 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  47. ^ "大関・貴景勝がしこ名の下を「光信」から本名の「貴信」に改名　心機一転でカド番脱出狙う". Sports Hōchi. 1 May 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  48. ^ "貴景勝　勝ち越しカド番脱出！　両膝ケガも大関の地位守る　恩師の埼玉栄高・山田監督「本当凄いよ」". Spornichi Annex. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  49. ^ "Sumo: Ozeki Takakeisho to skip Nagoya tourney due to knee troubles". Kyodo News. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  50. ^ "貴景勝、1年ぶりに3大関となる土俵に「ファンが楽しみにしてくれてますから。いい相撲を」【大相撲】". Chunichi Sports. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  51. ^ "貴景勝７度目のかど番脱出も安心感は皆無「結果が全て」左腕気にするしぐさも「大丈夫」". Nikkan Sports. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  52. ^ "Sumo: Takakeisho wins 4th Emperor's Cup after playoff against Atamifuji". Asahi Shimbun. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  53. ^ "Takakeisho says feeling of responsibility helped him win title". Japan Times. 25 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  54. ^ "Sumo: Kirishima beats Takakeisho, claims 2nd title with 2-win margin". Kyodo News. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  55. ^ "大関貴景勝が４日目から休場「頚椎症性神経根症で２週間程度の安静加療を要する」との診断書提出" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  56. ^ "Sumo: Ozeki Takakeisho pulls out of New Year meet with neck injury". Kyodo News. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  57. ^ "かど番貴景勝が一門の連合稽古に姿見せず　常盤山親方「大事を取って」春場所は問題ないと強調" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  58. ^ "貴景勝は春場所出場へ　常盤山親方が明言「もちろん出る」" (in Japanese). Sankei Sports. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  59. ^ "新大関・琴ノ若は４敗目　優勝争いから脱落　貴景勝はカド番脱出" (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  60. ^ "大関貴景勝が休場　大相撲春場所". Jiji Press (in Japanese). 23 March 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  61. ^ "尊富士が春巡業を休場　右足首負傷を押して出場の春場所で１１０年ぶり新入幕Ｖ　不振だった大関・霧島らも休場". Sports Hochi. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  62. ^ "貴景勝、元大関北天佑の次女と婚約 「ジャンクスポーツ」で共演". Sanspo (in Japanese). 30 August 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  63. ^ "貴景勝がパパになっていた 優勝後にお披露目し「自分も力士だったということが残ると思った」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 23 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.

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