Takanohana Kōji
Takanohana Kōji | |
---|---|
貴乃花 光司 | |
Chiyonofuji ) | |
* Up to date as of June 2020. |
Takanohana Kōji (
Takanohana was the youngest ever to reach the top division at just 17, and he set a number of other age-related records. He had a solid but aggressive style, looking to get a right hand grip on his opponents'
Background
Takanohana comes from a family with a great sumo history, sometimes called the "Hanada Dynasty."
Early career
Takanohana and his brother made their professional debuts together in March 1988, with future rival Akebono also beginning his career in the same month.[5] The two brothers had to move from the family quarters in the stable and join the communal room with all the other new recruits.[6] They were also instructed not to refer to their parents as "father" and "mother" any more but as "oyakata" and "okamisan" (coach and coach's wife).[7] Kōji initially wrestled under the name Takahanada (貴花田), and it was understood that he would only be allowed to adopt his father's shikona of Takanohana (meaning noble flower)[8] when he reached the rank of ōzeki.[5]
Their early career attracted much publicity, with each divisional promotion regarded by the media as part of an inevitable rise to the top ranks.
In March 1991, in his fourth top division tournament, Takahanada was runner-up with twelve wins, and became the youngest ever
During this period the two brothers created a so-called "Waka-Taka boom" and were credited with restoring sumo's popularity, particularly amongst younger audiences.
Promotion to yokozuna
Now known as Takanohana (貴ノ花), he was also the youngest ever to be promoted to ōzeki at 20 years 5 months.
Yokozuna career
1995–1997
Takanohana's total of seven tournament championships by the start of 1995 was the same as the total won by Akebono, who had reached the yokozuna rank two years before him.
1998–2000
Takanohana was affected by a liver disorder in the first half of 1998, which caused him to withdraw from the January 1998 tournament and miss the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Nagano (his place was taken by Akebono).[17] He pulled out of the March 1998 tournament as well and was still below his best in May. Shunning the traditional treatment methods available from his stable, he turned instead to a physical therapist called Tashiro Tomita, who had a considerable influence over him.[3] He became increasingly isolated from his father and brother, with his father claiming Takanohana had been "brainwashed" by Tomita.[3] Despite his brother's promotion to yokozuna that year, creating the first ever sibling grand champions,[12] the two were barely on speaking terms.[18] Takanohana recovered to win the July and September 1998 tournaments, and was runner-up that November. In 1999, however, he was even more badly affected by injuries, including a dislocated shoulder,[1] and managed only one score in double digits all year.[15]
After making peace with his family,[19] Takanohana regained some of his consistency in 2000, although he was temporarily sidelined by an elbow injury suffered in the July tournament.[20] His brother had retired in March, and several other members of his stable were now past their best.[7] With Akebono dominant once more, his best results that year were two runner-up performances.
2001–2003
Takanohana won his first tournament in over two years in January 2001, winning his first fourteen bouts and then defeating fellow yokozuna Musashimaru in a playoff on the final day. He won his final championship in May 2001, again in a playoff against Musashimaru, but it came at a great cost. He had suffered serious knee ligament damage in a loss to Musōyama on the 14th day but he insisted on fighting until the end of the tournament.[3] As a result, he then missed an unprecedented seven consecutive tournaments, undergoing surgery in Paris in July 2001 and having a lengthy recuperation after that.[21]
Takanohana finally returned to the ring in September 2002, after the
Takanohana's
Fighting style
Takanohana was largely a yotsu-sumo wrestler, favoring techniques which involved grabbing his opponent's mawashi or belt. His preferred grip was migi-yotsu (right hand inside, left hand outside his opponent).[28] His most common winning kimarite by far was yori-kiri, a simple force out, which accounted for 52 percent of his victories.[2] He also regularly employed uwatenage, or overarm throw, and this was the technique he used to defeat Asashōryū in the second of their two meetings, in September 2002.[2]
Retirement from sumo
After his retirement he became an
Takanohana became a judge of tournament bouts in February 2004, only a year after his retirement, a role for which elders normally have to wait at least four years.[35] After the election of the Association's Board of Directors in February 2008, the Association appointed Takanohana as Associate Manager of Judging (審判部副部長, shimpanbu-fukubuchō), replacing former yokozuna Chiyonofuji who was elected to serve the Board as a director.[36][37] For an organization that tends to follow seniority over achievement in its organization appointment, it was highly unusual for them to place a 35-year-old to such an influential position. However both former yokozuna, Kitanoumi and Chiyonofuji whom Takanohana is often compared to, served a stint as Associate Manager of Judging prior to their becoming the Board director.[38] In February 2009 he was moved from the judging department to the jungyō (regional tour) department, a less high-profile position.[citation needed]
Takanohana mentioned in October 2009 that he was interested in running for a spot on the Board of Directors in the February 2010 elections, and confirmed in January that he would stand, despite the fact that this would mean opposing the two officially sanctioned candidates of the Nishonoseki
In July 2010, in the wake of a scandal involving several wrestlers admitting to illegal gambling, he denied he had connections with members of the yakuza underworld after media reports that he was seen with a mobster during a visit to Ehime Prefecture to recruit new apprentices.[45]
Following the election of
Having reached a peak weight of 160 kg (350 lb) as an active wrestler, he has lost a great deal of weight since his retirement (more than retired wrestlers typically do) and is now around 90 kg (200 lb).[49] In 2009 he published a book detailing his weight loss methods.[citation needed]
He ran for the chairmanship of the Sumo Association in 2016, but was defeated by Hakkaku Oyakata (ex-yokozuna
Takanoiwa affair and resignation
Takanohana was criticized for his delay in notifying the Sumo Association that Takanoiwa would miss the November 2017 tournament because of injuries allegedly sustained in an assault by the yokozuna
On September 25, 2018 Takanohana announced his resignation from the Japan Sumo Association, after refusing to disavow the allegations in a letter of complaint that he filed with the
In a press conference on May 19, 2019 Takanohana announced he would be establishing the Takanohana Dojo organization to promote sumo worldwide. He also ruled out any suggestion that he would enter Japanese politics.[68]
Relationship with family
The Hanada family had generally received very positive press coverage while Takanohana and Wakanohana were active wrestlers, with the press holding them up as the ideal Japanese family and tending to ignore any splits between them.
Takanohana also condemned his mother for her extramarital affair, which led to her divorce from his father and exit from the stable in July 2001, and had only been rumored up to that point.
Marriage
In late 1992 Takanohana announced his engagement to actress
In September 2023, Takanohana's management office confirmed that he had married another woman in August 2023; the new spouse's identity was not disclosed.[82]
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1988 | x | (Maezumo) | East Jonokuchi #11 5–2 |
West Jonidan #101 6–1 |
West Jonidan #31 6–1 |
East Sandanme #74 5–2 |
1989 | East Sandanme #41 5–2 |
West Sandanme #13 5–2 |
East Makushita #48 7–0 Champion |
East Makushita #6 3–4 |
West Makushita #9 7–0 Champion |
West Jūryō #10 8–7 |
1990 | West Jūryō #6 9–6 |
West Jūryō #3 9–6 |
East Maegashira #14 4–11 |
East Jūryō #5 8–7 |
East Jūryō #2 10–5 |
West Maegashira #12 8–7 |
1991 | West Maegashira #9 6–9 |
East Maegashira #13 12–3 TF |
West Maegashira #1 9–6 O★ |
West Komusubi #1 11–4 TO |
West Sekiwake #1 7–8 |
East Maegashira #1 7–8 |
1992 | East Maegashira #2 14–1 TOF |
West Sekiwake #1 5–10 |
West Maegashira #2 9–6 |
East Komusubi #2 8–7 |
West Komusubi #1 14–1 O |
West Sekiwake #1 10–5 |
1993 | East Sekiwake #1 11–4 |
East Ōzeki #1 11–4 |
East Ōzeki #1 14–1 |
East Ōzeki #1 13–2–P |
East Ōzeki #1 12–3 |
East Ōzeki #1 7–8 |
1994 | West Ōzeki #1 14–1 |
East Ōzeki #1 11–4 |
West Ōzeki #1 14–1 |
East Ōzeki #1 11–4 |
West Ōzeki #2 15–0 |
East Ōzeki #1 15–0 |
1995 | East Yokozuna #1 13–2–P |
East Yokozuna #1 13–2 |
West Yokozuna #1 14–1 |
East Yokozuna #1 13–2 |
East Yokozuna #1 15–0 |
East Yokozuna #1 12–3–P |
1996 | East Yokozuna #1 14–1–P |
East Yokozuna #1 14–1 |
East Yokozuna #1 14–1 |
East Yokozuna #1 13–2 |
East Yokozuna #1 15–0 |
East Yokozuna #1 Sat out due to injury 0–0–15 |
1997 | West Yokozuna #1 13–2 |
East Yokozuna 12–3–PP |
East Yokozuna #1 13–2–P |
East Yokozuna #1 13–2 |
East Yokozuna #1 13–2–P |
East Yokozuna #1 14–1–P |
1998 | East Yokozuna #1 8–5–2 |
West Yokozuna #1 1–4–10 |
West Yokozuna #1 10–5 |
West Yokozuna #1 14–1 |
East Yokozuna #1 13–2 |
East Yokozuna #1 12–3 |
1999 | East Yokozuna #1 8–7 |
West Yokozuna #1 8–3–4 |
East Yokozuna #1 Sat out due to injury 0–0–15 |
West Yokozuna #2 9–6 |
East Yokozuna #2 0–3–12 |
West Yokozuna #2 11–4 |
2000 | West Yokozuna #1 12–3 |
East Yokozuna #1 11–4 |
West Yokozuna #1 13–2 |
West Yokozuna #1 5–3–7 |
East Yokozuna #2 Sat out due to injury 0–0–15 |
East Yokozuna #2 11–4 |
2001 | East Yokozuna #2 14–1–P |
East Yokozuna #1 12–3 |
East Yokozuna #1 13–2–P |
East Yokozuna #1 Sat out due to injury 0–0–15 |
West Yokozuna #1 Sat out due to injury 0–0–15 |
West Yokozuna #1 Sat out due to injury 0–0–15 |
2002 | West Yokozuna #1 Sat out due to injury 0–0–15 |
West Yokozuna #1 Sat out due to injury 0–0–15 |
West Yokozuna #1 Sat out due to injury 0–0–15 |
West Yokozuna #1 Sat out due to injury 0–0–15 |
West Yokozuna #1 12–3 |
West Yokozuna #1 Sat out due to injury 0–0–15 |
2003 | West Yokozuna #1 Retired 4–4–1 |
x | 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
- List of yokozuna
- List of sumo tournament top division champions
- List of sumo tournament top division runners-up
- List of sumo record holders
- Glossary of sumo terms
- List of past sumo wrestlers
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Injured Takanohana retires from sumo". Japan Times Online. 2003-01-21. Retrieved 2007-05-12.
- ^ a b c "Takanohana bouts by kimarite". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
- ^ a b c d e f g Lewin, Brian (August 2005). "What will become of the dynasty?". Sumo Fan Magazine. Retrieved 2007-07-18.
- ^ ISBN 0-8348-0283-X.
- ^ ISBN 0-8248-3043-1.
- ^ Akamoto, Makiro (2000-10-27). "Scandals push sumo's grand family". Asahi Evening News. Archived from the original on 2009-04-17. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- ^ ISBN 4-7700-1802-9.
- ISBN 1-880656-28-0.
- ^ Sterngold, James (1991-05-28). "Little Big Man Of Sumo Retires". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
- Salon. Archived from the originalon 2008-06-03. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
- ^ ISBN 4-7890-0725-1.
- ^ a b "Farewell Takanohana:Record-Setting Sumo Grand Champion Retires". Trends in Japan. 2003-03-10. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
- ISBN 0-520-20637-1.
- Japan Times. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- ^ a b c "Takanohana Kōji Rikishi Information". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ "Takanohana bouts by basho". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
- ^ "Winter Olympics: Akebono to lead sumo's debut on Olympic stage". 1998-01-29. Archived from the original on 2007-12-28. Retrieved 2007-08-23.
- ^ "Sumo forced to wrestle with media pack". The Guardian. London. 1999-01-30. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- Japan Times. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
- Japan Times. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
- Japan Times. 12 May 2002. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- Japan Times. 2002-09-08. Retrieved 2007-08-23.
- Japan Times. 2002-09-23. Retrieved 2007-08-23.
- Japan Times. 2002-11-09. Retrieved 2007-08-23.
- ^ a b c d e Watts, Jonathan (2003-01-21). "Sumo's star leaves the ring to darkness". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- ^ Gunning, John (4 April 2019). "Takanohana: The nail that sumo pounded down". Japan Times. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- Japan Times. 2003-06-01. Retrieved 17 February 2009.
- ^ "Takanohana – goo Sumo". Japan Sumo Association. Archived from the original on 2010-02-09. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
- ^ Perran, Thierry (April 2004). "Reflections on the world of sumo by Takanohana Oyakata". Le Monde Du Sumo. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
- ^ "Takanoiwa Yoshimori Rikishi Information".
- ^ "Takanohana-beya adds another recruit". Sumotalk. 2008-06-04. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- ^ "New Mongolian for Takanohana beya". Sumo Forum. 2008-12-23. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
- ^ "New recruits for Hatsu 2009". Sumo Forum. 2008-12-23. Retrieved 2019-10-31.
- ^ "Takakeisho Mitsunobu Rikishi Information". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ Fureland, Gilles (March 2004). "Takanohana: new life, new challenges". Le Monde Du Sumo. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
- ^ 大相撲:貴乃花親方が役員待遇・審判部副部長に (in Japanese). Mainichi Shimbun. 2008-02-04. Archived from the original on 2012-12-05. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
- ^ 【大相撲】スピード出世!貴乃花親方、35歳で役員待遇 (in Japanese). Sankei Sports. 2008-02-05. Archived from the original on March 8, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
- ^ 貴乃花親方が審判部副部長に (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 2008-02-04. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
- ^ Gould, Chris (February 2010). "SFM Election Special Takanohana Controversially Joins Sumo's Board" (PDF). Sumo Fan Magazine. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
- ^ "Takanohana leaves Nishonoseki faction". Japan Times. 9 January 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
- Japan Times. 2 February 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
- ^ Parry, Richard Lloyd (28 January 2010). "Wrestler Takanohana takes on the Japanese sumo establishment". The Times. London. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
- Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
- ^ "Takanohana group certified as ichimon". Nikkan Sports. 24 May 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- ^ "Ex-star of sumo seen with mobster". Japan Times. 17 July 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
- ^ Buckton, Mark (27 August 2010). "Does a new Sumo Association boss signal a new direction?". Japan Times. Archived from the original on 5 September 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
- ^ a b "Sumo body looks to demote stablemaster Takanohana over Harumafuji scandal". Japan Times. 28 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- ^ "Takanohana wins Kodansha libel suit". Japan Times. 30 September 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
- ^ 貴親方公約2年以内にフルマラソン完走 (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 2007-11-09. Archived from the original on January 12, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
- ^ "Sumo wrestles with history of violence outside the ring". Japan Times. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
- ^ "貴乃花理事は巡業部長、相撲協会/デイリースポーツ online". デイリースポーツ online (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-10-17.
- ^ a b "Sumo champion Harumafuji to be referred to prosecutors for alleged assault in drunken brawl". Japan Times. 21 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ "相撲協会の貴ノ岩聴取 貴乃花親方が拒否" (in Japanese). the Mainichi. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ "Sumo gives governance in Japan another black eye". Nikkei Asian Review. 1 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
- ^ Seales, Rebecca (1 December 2017). "Inside the scandal-hit world of Japan's sumo wrestlers". BBC News. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
- ^ "Takanohana to cooperate with sumo association's probe into Harumafuji assault case". Japan Times. 1 December 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
- ^ "JSA to oust Takanohana as director over beating scandal". Asahi Shimbun. 28 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- ^ "Stablemaster Takanohana dismissed from post as director at Japan Sumo Association". Japan Times. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
- ^ "Sumo elder Takanohana fails to regain director seat on JSA board". Japan Times. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
- ^ "Takanohana stumbles badly in bid to shake up sumo world". Asahi Shimbun. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- ^ "JSA demotes Takanohana again over 2nd assault incident". Asahi Shimbun. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ "貴乃花親方は審判部・指導普及部に配属 理事会 - 大相撲 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-10-17.
- ^ "Takanohana resigns from JSA after lengthy controversies". Asahi Shimbun. 25 September 2018. Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
- ^ "Sumo boss Takanohana resigns over assault row". Yahoo News Singapore/AFP. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ "JSA denies putting pressure on Takanohana to clear its name". Asahi Shimbun. 26 September 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
- ^ "SUMO/ JSA approves Takanohana's retirement, transfer of stable". Asahi Shimbun. 1 October 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-10-03. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- ^ "貴乃花親方、退職金&功労金で約1000万円 芸能活動など「貴乃花」の使用は可能" (in Japanese). daily.co.jp. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- ^ "Former yokozuna Takanohana sets out to spread sumo worldwide". Asahi Shimbun. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ Japan Times. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
- Japan Times. 2005-07-09. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
- Japan Times. 2005-06-04. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
- ^ "Father's funeral fails to heal royal 'Waka-Taka' rift". Taipei Times. 2005-06-04. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- ^ Richard Lloyd Parry (2005-06-10). "No holds barred as warring brothers shock sumo world". The Times. London. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- ^ "Sumo's fairy tale family feud leaves brothers grim". Mainichi Daily News. 2005-06-18. Retrieved 2007-05-12.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "The Hanada Dynasty". Japan Omnibus. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- ^ "Stablemaster's ex-wife tells all about Futagoyama stable". Japan Today. 2004-10-08. Retrieved 2008-06-02.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Takanohana's mother to testify against Kitanoumi Rijicho". Sumotalk. 2008-06-01. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- ^ クローズアップ現代 放送記録 (in Japanese). NHK Online. January 2003. Archived from the original on 2005-09-06. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
- ^ "花田優一氏、結婚説や熱愛説を否定「彼女はいません。そんな暇はないです" (in Japanese). Sanspo. 3 October 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "貴乃花親方の長男・花田優一さんが結婚 お相手は陣幕親方の娘" (in Japanese). Sponichi. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "Former stablemaster Takanohana, wife get divorced". Japan Times. 27 November 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
- ^ "元横綱貴乃花の花田光司氏が8月一般女性と再婚と文春オンライン マネジメント会社「事実です」" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
External links
- Takanohana Kōji's official biography (English) at the Grand Sumo Homepage