Fujizakura Yoshimori
Encyclopedia
Fujizakura Yoshimori (born 9 February 1948 as Hideo Nakasawa) is a former sumo
wrestler from Kōfu, Yamanashi
, Japan
. His highest rank was sekiwake. He wrestled for Takasago stable
. He has one of the longest professional careers of any wrestler, fighting 1613 bouts in total, of which 1543 were consecutive. This latter record is second only to Aobajo. He began his career in March 1963. He did not reach the top makuuchi
division until September 1971, but he was a runner-up in only his second honbasho
or tournament in the division. He fought in makuuchi for 73 tournaments in total, winning eight special prizes
, and nine gold stars
for defeating yokozuna. He was a favourite of Emperor Hirohito, a noted fan of sumo. His May 1975 bout with Kirinji
in which he thrust at his opponent over 50 times but lost, was named one of the "Best 10 All Time Battles in Ozumo" by the Nikkei
newspaper. He retired in March 1985 and became an elder
of the Japan Sumo Association
, opening up Nakamura stable
in 1986, which he continues to run as of 2009. He has also served as a shinpan or judge of tournament bouts for over 20 years.
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 from Kōfu, Yamanashi
Kofu, Yamanashi
is the capital city of Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan.As of May 1, 2011, the city had a estimate population of 197,540, with 85,794 households. The total area is 212.41 km².-History:Kōfu's name means "capital of Kai Province"...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. His highest rank was sekiwake. He wrestled for Takasago stable
Takasago stable
is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Takasago group of stables.It is correctly written in Japanese as "髙砂部屋", but the first of these kanji is rare, and is more commonly written as "高砂部屋"....
. He has one of the longest professional careers of any wrestler, fighting 1613 bouts in total, of which 1543 were consecutive. This latter record is second only to Aobajo. He began his career in March 1963. He did not reach 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 until September 1971, but he was a runner-up in only his second honbasho
Honbasho
A is an official professional sumo tournament. There are six held each year, a system established in 1958. Only honbasho results matter in determining promotion and relegation for rikishi ....
or tournament in the division. He fought in makuuchi for 73 tournaments in total, winning eight special prizes
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:...
, and nine gold stars
Kinboshi
Kinboshi is a notation used in professional sumo wrestling to record a lower-ranked wrestler's victory over a yokozuna....
for defeating yokozuna. He was a favourite of Emperor Hirohito, a noted fan of sumo. His May 1975 bout with Kirinji
Kirinji
Kirinji may refer to:* Kirinji , a Japanese pop band* Kirinji Kazuharu , former sumo wrestler known as Kirinji from 1974–1988* Daikirin Takayoshi , former sumo wrestler known as Kirinji from 1962–1970...
in which he thrust at his opponent over 50 times but lost, was named one of the "Best 10 All Time Battles in Ozumo" by the Nikkei
Nihon Keizai Shimbun
is one of the largest media corporations in Japan. Nikkei specializes in publishing financial, business and industry news. Its main news publications include:* Nihon Keizai Shimbun , a leading economic newspaper....
newspaper. He retired in March 1985 and became an elder
Toshiyori
A toshiyori is a sumo elder of the Japan Sumo Association. Also known as oyakata, former wrestlers who reached a sufficiently high rank are the only people eligible...
of 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...
, opening up Nakamura stable
Nakamura Stable
is a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Takasago group of stables. It was established in its modern incarnation in May 1986 by Fujizakura of the Takasago stable. The stable's first sekitori was Saigo in November 1995. It has yet to produce any makuuchi wrestlers. As of December 2007 had 14 sumo...
in 1986, which he continues to run as of 2009. He has also served as a shinpan or judge of tournament bouts for over 20 years.
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 past sumo wrestlers