Kyokutenzan Takeshi
Encyclopedia
Kyokutenzan Takeshi is a former professional sumo
wrestler from Ulan Bator, Mongolia
, one of the first Mongolians to join the sport in Japan
. In 2005, he obtained Japanese citizenship, but he has now moved to Germany
to run a business.
and Kyokutenhō, but unlike them he never reached sekitori
status. He served as a tsukebito, or personal attendant, to Kyokutenhō. During his early days in sumo, when five of the six Mongolians in Oshima stable
ran away and sought refuge in the Mongolian embassy, Kyokutenzan was the only one who remained, and he persuaded his countrymen to return.
During the January 2007 tournament Kyokutenzan attracted criticism over the amount of time he was spending in the two dressing rooms in which the wrestlers prepare for their bouts. He was interviewed by the Japan Sumo Association
as part of their investigation of alleged match-fixing involving Yokozuna Asashōryū
. Kyokutenzan responded by saying he was just giving advice to Mongolian junior wrestlers, declaring, "I have never known of any match-fixing."
Kyokutenzan retired from professional sumo at the end of the 2007 Kyushu basho. His retirement ceremony was held in December with Hakuho and Asashoryu amongst the attendees as well as Kyokushuzan and Kyokutenho. Kyuokutenzan moved to Germany with his wife, who he had married in July 2007, to start a business. His first child, a girl, was born in May 2008.
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 Ulan Bator, Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
, one of the first Mongolians to join the sport in 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...
. In 2005, he obtained Japanese citizenship, but he has now moved to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
to run a business.
Career
Kyokutenzan joined sumo in March 1992 at the same time as his more famous Mongolian colleagues KyokushūzanKyokushuzan Noboru
Kyokushūzan Noboru is a former professional sumo wrestler and current politician of Democratic Party. He was the first wrestler from Mongolia to reach sumo's top makuuchi division....
and Kyokutenhō, but unlike them he never reached sekitori
Sekitori
A sekitori is a sumo wrestler who is ranked in one of the top two professional divisions: makuuchi and juryo.Currently there are 70 rikishi in these divisions...
status. He served as a tsukebito, or personal attendant, to Kyokutenhō. During his early days in sumo, when five of the six Mongolians in Oshima stable
Oshima stable
is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tatsunami ichimon or group of stables. It was set up in 1980 by former ozeki Asahikuni, who branched off from Tatsunami stable. The head of Tatsunami stable opposed the setting up of the new stable, and did not speak to Oshima Oyakata until Asahifuji was...
ran away and sought refuge in the Mongolian embassy, Kyokutenzan was the only one who remained, and he persuaded his countrymen to return.
During the January 2007 tournament Kyokutenzan attracted criticism over the amount of time he was spending in the two dressing rooms in which the wrestlers prepare for their bouts. He was interviewed 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...
as part of their investigation of alleged match-fixing involving 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...
. Kyokutenzan responded by saying he was just giving advice to Mongolian junior wrestlers, declaring, "I have never known of any match-fixing."
Kyokutenzan retired from professional sumo at the end of the 2007 Kyushu basho. His retirement ceremony was held in December with Hakuho and Asashoryu amongst the attendees as well as Kyokushuzan and Kyokutenho. Kyuokutenzan moved to Germany with his wife, who he had married in July 2007, to start a business. His first child, a girl, was born in May 2008.