Akinokuni Kazunori - 安芸の國 一典 (born April 11, 1942) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hiroshima City, Hiroshima. He made his debut in March 1959 and wrestled for Tokitsukaze stable. He reached the juryo division in July 1965. His highest rank was juryo 9 and he retired in November 1968.
Career[]
Shinto joined Tokitsukaze stable and made his professional debut in March 1959. Initially wrestling under his surname, he was promoted to sandanme in May 1961 and makushita in November 1962. He changed his shikona to "Akinokuni" (安芸の國) in 1962. In May 1965 he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record at the rank of makushita 4 and was promoted to juryo for the following July 1965 tournament.
Akinokuni was ranked in juryo for a total of 14 tournaments, reaching as high as juryo 9. He was rather unspectacular in juryo, but very efficient and was always tinkering at the bottom of the division. In November 1967 he posted a disastrous 2-13 record and was demoted back down to makushita for the January 1968 tournament.
Retirement from Sumo[]
Upon losing his sekitori status, Akinokuni remained in makushita for another year before retiring from sumo in November 1968 at the young age of 26. After retiring, he opened up a chanko restaurant in Higashi-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, called "Chanko Akinokuni" (ちゃんこ料理 安芸の国).
Personal Life[]
Outside of sumo, Akinokuni was an avid golfer and he participated at the Japan Amateur Golf Championship Tournament in 1983.
Akinokuni's nephew, Kiyofumi Ishikawa, was also a sumo wrestler from Tokitsukaze stable. He made his professional debut in March 1982 and his highest rank was makushita 1. He retired from sumo in January 1996 and currently manages Chanko Akinokuni.
Fighting Style[]
Akinokuni was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was tsuridashi, or lift out.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 258-244-2/502 (57 basho)
- Juryo: 98-112/210 (14 basho)
- Makushita: 82-65/147 (21 basho)
- Sandanme: 41-27-2/68 (10 basho)
- Jonidan: 26-24/50 (7 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 11-13/24 (3 basho)
- Shinjo: 0-3/3 (1 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Makushita Championship (May 1965)
Shikona History[]
- Shinto Kazunori (1959.03 - 1962.05)
- Akinokuni Kazunori (1962.07 - 1968.01)
- Shinto Kazunori (1968.03 - 1968.05)
- Akinokuni Kazunori (1968.07 - 1968.11)
Gallery[]
