Amanoyama Shizuo

Amanoyama Shizuo - 天ノ山靜雄 (born December 28, 1953 - September 17, 1997) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Taku, Saga. He made his debut in March 1976 and wrestled for Tokitsukaze stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 1978 and has 1 special prize as well as 2 kinboshi. His highest rank was maegashira 1 and he retired in November 1986.

Early Life[]

Ogata practiced judo at Taku Municipal Seikei School, but since he was already 1.84 m (6 ft 0.5 in) and 100 kg (220 Ib), he was recommended to participate in the Taku City Tournament and the Saga Prefectural Tournament by the sumo club, and he won the championship in both tournaments. Initially, he had no interest in becoming a sumo wrestler and wanted to be a teacher or office worker. At Taku High School, he was still a member of the judo club, but decided to devote himself solely on sumo during his time at Komazawa University. In his third year, he became college yokozuna after winning the National Student Sumo Championship.

Career[]

Early Career[]

Due to his successful collegiate career, he received many offers from sumo stables and decided to join Tokitsukaze stable. He made his professional debut in March 1976. Due to his amateur accomplishments, he was granted makushita tsukedashi status which mean he was able to make his debut at the bottom of the makushita division. He won his first makushita yusho in September 1976 with a 6-1 record. Five tournaments later in July 1977, Ogata won his second makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record at the rank of makushita 3 which earned him a promotion to juryo in September 1977.

Juryo Career[]

Ogata posted an 8-7 record in his first tournament as a sekitori and followed with two consecutive 9-6 records and was promoted to makuuchi in March 1978 after only three tournaments in juryo.

Makuuchi Career[]

In his top division debut he defeated ozeki Takanohana and scored 11 wins against 4 losses, winning the Fighting Spirit prize for the only time. He made his makuuchi debut in the same tournament as Kotowaka and as both were unusually tall, they were nicknamed "Jumbo Jet" and "Concorde". Even though he had a strong start, he fell back down to juryo in September 1978 after only three tournaments in the top division. He returned to makuuchi in March 1979 and changed his shikona to "Amanoyama" (天ノ山). In July 1980, whilst ranked at his highest rank of maegashira 1, he defeated Mienoumi on the first day to claim his first kinboshi. In March 1981, he defeated Wakanohana II to earn his second kinboshi.

Retirement from Sumo[]

Amanoyama spent the majority of his later career in makushita and juryo. He announced his retirement after the November 1986 tournament. Upon retirement from active competition, he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Tatsutayama.

Death[]

After suffering a cerebral hemorrhage, Amanoyama died one month later on September 17, 1997, due to an illness at the age of 43. He had been suffering from diabetes and liver disease since his days as an active wrestler.

Fighting Style[]

Amanoyama was a tsuki/oshi specialist, who prefers pushing and thrusting at his opponents rather than fighting on the mawashi or belt. His most common winning kimarite or technique was oshidashi or a straightforward push out.