Arakiyama Tadashi - 荒岐山 正 (born January 5, 1940 - September 5, 1986) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture. He made his debut in March 1955 and last wrestled for Tokitsukaze stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 1961. His highest rank was maegashira 11 and he retired in May 1963.
Career[]
Early Career[]
After graduating from junior high school, he joined Tokitsukaze stable and made his professional debut in March 1955. Initially wrestling under his surname, he changed his shikona to "Minonishiki" (美濃錦) in September 1955. He later changed his shikona to "Arakiyama" (荒岐山) in 1957 and he was promoted to makushita in May 1959. In November 1959 he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 8-0 record and was promoted to juryo three tournaments in May 1960.
Juryo Career[]
In his first tournament as a sekitori, Arakiyama finished with a solid 8-7 record. In September 1960 he won the juryo yusho with a strong 12-3 record. Two tournaments later he finished with an 11-4 record, but missed out on the yusho after losing to Yoshinomine in the playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to makuuchi for the following March 1961 tournament.
Makuuchi Career[]
Arakiyama fractured his right tibia in his top division debut and was demoted back down to juryo in July 1961. After winning his second juryo yusho in January 1962, he was promoted back to makuuchi for the following March tournament. However, he sprained his right knee prior to the July 1962 and subsequently sat out of the tournament. He was demoted back down to juryo in September 1962 and changed his shikona to "Niigiyama" (新岐山).
Retirement from Sumo[]
He announced his retirement in May 1963 after falling back down to makushita. After retiring, he opened up a chanko restaurant in Gifu City called "Niigiyama" (新岐山).
Death[]
At around 0:30 AM on September 5, 1986, he fell from Chusetsu Bridge in Gifu City. He was taken to a nearby hospital, but died at 5:05 AM on the same day. He was 46 years old.
Fighting Style[]
Arakiyama was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 229-205-43/432 (45 basho)
- Makuuchi: 22-37-16/58 (5 basho)
- Juryo: 96-94-5/189 (13 basho)
- Makushita: 33-15-7/48 (7 basho)
- Sandanme: 44-28-8/72 (10 basho)
- Jonidan: 25-24-7/49 (7 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 9-7/16 (2 basho)
Championships[]
- 2 Juryo Championships
- 1st (September 1960)
- 2nd (January 1962)
- 1 Makushita Championship (November 1959)
Shikona History[]
- Nagano Tadashi (1955.03 - 1955.05)
- Minonishiki Tadashi (1955.09 - 1958.11)
- Arakiyama Tadashi (1959.01 - 1962.07)
- Niigiyama Tadashi (1962.09 - 1963.05)
Gallery[]
