Asahizakura Takahide - 旭桜 隆秀 (born December 28, 1964) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Asahikawa, Hokkaido. He made his debut in March 1980 and wrestled for Oshima stable. His highest rank was makushita 1 and he retired in May 1990.
Career[]
Although he had no sumo wrestling experience in junior high school, Kasai joined Oshima stable and made his professional debut in March 1980 under the shikona "Asahizakura" (旭桜). In his first tournament, Asahizakura finished with a strong 6-1 record and was placed in a six-man playoff for the jonokuchi yusho, however, he lost in the first round by accidentally stepping out of the dohyo. Nevertheless, he continued to post strong results and was promoted to sandanme in November 1980 and makushita in September 1981. In January 1984, he was promoted to the rank of makushita 3. In this tournament, he defeated two juryo-ranked wrestlers, Shiraiwa and Hiyama, but still finished with a losing record. Shortly after, Asahizakura suffered from a rheumatic fever and a streptococcal infection which caused him to fall down to jonidan. He returned to sumo in May 1985 and he won the sandanme yusho with a perfect 7-0 record in the following July 1985 tournament. In January 1988, while ranked at makushita 3, Asahizakura defeated juryo-ranked Iwatefuji and finished with a 4-3 record. However, he was not promoted to juryo and instead makushita 1 for the following March 1988 tournament. In this tournament, he finished with a 2-5 record and could not capitalize on a juryo promotion. After this, Asahizakura missed most of the following tournaments due to a spinal disc herniation and he eventually fell off the banzuke in November 1989.
Retirement from Sumo[]
Asahizakura retired from sumo in May 1990 due to a spinal disc herniation. After retiring, he opened up a clinic in Itabashi, Tokyo, where he works as a chiropractor.
Fighting Style[]
Asahizakura was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 189-148-63/337 (58 basho)
- Makushita: 116-111-12/227 (34 basho)
- Sandanme: 43-30-18/73 (13 basho)
- Jonidan: 23-6-20/29 (7 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 7-1-13/8 (3 basho)
Division Results[]
- 1 Sandanme Championship (July 1985)
Shikona History[]
- Asahizakura Takahide (1980.03 - 1988.07)
- Kasai Kazuo (1988.09 - 1990.05)
Gallery[]
