Asanobori Toshimitsu

Asanobori Toshimitsu - 朝登俊光 (born June 3, 1948) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yubari, Hokkaido. He made his debut in July 1963 and wrestled for Asahiyama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 1969 and has one kinboshi. His highest rank was maegashira 2 and he retired in May 1978.

Career[]

Early Career[]

Asanobori made his debut in July 1963, wrestling for Asahiyama stable. In his first official tournament, he produced a perfect 7-0 record and won the jonokuchi yusho. He was promoted to sandanme in March 1964 and makushita in September 1964.

He reached the second highest juryo division three years later in September 1967, after winning the third highest makushita division championship with a perfect 7-0 record from the rank of makushita 19 (before the rules were changed to make makushita 15 the lowest rank for juryo promotion in 1977).

Juryo Career[]

At the time of his juryo debut, Asanobori was only 19 years old and the youngest sekitori in both divisions. After nearly two years in juryo, Asanobori won his first of many juryo yusho with an 11-4 record in January 1969 after defeating Yoshioyama in the playoff. Moreover, he was promoted to makuuchi in the following March 1969 tournament.

Makuuchi Career[]

Asanobori had a strong start in makuuchi. He posted two consecutive winning records from his debut and in July 1969, he defeated yokozuna Kashiwado to earn his first kinboshi (this was Kashiwado's last match as he announced his retirement the next day). By the end of the year, Tokyo Chunichi Sports named Asanobori "Rookie of the Year". However, he never managed to reach san'yaku or earn a special prize with his highest rank being maegashira 2. Even though he was only ranked in makuuchi for 13 tournaments, he was ranked in juryo for a total of 51 tournaments and won the juryo yusho on four separate occasions.

Retirement from Sumo[]

Asanobori announced his retirement after the May 1978 tournament to avoid an inevitable fall to makushita. Upon retirement from active competition, he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, under the name Azumazeki, however, he was only the borrowing the name and left shortly in June 1979 after his danpatsu-shiki, or retirement ceremony.

After leaving, he managed a chanko restaurant. After the failure of his restaurant, he became the boss of the right wing political group Seiji Kessha. The group is typically associated with patriotic, anti-foreign, pro-military views, and has ties with the Yakuza. He was also the founder of the Japan Church of Jesus.

1987 Arrest[]

On June 6, 1987, Asanobori and freelance writer Toyomi Inaba were arrested for trying to blackmail a realtor for 2 million yen (14,000 USD). According to police investigators, Asanobori and Inaba informed a president of a real estate company in Minato, Tokyo, on March 7th that they would halt the release of a potentially damaging article in return for 10 million yen (70,000 USD). A few days later, they managed to coerce the real estate agent into paying 2 million yen.

Fighting Style[]

Asanobori 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.

Record[]

Division Results[]

Total: 578-555-2/1132 (90 basho)
Makuuchi: 82-113/195 (13 basho)
Juryo: 385-378-2/762 (51 basho)
Makushita: 80-53/133 (19 basho)
Sandanme: 15-6/21 (3 basho)
Jonidan: 9-5/14 (2 basho)
Jonokuchi: 7-0/7 (1 basho)

Championships[]

4 Juryo Championships
- 1st (January 1969)
- 2nd (March 1972)
- 3rd (July 1973)
- 4th (September 1974)
1 Makushita Championship (July 1967)
1 Jonokuchi Championship (September 1963)