Asanokiri Mitsuru - 朝ノ霧 満 (born January 5, 1977) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Akashi, Hyogo. He made his debut in March 1992 and wrestled for Wakamatsu Stable. His highest rank was sandanme 56 and he retired in March 2001.
Career[]
Yoshimura joined Wakamatsu Stable and made his professional debut in March 1992 under the shikona "Wakayoshimura" (若吉村). Due to his relatively small physique, he got injured on multiple occasions and it was thought that it would be a matter of time before he fled the stable. Nevertheless, Wakayoshimura powered through and stayed in the stable. In November 1995, he was given the shikona "Asanokiri" (朝ノ霧). He reached the sandanme division in November 1998. His highest rank was sandanme 56 which he earned in January 1999.
Mawashi Incident[]
On the seventh day of the May 2000 tournament, during match against Chiyohakuho, Asanokiri's mawashi loosened and his genitals became exposed before the gyoji could stop the match. As a result, Asanokiri was disqualified and the win was awarded to Chiyohakuho. This was the first time in 83 year since May 1917 when juryo wrestler Otokojima lost to makushita Tomonoyama in the same fashion. The match was featured on the front page of Nikkan Sports the next day, and was telegraphed to the world by Reuters. It was also listed in the Guinness Book of Records as "the rarest way to lose in sumo".
Even though this was Chiyohakuho and Asanokiri's only match with each other, Chiyohakuho still attended his danpatsu-shiki, or retirement ceremony in 2001. When Chiyohakuho was promoted to juryo in January 2005, Asanokiri was also interviewed by Nikkan Sports.
Retirement from Sumo[]
Asanokiri retired from sumo in March 2001. After retiring he worked for a supermarket.
Fighting Style[]
Asanokiri 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 shitatenage (underarm throw) followed by uwatenage (overarm throw).
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 173-205/378 (55 basho)
- Sandanme: 39-52/91 (13 basho)
- Jonidan: 3-238-8/240 (35 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 26-30/56 (8 basho)
Shikona History[]
- Wakayoshimura Fukumitsu (1992.03 - 1995.09)
- Asanokiri Mitsuru (1995.11 - 2001.03)
Gallery[]
