Asanonami Makoto

Asanonami Makoto - 朝乃濤誠 (born June 19, 1971) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kodomari, Aomori. He made his debut in March 1990 and last wrestled for Wakamatsu stable. He reached the juryo division in January 1993. His highest rank was juryo 3 and he retired in July 1999.

Early Life[]

Ota began sumo wrestling in elementary school and he participated in national competitions during his time at Goshogawara Agricultural & Forestry High School. The director of his sumo club introduced him to Wakamatsu oyakata (former ozeki Asashio) and he joined Wakamatsu Stable upon graduating high school.

Career[]

Ota made his professional debut in March 1990 and won the jonokuchi yusho with a strong 7-0 record. He followed with a 6-1 record in jonidan and a 7-0 record in sandanme, but he missed out on the yusho after losing to Shibiyama in a playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to makushita after only one tournament in the previous divisions.

In November 1992 he changed his shikona to "Asanonami" (朝乃濤) and produced an impressive 6-1 record at the rank of makushita 1 which resulted in a promotion to juryo (alongside stablemate Asanowaka) in the following January 1993 tournament. In his sekitori debut, Asanonami posted a 10-5 record and was promoted to juryo 3 in the March tournament. However, he pulled out of this tournament midway due to a contusion on his right knee joint but he later returned. Initially his knee injury was not too serious, but he insisted to keep on fighting which resulted in a torn cruciate ligament on his left knee. As a result he was demoted back down to makushita after three tournaments in juryo.

Due to his knee injury he fell all the way down to the rank of jonidan 160 in March 1996. By the time he changed his shikona to "Asaota" (朝太田). He won the jonidan yusho in his return, but was unable to make a strong return to juryo. He ultimately announced his retirement after going winless in July 1999.

Fighting Style[]

Asanonami 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.