Asawaka Kitaro - 朝若 佐太郎 (born January 8, 1923 - November 25, 1969) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Matsuyama, Ehime. He made his debut in January 1939 and wrestled for Takasago stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1950. His highest rank was maegashira 21 and he retired in January 1952.
Career[]
Early Career[]
Born in Matsuyama, Ehime, he joined Takasago stable and made his professional debut in January 1939. Wrestling under the shikona "Asawaka" (朝若), he was promoted to sandanme in May 1941 and makushita in May 1942. In November 1945, he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 5-0 record at the rank of makushita 12 and was promoted to juryo for the following November 1946 tournament.
Juryo Career[]
Upon promotion to juryo, he changed his shikona to "Takashio" (高潮). After a series of lackluster results, he reverted back to the Asawaka ring name. After the shikona change, he posted two consecutive winning records and was promoted to makuuchi in May 1950.
Makuuchi Career[]
Asawaka struggled in his top divison debut and finished with a poor 4-11 record which sent him back down to juryo. He never managed to return back to makuuchi. He withdrew on the fifth day in the September 1951 tournament after recording no wins and was demoted back down to makushita in January 1952 where he ultimately retired from sumo.
Retirement from Sumo[]
Upon retirement from active competition, he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, under the name Takadagawa. He worked as a ringside judge during official tournaments.
Death[]
He died on November 25, 1969, at the age of 46 due to uremia.
Fighting Style[]
Asawaka 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: 130-144-26-1d/273 (30 basho)
- Makuuchi: 4-11/15 (1 basho)
- Juryo: 75-87-11-1d/161 (13 basho)
- Makushita: 28-25-15/53 (9 basho)
- Sandanme: 10-6/16 (2 basho)
- Jonidan: 11-5/16 (2 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 1-7/8 (1 basho)
- Shinjo: 1-3/4 (1 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Makushita Championship (November 1945)
Shikona History[]
- Asawaka Satoshi (1939.01 - 1945.11)
- Takashio Satoshi (1946.11 - 1949.05)
- Asawaka Kitaro (1949.10 - 1952.01)
Gallery[]
