Chiyotenzan Daihachiro

Chiyotenzan Daihachiro - 千代天山大八郎 (born February 6, 1976 - August 28, 2024) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka City, Osaka. He made his debut in March 1991 and wrestled for Kokonoe stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1999 and has 3 special prizes as well as 3 kinboshi. His highest rank was komusubi and he retired in January 2008.

Career[]

Early Career[]

Chiyotenzan made his professional debut in March 1991, joining the Kokonoe stable that was then home to yokozuna Chiyonofuji and Hokutoumi. In November 1992 he won all seven of his matches, but missed out on the jonidan yusho after losing to Wakakiyama in a playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to sandanme in the following tournament. He was promoted to makushita in September 1994. In November 1996 he produced a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 2 which earned him a promotion to the juryo division for the January 1997 tournament.

Juryo Career[]

Chiyotenzan only lasted for three tournaments in his first juryo stint and was promoted back to juryo in September 1997. After a run of insignificant performances, Chiyotenzan won the juryo yusho with a strong 12-3 record in September 1998. He followed this with a 9-6 record and was promoted to makuuchi in January 1999.

Makuuchi Career[]

In Chiyotenzan's top division debut he produced a strong 10-5 record and was given the fighting spirit prize. He followed this performance with a solid 9-6 record which earned him his second fighting spirit prize. In his third makuuchi tournament, Chiyotenzan defeated yokozuna Wakanohana to earn his first career kinboshi. He finished with another 9-6 record and was awarded the outstanding performance prize. This was the first time that any rikishi won a special prize in their first three tournaments. Moreover, Chiyotenzan was promoted to komusubi in the following July 1999 tournament, but he only managed three wins at this rank. This proved to be his only tournament as a san'yaku wrestler. He achieved two more career kinboshi; the second in November 2000 where he defeated yokozuna Musashimaru and the third in March 2001 where he defeated Musashimaru again. His last winning score in the top division came in November 2001 and after suffering a fractured leg in the January 2002 tournament he fell back to juryo in July 2002.

Later Career[]

Hampered by diabetes, his fortunes slumped even further and he was demoted back to makushita in March 2003. He returned to juryo in July 2003 and after for consecutive winning records he was promoted back to makuuchi in March 2004, but he could only manage three wins. This was his last tournament in the top division. After making a final appearance in the sekitori ranks in November 2005, in January 2006 he was demoted to the unsalaried makushita division, and in May 2007, to the fourth sandanme division. He reappeared in makushita in September 2007, but won only one match before withdrawing. By November he had fallen to sandanme 27, the second lowest rank ever held by a former san'yaku wrestler.

Retirement from Sumo[]

14092746934 0000016471 1 — Rikishi Kitchen Chiyotenzan

After losing his first bout in the January 2008 tournament, Chiyotenzan announced his retirement. He was unable to obtain an elder position in the Japan Sumo Association and has left the sumo world completely.

He started his apprenticeship as a cook in February 2008 and opened up his chankonabe restaurant, "Rikishi Kitchen Chiyotenzan" (力士厨房千代天山), in June 2009. The restaurant was set up in Shirahama, Wakayama, because that was where Chiyotenzan's parents-in-law lived.

Illness and Death[]

On August 30, 2024 it was announced that Chiyotenzan had passed away on August 28th at 48 years old. He had been ill for many years. The funeral will be held for close friends and relatives only.

Personal Life[]

Chiyotenzan is married and has kids.
He was born premature (1,380g) and spent his first year and half in an incubator. He wanted to become a chef but when he was in Grade 8, but opted to join sumo after meeting yokozuna Chiyonofuji.
Chiyotenzan's hobby is reading and he has an easy going personality and has been known never to get nervous or anxious on the dohyo.
Chiyotenzan was diagnosed with myelitis in August 2013.

Fighting Style[]

Chiyotenzan's favoured kimarite or techniques were migi-yotsu (a left hand outside, right hand inside grip on the opponent's mawashi), yorikiri (force out) and uwatenage (overarm throw).

Record[]

Division Results[]

Total: 519-541-33/1055 (102 basho)
Makuuchi: 144-181-20/324 (23 basho)
Juryo: 184-206/390 (26 basho)
Makushita: 105-90-1/194 (28 basho)
Sandanme: 50-36-6/84 (14 basho)
Jonidan: 24-19-6/42 (7 basho)
Jonokuchi: 12-9/21 (3 basho)

Championships[]

1 Juryo Championship (September 1998)

Achievements[]

Special Prizes: Fighting Spirit Prize (2), Outstanding Performance Prize (1)
Kinboshi: 3: (2) Musashimaru, (1) Wakanohana
1st wrestler to win sansho in first three consecutive tournaments