Chokairyu Hidetoshi - 鳥海龍 秀俊 (born May 19, 1965) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yuza, Yamagata. He made his debut in March 1981 and wrestled for Kagamiyama stable. He reached the juryo division in July 1993. His highest rank was juryo 9 and he retired in January 2000.
Early Life[]
Sato practiced swimming in elementary school before switching to basketball in junior high school. Even though, he did not practice sumo he had always dreamed of becoming a sumo wrestler since the third grade and upon graduating junior high school he joined Kagamiyama stable in March 1981.
Career[]
He initially wrestled under the shikona "Yusa" (遊佐) which is derived from his hometown of Yuza in Yamagata prefecture. He was promoted to sandanme in September 1982 and makushita in May 1984. He was able to establish himself in makushita, however, a series injuries sent him back down to jonidan in January 1987. During this time he changed his shikona to his surname "Sato" (佐藤). Upon his return he won the jonidan yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and in the following tournament he changed his shikona to "Chokairyu" (鳥海龍) which is derived from the volcano Mount Chokai located in his Yamagata prefecture.
In May 1993, Chokairyu posted a strong 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 4 and was promoted to juryo in the following July 1993 tournament. Chokairyu was ranked as a sekitori for a total of four tournaments where he rose as high as juryo 9 in November 1993. He was demoted back down to makushita in March 1994.
Retirement from Sumo[]
After falling to the unsalaried ranks, Chokairyu struggled with injuries and remained mostly in the sandanme and jonidan divisions in his later career. After retirement, he served as the manager of Kagamiyama stable.
Fighting Style[]
Chokairyu 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 was oshidashi, or push out.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 401-360-62/761 (114 basho)
- Juryo: 27-33/60 (4 basho)
- Makushita: 129-126-32/255 (41 basho)
- Sandanme: 174-153-23/327 (50 basho)
- Jonidan: 66-46-7/112 (17 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 5-2/7 (1 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Jonidan Championship (January 1987)
Shikona History[]
- Yusa Hidetoshi (1981.03 - 1986.05)
- Sato (1986.07 - 1987.01)
- Chokairyu Hidetoshi (1987.03 - 2000.01)
Gallery[]
