Daiyu Tatsumi

Daiyu Tatsumi - 大雄辰實 (born May 27, 1940) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Onejime, Kagoshima. He made his debut in May 1956 and last wrestled for Izutsu stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1963. His highest rank was maegashira 1 and he retired in September 1972.

Career[]

Early Career[]

After graduating junior high school, he moved to Tokyo and joined Izutsu stable. He made his professional debut in May 1956 and was given the shikona "Onejime" (大根占) which is the name of his hometown in Kagoshima prefecture. He was promoted to sandanme in September 1957 and makushita in May 1958. In May 1960 he produced a 6-2 record at the rank of makushita 2 and was promoted to juryo for the following July 1960 tournament.

Juryo Career[]

In his first tournament as a sekitori he produced an 8-7 record after winning his last six matches. However, after two successive 4-11 records he was demoted back down to makushita in March 1961. After losing his sekitori status he changed his shikona to "Daiyu" (大雄) in November 1961 and was promoted back to juryo in September 1962. He won the juryo yusho in March 1963 with a 12-3 record and was promoted to makuuchi for the May 1963 tournament.

Makuuchi Career[]

Daiyu was ranked in the top division for a total of 43 tournaments. However, he never managed to reach the san'yaku ranks with his highest rank being maegashira 1 which he achieved in September 1968. Moreover, he never managed to defeat a yokozuna or earn a special prize. From November 1965 to May 1972 he was ranked in makuuchi for 41 consecutive tournaments before falling back down to juryo in July 1972. In his return to juryo, he won the juryo yusho after defeating Owashi and Wakajishi in a playoff and was promoted back to makuuchi. However, he could only manage a 6-9 record in his return and announced his retirement rather than face another demotion back down to juryo.

Retirement from Sumo[]

Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Kabutoyama, coaching at Izutsu stable. In 1989 he branched out from Izutsu and started up Kabutoyama stable, which he ran until it folded in December 2002. He became a coach at Minato stable, and worked there until he reached the Sumo Association's mandatory retirement age of 65.

Fighting Style[]

Daiyu was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.