Daizen Takahiro

Daizen Takahiro - 大善尊太 (born December 14, 1964) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Naniwa-ku, Osaka. He made his debut in March 1981 and wrestled for Nishonoseki stable. He reached the makuuchi division in November 1991 and has 2 kinboshi. His highest rank was komusubi and he retired in March 2003.

Early Life[]

Tokuo Takahashi was born in Naniwa ward in Osaka. His parents operated a flower shop and their house was near Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium where the Haru Basho is held every March. He attended Namisho High School where he played as a first baseman for the school's baseball team. While in high school, he was scouted by sekiwake Kirinji to join professional sumo. He entered Nishonoseki stable and made his professional debut in March 1981.

Career[]

Early Career[]

Since he had no prior sumo experience and only weighed 79 kg (174 Ib), he initially struggled to climb up the ranks. As he started to put on weight, he increased his ranking. He was promoted to sandanme in January 1984 and makushita in May 1986. He changed his shikona to "Daizen" (大善) in May 1985. In January 1988, he was ranked at the top of makushita and produced a strong 6-1 record, but missed out on the yusho after losing the playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to juryo in March 1988.

Juryo Career[]

He managed an 8-7 in his juryo debut, but suffered an injury in the following tournament and subsequently withdrew on the tenth day. Asa result he was demoted back down to makushita where he stayed for about two years. He returned to juryo in November 1990 and won his first juryo yusho in September 1991. As a result he was promoted to makuuchi in the following November tournament.

Makuuchi Career[]

202006intai-jpp01031915 — Daizen prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2000)

In his first makuuchi run, Daizen only lasted three tournaments and demoted back down to juryo. He returned to makuuchi immediately. In his second run, he lasted 17 consecutive tournaments. He rose to komusubi in March 1994, but could only manage five wins. In November 1994 he defeated yokozuna Akebono by tsukiotoshi (thrust down) to earn his first kinboshi. He was demoted back down to juryo in May 1995. He returned to makuuchi in May 1999 after 25 tournaments. He fell back down to juryo in September 2000, but returned in May 2001 at the age of 36 years and 4 months which was the oldest return (at the time). He defeated yokozuna Musashimaru in November 2001 to earn his second kinboshi.

Retirement from Sumo[]

In March 2003, Daizen fell down to makushita for the first time since September 1990. He produced a losing record, but managed to win his last match against juryo-ranked Juzan. After his retirement in 2003 he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association and a coach at Nishonoseki stable. He is known as Fujigane oyakata. Upon the closure of his stable in 2013 he moved to Kasugano stable.

Personal Life[]

Daizen's father was also a professional sumo wrestler. He joined Tokitsukaze stable in July 1959 and wrestled under the shikona "Kikubayama" (菊葉山). His highest rank was sandanme 97 and he retired in September 1961.
His hobbies are watching professional wrestling. He was close friends with legendary professional wrestler Mitsuhara Misawa.
In January 2021, Fujigane oyakata contracted COVID-19.

Fighting Style[]

Daizen's favored techniques are yori (forcing) and hidari-yotsu, a right hand outside, left hand inside position. His favorite kimarite was uwatenage (overarm throw), however his most common winning kimarite was the straightforward yorikiri or force out.