Dewanoshima Hijiri - 出羽の洲 聖 (born November 3, 1962 - October 9, 2021) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Niijima, Tokyo. He made his debut in March 1978 and last wrestled for Dewanoumi stable. He reached the juryo division in September 1982. His highest rank was juryo 7 and he retired in May 1989.
Career[]
Ever since the fifth year of elementary school, Maeda was recommend to join professional sumo. By the time he graduated junior high school, he was already over 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in). He joined Dewanoumi stable and made his professional debut in March 1978 under the shikona "Dewanoshima" (出羽の洲). He was promoted to makushita in March 1981 and in May 1982, he participated in a seven-man playoff for the yusho. He defeated future yokozuna Kitao in the first round and Otsurugi in the second round, but lost to Wakasegawa in the final round. Nevertheless, he was promoted to juryo two tournaments later in September 1982.
Dewanoshima made his juryo debut in September 1982 and he was the youngest sekitori at only 19 years old. He finished with a solid 9-6 record in his debut and was projected to become a future ozeki. However, in the following November 1982 tournament, he finished with a poor 3-12 record and was demoted back down to makushita.
Dewanoshima remained in makushita for over six years where he won the makushita yusho on three different occasions, but never managed to return to sekitori during that timespan. In March 1988, he finished with a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 3 and was re-promoted to juryo after a 33 tournament gap from his last sekitori appearance. He remained in juryo for five tournaments before a disastrous 1-14 record in January 1989 regulated him back down to makushita. He announced his retirement shortly after in May 1989.
Retirement from Sumo[]
After retiring from sumo, Dewanoshima worked for a transportation company, however, he collapsed due to a second heart attack and continued to recieve medical treatment.
Death[]
Toward his later years, Dewanoshima developed pancreatic cancer which later spread through his whole body. He died on October 9, 2021, at a hospital in Chiba prefecture. He was 58 years old.
Fighting Style[]
Dewanoshima 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.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 270-233-22/503 (68 basho)
- Juryo: 43-62/105 (7 basho)
- Makushita: 159-120-22/279 (43 basho)
- Sandanme: 47-37/84 (12 basho)
- Jonidan: 16-12/28 (4 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 5-2/7 (1 basho)
Championships[]
- 3 Makushita Championships
- 1st (January 1985)
- 2nd (September 1985)
- 3rd (January 1987)
Shikona History[]
- Dewanoshima Hijiri (1978.03 - 1989.05)
Gallery[]
