Fukugoriki Hiroki

Fukugoriki Hiroki - 福轟力浩城 (born March 2, 1988) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Fukushima City, Fukushima. He made his debut in November 2005 and wrestled for Arashio stable. His highest rank was makushita 5 and he retired in September 2019.

Career[]

In late 2005, just prior to graduating Gakuho Fukushima High School, he joined Arashio stable and made his professional debut in November 2005. Akai had a steady rise and was promoted to sandanme in November 2006, however, he missed this tournament and the following three tournaments. As a result he had to redo maezumo (pre-sumo) in July 2007. He was promoted to makushita in November 2008, however, he withdrew from the tournament on the first day and missed the following four tournaments as well. He redid maezumo for the third time as a result in September 2009. In the following November 2009 tournament, he was given the shikona "Fukugoriki" (福轟力). He was promoted back to makushita in September 2010 and was immediately able to establish himself in the makushita division. He reached a career-best makushita 5 rank in January 2014, but could only manage two wins in that tournament. In May 2015, he suffered a neck injury (he had already broken his cervical vertebrae three times) and injured his right ankle as well. As a result, he was demoted back down to sandanme for the following July 2015 tournament. He won the sandanme yusho in July 2017 with a perfect 7-0 record.

Retirement from Sumo[]

In August 2018, Fukugoriki was injured during practice and suffered a thoracic spine herniation. He subsequently withdrew for the following five tournaments and fell off the banzuke by July 2019. He decided to retire from professional sumo after a doctor told him that he would most likely be paralyzed from the lower body if he continued his sumo career. He officially retired in September 2019. After retiring, Fukugoriki returned home to Fukushima where he worked as a company employee while selling peaches at his family's peach farm. He also remodeled his parent's storehouse into a home gym where he worked hard to lose weight. He lost 65 kg (143 lb) in one and a half years.

Personal Life[]

Fukugoriki attended Gakuho Fukushima High School which was the same high school that Wakatakamoto, Wakamotoharu, and Wakatakakage attended.
Fukugoriki's favorite food is Hanpen.

Fighting Style[]

Fukugoriki was an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used was a straightforward oshidashi (push out) followed by hatakikomi (slap down).