Gokenzan Hiroyuki

Gokenzan Hiroyuki - 五剣山博之 (born July 12, 1973) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Takamatsu, Kagawa. He made his debut in March 1989 and last wrestled for Takanohana stable. He reached the juryo division in March 1995. His highest rank was juryo 6 and he retired in November 2006.

Career[]

Early Career[]

After graduating junior high school, Goto joined Fujishima stable (later renamed Futagoyama stable then Takanohana stable). He was promoted to sandanme in July 1990 and makushita in May 1991. At the time of his makushita promotion, he was only 17 and he already stood at 1.94 cm (6 ft 4.5 in) and weighed 174 kg (384 Ib), so he was expected to climb the ranks fast and reach sekitori. In November 1994 he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and followed with a 5-2 record at the following tournament. As a result he was promoted to juryo in March 1995.

Juryo Career[]

Upon promotion to juryo, he changed his shikona to Gokenzan which is derived from Mt. Goken in his hometown of Takamatsu, Kagawa. Gokenzan's first juryo stint only lasted four tournaments and he was demoted back down to makushita in November 1995. He returned to juryo in January 1996, but could only last one tournament.

In September 1998, Gokenzan returned to juryo, but he could only retain his rank for one tournament as he finished with a 6-9 record. In the following tournament he injured his hip and even fell down to sandanme in November 1999. He recovered and in November 2002, he was promoted back to juryo for the fourth time. In January 2003, he produced a strong 10-5 record and was promoted to a career-best juryo 6 in the following March tournament. However, after two 4-11 records he was demoted back down to makushita in July 2003. He returned once more in January 2004, but this proved to be his last appearance as a sekitori.

Later Career[]

Gokenzan struggled with back injuries for majority of his later career and fell down to sandanme in November 2005. He returned back to makushita immediately, but fell back down to sandanme in July 2006.

Retirement from Sumo[]

Gokenzan announced his retirement after the 13th day of the November 2006 tournament. His retirement left no active wrestlers from Kagawa prefecture and no former sekitori from the once dominant Takanohana stable. After retiring he returned back to Takamatsu, Kagawa, and worked for a security service company called "West Japan Building Management" (西日本ビル管理). He also serves as the head coach for the company's sumo club. He also appears in local events to try and popularize sumo.

Personal Life[]

Gokenzan's hobby is listening to music.

Gokenzan served as yokozuna Takanohana's tsukebito, and was known to be Takanohana's most loyal servant. Because of this, he was usually shown on television broadcasts with Takanohana, and many fans would recognize him due to this and his unique look.

Fighting Style[]

Ryukozan 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. He was also fond of employing uwatenage, or overarm throw.