Hakunozan Shoei - 柏農山 勝栄 (born July 6, 1923 - May 16, 1958) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hirakawa, Aomori. He made his debut in January 1940 and wrestled for Takasago stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1948. His highest rank was maegashira 21 and he retired in May 1949.
Career[]
Early Career[]
Takagi moved to Tokyo at the age of 16 and joined Takasago stable. He made his professional debut in January 1940 under the shikona "Hakunozan" (柏農山). He was promoted to sandanme in May 1941 and makushita in January 1943.
Juryo Career[]
He was promoted to juryo in June 1945, however, he was drafted into the Imperial Japanese Army before the start of the tournament and did not return until November 1946. Upon returning, he wrestled one tournament under the shikona "Kuninishiki" (國錦) before reverting back to Hakunozan. He was promoted to makuuchi in May 1948.
Makuuchi Career[]
Hakunozan struggled in his makuuchi debut and finished with a 4-7 record. He was demoted back down to juryo after only one tournament and he never made back to the top division. Toward his later career, Hakunozan withdrew from many tournaments due to health problems caused by alcohol. He retired from sumo in May 1949 after falling back down to makushita.
Retirement from Sumo[]
After retiring from sumo, Hakunozan remained in the Japan Sumo Association as an elder under the name Shibatayama. However, he was only borrowing the elder stock as it belonged to former Yokozuna Miyagiyama and he left the sumo world in May 1952.
Death[]
He died on May 16, 1958, at the young age of 34 due to an illness caused from excessive drinking.
Fighting Style[]
Hakunozan was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). He was fond of employing tsuridashi (lift out).
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 73-57-15/130 (20 basho)
- Makuuchi: 4-7/11 (1 basho)
- Juryo: 22-23/45 (7 basho)
- Makushita: 21-13-15/34 (6 basho)
- Sandanme: 14-10/24 (3 basho)
- Jonidan: 8-0/8 (1 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 4-4/8 (1 basho)
Shikona History[]
- Hakunozan Shoei (1940.01 - 1945.11)
- Kuninishiki Shoei (1946.11 - 1946.11)
- Hakunozan Shoei (1947.06 - 1949.05)
Gallery[]
