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Hibikiryu Mitsuki

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Hibikiryu Mitsuki - 響龍 光稀 (born March 17, 1993 - April 28, 2021) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi. He made his debut in May 2011 and wrestled for Sakaigawa Stable. His highest rank was sandanme 24 and he died while as an active wrestler in April 2021.

Early Life[]

Mitsuki Amano was born in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi on March 17, 1993. He attended Yamaguchi Hibiki High School and was a member of the school's sumo club. After graduating high school, he joined Sakaigawa stable.[1]

Career[]

He made his professional debut in May 2011 and was given the shikona "Hokanyama" (豊関山) for the following July 2011 tournament. He was promoted to the jonidan division in November 2011. In January 2013, he was given the new shikona "Hibikiryu" (響龍).[2]

He reached the sandanme division in March 2014. Hibikiryu was unable to establish himself in the sandanme division and spent most of his career bouncing back and forth between jonidan and sandanme. He reached a career-best sandanme 24 in September 2019. He passed away in April 2021, but since the banzuke had already been finalized, his name still appeared in the May 2021 rankings. He was officially listed as retired following the May tournament.[2]

Concussion Incident and Death[]

On March 26, 2021, during a match against Imafuku, Hibikiryu was dropped onto his head and neck and suffered a concussion and fell unconscious on the ring. Hibikiryu was conscious when he was taken to the ambulance several minutes after the fall and was able to speak while in the hospital, but he died of acute respiratory failure on April 28, 2021.[3] The hesitation of those around the dohyo and delayed first-aid response before Hibikiryu finally received professional medical attention shocked spectators and raised criticism online and in the media about sumo proceedings, which prompted the Japan Sumo Association to study a modification of procedure.[4]

On January 29, 2023, Hibikiryu’s picture was brought onto the dohyo during his stablemate Toyohibiki’s danpatsu-shiki, where Sadanoumi performed an honorary hair-cutting gesture in his memory. Hibikiryu and Toyohibiki were close friends, having attended the same junior and senior high schools, and Hibikiryu had served as Toyohibiki’s tsukebito on multiple occasions.[5]

Fighting Style[]

Hibikiryu's Fighting Style

Hibikiryu defeats Daigonishiki by yorikiri (force out)

Hibikiryu was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who preferred grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won most of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out.[6]

Record[]

Division Results[]

  • Total: 195-206-12/401 (60 basho)
  • Sandanme: 74-103-12/177 (27 basho)
  • Jonidan: 113-97/210 (30 basho)
  • Jonokuchi: 8-6/14 (2 basho)

Shikona History[]

  • Amano Mitsuki (2011.05 - 2011.07)
  • Hokanyama Mitsuki (2011.07 - 2012.11)
  • Hibikiryu Mitsuki (2013.01 - 2021.05)

Gallery[]

External Links[]

References[]

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