Higoarashi Yuta

Higoarashi Yuta - 肥後嵐悠太 (born August 20, 1989) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kumamoto City, Kumamoto. He made his debut in May 2006 and wrestled for Kise stable. His highest rank was makushita 2 and he retired in November 2021.

Early Life[]

Tsukamoto practiced judo since his first year at Kumamoto Shiritsu Hokubuhigashi Elementary School up until Kamoto High School, but he dropped out of high school during his first year due to personal reasons. For about half a year, Tsukamoto was unsure of what he wanted to do before ultimately deciding to pursue sumo wrestling. Since Kise stable’s lodging for the 2006 Kyushu tournament was in Kumamoto, he decided to join the stable. Unlike most wrestlers at Kise stable, Tsukamoto had no amateur sumo experience, but he was still accepted.^[1]

Career[]

He made his professional debut in May 2006 and finished with a strong 6-1 record in his first professional tournament. He was given the shikona "Higoarashi" (肥後嵐) in July 2008 and he reached the makushita division in January 2009. He initially struggled in makushita and was unable to establish himself in the division until January 2011. In January 2014, Higoarashi won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted to the rank of makushita 2 for the March 2014 tournament. During Day 4 of the March 2014 tournament, Higoarashi battled juryo-ranked Amuru, but lost by yorikiri, or frontal force out. He finished with a 3-4 record and was unable to capitalize on a juryo promotion. In September 2014, Higoarashi injured his back and had to withdraw from the tournament on the 5th day.^[2] Nevertheless, in the following November 2014 tournament, Higoarashi won his second makushita yusho and was propelled back to the upper makushita ranks, but he was still unable to reach sekitori status. He remained mainly in the makushita division for the remainder of his career with some spells in sandanme.^[3]

Retirement from Sumo[]

He fell back down to jonidan in July 2021 and retired shortly after in November 2021. As of 2023, Higoarashi is the only wrestler to win multiple makushita championships but never reach sekitori status. After retiring, he plans to find a job in his hometown of Kumamoto.^[4]

Fighting Style[]

Higoarashi is an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used was a straightforward oshidashi, or push out.^[5]