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Hokaho Kosaku

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Hokaho Kosaku - 宝香鵬 宏作 (born June 21, 1989) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kasukabe, Saitama. He made his debut in March 2007 and last wrestled for Isegahama stable. His highest rank was makushita 3 and he retired in May 2024.

Early Life[]

Fujita was born on June 21, 1989, in Kasukabe, Saitama. He attended Saitama Sakae High School and was a member of the wrestling club. He watched the May 2006 tournament live at the Ryogoku Kokugikan with his father and was scouted by then ozeki Hakuho while he was walking around Ryogoku on his way home. He subsequently dropped out of high school and joined Hakuho's Miyagino stable to show filial piety to his parents.[1]

Career[]

He made his professional debut in March 2007 alongside Tosayutaka, Tokushinho, Chiyoarashi, and Tanzo. He initially wrestled under the shikona "Hokazan" (宝香山) and was promoted to sandanme in January 2008. He was given the new shikona "Hokaho" (宝香鵬) in July 2010 and reached the makushita division in January 2012.[2]

In May 2015, Hokaho was ranked at makushita 7 and finished with a 2-5 record. However, since there was an unbalanced match card on the final day of the tournament, Hokaho was placed in a rare eighth bout on the 15th day against juryo-ranked Dewahayate where he lost the match to finish with a 2-6 record. In September 2021 he was promoted to a career-best makushita 3, but he missed the tournament due a COVID-19 outbreak in his stable.[3] Luckily, he suffered no loss in rank for the following November 2021 tournament, but he finished with a 3-4 record in the tournament.[2]

Retirement from Sumo[]

Although Hokaho had been sidelined from the March 2024 tournament due to a knee injury, he made a determined appearance on the final day, stating it might be his last match as a member of Miyagino stable, and he secured a win against Hinataryu. This proved to be his last match in his professional career.[4] At the end of March 2024 it was confirmed that Hokaho, and all the wrestlers and coaches from Miyagino stable, would be transferred to Isegahama stable for an indefinite period of time following the abuse case and the retirement of then-Miyagino's top ranker, Hokuseiho.[5]

Hokaho missed the following May 2024 tournament and never wrestled a bout as an Isegahama stable wrestler. His retirement was announced after the May 2024 tournament. Having remained in the makushita division from January 2012 to May 2024, he holds the third-longest consecutive record with 74 tournaments.[2]

Controversy[]

Ishiura - Hokaho Altercation[]

In training at his stable before the January 2020 tournament he came to blows with a senior ranked wrestler, Ishiura, after a series of heated bouts and the pair had to be separated by Hakuho.[6] The incident was reported to the Sumo Association by Miyagino Oyakata, and Ishiura was docked 20 percent of one month's salary. As a result, in the January 2020 tournament, Hakuho replaced Ishiura with Terutsuyoshi as the dew sweeper, or tsuyuharai. Since Hokaho was an unsalaried wrestler he did not receive any punishment, but he still had to give out a formal apology.[7]

Personal Life[]

  • Hokaho's favorite food is curry rice and his hobbies are listening to music, watching movies, and reading.[8]
  • Hokaho served as the bow-twirler at Hakuho's retirement ceremony.[9]

Fighting Style[]

Hokaho's Fighting Style 2

Hokaho defeats Amakaze by yorikiri (force out)

Hokaho was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won majority of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out.[10]

Record[]

Division Results[]

  • Total: 360-321-27/681 (102 basho)
  • Makushita: 256-236-27/492 (74 basho)
  • Sandanme: 58-54/112 (16 basho)
  • Jonidan: 39-24/63 (9 basho)
  • Jonokuchi: 7-7/14 (2 basho)

Shikona History[]

  • Hokazan Kosaku (2007.03 - 2010.05)
  • Hokaho Shofu (2010.07 - 2016.07)
  • Hokaho Kosaku (2016.09 - 2024.05)

Gallery[]

External Links[]

References[]

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