Hokuozan Kokichi - 北欧山 晃吉 (born June 16, 1997) is a former Turkish-Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Sapporo, Hokkaido. He made his debut in March 2020 and wrestled for Naruto stable. His highest rank was makushita 35 and he retired in September 2023.
Early Life[]
Hikari Hagiwara was born on June 16, 1997, in Sapporo, Hokkaido, to a Japanese mother and a Turkish father. After graduating from Hokkaido Sapporo Toryo High School, he enrolled at Takushoku University where he was a member of the school's sumo club. During his fourth year, he achieved second place at the under 115 kg weight category at the East Japan Weight Category Championship. In addition to sumo, Hagiwara is also a skilled pianist, having played the piano since his third year of elementary school. In junior high school, he played Chopin's "Polonaise" and was selected in the All Japan Classical Music Competition. After graduating university he joined Naruto stable.[1]
Career[]
He made his professional debut in March 2020 and wrestled under his surname Hagiwara. He was promoted to sandanme in January 2021 and makushita in July 2021. On the third day of the November 2021 tournament, he suffered an injury to his right knee during a match against Sakigake and subsequently withdrew from the tournament. At the time of his injury, Hagiwara had not posted a single losing record. In May 2022, he was given the shikona "Hokuozan" (北欧山), however, he never wrestled under the shikona as he was rehabilitating from his knee injury. After the injury, Hokuozan continued to sit out and fell off the banzuke in November 2022.[2]
Retirement from Sumo[]
While sitting out of multiple tournaments, Hokuozan went through multiple surgeries to try and recover from his knee injury. However, he ultimately decided to retire in mid-August 2023. His retirement ceremony, or danpatsu-shiki, was held on August 19, 2023, at his stable.[3]
Fighting Style[]
Hokuozan defeats Fukamiyama by uwatenage (overarm throw)
Hokuozan was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who preferred grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won majority of his bouts with uwatenage (overarm throw) and yorikiri (force out). He also regularly employed henka, or sidestepping at the initial charge.[4]
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 39-17-42/56 (15 basho)
- Makushita: 9-7-5/16 (3 basho)
- Sandanme: 13-6-16/19 (5 basho)
- Jonidan: 12-2-14/14 (4 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 5-2-7/7 (2 basho)
Shikona History[]
- Hagiwara Hikari (2020.03 - 2022.03)
- Hokuozan Kokichi (2022.05 - 2023.09)
Gallery[]
(c. 2021)
