Hoshizakura Aruta - 保志桜 有太 (born January 6, 1984) is a former Mongolian professional sumo wrestler from Ulaanbaatar. He made his debut in November 2000 and wrestled for Hakkaku stable. His highest rank was makushita 12 and he retired in November 2012.
Career[]
Myagmar Altangerel of Ulaanbaatar joined Hakkaku stable alongside fellow Mongolian Duvchin Lhagva (Hoshihikari) at the age of sixteen. He was given the shikona "Hoshizakura" (保志桜) and made his debut on November 2000. He spent his first years of sumo in the jonidan and sandanme divisions. In July 2002, Hoshizakura won all seven bouts in jonidan, but lost the playoff for the yusho to Nadatsukasa. Nonetheless, two tournaments later, Hoshizakura was promoted to the makushita division.
Hoshizakura struggled to establish himself in the makushita division and was not promoted back to the division until March 2005. In May 2005, he won all seven bouts and a playoff to claim the sandanme yusho. As a result, he was promoted to a career-best rank of makushita 12. In May 2006, Hoshizakura was injured in a match and subsequently sat out of the following two tournaments. He briefly returned, before getting sidelined again due to injuries. By September 2009, he had fallen back down to jonidan, but he bounced back by claiming the jonidan yusho. Three tournaments later, he was back in the makushita division.
Retirement from Sumo[]
Towards his later career, Hoshizakura bounced between the sandanme and makushita division. After producing a losing record in sandanme at the January 2012 tournament, his retirement was announced after the tournament. Upon retirement from sumo, he has remained in Japan where he works as yokozuna Kakuryu's personal manager.
Personal Life[]
- In September 2009, he changed his legal name from Myagmar Altangerel to Lhagvasuren Altangerel.
- He still maintains many close friendships with former and active Mongolian wrestlers.
Fighting Style[]
Hoshizakura defeats Chiyonishiki by uwatenage (overarm throw)
Hoshizakura was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won most of his bouts with uwatenage, or overarm throw. His second most common kimarite was hatakikomi, or slap down.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 230-194-39/424 (67 basho)
- Makushita: 72-95-9/167 (25 basho)
- Sandanme: 110-78-29/188 (31 basho)
- Jonidan: 43-19-1/62 (9 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 5-2/7 (1 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Sandanme Championship (May 2005)
- 1 Jonidan Championship (September 2007)
Shikona History[]
- Hoshizakura Aruta (2000.11 - 2012.01)
Gallery[]
