Ikeru Kenta - 蘇 堅太 (born November 26, 1992) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Setouchi, Kagoshima. He made his debut in November 2010 and wrestled for Onomatsu stable. His highest rank was makushita 18 and he retired in May 2019.
Early Life[]
Kenta Ikeru was born on November 26, 1992, in Setouchi, Kagoshima. He attended Saitama Sakae High School where he was a member of the school's strong sumo club. During his time at Saitama Sakae, Ikeru contributed to his school earning top 8 at the National High School Team Competition. After graduating high school, he joined Onomatsu stable.[1]
Career[]
He made his professional debut in November 2010 and wrestled under his surname "Ikeru" (蘇). In his first official tournament in January 2011, he won the jonokuchi yusho with a perfect 7-0 record, however, he missed the following two tournaments completely. He continued to sit out at the September 2011 tournament and only returned for his final match on day 13 as to not fall off the banzuke. In the following November 2011 tournament, Ikeru won all seven of his matches and defeated stablemate Oruri in the playoff to claim his second jonokuchi yusho.[2]
Prior to the July 2012 tournament, Ikeru injured his left shoulder and had to undergo surgery.[1] As a result, he had to miss the following four tournaments and fell completely off the banzuke by March 2013. He returned to action in May 2013 and had to redo maezumo (pre-sumo). In the following July 2013 tournament, Ikeru won all seven of his matches to claim his third jonokuchi yusho, becoming the first wrestler to win the jonokuchi yusho three times. Ikeru continued his strong showing and posted four consecutive winning records to earn promotion to makushita in May 2014. While in makushita, Ikeru produced three more winning records and was promoted to a career-best makushita 18 in November 2014. In this tournament, he finished with a 2-5 record which was his first losing record, excluding tournaments where he sat out.[2]
Prior to the May 2015 tournament, Ikeru suffered an injury and missed the following five tournaments which caused him to fall off the banzuke for the second time in his career. He returned to action in September 2016 and had to redo maezumo (pre-sumo) for the third time. He returned to makushita in only four tournaments but was unable to advance to the upper-makushita ranks. Ikeru retired from sumo after the May 2019 tournament.[2]
Fighting Style[]
Ikeru defeats Aokishin by tasukizori (reverse backwards body drop)
Ikeru's Sumo Association profile lists his favored techniques as migi-yotsu (a left hand outside, right hand inside grip on the opponent's mawashi), yori (forcing), and kuisagari, an unusual move employed by shorter wrestlers that involves pushing the head against the opponent's chest and grabbing the front part of the mawashi.[3] His most common kimarite was yorikiri (force out) and shitatenage (underarm throw). Ikeru was also fond of employing sorite, or backward body drop techniques, such as tasukizori (reverse backwards body drop) and tsutaezori (underarm forward body drop).[4]
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 136-75-104/211 (48 basho)
- Makushita: 52-53-7/105 (16 basho)
- Sandanme: 40-16-42/56 (14 basho)
- Jonidan: 16-5-35/21 (8 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 28-1-20/29 (7 basho)
Championships[]
- 3 Jonokuchi Championship
- 1st (January 2011)
- 2nd (November 2011)
- 3rd (July 2013)
Shikona History[]
- Ikeru Kenta (2010.11 - 2019.05)
Gallery[]
(c. 2019)