Kaihakuzan Yungi - 魁白山 允基 (born August 15, 1976 - May 19, 2014) was a South Korean professional sumo wrestler from Seoul. He made his debut in March 1999 and last wrestled for Tomozuna stable. His highest rank was sandanme 49 and he retired in November 2000.
Early Life[]
Yoongi Baek was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. After graduation from Yeungnam University he decided to pursue sumo wrestling. He joined Tomozuna stable in March 1999 and was given the shikona "Kaihakuzan" (魁白山).
Career[]
In his first tournament, Kaihakuzan won all seven bouts and took the jonokuchi yusho. In the following tournament he produced a 5-2 record and was promoted to the sandanme division after only one tournament in the previous two divisions. In May 2000, he was promoted to a career-best sandanme 49, but pulled out of this tournament due to injury.
Retirement from Sumo[]
In November 2000, Kaihakuzan suddenly announced his retirement after the November 2000 tournament due to the discovery of an abnormality in his kidneys.
Professional Wrestling Career[]
Upon retirement from sumo, Baek returned to South Korea and became a professional wrestler and joined the World Wrestling Association (WWA) after former sumo wrestler and current WWA chairman, Sangjin Hong (ex-Harimayama) recommended it. He made his debut in 2001 and would often portray a "heel" character. However, his wrestling career did not last long and he announced his retirement from the sport a year later.
Later Years and Death[]
After retirement from professional wrestling, Baek went on to work as an insurance planner.
Yoongi Baek sadly passed away on May 19th, 2014, at an hospital in Songpa-gu, Seoul, due to chronic renal failure. He was 38 years old and was mourned by the South Korean wrestling community. Baek was cremated on May 22nd and is currently buried at Yongmiri Cemetery.
Fighting Style[]
Kaihakuzan was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won over half of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out. He was also fond of employing yoritaoshi, or frontal crush out, and uwatenage (overarm throw)
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 36-20-14/56 (11 basho)
- Sandanme: 19-16-14/35 (7 basho)
- Jonidan: 10-4/14 (2 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 7-0/7 (1 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Jonokuchi Championship (May 1999)
Shikona History[]
- Kaihakuzan Yungi (1999.03 - 2000.11)
Gallery[]
