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Kairyu Genki

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Kairyu Genki - 海龍 元生 (born March 1, 1990) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kainan, Wakayama. He made his debut in March 2005 and wrestled for Dewanoumi stable. His highest rank was makushita 2 and he retired in March 2024.

Early Life[]

Genki Yamada was born on March 1, 1990, in Kainan, Wakayama. Yamada began sumo wrestling during his fourth year at elementary school, but grew demoralized with the sport and stopped practicing during his fifth and sixth year of elementary school.[1]

During his sixth year at elementary school, he was unintentionally recruited by Tagonoura Oyakata (former maegashira Kushimaumi) and he promised to enter Tagonoura stable after graduating from junior high school. He devoted himself to soccer during his time in junior high school and he subsequently joined Tagonoura stable shortly after his 15th birthday.[1]

Career[]

He made his professional debut in March 2005 alongside Wakanoho, Takayasu, Daido, Ikioi, Asahisho, and Hishofuji. He was given the shikona "Kairyu" (海龍) which literally translates to sea dragon. He had a slow start to his career due to his limited sumo experience and he missed all of the September 2005 tournament due to acute renal failure.[1] He spent his first year bouncing back and forth between jonokuchi and jonidan before earning a promotion to sandanme in March 2008. He eventually reached makushita in January 2010.[2]

KairyuJuryo

Kairyu after wrestling a match in juryo (c. 2022)

Kairyu posted a strong 6-1 record in his makushita debut, but followed with two losing records and was demoted back down to sandanme. He returned to makushita in November 2010 where he would establish himself as a makushita mainstay for the majority of his career. On February 13, 2012, his stablemaster, former maegashira Kushimaumi, passed away which led to the closure of his stable. He subsequently transferred to Dewanoumi stable.[3] In the following March 2012 tournament, Kairyu felt that he needed to honor his deceased mentor and he went on to win all seven matches to claim the makushita yusho.[4] This led to a promotion to the rank of makushita 4, but Kairyu was unable to capitalize on a juryo promotion.[2]

In July 2013, while ranked at makushita 15, Kairyu won his first six matches, but lost his final match to Goshi which resulted in him missing out on a juryo promotion. Kairyu was promoted to makushita 3 for the following September 2013 tournament and in this tournament he defeated juryo-ranked Chiyomaru. However, he lost his final match to juryo-ranked Kitaharima and missed out on a juryo promotion as he finished with a 3-4 record.[2]

Kairyu reached a career-best makushita 2 in January 2016 where his only win of the tournament came against juryo-ranked Chiyonokuni. He was promoted back to the rank of makushita 2 in January 2017, but he finished with a 3-4 record, missing out on yet another juryo promotion. In January 2022, while ranked at makushita 4, Kairyu lost his final match against juryo-ranked Chiyoarashi to finish with a 3-4 record. Kairyu remained in makushita for the remainder of his career.[2]

Retirement from Sumo[]

Kairyu retired from sumo after the March 2024 tournament. After retiring, Kairyu remained in the Japan Sumo Association as a sewanin, or assistant.[5] At the time of his retirement, he had not given up on the idea of becoming a sekitori, but started to lean towards retirement after learning about his appointment as a sewanin. At the time of his retirement, Kairyu had been ranked in makushita for 79 consecutive tournaments, from November 2010 up until his retirement in March 2024. His retirement ceremony, or danpatsu-shiki, was held on April 10, 2024.[6]

Personal Life[]

  • Kairyu's favorite foods are grilled meat and soppu daki chanko, his favorite celebrity is George Tokoro, and his hobbies are eating, drinking, and manga.[7]
  • Prior to the September 2005 tournament, he was hospitalized due to acute renal failure, but he sneaked out of the hospital to attend sumo training school as his graduation depended on it.[1]
  • Kairyu wrestled a total of six matches in juryo, winning three and losing three. In July 2012, he defeated Homarefuji. In September 2013, he defeated Chiyomaru, but lost to Kitaharima. In January 2016, he defeated Chiyonokuni. In January 2022, he lost to both Yago and Chiyoarashi.[2]
  • Kairyu served as the tsukebito, or personal servant, for Mitakeumi.[6]

Fighting Style[]

Kairyu's Fighting Style

Kairyu defeats Chiyomaru by tsukidashi (thrust out)

Kairyu is an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used are oshidashi (push out), tsukidashi (thrust out), hikiotoshi (pull down) and hatakikomi (slap down).[8]

Record[]

Division Results[]

  • Total: 408-367-10/774 (113 basho)
  • Makushita: 299-273-3/571 (82 basho)
  • Sandanme: 43-34/77 (11 basho)
  • Jonidan: 51-47-7/98 (15 basho)
  • Jonokuchi: 15-13/28 (4 basho)

Championships[]

  • 1 Makushita Championship (March 2012)

Shikona History[]

  • Kairyu Genki (2005.03 - 2024.03)

Gallery[]

External Links[]

References[]

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