Karatsuumi Seiji

Total: 322-350-35/672 (102 basho)
Makushita: 69-127/196 (28 basho)
Sandanme: 202-190-28/392 (60 basho)
Jonidan: 41-22-7/63 (10 basho)
Jonokuchi: 10-11/21 (3 basho)

Karatsuumi Seiji - 唐津海誠二 (born August 3, 1988) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Karatsu, Saga. He made his debut in March 2004 and wrestled for Tamanoi stable. His highest rank was makushita 12 and he retired in May 2021.

Career[]

After graduating junior high school, Sasaki joined Tamanoi stable and made his professional debut in March 2004 alongside Homasho, Oiwato, Kimurayama, Sagatsukasa, Satoyama, Shirononami, Masuraumi, and Dewaotori. He was given the shikona "Karatsuumi" (唐津海) which is derived from his hometown of Karatsu. He was promoted to sandanme in November 2005 and makushita in May 2008. Karatsuumi missed three tournaments from May to September 2009 due to treatment for his irregular heartbeat.^[1]

In January 2010, he won all seven matches and defeated Terashita in a playoff to claim the jonidan yusho. In September 2011, Karatsuumi won his first sandanme yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted to a career-best makushita 12 for the following November 2011 tournament. He would go on to win two more sandanme championships, his second in May 2018 and his third in March 2019. He could have won four total sandanme championships, but in March 2016, he missed out on the yusho after losing to Oyanagi in the playoff. He missed the September 2020 tournament because there was a COVID-19 outbreak in his stable.^[2] He retired from sumo shortly after in May 2021.^[3]

Fighting Style[]

Karatsuumi was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt).^[4] His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.^[5]