Komanokuni Joji - 高麗の国 譲二 (born June 29, 1990) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Oiso, Kanagawa. He made his debut in March 2006 and currently wrestles for Shibatayama stable. His highest rank as of 2025 is makushita 23.
Early Life[]
Joji Hirata was born on June 29, 1990, in Oiso, Kanagawa. Hirata began practicing judo in kindergarten at Oiso Elementary School.[1] Hirata met Shibatayama Oyakata (the 62nd Yokozuna Onokuni) in the first grade through his father's employer and from the 4th grade onwards, Hirata spent his summers at Shibatayama stable.[1] When he was 12, his older brother Ryuichi officially joined Shibatayama stable and afterwards he joined the stable as well upon graduating junior high school.[1]
Career[]
He made his professional debut in March 2006 and was given the shikona "Komanokuni" (高麗の国). Already weighing 178 kg (392 lb), he was the heaviest of the 59 new recruits. He was promoted to sandanme in May 2008 and makushita in July 2011. He reached a career-best rank of makushita 23 in March 2018. In March 2021, Komanokuni won all seven of his matches to claim the sandanme yusho.[2]
Controversy[]
Shibatayama Stable Hazing Scandal[]
In March 2016 Shibatayama Oyakata (the 62nd Yokozuna Onokuni) and Komanokuni were ordered by the Tokyo District Court to pay 32.4 million yen (287,500 USD) in compensation to a former wrestler who the court ruled had faced "daily abuse" since joining in 2008 and had to undergo four surgeries for a detached retina, eventually losing sight in the eye in 2013.[3] Shibatayama appealed the ruling, and in November 2016 a court-mediated, confidential settlement was reached.
Personal Life[]
- Komanokuni's older brother Ryuichi joined Shibatayama stable in March 2003 and wrestled under the shikona "Isonokuni" (磯ノ国).[2] His highest rank was jonidan 17 and he retired in January 2007.
Fighting Style[]
Komanokuni defeats Wakarikido by yorikiri (force out)
Komanokuni's favored techniques are listed at the Sumo Association as migi-yotsu (a left hand outside, right hand inside grip on the opponent's mawashi), yori (forcing) and oshi (pushing).[4] His most common winning kimarite are straightforward: yorikiri (force out) and oshidashi (push out).[5]
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 385-366-40/749 (114 basho)
- Makushita: 99-111-7/209 (31 basho)
- Sandanme: 202-185-26/386 (59 basho)
- Jonidan: 70-63-7/133 (20 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 14-7/21 (3 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Sandanme Championship (March 2021)
Shikona History[]
- Hirata Joji (2006.03 - 2006.03)
- Komanokuni Joji (2006.05 - )
Gallery[]
