Kusunishiki Masao - 九州錦 正男 (born February 1, 1921 - October 9, 1972) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yahata, Fukuoka. He made his debut in January 1938 and last wrestled for Miyagino stable. He reached the makuuchi division in June 1945. His highest rank was maegashira 2 and he retired in September 1954.
Career[]
Early Career[]
Ishigami joined Miyagino stable led by the 24th Yokozuna Otori and made his professional debut in January 1938. Wrestling under the shikona "Kusunishiki" (九州錦), he was promoted to sandanme in January 1940 and makushita in May 1940. He reached juryo in May 1942 and in January 1944, he won the juryo yusho with a dominant 13-2 record. He was promoted to makuuchi three tournaments later in June 1945.
Makuuchi Career[]
In his first two tournaments in the top division, Kusunishiki finished with winning records and was ranked at maegashira 2 by his third makuuchi tournament. However, he struggled at this rank and spent the majority of his career wrestling at the mid-lower maegashira ranks. After 24 tournaments in the top division, Kusunishiki fell back down to juryo in March 1954. He retired from sumo in September 1954 to avoid an inevitable demotion back down to makushita.
Fighting Style[]
Kusunishiki was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who preferred 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). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 242-257/499 (42 basho)
- Makuuchi: 148-178/326 (24 basho)
- Juryo: 48-62/110 (8 basho)
- Makushita: 20-12/32 (4 basho)
- Sandanme: 14-2/16 (2 basho)
- Jonidan: 7-1/8 (1 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 5-2/7 (1 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Juryo Championship (January 1944)
Shikona History[]
- Ishigami Masao (1938.01 - 1939.01)
- Kusunishiki Masao (1939.05 - 1954.09)
Gallery[]
