Kyokudozan Kazuyasu

Kyokudozan Kazuyasu - 旭道山和泰 (born October 14, 1964) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Tokunoshima, Kagoshima. He made his debut in May 1980 and wrestled for Oshima stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1989 and has 4 special prizes as well as 1 kinboshi. His highest rank was komusubi and he retired in November 1996.

Early Life[]

Hato was born in Tokyo, but moved to his mother's hometown of Tokunoshima in Oshima District as a child. He initially practiced kendo before switching to volleyball in junior high school. Hato was a successful volleyball player and played an active role during national tournaments. In high school he was offered a volleyball scholarship, but he opted for sumo. He joined the newly formed Oshima stable, making his professional debut in May 1980 under the shikona Kyokudozan.

Career[]

Early Career[]

At the time of recruitment, Kyokudozan only weighed 58 kg and he increased it to 65 kg by the time of his official weigh-in. He barely passed the weight requirements. At the time of his jonokuchi debut, he increased his weight to 75 kg and he won the jonokuchi yusho with a perfect 7-0 record. He was promoted to sandanme in July 1981 and makushita in July 1984. In May 1988, Kyokudozan posted a 6-1 record at the rank of makushita 4 and was promoted to juryo.

Juryo Career[]

018kyokudo 03 — Kyokudozan prepares for his match

Kyokudozan made his juryo debut in July 1988 and finished with a 10-5 record, but missed out on the yusho after losing to Tagaryu in the playoff. He followed with an 8-7 record and was promoted to the rank of juryo 2 in November 1988. In this tournament he posted a 10-5 record and was promoted to makuuchi in January 1989.

Makuuchi Career[]

Kyokudozan stayed in the top division for 48 tournaments. Mainoumi was the only makuuchi wrestler lighter than himself during this period. In May 1992 he defeated ozeki Konishiki, winner of the previous tournament and some 150 kg heavier than him, with the rare leg-sweeping technique ketaguri. In September 1992 he reached his highest rank of komusubi. Unusually for someone making their san'yaku debut he was able to hold his rank. For this he was awarded the Kanto-sho, or Fighting Spirit prize. In March 1993 he defeated the newly crowned Yokozuna Akebono to earn his only kinboshi.

Retirement from Sumo[]

Political Career[]

In October 1996 Kyokudozan submitted his retirement papers to the Sumo Association and announced he would run for election to the Diet of Japan. He stood for the New Frontier Party and was elected to the lower House of Representatives, representing the Kansai region. When his party was disbanded he joined the New Peace Party (now New Komeito) before continuing as an independent. In May 2000 he announced he would not stand in the next general election and was retiring from politics.

Later Career[]

Kyokudozan subsequently moved to Osaka, where he set up a business, running a health food company. He was also involved in local politics in the area. In 2008 he attended the retirement ceremony of former stablemate Kyokutenzan. He also occasionally commentates on sumo broadcasts.

Personal Life[]

His younger brother remains in sumo, as a gyoji or referee, and is known as Kimura Hisanosuke. He is affiliated to Oshima stable (the previous Tomozuna stable where all Oshima stable personnel moved to upon the closure of this incarnation in 2021) and referees at san'yaku level.

He was one of the lightest sumo wrestlers ever, capable of running the 100 metres in 11 seconds. He did not reach 100 kg in weight until 1989, the year he was promoted to the top makuuchi division.

Fighting Style[]

Despite his light weight Kyokudozan preferred yotsu-sumo techniques, fighting his opponent at close quarters on the mawashi. His favourite grip was migi-yotsu, with his left hand outside and right hand inside his opponent's arms. His most common winning kimarite was yorikiri (force out), but he also regularly used his left hand grip to win with uwatenage, or outer arm throw.