Kyokutenho Masaru

Kyokutenho Masaru
Personal Information
Real name	Nyamjavyn Tsevegnyam (Нямжавын Цэвэгням)
Born	September 13, 1974 (age 50) Nalaikh, Mongolia
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight	355 Ib (161 kg)
Career
Stable	Oshima ➔ Tomozuna
Highest rank	Sekiwake (July 2003)
Debut	March 1992
Retired	July 2015
Sansho	Fighting Spirit (7)
Kinboshi	2 (1) Asashoryu (1) Takanohana
Yusho	(1) Makuuchi

Kyokutenho Masaru - 旭天鵬 勝 (born September 13, 1974) is a former Mongolian professional sumo wrestler from Nalaikh, Ulaanbaatar. He made his debut in March 1992 and last wrestled for Tomozuna stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1998 and has 7 special prizes, 2 kinboshi and 1 top division championship. His highest rank was sekiwake and he retired in July 2015.

Early Life

Tsevegnyam was born on September 13, 1974, in the city of Nalaikh (later merged with Ulaanbaatar). Originally, he had little experience with sumo or judo and he concentrated more on basketball in junior high school. In 1991, he came to Japan alongside the future Kyokushuzan, Kyokutenzan, and three other Mongolians to join the Oshima stable. They would all become the first Mongolian professional sumo wrestlers.

Career

Early Career

Tsevegnyam made his professional debut in March 1992 under the shikona, or ring name, "Kyokutenho" (旭天鵬). The character "ho" (鵬) is in reference to Yokozuna Taiho. In his jonokuchi debut, Kyokutenho posted an impressive 6-1 record and followed the result with a 4-3 record in July 1992.

Kyokutenho during his early career (c. 1992)

After six months in Japan, due to cultural difference, language problems, and the extremely harsh training methods used in sumo, Kyokutenho, Kyokushuzan and three others ran away and sought refuge in the Mongolian embassy, but he was persuaded by Kyokutenzan to return to his stable. After returning to his stable, Kyokutenho continued on his strong run and produced six consecutive kachi-koshi, or winning records. He was promoted to the sandanme division in July 1993. After only four tournaments in sandanme, he was promoted to the makushita division in March 1994.

Kyokutenho immediately established himself in the makushita division, reaching as high as makushita 16 by January 1995. After four consecutive 4-3 records, Kyokutenho was promoted to the rank of makushita 9 for the January 1996 tournament. During the January 1996 tournament, he won all seven matches but lost the playoff for the makushita yusho to Kumagaya. Nevertheless, he was promoted to the salaried juryo division for the following March 1996 tournament.

Juryo Career

Kyokutenho was the second Mongolian (behind stablemate Kyokushuzan) to earn sekitori-level status. In his juryo debut he produced a solid 9-6 record, however after three tournaments, Kyokutenho was relegated back to the unsalaried makushita division for the November 1996 tournament. After one tournament in makushita, Kyokutenho was promoted back to juryo in January 1997 and he slowly climbed his way through the ranks of juryo. After five consecutive winning records, Kyokutenho earned promotion to the makuuchi division for the January 1998 tournament.

Makuuchi Career

Kyokutenho marks his komusubi promotion (c. 2001)

Kyokutenho initially struggled in the makuuchi division and was demoted back to juryo on multiple occasions. He did not establish himself in makuuchi until May 1999. He won his first sansho or special prize in January 2000 after finishing with a strong 11-4 record. He first achieved a san'yaku rank in January 2002 when he was promoted to komusubi. He earned his first kinboshi, defeating Takanohana in the latter's comeback tournament in September 2002. He returned to the komusubi rank in November 2002, but finished with a 7-8 record and was demoted back down to the maegashira ranks.

In March 2003, he earned his second kinboshi when he defeated fellow Mongolian Asashoryu in his first tournament as a yokozuna. He subsequently finished with a 9-6 record in March 2003 and was awarded his second Fighting Spirit prize. In the following May 2003 tournament, while ranked as komusubi, Kyokutenho finished with a strong 10-5 record to claim his third career Fighting Spirit prize. In addition, he was promoted to the sekiwake rank for the July 2003 tournament, however, he finished with a 6-9 record and was relegated back down to the maegashira ranks. In the following September 2003 tournament, Kyokutenho posted a 10-5 record which earned him his fourth Fighting Spirit prize. He returned to the sekiwake rank in November 2003, and despite defeating yokozuna Musashimaru on the second day, he could only manage four wins. He returned to sekiwake once more in May 2004, where he defeated yokozuna Asashoryu by tsuridashi, or lift out. However, he finished with a 6-9 record and this proved to be his last tournament ranked as sekiwake.

Kyokutenho defeats Takamisakari (c. 2008)

On April 28, 2007, he caused a car accident in Tokyo. He was punished for defying the Japan Sumo Association's ban on wrestlers driving cars by being forced to sit out the May tournament, resulting in demotion to the juryo division. This broke a string of over 700 consecutive top division bouts dating from his re-entry into makuuchi in May 1999, the longest streak among active wrestlers. Upon returning to action in July 2007, Kyokutenho posted a strong 12-3 record, but missed out on the juryo yusho after losing the playoff to Iwakiyama. Nevertheless, he won immediate promotion back to the top division for the September 2007 tournament. On his return to the top division in September he finished with another strong 12-3 record and was runner-up to yokozuna Hakuho, his first ever runner-up score in makuuchi. He was subsequently awarded his fifth Fighting Spirit prize. In March 2009 he was promoted to komusubi for the first time in 17 tournaments, and became the first former san'yaku wrestler since Mitoizumi in 1988 to drop to the juryo division and make a return to the san'yaku ranks. He made komusubi once again in July 2009.

Following the retirement of Kaio in July 2011 Kyokutenho became the longest serving member of the top division. It had been thought he would become head of Oshima stable when Asahikuni reached the mandatory retirement age of sixty-five in April 2012, but Kyokutenho was still comfortably ranked in the top division at the time, and active wrestlers are not permitted to become stablemasters. Instead he continued wrestling and transferred along with his colleagues to Tomozuna stable.

Kyokutenho after winning his first yusho (c. 2012)

In May 2012, during his first tournament as a member of his new stable, he won his first top division yusho by beating Tochiozan in a playoff after both finished with 12-3 records. In this tournament, Kyokutenho had been in professional sumo just over twenty years, and at 37 years and 8 months was the oldest wrestler ever to take a top division championship in modern sumo history. He was also the first maegashira ranked wrestler to win a tournament since Kotomitsuki in 2001. Also, as Kyokutenho had acquired Japanese citizenship, he was technically the first Japanese to win the championship since Tochiazuma in January 2006, although he will still be regarded as a 'foreign' champion in the Sumo Association's record book. His yusho was the 50th won by a Mongolian born wrestler.

Despite his tournament victory Kyokutenho did not return to the san'yaku ranks for the July tournament, instead being ranked at maegashira 1. He is the first maegashira to win the yusho and not achieve san'yaku promotion since Sadanoyama in 1961. Kyokutenho scored only 2–13 in this tournament, losing his first 13 bouts – the worst performance by a defending yusho champion since Takatoriki also scored 2–13 in May 2000. In September 2014 he became the first 40-year-old to be ranked in makuuchi since the six tournament a year system began in 1958, and he also drew level with Terao on 1795 career appearances, behind only Oshio's 1891. In November he won ten bouts and was awarded his seventh and final special prize, all for Fighting Spirit. In the May 2015 tournament he surpassed Kaio's record with his 1445th appearance in the top division.

Retirement from Sumo

Oshima Oyakata (c. 2024)

Kyokutenho left the ring in tears after losing his twelfth bout of the July 2015 tournament, a result which meant his demotion to the second division was certain. He announced his retirement the following day, stating "I have run out of strength and don’t have the spirit anymore." Hakuho gave him a ride in the yokozuna's victory parade after winning the tournament. He became Oshima Oyakata, and began a coaching role at Tomozuna stable. His danpatsu-shiki, or official retirement ceremony, was held in the Ryogoku Kokugikan on May 29, 2016.

It was announced in March 2017 that he would take over the running of Tomozuna stable after the May tournament, as the head coach (ex-sekiwake Kaiki) was about to reach the mandatory retirement age. Kyokutenho said, "Since I belonged to two different stables, I hope to adopt good practices from both." The two coaches swapped elder names, with the former head of the stable staying as a consultant for a period of five years, under the Oshima name, and Kyokutenho being known henceforth as Tomozuna Oyakata. The official handover took place on June 11, 2017 at a hotel in Tokyo with around 800 guests. In February 2022 they swapped back, and Tomozuna stable was renamed Oshima stable.

On April 16, 2022, the Japan Sumo Association announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19. Due to health problems, Kyokutenho announced that he would not participate in the May 2024 tournament, where he would have served as a ringside judge.

Controversy

Car Accident

Kyokutenho speaks on his suspension (c. 2007)

On April 28, 2007, Kyokutenho caused a car accident in Tokyo. Although the traffic accident he caused only resulted in injuries requiring about a week of recovery for the other party, the Japan Sumo Association places great importance on the fact that Kyokutenho violated its strict ban on wrestlers driving. As a result, the Japan Sumo Association issued a suspension to Kyokutenho for the May 2007 tournament. Additionally, both Kyokutenho and his stablemaster, Oshima Oyakata (former ozeki Asahikuni), received disciplinary actions in the form of a 30% salary reduction for three months.

Personal Life

• Before coming to Japan, Kyokutenho knew little about the country—he even believed that samurai still existed and that people carried swords. Upon arriving, he was fascinated by Japan’s futuristic appearance and was especially intrigued by vending machines, which did not exist in Mongolia at the time.
• Kyokutenho's hobbies include watching movies and playing golf. He was introduced to golf by his stablemaster in 1996. Kyokutenho's favorite food is Jingisukan (literally translates to Genghis Khan) which is a Japanese grilled mutton dish prepared on a convex metal skillet or other grill.
• Kyokutenho served as the dew sweeper or tsuyuharai in yokozuna Hakuho's dohyo-iri. He also occasionally served as Hakuho's flag-bearer in the championship parade.

Family

In 2005, Kyokutenho obtained Japanese citizenship with the support of his stablemaster, ex-ozeki Asahikuni. His legal name is now Masaru Ota (太田 勝 Ota Masaru). He is married to a Japanese woman and his first child, a girl, was born in September 2008.

Kyokutenho's brother Luvsandorj, nine years his junior, also became a sumo wrestler in 2000 under the name Fudoyama. They were the first pair of foreign brothers to join professional sumo. Fudoyama was unable to join Kyokutenho's stable due to the one foreigner per heya limit, so he joined Takashima stable instead. However, he never climbed higher than the third makushita division and retired in January 2008.

Kyokutenho is the brother-in-law of the former maegashira Shotenro (later Kasugayama Oyakata). His cousin is the wife of yokozuna Terunofuji.

Fighting Style

Kyokutenho defeats Hidenoumi by uwatenage (overarm throw)

Kyokutenho was a solidly yotsu-sumo wrestler, favoring techniques which involve grabbing the opponent's mawashi or belt. He preferred a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) grip. Over half his career wins were by a simple yorikiri or force out, compared with an average of around 28 percent for all wrestlers. Kyokutenho also regularly employs uwatenage (overarm throw) and hatakikomi (slap down).

Record

Division Results

• Total: 927-944-22/1870 (140 basho)
• Makuuchi: 697-773-15/1470 (99 basho)
• Juryo: 128-112/240 (16 basho)
• Makushita: 49-35/84 (12 basho)
• Sandanme: 23-12/35 (5 basho)
• Jonidan: 24-11-7/34 (6 basho)
• Jonokuchi: 6-1/7 (1 basho)

Championships

• 1 Makuuchi Championship (May 2012)

Achievements

• Special Prizes: Fighting Spirit Prize (7)
• Kinboshi: 2: (1) Takanohana, (1) Asashoryu
• Record: 6th Most Career Wins (927)
• Record: 2nd Most Career Bouts (1870)
• Record: 1st Most Top Division Bouts (1470)
• Record: 2nd Most Tournaments Ranked in the Top Division (99)
• Record: 2nd oldest wrestler to win makuuchi championship in modern history (37 years 8 months)
• Oldest wrestler to win special prize (40 years 3 months)
• 1st 40 year old ranked in makuuchi during the six tournament a year system (system began in 1958)
• 1st pair of foreign rikishi brothers (Kyokutenho and Fudoyama)
• Tied for 1st Mongolian to join professional sumo

Shikona History

• Kyokutenho Masaru (1992.03 - 2015.07)

Gallery

JSA Profile Pictures and Tegata

Kyokutenho Masaru - 2015 (Retrieved from the JSA)

Kyokutenho Masaru - 2014 (Retrieved from the JSA)

Kyokutenho Masaru - 2013 (Retrieved from the JSA)

Kyokutenho Masaru - 2012 (Retrieved from the JSA)

Kyokutenho Masaru - 2012 (Retrieved from the JSA)

Kyokutenho Masaru - 1998 (Retrieved from the JSA)

Kyokutenho's tegata

Career Overview

Kyokutenho (left) joins sumo with his fellow Mongolians (c. 1992)

Kyokutenho during his time in the unsalaried ranks (c. 1992)

Kyokutenho battles Kaiho in Makushita (c. 1996)

Kyokutenho congratulated after ensuring Juryo promotion (c. 1996)

Kyokutenho after promotion to Juryo (c. 1996)

Kyokutenho during the Juryo dohyo-iri (c. 1996)

Kyokutenho after promotion to Makuuchi (c. 1997)

Kyokutenho throws and defeats Asanosho (c. 1998)

Kyokutenho battles Wakanosato
(c. 1999)

Kyokutenho defeats Ozeki Musoyama (c. 2000)

Kyokutenho battles Ozeki Kaio
(c. 2001)

Kyokutenho after promotion to Komusubi (c. 2001)

Kyokutenho defeats Yokozuna Takanohana (c. 2002)

Kyokutenho throws and defeats Yokozuna Asashoryu (c. 2003)

Kyokutenho after promotion to Sekiwake (c. 2003)

Kyokutenho lifts and defeats Yokozuna Asashoryu (c. 2004)

Kyokutenho defeats Ozeki Chiyotaikai (c. 2005)

Kyokutenho defeats former Ozeki Miyabiyama (c. 2006)

Kyokutenho defeats Tamakasuga
(c. 2007)

Kyokutenho with one of his many sansho prizes (c. 2007)

Kyokutenho defeats Takamisakari (c. 2008)

Kyokutenho throws and defeats Ozeki Kotooshu (c. 2009)

Kyokutenho lifts and defeats Harumafuji (c. 2010)

Kyokutenho serves as Yokozuna Hakuho's flag bearer (c. 2010)

Kyokutenho battles Yokozuna Hakuho (c. 2011)

Kyokutenho serves as Hakuho's sword bearer (c. 2011)

Kyokutenho defeats Tochiozan to win his first Yusho (c. 2012)

Kyokutenho after winning his first Yusho (c. 2012)

Kyokutenho wins his first Yusho
(c. 2012)

Kyokutenho celebrates his first Yusho (c. 2012)

Kyokutenho's first Yusho parade
(c. 2012)

Kyokutenho presented with his Yusho portrait (c. 2012)

Kyokutenho throws and defeats Takayasu (c. 2013)

Kyokutenho prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2014)

Kyokutenho celebrates his 40th birthday (c. 2014)

Kyokutenho throws and defeats Okinoumi (c. 2014)

Kyokutenho defeats Amuru
(c. 2015)

Kyokutenho loses his final match to Tochinoshin (c. 2015)

Kyokutenho after wrestling his final match (c. 2015)

Kyokutenho congratulated by Yokozuna Hakuho (c. 2015)

Kyokutenho announces his retirement (c. 2015)

Kyokutenho's retirement ceremony (c. 2016)

Kyokutenho takes over Tomozuna stable (c. 2017)

Kyokutenho after retirement as Oshima Oyakata (c. 2020)

See Also

• List of Mongolian Sumo Wrestlers

External Links

• Kyokutenho Masaru Japanese Wikipedia Article
• Kyokutenho Masaru Rikishi Information
• Kyokutenho Masaru JSA Profile Page