Maedaiko Ichiro - 前台興 一郎 (born August 13, 1973) is a former Taiwanese professional sumo wrestler from Taipei County. He made his debut in May 1988 and last wrestled for Takadagawa stable. His highest rank was sandanme 16 and he retired in September 1995.
Early Life[]
Xu Hao Lun was born in Taipei County (now known as New Taipei City), Taiwan, on August 13th, 1973. He joined Takadagawa stable, which already had Taiwanese sumo wrestler Eigayama, in May 1988 alongside fellow Taiwanese Tominohana at the age of 14.
Career[]
He initially wrestled under the shikona "Taiko" (台興) before changing it to "Maedaiko" (前台興), however other sources such as English magazine Sumo World lists his shikona as "Maetaiko". He struggled at first and could not break through the jonidan wall, until May 1991. He only lasted in sandanme for one tournament before falling back down to jonidan.
In November 1991, he won all seven matches and was placed in a playoff match against Kotoishii. He defeated Kotoishii by yorikiri (force out) and claimed the jonidan yusho. This made him the first Taiwanese sumo wrestler to win a lower division championship. As a result he was promoted to sandanme for the following tournament. In May 1994, he reached a career-high sandanme 16.
Retirement from Sumo[]
In January 1995, he pulled out of the tournament on the second day and continued to sit out of the following four tournaments. As a result he fell back down to jonokuchi and his retirement was announced after the September 1995 tournament.
After retirement he returned back to Taiwan and continued to participate in sumo events with his former Taiwanese stablemates (his stable once had up to nine Taiwanese sumo wrestlers).
Fighting Style[]
Maedaiko is a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won over half his of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 135-139-34/273 (45 basho)
- Sandanme: 45-61-6/105 (16 basho)
- Jonidan: 79-68-21/147 (24 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 11-10-7/21 (4 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Jonidan Championship (November 1991)
Achievements[]
- 1st Taiwanese sumo wrestler to win lower division championship
Shikona History[]
- Taiko (1988.05 - 1988.05)
- Maedaiko Ichiro (1988.07 - 1995.09)
Gallery[]
