Maenoyu Taro - 前乃雄 太郎 (born April 28, 1984) is a former Mongolian professional sumo wrestler from Ulaanbaatar. He made his debut in January 2004 and last wrestled for Takadagawa stable. His highest rank was makushita 25 and he retired in March 2007.
Early Life[]
Naranbat Gankhuyag was born and raised in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. He came to Japan as an exchange student and studied at Meitoku Gijuku High School, which was a sumo powerhouse. He joined the prestigious sumo club and made an immediate impact on the team. In 2003, he led the school to a national team championship and he was runner-up in the individual competition. After graduation from high school he joined Takadagawa stable.
Career[]
He made his debut in January 2004 alongside fellow Mongolian Tamawashi under the shikona "Maenoyu" (前乃雄). He had an impressive start to his sumo career and produced seven straight winning records which sent him to a career-best makushita 25 in May 2005. However, he suffered back pains and had to pull out of the May 2005 tournament. As a result, he fell down to sandanme and was never the same. He occasionally returned back to makushita, but could not establish himself in the division.
Retirement from Sumo[]
Maenoyu announced his retirement from sumo after the March 2007 tournament due to his back pains at the age of 22. After retirement, he returned back to Mongolia. However, his attachment to sumo was not abandoned and he longed to join the sport again. After successful treatment on his back, he started to train for an amateur sumo career. He participated in the 2008 World Sumo Championships and achieved first place. After this, he was recommended to do collegiate sumo. He enrolled at the Kyushu Institute of Information Sciences and was a member of their sumo club. He continued to participate in international tournaments and won the open weight division in the 2012 World Sumo Championships in Hong Kong.
Fighting Style[]
Maenoyu defeats Minaminoshima by tsukidashi (thrust out)
Unlike his Mongolian compatriots, Maenoyu was an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used was a straightforward oshidashi, or push out.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 72-47-14/119 (20 basho)
- Makushita: 19-16-14/35 (7 basho)
- Sandanme: 36-27/63 (9 basho)
- Jonidan: 12-2/14 (2 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 5-2/7 (1 basho)
Shikona History[]
- Maenoyu Taro (2004.01 - 2007.03)
Gallery[]
