Makimoto Eisuke

Makimoto Eisuke - 牧本英輔 (August 13, 1941 - April 3 2025) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Uto, Kumamoto. He made his debut in March 1960 and last wrestled for Tokitsukaze stable. He reached the makuuchi division in September 1972. His highest rank was maegashira 12 and he retired in November 1982.

Early Life[]

Makimoto was born in the city of Uto in Kumamoto Prefecture to farmers. He began sumo wrestling from an early age and he graduated from Kumamoto Agricultural High School. While in high school, he was a member of the sumo club and he won the Kyushu tournament in his third year. He received many offers from Tokitsukaze Oyakata (the 35th yokozuna Futabayama) and accepted it after graduating high school.

Career[]

Early Career[]

Makimoto made his professional debut in March 1960 and he won the jonokuchi yusho with a perfect 8-0 record in May 1960. He breezed through the jonidan and sandanme divisions and by January 1961, Makimoto had already established himself in makushita. In July 1961, he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record. In January 1963, he changed his shikona to "Todoroki" (轟) and he was promoted to juryo in January 1965.

Juryo Career[]

In his first tournament as a sekitori, Todoroki struggled and could only manage a 5-10 record which demoted him back to makushita. He returned to juryo in May 1965, but could only maintain his juryo rank for two tournaments. He then remained in makushita for another five years before reaching juryo again in November 1970. By then, he had already reverted his shikona back to his surname Makimoto. Makimoto held his rank for a year before falling back to makushita in November 1971. Nevertheless, he immediately returned to juryo after winning the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record. In March 1972, he produced a strong 11-4 record and followed with two more winning records which earned him a promotion to makuuchi in September 1972.

Makuuchi Career[]

The 76 tournaments it had taken Makimoto to reach makuuchi was the slowest progress at the time (the record has since been broken by Shinko and Hoshiiwato). He struggled in his first makuuchi tournament and could only manage three wins. He was demoted back down to juryo and this proved to be his only tournament ranked in the top division.

Later Career[]

After falling back down to juryo, Makimoto continued to struggle and was demoted back down to makushita in January 1973. He remained in the unsalaried ranks for another nine years before announcing his retirement after the November 1982 tournament at the age of 41.

Retirement from Sumo[]

Makimoto was the oldest wrestler at the time of his retirement at 41 years of age. He had a joint danpatsu-shiki, or retirement ceremony, alongside stablemates Futatsuryu and Taniarashi. Upon retirement, he completely left the sumo world and returned to Kumamoto where he became involved in the agriculture industry.

Death[]

On April 3rd, 2025, the Kumanichi Shimbun newspaper reported the death of Makimoto at age 84.

Fighting Style[]

Makimoto was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.

Record[]

Division Results[]

Total: 543-530/1073 (137 basho)
Makuuchi: 3-12/15 (1 basho)
Juryo: 95-115/210 (14 basho)
Makushita: 406-392/798 (114 basho)
Sandanme: 25-10/35 (5 basho)
Jonidan: 6-1/7 (1 basho)
Jonokuchi: 8-0/8 (1 basho)