Matsuragata Tatsuya - 松浦潟 達也 (born May 27, 1915 - March 10, 1945) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Nagoya, Saga. He made his debut in January 1930 and wrestled for Tatsutayama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1938 and has 2 kinboshi. His highest rank was komusubi and he died while as an active wrestler in March 1945.
Career[]
Early Career[]
Torinosuke Makiyama joined Tatsutayama stable and made his professional debut in January 1930 under the shikona "Matsuragata" (松浦潟). He reached the juryo division in January 1936 and was promoted to makuuchi in January 1938.
Makuuchi Career[]
Upon promotion to the top division he was given the new shikona "Orochigata" (大蛇潟) but he quickly reverted back to "Matsuragata" after two losing records. In May 1941, he finished with a strong 12-3 record at the rank of maegashira 2 and was promoted to komusubi for the following tournament. He could only manage a 6-9 record and this proved to be his only time ranked at the san'yaku level. In May 1943, he defeated Yokozuna's Terukuni and Akinoumi to earn his first and second career kinboshi.
Death[]
Matsuragata was killed on March 10, 1945, during the Bombing of Tokyo. He was only 29 years old. On this day, in the midst of a large air raid, Matsuragata was working with his neighbors near his house in Sumida's Honjo neighborhood to put out a fire. He is said to have fled in the direction of Koto Ward's Fukugawa district. He was never seen again and it is presumed that he died later that day during the air raids. His body was never recovered. A few days later, a member of the Keidoban (Civil defense association), who was recovering bodies from the Fukugawa area, claimed that he found a large corpse, however, there was no way of confirming the identity.
Fighting Style[]
Matsuragata 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 uwatenage, or overarm throw.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 144-130-9/273 (23 basho)
- Makuuchi: 79-85-4/163 (12 basho)
- Juryo: 45-37-5/82 (7 basho)
- Makushita: 15-7/22 (2 basho)
- Sandanme: 5-1/6 (1 basho)
Achievements[]
- Kinboshi: 2 (1) Terukuni, (1) Akinoumi
Shikona History[]
- Matsuragata Tatsuya (1930.01 - 1937.05)
- Orochigata Tsuyoomi (1938.01 - 1938.05)
- Matsuragata Tatsuya (1939.01 - 1944.11)
Gallery[]
