Minaminoshima Isamu - 南乃島 勇 (born June 2, 1983) is a former Tongan professional sumo wrestler from Nukuʻalofa. He made his debut in March 2001 and wrestled for Musashigawa stable. His highest rank was makushita 21 and he retired in September 2008.
Early Life[]
Minaminoshima Isamu Falevai was born and raised in Tonga. His unique name came from his father, who had used that shikona during a two year stint at Asahiyama stable in the mid 1970s. As an amateur he competed in the middleweight category at the Junior World Sumo Championships in 2000 and won the bronze medal. He joined Musashigawa stable in March 2001 and became the first second-generation foreign sumo wrestler.
Career[]
He wrestled under his real name of Minaminoshima (南乃島) and he breezed through the first two divisions. He was promoted to sandanme in January 2002, but found it much harder than the previous divisions. He finally broke through the sandanme wall in March 2004 after winning all seven matches and claiming the sandanme yusho. As a result he was promoted to makushita, but he only lasted there for three tournaments and was demoted back down to sandanme. He wrestled a couple brief stints in makushita in 2005 and 2006, but was more of a sandanme regular. In November 2007 he was promoted to a career-best makushita 21.
Retirement from Sumo[]
After posting two losing records in makushita, he was demoted back down to sandanme in July 2008. In this tournament he pulled out on the ninth day and sat out of the following tournament. His retirement was announced after the September 2008 tournament. Sumo Fan Magazine claimed that there were rumors that his mother pressured him to leave the sport.
After retirement, he returned to Tonga and worked as a police officer.
Fighting Style[]
Minaminoshima defeats Soranzan by oshidashi (push out)
Minaminoshima was a 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: 159-147-9/305 (46 basho)
- Makushita: 35-49/84 (12 basho)
- Sandanme: 101-86-9/186 (28 basho)
- Jonidan: 19-9/28 (4 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 4-3/7 (1 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Sandanme Championship (March 2004)
Achievements[]
- 1st second-generation foreign sumo wrestler
Shikona History[]
- Minaminoshima Isamu (2001.03 - 2008.09)
Gallery[]
