Misugiiso Takuya

Misugiiso Takuya - 三杉磯拓也 (born May 11, 1956) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hachinohe, Aomori. He made his debut in March 1971 and last wrestled for Hanaregoma stable. He reached the makuuchi division in November 1977 and has two kinboshi. His highest rank was maegashira 2 and he retired in September 1986.

Career[]

Early Career[]

Kamisawa was recruited by Tokiwayama Oyakata (former sekiwake Wakachichibu) of Hanakago stable while in junior high school. As a result, he transferred from his local Hachinohe Shiritsu Odate Junior High School to Asagaya Junior High School in Suginami, Tokyo, which was near his stable.

He made his professional debut in March 1971 under his surname Kamisawa. He was promoted to sandanme in September 1971 and makushita in May 1974. In September 1976, he changed his shikona to "Misugiiso" (三杉磯) and produced a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 5. He was promoted to juryo in the following November 1976 tournament at the age of 20.

Juryo Career[]

In his first tournament as a sekitori, Misugiiso posted a satisfactory 9-6 record. He was ranked in juryo for around a year and in September 1977, while ranked at the top of juryo, he produced an 8-7 record and was promoted to makuuchi in November 1977.

Makuuchi Career[]

Misugiiso was ranked in the top division for a total of 35 tournaments. He never managed to reach the san'yaku levels or earn any special prizes. His highest rank was maegashira 2 which he earned in January 1979. His most memorable tournament was in September 1979 where he defeated yokozuna's Kitanoumi and Mienoumi to earn two kinboshi in one tournament. However, this proved to be a one time occurrence as he never managed to defeat a yokozuna again. He briefly wrestled under the shikona "Azumanada" (東洋). In 1986, his Hanakago stable closed down so he transferred to the affiliated Hanaregoma stable. His last makuuchi appearance was in May 1986.

Retirement from Sumo[]

20210401-00000132-dal-000-3-view — Minezaki Oyakata

In September 1986, Misugiiso posted a disastrous 1-14 record in juryo which would cause an inevitable demotion back down to makushita, so he announced his retirement after the tournament.

After retiring, he remained in the Sumo Association as an elder under the name Minezaki. He worked as a coach in Hanaregoma stable, before branching out and establishing Minezaki stable in December 1988. He never produced a sekitori wrestler on his own, but inherited Arawashi, previously of Hanakago and before that Araiso stable, who first reached juryo in July 2011.

In March 2018 it emerged that a junior wrestler at the stable had been the victim of physical assault by a more senior wrestler and retired as a result. Minezaki initially did not report the incident and was given a 10% salary dock.

After reaching mandatory retirement age, Minezaki stable closed with most of its personnel transferring to Shibatayama stable. After reaching 65 years of age in May 2021 he was re-employed for a further five years as a consultant.

Personal Life[]

Misugiiso is married with one son.
Misugiiso's younger brother Shubun (born 1970), was also a sumo wrestler. He dropped out of Hachinohe Institute of Technology and joined the recently opened Minezaki stable and made his debut in January 1989. He wrestled under the shikona's Akitsukaze, Senneniwa, and his surname Kamisawa. His highest ran was sandanme 13 and he retired in March 2000.
Misugiiso speaks English due to his frequent trips to Hawaii.
Misugiiso's hobby is rail transport modeling.

Fighting Style[]

Misugiiso 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 favorite kimarite was uwatenage (overarm throw) and tsukiotoshi (thrust down), but his most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.