Miyabashira Yoshio - 宮柱 義雄 (born January 14, 1936) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Saga City, Saga Prefecture. He made his debut in January 1953 and last wrestled for Nishonoseki stable. He reached the makuuchi division in September 1961. His highest rank was maegashira 11 and he retired in March 1965.
Career[]
Early Career[]
He was born in the village of Honjo (currently incorporated into Saga city) in Saga prefecture. After graduating junior high school, he joined Nishonoseki stable and made his debut in January 1953. He initially wrestled under his surname before changing it to "Saganosato" (佐賀ノ里) which is derived of his hometown Saga. He was promoted to sandanme in January 1954 and makushita in January 1955. In January 1957, he posted a 5-3 record at the rank of makushita 1 and was promoted to juryo in March 1957.
Juryo Career[]
In his first tournament as a sekitori, he finished with a strong 10-5 record. In July 1957, he changed his shikona to "Miyabashira" (宮柱). After four years in juryo, he was promoted to the top of the division in July 1961 where he produced a 10-5 record. He was subsequently promoted to makuuchi for the following September 1961 tournament.
Makuuchi Career[]
Miyabashira struggled in his first top division run and he injured his left thigh in November 1961 and eventually fell back down to juryo in March 1962. He returned to makuuchi in November 1962, but had to pull out from the tournament on the eleventh day due to a hemorrhagic cystitis. This proved to be his last appearance in the top division after a total of four tournaments. He remained in juryo for another two years before announcing his retirement after the March 965 tournament to avoid an inevitable demotion to makushita.
Retirement from Sumo[]
He retired in January 1976 and became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Hamakaze, working as a coach at Nishonoseki stable. During his time at the Sumo Association, he mainly worked for the committee that organizes the Nagoya honbasho. In July 2000, he retired from the Sumo Association and lended his name to former komusubi Misugisato.
Fighting Style[]
Miyabashira 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: 428-404-15-1d/828 (65 basho)
- Makuuchi: 19-35-6/52 (4 basho)
- Juryo: 329-322-8-1d/649 (44 basho)
- Makushita: 44-28/72 (9 basho)
- Sandanme: 21-11/32 (4 basho)
- Jonidan: 10-5-1/15 (2 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 5-3/8 (1 basho)
Shikona History[]
- Eguchi Yoshio (1953.01 - 1954.05)
- Saganosato Yoshio (1954.09 - 1959.05)
- Miyabashira Yoshio (1959.07 - 1965.03)
Gallery[]
