Onishiki Daigoro - 大錦 大五郎 (born March 22, 1883 - May 18, 1943) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Nabeta, Aichi. He made his debut in 1898 and last wrestled for Asahiyama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in 1906 and has 6 top division championships. He was the 28th yokozuna and he retired in January 1922.
Early Life[]
Yamada Daigoro (山田 大五郎) was born the second son of a carpenter in Ama District, Aichi Prefecture, in what is now Yatomi City. There are several conflicting sources as to his specific birth date in 1883 (March 22, March 20, and July 22), and he later changed his surname to Torii (鳥井). Ever since he was a child, he participated in local children tournaments and was much stronger than his peers. After training under his father, Daigoro worked as a wheelwright in Kyoto before joining professional sumo.
Career[]
Early Career[]
He joined Kyoto sumo in 1898 and was given the shikona "Onishiki Daigoro" (大錦 大五郎), but soon transferred to Asahiyama stable (Osaka sumo) in January 1903 after Kyoto Sumo proved to be too easy. After spending only one tournament in juryo, he was promoted to makuuchi in February 1906.
Makuuchi Career[]
In his top division debut, Onishiki finished with a decent 5-2-1-1draw-1hold record. He was eventually promoted to komusubi in June 1907. In his san'yaku debut he finished with a 6-3-1 record and was promoted to sekiwake in January 1908. After multiple strong showings as sekiwake, he was promoted to ozeki in June 1910.
Ozeki Career[]
After his ozeki promotion, he was recommend by Yokozuna Hitachiyama to join the more prestigious Tokyo Sumo, but he refused as he wanted to stay loyal with his Asahiyama stable. In Osaka sumo, championships were not awarded, but he won the equivalent of six championships during his ozeki career.
Yokozuna Career[]
After eight years as ozeki, in April 1918 he became the 28th yokozuna (the third in Osaka sumo). The reason for his promotion to yokozuna was cited as being because of his great dignity. He fought in eight tournaments as yokozuna, retiring after the January 1922 basho.
Retirement from Sumo[]
After retirement he ran a tea house in Osaka. He died on May 18, 1943, at the age of 60. It is unknown whether a red tsuna was made for him for the kanreki dohyo-iri.
Fighting Style[]
Onishiki was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who preferred 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). He was also adept at throwing techniques.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Makuuchi: 162-50-74-14draws-10holds
Championships[]
- 6 Unofficial Makuuchi Championships (Osaka Sumo)
- 1st (September 1911)
- 2nd (May 1913)
- 3rd (May 1914)
- 4th (January 1916)
- 5th (January 1917)
- 6th (January 1918)
Shikona History[]
- Onishiki Daigoro (after 1898 - 1922.01)
Gallery[]
