Oyamato Toyo - 大倭 東洋 (born January 21, 1971 - June 24, 2015) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Wajima, Ishikawa. He made his debut in March 1993 and wrestled for Irumagawa stable. He reached the juryo division in January 1994. His highest rank was juryo 12 and he retired in November 1996.
Early Life[]
Toyo Shirasaki was born and raised in the city of Wajima in Ishikawa prefecture. He attended Kanazawa High School and was a member of the school's sumo club. He continued his amateur career at Nihon University where he had a successful career. After graduation, he was recruited into the newly established Irumagawa stable by the Irumagawa Oyakata (former sekiwake Tochitsukasa) who was also a Nihon University alumni.
Career[]
Shirasaki made his debut in March 1993 and due to his amateur accomplishments he was granted makushita tsukedashi status which allowed him to debut at the bottom of the makushita division. He had a strong start where he posted five consecutive winning records and was promoted to juryo by his sixth tournament.
Upon promotion to juryo, Shirasaki changed his shikona to "Oyamato" (大倭). He was the first sekitori produced from Irumagawa stable. Oyamato could only manage 5 wins in his lone juryo tournament and he was demoted back down to makushita in March 1994.
In the March 1994 tournament, Oyamato injured his back after a match against Kotoryu on the 6th day. He subsequently withdrew from he tournament and continued to sit out of the following tournament. By then, he reverted back to his surname Shirasaki and his back pain gradually worsened where he fell all the way down to jonidan by March 1996. Shirasaki announced his retirement after the November 1996 tournament. Even though he rose to sekitori status, he never wrestled a match with an oichomage because his rise was so fast, but his sekitori experience did not last long.
Retirement from Sumo[]
After retiring, Shirasaki worked as an office worker. He suffered health problems and received artificial dialysis in his later years. He died on June 24th, 2015, at his home in Wajima, Ishikawa. He was 44 years old.
Fighting Style[]
Oyamato was a tsuki/oshi specialist, who prefers pushing and thrusting at his opponents rather than fighting on the mawashi or belt. His most common winning kimarite or technique was oshidashi or a straightforward push out.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 64-59-46/123 (23 basho)
- Juryo: 5-10/15 (1 basho)
- Makushita: 39-20-18/59 (11 basho)
- Sandanme: 11-17-7/28 (5 basho)
- Jonidan: 9-12-21/21 (6 basho)
Shikona History[]
- Shirasaki Toyo (1993.03 - 1993.11)
- Oyamato Toyo (1994.01 - 1994.03)
- Shirasaki Toyo (1994.05 - 1996.11)
Gallery[]
