Sakaizawa Kenichi

Sakaizawa Kenichi - 境澤賢一 (born April 11, 1983) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Minami-ku, Saitama City, Saitama. He made his debut in March 2006 and wrestled for Onoe stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 2008. His highest rank was maegashira 15 and he retired in May 2011.

Early Life[]

Sakaizawa started sumo wrestling at Saitama Municipal Numakage Elementary School. He later attended Saitama Municipal Uchiya Junior High School before he was scouted to attend Tottori Johoku High School, which was known for its strong sumo program. After graduating from high school he enrolled at the Nihon University's Department of Economics and was also a member of the school's sumo club. After graduating from college, he joined Mihogaseki stable in March 2006.

Career[]

Early Career[]

Sakaizawa sped through the lower divisions and only lost two matches in his first two tournaments. He won both the jonokuchi and makushita championships and was already ranked at makushita 2 by his sixth tournament. In August 2006 Onoe Oyakata (former Hamanoshima) broke off and established Onoe stable in August of the same year, Sakaizawa followed him. After four tournaments in makushita, he was promoted to juryo in July 2007.

Juryo Career[]

He injured his elbow on the seventh day in his debut tournament in a match against Masatsukasa. Although the initial prognosis was that he would be out for six weeks, he returned to the tournament on Day 11 and finished with a 7–6–2 record. This was enough to keep him in the division, and he won the juryo division championship in November 2007 with a 13–2 record.

Makuuchi Career[]

Sakaizawa was promoted to the top makuuchi division in March 2008, only twelve tournaments after his professional debut, which at the time was equal to the second fastest rise to the top division since the introduction of the 6 tournaments a year system in 1958. However, he had to withdraw on the seventh day of his debut tournament after suffering injuries to his knees and an ankle in a bout with Kakizoe. He was hit by a hard face slap (harite) from Kakizoe following a matta or false start and appeared to briefly lose consciousness. This was to prove to be his only tournament in the top division.

Later Career[]

Having been unable to train properly he turned in a poor 3–12 record at juryo 5 in May 2008 and was relegated back to the makushita division. However he returned to juryo in November 2008. After this he became a juryo regular and produced a variety of different results.

Retirement from Sumo[]

Sakaizawa was ordered to retire by the Japan Sumo Association in April 2011 after being found guilty of match-fixing. He protested his innocence, saying "I didn't get a chance to explain anything... I guess it was all decided in advance. I cannot accept this!" However, he eventually submitted his retirement papers, and had his hair-cutting ceremony (danpatsu-shiki) in September 2011.

In April 2012 Sakaizawa was employed in sales at a publisher in Saitama Prefecture.

Fighting Style[]

Sakaizawa was a yotsu-sumo specialist who preferred grappling techniques to pushing or thrusting. His favoured grip on his opponent's mawashi or belt was migi-yotsu, a left hand outside, right hand inside position. His most common winning kimarite was a straightforward yorikiri, or push out. Despite his large size he was known for his supple physique.