Shishiho Yoshimasa

Shishiho Yoshimasa - 嗣子鵬慶昌 (born August 15, 1955 - October 7, 2006) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Moriyama, Nagasaki. He made his debut in January 1971 and last wrestled for Taiho stable. He reached the makuuchi division in September 1979. His highest rank was maegashira 2 and he retired in May 1987.

Career[]

Early Career[]

After graduating junior high school, Tanaka joined Nishonoseki stable and made his professional debut in January 1971. In the following January, he transferred to the newly opened Taiho stable. He was promoted to sandanme in May 1972 and makushita in November 1973. He changed his shikona from his surname to "Toyooyama" in March 1974, and later "Mitsuruyama" in July 1975. In May 1977, he posted a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 2 and was promoted to juryo in the following July 1977 tournament.

Juryo Career[]

Mitsuruyama could only manage a 7-8 record in his first tournament as a sekitori and he was demoted back down to makushita. He returned to juryo in July 1978, but could only retain his ranks before falling back down to makushita in January 1979. Nevertheless, he returned to juryo for the third time in March 1979 and won his first juryo yusho in July 1979 which earned him a promotion to makuuchi for the following September 1979 tournament.

Makuuchi Career[]

Mitsuruyama was ranked in makuuchi for a total of 17 tournament, but he was never able to establish himself in the top division. He had a total of seven different stints in the top division with his longest stint lasting six consecutive tournament. He changed his shikona to "Shishiho" in July 1981. His highest rank was maegashira 2 in July 1983, where he defeated ozeki Asashio on the first day by shitatenage (underarm throw); this was his only win against an ozeki. His last makuuchi appearance was in March 1986. Shishiho lost his sekitori status in September 1986 and announced his retirement in May 1987 after producing a 1-6 record in sandanme.

Retirement from Sumo[]

After retiring, Shishiho remained in the Sumo Association as a wakaimongashira, or youth leader, however, he left the sumo world all together on July 29th, 1991. After leaving the sumo world, he opened up a chankonabe restaurant in Inazawa, Aichi, called "Shishiho" (嗣志鵬).

Death[]

Shishiho died on October 7, 2006, due to gastric cancer and esophageal cancer. He was 51 years old.

Fighting Style[]

Shishiho was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out. He was also fond of employing uwatenage, or overarm throw.