Shunketsu Yuji

Shunketsu Yuji - 駿傑悠志 (born July 13, 1976) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Misato, Saitama. He made his debut in March 1992 and last wrestled for Hanaregoma stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 2005. His highest rank was maegashira 12 and he retired in March 2008.

Career[]

Early Career[]

Ishide joined Hanaregoma stable in March 1992 and he struggled to rise up the rankings due to his small frame. He reached makushita in November 1994 and would remain in the division for the next seven years. In May 1998 he changed his shikona from his family name to "Komahikari" (駒光). Two tournaments later he reached a career-best (at the time) of makushita 5. In November 2000, while ranked at makushita 3, Komahikari won all seven of his matches and won the makushita yusho which guaranteed him a slot in juryo.

Juryo Career[]

Due to elbow injuries and diabetes, he struggled to maintain a rank in juryo and after two tournaments he was demoted back down to makushita. He returned to makushita in May 2002 and produced a strong 10-5 record. He rose to the top of juryo in March 2003, however, he posted two disastrous records and was demoted back down to makushita in July 2003. As a result his shikona was reverted back to his family name of Ishide. He returned to juryo in November 2004 and won the yusho with a 12-3 record. He followed this with a 9-6 record and was promoted to makuuchi in March 2005.

Makuuchi Career[]

The 78 tournaments it took Ishide was the tenth slowest at the time. He could only win six out of his fifteen matches and was demoted back down to juryo in May 2005. He immediately returned and posted a 9-6 record. As a result he was promoted to a career-best maegashira 12 in September 2005. In the following tournament he changed his shikona from his family name to "Shunketsu" (駿傑). He was demoted back to juryo in March 2006.

Later Career[]

After falling from the top division with a 4-11 record in January 2006 he rarely looked like returning, managing to win more than 8 bouts on only one occasion (in July 2006 when he slid to the bottom of the second division at juryo 13 West and produced a 10-5 score). From November 2006 to May 2007 he managed four consecutive winning scores (eight wins each time), which took him up to juryo 1 West, but he had five consecutive losing scores after that.

Retirement from Sumo[]

In March 2008, Shunketsu produced a 3-12 record at the rank of juryo 11 which would guarantee a demotion to the unsalaried juryo ranks. He announced his retirement after the tournament and cited that a right shoulder injury hindered his yotsu-sumo. His danpatsu-shiki, or retirement ceremony, was held on April 26th, 2008, where 180 guests took turns cutting his hair.

After retirement, he became a chef for a yakiniku restaurant.

Personal Life[]

He was the last wrestler to face Kotonowaka, one of the most popular sumo wrestlers of his era, but he side-stepped (henka) at the tachi-ai and finished Kotonowaka off in a disrespectful fashion. He garnered a negative reaction from many fans.

Shunketsu's hobbies are reading and listening to music.

Fighting Style[]

Shunketsu was predominately a yotsu-sumo wrestler, preferring grappling as opposed to pushing and thrusting techniques. His favored grip on the opponent's mawashi was hidari-yotsu, with his right hand outside and left hand inside his opponent's arms. He also regularly employed henka, or sidestepping at the tachi-ai or initial charge.