Susanoumi Yoshitaka

Susanoumi Yoshitaka - 須佐の湖善誉 (born August 30, 1972) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Chita, Aichi. He made his debut in March 1988 and wrestled for Kitanoumi stable. He reached the juryo division in September 1993. His highest rank was juryo 2 and he retired in March 2003.

Career[]

Early Career[]

Kanesaku joined Kitanoumi stable and made his debut in March 1988. He rose up the ranks steadily and in September 1989, he won all seven matches, but missed out on the jonidan yusho after losing the playoff to stablemate Ganyu. Nevertheless, he was promoted to sandanme in the following November 1989 tournament and makushita in May 1991. He did not establish himself in makushita until he won the sandanme yusho in July 1992. He was promoted to juryo in September 1993.

Juryo Career[]

Upon promotion to Juryo, he changed his shikona from his surname to "Masakabuto" (将兜). However, he could only manage three wins in his sekitori debut and he was demoted back down to makushita. After falling down to makushita, he reverted back to his surname Kanesaku. At the time, he was struggling with a right knee injury and his sumo deteriorated. Nevertheless, he recovered and won the makushita yusho in July 1996. He later changed his shikona to "Susanoumi" (須佐の湖) in May 1997 and in July 1997 he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 at the rank of makushita 4 which earned him a direct promotion back to juryo. In his return Susanoumi posted a solid 8-7 record. He followed with a strong 10-5 record and missed out on the juryo yusho after losing to Wakanosato in a playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to his highest rank of juryo 2, but he could only manage 5 wins at that rank. He was ranked in juryo for another 14 tournaments where he produced insignificant results.

Later Career[]

Susanoumi was demoted back down to makushita in July 2000 after a disastrous 2-13 record. Due to a visceral diseases he gradually lost weight and could not perform the sumo he preferred. He eventually fell to sandanme in January 2003.

Retirement from Sumo[]

Susanoumi announced his retirement after the March 2003 tournament. After retirement, he ran a restaurant in Fukuoka where his wife's parents' home was, but thereafter closed it and worked as a security guard in Kyushu.

Personal Life[]

Susanoumi's hobby is sleeping.
His peak weight of 240 kg (530 lb) which he reached in 1998 means he ranks equal sixth in the list of heaviest sumo wrestlers. He was the heaviest Japanese-born sumo wrestler ever until surpassed by Yamamotoyama.
His hair started thinning in his early twenties and by the end of his career, only a little topknot could be tied.

Fighting Style[]

Susanoumi 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.