Tachihikari Akihiro - 太刀光 昭洋 (born May 19, 1943) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi. He made his debut in January 1966 and wrestled for Takasago stable. He reached the juryo division in March 1970. His highest rank was juryo 7 and he retired in November 1970.
Early Life[]
Obe attended Otsu Ryokuyo High School Fisheries Campus where he was a member of the sumo club. He placed second at All Japan High School Sumo tournament but did not immediately join professional sumo thinking he was not big enough (around 180 cm, 100 kg). Instead, he attended Takushoku University and joined the sumo club. He won the Eastern Japan college tournament which qualified him for the makushita tsukedashi status.
Career[]
After graduating university, he joined Takasago stable and made his professional debut in January 1966 at the age of 22. Due to his makushita tsukedashi status, he was allowed to make his debut at the rank of makushita 50. He was given the shikona "Tachihikari" (太刀光), however, he got off to a rather slow start. In January 1970, after four years in the unsalaried ranks, he produced a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 1 and was promoted to juryo in the following tournament.
He made his juryo debut in March 1970 and finished with an 8-7 record. He followed with another 8-7 record and was promoted to the rank of juryo 7 in July 1970. However, in this tournament, he finished with a poor 3-12 record and was demoted back down to makushita after three tournaments in juryo. This proved to be his last appearance as a sekitori.
Retirement from Sumo[]
After losing his sekitori status in July 1970, he produced a 1-6 record and was demoted outside the juryo-promotion range. As a result he announced his retirement prior to the following November 1970 tournament. After retiring, he went to work for the fishing industry.
Fighting Style[]
Tachihikari was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out, and tsukiotoshi, or thrust down.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 116-111-7/227 (30 basho)
- Juryo: 19-26/45 (3 basho)
- Makushita: 97-85-7/182 (27 basho)
Shikona History[]
- Obe Akihiro (1966.01 - 1966.11)
- Tachihikari Akihiro (1967.01 - 1970.11)
Gallery[]
