Tatekabuto Sachio - 楯甲 幸男 (born October 27, 1924 - May 28, 2002) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Miyakubo, Ehime. He made his debut in January 1942 and last wrestled for Nakamura stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 1954. His highest rank was maegashira 18 and he retired in July 1958.
Career[]
Early Career[]
Minami joined Nakamura stable at the age of 17 and made his professional debut in January 1942 under the shikona "Nojimashiro" (能嶋城). In June 1945, he was drafted into the Japanese Imperial Army for military service and he returned to sumo shortly after. In May 1949, he changed his shikona to "Imaoshima" (今大嶋) and was promoted to juryo in January 1951.
Juryo Career[]
In his first tournament as a sekitori, he finished with a poor 6-9 record, but bounced back with a 9-6 record in May 1951. In May 1952, he won the juryo yusho with a strong 12-3 record, but was unable to capitalize on a makuuchi promotion. He later inherited his stablemaster's shikona of "Tatekabuto" (楯甲) in 1953 and was promoted to makuuchi in March 1954.
Makuuchi Career[]
Tatekabuto struggled to establish himself in makuuchi due to his extreme nearsightedness. He was promoted to makuuchi on three different occasions, but could never manage to pull off a winning record. His highest rank was maegashira 18 and his last top division appearance was in March 1956.
Retirement from Sumo[]
He fell down to makushita in May 1958 and subsequently retired from sumo in July 1958. After retiring, he worked as a salaryman for the Hitachi Zosen Corporation and also taught at the company's sumo club.
Tatekabuto died on May 28, 2002, at the age of 77.
Fighting Style[]
Tatekabuto 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.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 293-297-25/589 (50 basho)
- Makuuchi: 15-30/45 (3 basho)
- Juryo: 190-195-5/384 (26 basho)
- Makushita: 63-55-15/118 (13 basho)
- Sandanme: 8-2-5/10 (3 basho)
- Jonidan: 9-7/16 (2 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 8-8/16 (2 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Juryo Championship (May 1952)
Shikona History[]
- Nojimashiro (1942.01 - 1949.01)
- Imaoshima Sachio (1949.05 - 1952.09)
- Tatekabuto Sachio (1953.01 - 1958.07)
Gallery[]
