Tenzan Hisaharu - 天山 久晴 (born May 15, 1931) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yunotsu, Shimane. He made his debut in March 1956 and last wrestled for Nishonoseki stable. He reached the juryo division in November 1960. His highest rank was juryo 5 and he retired in September 1962.
Early Life[]
Prior to sumo, Yoshichi was a professional wrestler. With backgrounds in karate and judo, he joined the All Japan Pro-Wrestling Association (no relation with All Japan Pro-Wrestling), however, after the closure of the All Japan Pro-Wrestling Association, he was recruited into Nakamura stable by makushita wrestler Kabutogata.
Career[]
He made his professional debut in March 1956 at the age of 24 and initially wrestled under the shikona "Kabutogata" (甲潟), which was the ring name of the wrestler who recruited him. He reached makushita in January 1958 and had not produced a losing record at the time. In May 1959 he changed his shikona to "Tenzan" (天山). He was promoted to juryo in November 1960 and was ranked in the division for eleven tournaments, reaching as high as juryo 5 in November 1961. He transferred to Nishonoseki stable in 1962 due to his Nakamura stable's closure and subsequently retired from sumo in September 1962 as he struggled to get acquainted with his new stable life.
Retirement from Sumo[]
Professional Wrestling Career[]
After retiring, he returned back to the professional wrestling industry. He struggled to establish himself in the Japanese wrestling scene and primarily wrestled as a freelance wrestler overseas in South Korea under his real name Hisaharu Yoshichi.
Fighting Style[]
Tenzan was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri (force out) and uwatenage (overarm throw).
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 197-146-14/343 (37 basho)
- Juryo: 80-85/165 (11 basho)
- Makushita: 80-54-7/134 (18 basho)
- Sandanme: 19-5/24 (3 basho)
- Jonidan: 15-1/16 (2 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 0-1-7/1 (1 basho)
- Shinjo: 3-0/3 (1 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Jonidan Championship (March 1957)
Shikona History[]
- Kabutogata Hisaharu (1956.03 - 1959.03)
- Tenzan Hisaharu (1959.05 - 1962.09)
Gallery[]
