Tokusegawa Masanao

Tokusegawa Masanao - 德瀬川正直 (born August 6, 1983) is a former Mongolian professional sumo wrestler from Uvs Province. He made his debut in July 2003 and last wrestled for Asahiyama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 2010. His highest rank was maegashira 1 and he retired in May 2011.

Early Life[]

Ganbold Badamsambuu was born on August 6, 1983, in Ulaanbaatar, however, he was raised in Uvs Province. He began practicing Mongolian wrestling at the age of fourteen. He is distantly related to Mongolian sumo pioneer Kyokushuzan, who helped recruit Badamsambuu for professional sumo. After a month of training at the Settsu Warehouse sumo club (摂津倉庫), he entered Kiriyama stable in March 2003.

Career[]

Early Career[]

Tokusegawa's debut tournament in maezumo was considered a rather ignominious one, as he was cautioned by judges for cursing in Mongolian at a fellow Mongolian wrestler and slapping the wrestler's chest just after losing to him. He soon went on to distinguish himself though, steadily rising through the ranks. Except for a period in early 2005 where he suffered three consecutive losing tournaments while struggling in the sandanmedivision, he never had two consecutive losing tournaments.

He took the sandanme championship in the November 2006 tournament with a 7–0 perfect record. His sumo became even more consistent and after a slow but steady rise to the upper ranks of the makushita division, he took the championship in the May 2009 tournament. As a result, he became the first wrestler from his stable to be promoted to the elite sekitori ranks.

Juryo Career[]

Unlike the lower divisions, Tokusegawa breezed through juryo. In November 2009, he produced a strong 10-5 record which placed him in a playoff, however, he lost the match to Kitataiki. Nonetheless, after only four tournaments in juryo, he was promoted to makuuchi in March 2010.

Makuuchi Career[]

He came through with winning records in his first three top makuuchi division tournaments before recording his first make-koshi at maegashira 4 in September 2010. He responded with scores of 8–7 in November (which included a win over ozeki Kotooshu) and 9–6 in January 2011. After the January 2011 tournament Tokusegawa's Kiriyama stable shut down and he moved with his stablemaster to the affiliated Asahiyama stable.

Retirement from Sumo[]

In April 2011 Tokusegawa was one of 23 wrestlers found guilty of match-fixing after an investigation by the Japan Sumo Association (JSA), and he was forced to retire from sumo. He responded, "I can't accept (this punishment). But what am I supposed to do if I oppose the JSA's decision?" He would have reached a new highest rank of maegashira 1 in the May 2011 tournament.

Following his retirement Tokusegawa returned to his native country and participated in Mongolian wrestling, winning the Western Region Danshig Nadaam tournament in 2012. He currently works as a guard for a security company in Ulaanbaatar.

Fighting Style[]

Tokusegawa was a yotsu-sumo specialist, preferring grappling techniques. His favoured grip on his opponent's mawashi was migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) and his most common winning kimarite were yorikiri and yoritaoshi (force out and down). He also regularly used uwatenage (overarm throw).