Tsugarukuni Yoshitaka - 津軽國 芳隆 (born May 15, 1941) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Nakasato, Aomori. He made his debut in January 1957 and last wrestled for Kasugano stable. He reached the juryo division in July 1964. His highest rank was juryo 3 and he retired in July 1967.
Early Life[]
Akimoto has always been a big sumo fan ever since he was a child, so he visited Tokyo during the summer vacation of his third year at Nakadomari Choritsu Nakasato Junior High School. During the trip, he visited Kasugano stable which was home to makushita wrestler Tominoura who also came from the same town as Akimoto. He subsequently transferred to Tatekawa Junior High School which was near Kasugano stable and joined the stable upon graduating junior high school.
Career[]
He made his professional debut in January 1957 and initially wrestled under his surname Akimoto. He changed his shikona to "Tsugarukuni" (津軽國) in November 1959 and was promoted to makushita in January 1962. In May 1964 he produced a perfect 7-0 record at the rank of makushita 12, but missed out on the yusho after losing to Fukudayama and Fukunohana in the playoff. Nevertheless, he was promoted to juryo for the following July 1964 tournament. However, he only lasted one tournament as he finished with a 4-11 record and did not return to juryo until May 1966. In July 1966 he posted a strong 11-4 record and was promoted to the rank of juryo 3 in September 1966. However, he sprained his left ankle and had to temporarily pull out of the tournament. After his ankle injury, Tsugarukuni struggled and eventually fell down to makushita in May 1967. He retired from sumo in the following July 1967 tournament.
Fighting Style[]
Tsugarukuni 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 tsuridashi, or lift out.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 258-241-10/498 (63 basho)
- Juryo: 43-60-2/102 (7 basho)
- Makushita: 101-81-7/182 (27 basho)
- Sandanme: 74-68-1/142 (19 basho)
- Jonidan: 35-29/64 (8 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 5-3/8 (1 basho)
Shikona History[]
- Akimoto Hisago (1957.01 - 1959.09)
- Tsugarukuni Yoshitaka (1959.11 - 1967.07)