Tsukasaumi Joji - 司海 丈二 (born May 10, 1987) is a former Georgian professional sumo wrestler from Tbilisi. He made his debut in September 2005 and wrestled for Irumagawa stable. His highest rank was sandanme 18 and he retired in September 2006.
Early Life[]
Merab George Tsaguria was born in Sukhumi, Abkhaz Autonomous Republic in then-Soviet Georgia. The secessionist war in Abkhazia forced his family to move to Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, in 1992. His older brother, Levan, who wrestled as Kokkai joined sumo in May 2001 and became the first European rikishi promoted to the makuuchi division in January 2004. He joined Irumagawa stable in September 2005 and was given the shikona "Tsukasaumi" (司海).
Career[]
He produced a strong 5-2 record in his first tournament and was promoted to jonidan in January 2006. In this tournament he won all seven matches, but lost the playoff match to Yuminosato. Nonetheless, he was promoted to sandanme for the following tournament. He was gunning for the sandanme yusho in this tournament, but lost his last match to heavyweight Maeta. In the following tournament, he sat out on the first day due to injury, but returned and won four out of his six matches to secure a winning record. As a result he was promoted to a career-best sandanme 18 for the July 2005 tournament.
Retirement from Sumo[]
Tsukasaumi turned in his retirement papers prior to the September 2006 tournament due to persistent injuries. According to Irumagawa Oyakata, Tsukasaumi made the request towards the end of August. Kokkai told the press, "He tore a ligament in his right big toe and surgery could not properly repair the damage. There is the matter of our mother back home, so he will be returning to Georgia after this basho." Tsukasaumi returned to Georgia to take over the family business.
Fighting Style[]
Tsukasaumi was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He won most of his bouts with a straightforward yorikiri, or force out.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 22-5-15/27 (7 basho)
- Sandanme: 10-3-15/13 (4 basho)
- Jonidan: 7-0/7 (1 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 5-2/7 (1 basho)
Shikona History[]
- Tsukasaumi Joji (2005.09 - 2006.09)
Gallery[]
