Wakaminato Saburo - 若港 三郎 (born December 13, 1909 - June 30, 1982) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Narusawa, Yamanashi. He made his debut in March 1931 and wrestled for Fujigane stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1938. His highest rank was maegashira 3 and he retired in November 1945.
Career[]
Early Career[]
Koichiro Watanabe joined Fujigane stable and made his debut in March 1931 under the shikona "Fujigatake" (冨士ヶ嶽). He reached the juryo division in January 1935, but finished with a poor 4-7 record and was demoted back down to makushita. He did not return to juryo until May 1937 where he posted a strong 10-3 record. This performance sent him up to the top makuuchi division.
Makuuchi Career[]
At the time of his makuuchi debut, Fujigatake was already 28 years old. He was ranked in the top division for a total of 16 tournaments, reaching as high as maegashira 3 in May 1940. In 1941, his stablemaster (former komusubi Wakaminato) passed away so he inherited his stable while still an active wrestler (an act no longer allowed). In January 1942 he was given the shikona "Wakaminato" (若港) which was the shikona used by his stablemaster. He retired from sumo in November 1945 after falling back down to juryo.
Retirement from Sumo[]
After retiring, he remained in sumo as an elder of the Japan Sumo Association. Wakaminato had already been the stablemaster of Fujigane stable since November 1941, while he was still an active wrestler, however, the stable later closed down in October 1947 and he transferred to Tokitsukaze stable. He re-established Fujigane stable in January 1955, but the stable closed down shortly in August 1955. He transferred back to Tokitsukaze stable where he stayed until reaching the mandatory retirement of age of 65 in December 1974.
Fighting Style[]
Wakaminato was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. His most common kimarite were tsuridashi (lift out) and utchari (backward pivot throw).
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 140-154-1/294 (25 basho)
- Makuuchi: 95-121/216 (16 basho)
- Juryo: 14-10/24 (3 basho)
- Makushita: 31-23-1/54 (5 basho)
Shikona History[]
- Fujigatake Koichiro (1931.03 - 1941.05)
- Wakaminato Saburo (1942.01 - 1945.11)
Gallery[]
