Wakanokuni Takeo - 若ノ國 豪夫 (born April 4, 1936) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Nanno, Gifu. He made his debut in March 1953 and wrestled for Hanakago stable. He reached the makuuchi division in November 1959. His highest rank was maegashira 8 and he retired in September 1969.
Career[]
Early Career[]
He made his professional debut in March 1953, wrestling for Shibatayama stable (later renamed Hanakago stable). Initially wrestling under the shikona "Terunishiki" (照錦), he was promoted to sandanme in March 1954 and makushita in May 1955. In January 1959, he was given the new shikona "Wakanokuni" (若ノ國) and immediately posted a 7-1 record at the rank of makushita 2 and was promoted to juryo in March 1959.
Juryo Career[]
In his first tournament as a sekitori, Wakanokuni finished with a solid 10-5 record. He followed with an outstanding 12-3 record and won his first of many juryo yusho's. In the following tournaments, Wakanokuni finished with 8-7 records and was promoted to makuuchi for the November 1959 tournament.
Makuuchi Career[]
Even though Wakanokuni was ranked in the top division for a total of 23 tournaments, he was unable to become a permanent fixture and spent majority of his time in juryo. He won two more juryo yusho: the second in January 1965 and the third in November 1967. His highest rank was maegashira 8 which he held on four different occasions. Wakanokuni was promoted to makuuchi a record 9 times (this record has since been broken by Oshio who was promoted to makuuchi 13 times).
Retirement from Sumo[]
Wakanokuni retired from sumo in September 1969. After retiring, he ran chanko restaurant called "Kuninoya" (國乃家) and a club called "Dragon" (ドラゴン) in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture.
Fighting Style[]
Wakanokuni defeats Kanenohana by tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
Wakanokuni 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, or force out. He was also fond of employing tsuppari, a series of rapid thrusts to the chest.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 592-555-21/1145 (91 basho)
- Makuuchi: 139-201-5/340 (23 basho)
- Juryo: 331-271-13/600 (41 basho)
- Makushita: 82-62/144 (18 basho)
- Sandanme: 25-13-2/38 (5 basho)
- Jonidan: 12-4/16 (2 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 3-4-1/7 (1 basho)
Championships[]
- 3 Juryo Championships
- 1st (May 1959)
- 2nd (January 1965)
- 3rd (November 1967)
Shikona History[]
- Terunishiki Teruo (1953.03 - 1958.11)
- Wakanokuni Teruo (1959.01 - 1961.11)
- Wakanokuni Takeo (1962.01 - 1962.03)
- Wakanokuni Teruo (1962.05 - 1962.09)
- Wakanokuni Takeo (1962.11 - 1969.09)
Gallery[]
