Wakanoshima Toshiya - 若乃洲 敏弥 (born May 5, 1941 - March 18, 1984) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture. He made his debut in January 1957 and wrestled for Hanakago stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1965. His highest rank was maegashira 5 and he retired in November 1969.
Early Life[]
Suzuki was born in Fukuoka's Chuo Ward on May 5, 1941. While attending junior high school he was a member of the judo club, however, after graduating junior high school he was introduced to Hanakago stable by a relative of Hanakago Oyakata (former maegashira Onoumi) and subsequently joined the stable.
Career[]
Early Career[]
He made his professional debut in January 1957 and was given the shikona "Kyushuwaka" (九州若). He was promoted to sandanme in July 1958 and makushita in November 1959. He changed his shikona to "Wakanoshima" (若乃洲) in September 1962. In September 1963 he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted to juryo for the following November 1963 tournament.
Juryo Career[]
Wakanoshima posted three consecutive winning records from his juryo debut, however he went on a tow tournament slump in May and July 1964 and was regulated back to the lower-half of juryo. Nevertheless, he bounced back with four consecutive winning records and was promoted to makuuchi in May 1965.
Makuuchi Career[]
Wakanoshima was ranked in makuuchi for two years from 1965 to 1967 with the exception of one tournament in juryo. His highest rank was maegashira 5 which he held in January 1966. In March 1967 he posted a disastrous 1-14 record and was demoted back down to juryo where he could only manage one win before pulling out of the tournament on the eighth day. He was subsequently demoted back down to makushita where he remained for two year before announcing his retirement after the November 1969 tournament.
Retirement from Sumo[]
After retiring, Wakanoshima opened up a chanko restaurant in Chiyoda, Tokyo. He died on March 18, 1942, at the age of 42.
Fighting Style[]
Wakanoshima 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 uwatenage, or overarm throw.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 377-335-10/711 (77 basho)
- Makuuchi: 71-94/165 (11 basho)
- Juryo: 88-70-7/157 (11 basho)
- Makushita: 148-126-3/274 (39 basho)
- Sandanme: 40-24/64 (8 basho)
- Jonidan: 26-14/40 (5 basho
- Jonokuchi: 3-5/8 (1 basho)
- Shinjo: 1-2/3 (1 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Makushita Championship (September 1963)
Shikona History[]
- Kyushuwaka (1957.01 - 1962.07)
- Wakanoshima Toshiya (1962.09 - 1967.09)
- Shima (1967.11 - 1969.11)
Gallery[]
