Yanagi Joji - 柳 譲治 (born December 23, 1973) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa. He made his debut in January 1996 and wrestled for Musashigawa stable. His highest rank was makushita 14 and he retired in May 2005.
Early Life[]
Joji Yanagi was born on December 23, 1973, in Tama Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa (although his birthplace is also listed as Kagoshima prefecture). He attended Senshu University where he was a member of a member of the school's sumo club. However, he dropped out midway and joined Musashigawa stable.
Career[]
He made his professional debut in January 1996 and wrestled under his surname "Yanagi" (柳). Already weighing 177 kg (390 lb), he was the heaviest new recruit of his class. He breezed through the lower three divisions and was promoted to makushita in March 1997. At the time he had not posted a single losing record, however, he could only manage one win in his makushita debut.
In November 1997, he won the sandanme yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted to a career-best rank of makushita 14 in January 1998. However, he could only manage a 2-5 record in that tournament. Yanagi spent the majority of his later career in makushita with a few spells in sandanme. He retired from sumo in May 2005.
Fighting Style[]
Yanagi defeats Yokutsukasa by yorikiri (force out)
Yanagi was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. His most common kimarite was yorikiri (force out).
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 201-182-9/381 (57 basho)
- Makushita: 92-112-6/203 (30 basho)
- Sandanme: 91-67-3/158 (23 basho)
- Jonidan: 12-2/14 (2 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 6-1/6 (1 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Sandanme Championship (November 1997)
Shikona History[]
- Yanagi Joji (1996.01 - 2005.05)
Gallery[]
