Yashinoshima Noboru - 椰子ノ島 登 (born October 28, 1952 - June 10, 2017) was a Tongan professional sumo wrestler from Tongatapu. He made his debut in November 1974 and wrestled for Asahiyama stable. His highest rank was makushita 53 and he retired in September 1976.
Early Life[]
Moleni Fe'aomoeata Tauki'uvea was born in the Kingdom of Tonga on October 28, 1952. In school, Tauki'uvea played tennis, rugby, and soccer, and was also a good amateur boxer. After school, he became a police officer in Tonga. At the age of 22, he was part of a group of six teenagers and young men sent by the King of Tonga to Japan to study Sumo. After moving to Japan in 1974, he competed under the shikona of Yashinoshima (椰子ノ島).
Career[]
Yashinoshima won the jonokuchi yusho with a perfect 7-0 record in his first tournament which made him the first ever Tongan to win a lower division championship. He reached the sandanme division in September 1975 and after three consecutive winning records, he was promoted to makushita in March 1976. He only lasted one tournament in makushita and was demoted back down to sandanme for the following tournament.
Retirement from Sumo[]
Controversial Dismissal[]
Minaminoshima's stablemaster, ex-maegashira Futaseyama, died suddenly in 1975 and he and his Tongan stablemates were caught up in a succession dispute between former maegashira Ryuo and the man who eventually became the new head, former komusubi Wakafutase. They sided with Futaseyama's widow, who preferred Ryuo to take over, and were ultimately dismissed by the Japan Sumo Association. As a result of the controversy sumo officials had to fly to Tonga to explain themselves to the country's king, Taufaʻahau Tupou IV.
After Retirement[]
After retirement, he became a reverend. He sadly passed away in June 2017, at the age of 64.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 48-29/77 (12 basho)
- Makushita: 6-8/14 (2 basho)
- Sandanme: 22-13/35 (5 basho)
- Jonidan: 13-8/21 (3 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 7-0/7 (1 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Jonokuchi Championship (January 1975)
Achievements[]
- 1st Tongan wrestler to win a lower divison championship
Shikona History[]
- Yashinoshima Noboru (1974.11 - 1975.09)
- Yashinoshima (1975.09 - 1976.09)
Gallery[]
