Yuki Shunji - 勇輝 瞬臣 (born September 7, 1989) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Miyazaki City, Miyazaki. He made his debut in March 2005 and wrestled for Michinoku Stable. His highest rank was makushita 20 and retired in March 2024.
Career[]
Yudai Yamasaki joined Michinoku stable and made his professional debut in March 2005 at the age of 15. Yudai struggled immensely in his early career and did not become established in jonidan until March 2008. He was promoted to sandanme in September 2009. A year later in September 2010, he was given the shikona "Yuki" (勇輝). He reached the makushita division in July 2014, but did not become a makushita regular until November 2018. He was promoted to a career-best makushita 20 in March 2022, but he could only manage a 3-4 record in that tournament.[1]
Starting from the tenth day of the July 2023 tournament, Yuki began performing the bow-twirling ceremony, filling in for Satonofuji who had withdrew from the tournament. Yuki had already performed the bow twirling ceremony multiple times during the regional jungyo tours.[2] In addition to bow-twirling, he also participates in sumo-jinku, a traditional folkloric song performance, at regional tours and retirement ceremonies.[3]
Retirement from Sumo[]
Yuki was demoted back down to sandanme in March 2023. Despite returning to makushita multiple times, he was unable to establish himself in the division again. In March 2024, after exactly 19 years in sumo, Yuki's decision to retire was announced after the tournament. He had finished with a disastrous 1-6 in sandanme but continued to perform the bow-twirling ceremony until the end of the tournament. His retirement also coincides with his stable’s closure, as Michinoku Oyakata (former ozeki Kirishima) reached the mandatory retirement age of 65. His danpatsu-shiki, or hair cutting ceremony was held at his stable’s support group party at the end of the tournament. After retiring, Yuki has remained in the Japan Sumo Association as a sewanin, or assistant.[4]
Fighting Style[]
Yuki defeats Shosei by yorikiri (force out)
Yuki is proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His most often used winning kimarite is yorikiri (force out), followed by oshidashi (push out).[5]
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 378-400-6/777 (113 basho)
- Makushita: 106-139/245 (35 basho)
- Sandanme: 166-150-6/315 (46 basho)
- Jonidan: 75-79/154 (22 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 31-32/63 (9 basho)
Shikona History[]
- Yudai Isamu (2005.03 - 2010.07)
- Yuki Shunji (2010.09 - 2024.03)
Gallery[]
(c. 2023)
(c. 2024)
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ Yuki Rikishi Information
- ↑ Mainichi: Sudden appearance at the archery ceremony - sumo wrestler Yuki
- ↑ “Reiwa 5th Grand Sumo Wrestler Directory” p. 79
- ↑ Sanspo: Kairyu and 3 others appointed as caretakers of the association
- ↑ Yuki Kimarite Information