Rijicho 6 Posted March 31, 2004 (edited) Foreigners in ozumo draw more interest in sumo abroad and they bring innovative wrestling styles from their earlier disciplines into traditional sumo. Many foreign fans are especially interested in following foreign rikishi's careers. On the other hand Japanese rikishi still comprise over 90% of all rikishi in sumo and under current regulations limiting the amount of foreigners, this situation is unlikely to change drastically unless doors are opened fully to all foreign aspirants hoping to succeed in ozumo. Often foreign newcomers have substantial experience in different kinds of grappling sports in their own countries. There are over 50 foreigners in ozumo. The majority comes from Mongolia but lately new recruits have entered sumo from Russia, Bulgaria, Czech, China, Brazil, Tonga and Kazakhstan. Diversity in ozumo is growing. For a long time there was a rule limiting the total amount of foreigners to 40 in all. This rule has been changed so that now there can be only one foreigner per heya. Naturally the stables having had more than one foreigner at the time this rule was implemented were allowed to keep their foreigners but all stables that have either one foreigner or zero foreigners fell under this rule. Theoretical maximum of foreigners in ozumo is therefor the amount of heya (54) + the surplus present at the time of the new rule implementation. There are only 6 stables now which don't have foreigners which means that there are in theory 6 free spots for new foreigner entrants. Kintamayama has always updated info on all foreigners on his praised Foreigner site including foreigners' records of recent basho, archives of past basho performances, birthdays and list of stables with no foreigners yet. http://www.dichne.com/tForeigners.htm - Main Foreigner Site http://www.dichne.com/forbirth.htm - Birthdays http://www.dichne.com/nofor.html - Heya with no foreigners Here is Kintamayama's chapter about so called "closet foreigners": Closet foreigners (written after Haru basho 2004) Who is a "closet" foreigner"? It's a rikishi who is actually foreign born, but his shusshin is listed as Japanese in the Kyokai files. For all intents and purposes, he will not be regarded as a foreigner, and won't be counted anywhere as one. This isn't something new. Only the reasons for doing so seem to be different today. In the past there were quite a few rikishi, some quite successful, that hid the fact that they were of foreign descent. Most were from Korean or Chinese origin, but because of the long history of discrimination by the Japanese against Koreans and Chinese, chose to keep their real background a secret. Even the great ex- Yokozuna Taiho came from a mixed family and was born on the Russian island of Sakhalin. His father was Russian or Ukrainian, depending on your source. Even though he achieved great acclaim and was revered throughout Japan, he never fully acknowledged that he was a foreigner. Another famous rikishi was Rikidozan, real name Kim Sin-Nak http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/bios/...me/rikibio.html He reached Sekiwake, but his real fame came as the man who single-handedly made Pro-wrestling (Pro-resu) popular in Japan and was known as the "Father of Proresu". He kept his Korean heritage a secret, which was only revealed after his death. During the last Korean Jungyo, we discovered that Musashigawa Oyakata was from a Korean background, as was ex-Yokozuna Tamanoumi who died at the age of 27. Then there was Toyonishiki (active between 1936-1944), who many regard as the "real" first foreign rikishi. It is rumored he was an American citizen, and that he was born in Colorado. Yet he even joined the Japanese army during WWII. All this is history, though. What about the present? Well, it is becoming increasingly difficult to try to "unearth" a closet foreigner. Most of them have lived in Japan for many years, and received Japanese citizenship. They also change their names to Japanese ones, so it's really difficult for us living outside Japan to really find out who they are. There are ten that I am certain of, led by long time yoyo and lately stabilized Kinkaiyama: Kinkaiyama-Korean-Dewanoumi Daishiyama-Chinese-Sakaigawa Araki-Brazilian-Kitanoumi Kanaya-Korean-Otake Itsunoshima-Korean-Sakaigawa Wakatenyu-Korean-Hatachiyama Yoshimura-Korean-Tagonoura Ryukiyama-Korean- Hanakago Takamisato-Chinese-Naruto Shokiryuu-Chinese-Kitanoumi These were "unmasked" because their real names as listed on the Kyokai pages gave them away. Now we come to the "why". The possible reasons are: 1. Get a Japanese shusshin to make way for another foreigner in the heya. 2. You feel you are really Japanese. 3. You still feel it's better for you to conceal your true origin. 4. You have the citizenship, so why not? 5. It just isn't an issue anymore. It's like choosing a mawashi color. Now, my "whys".. 1. Why did Ryuukiyama suddenly change shusshin form Korean to local after January 2003? Hanakago already had its allocated one guy long before that. 2. Why do Kitanoumi and Sakaigawa have 2 "closet" and one "real" foreigner? 3. At least one of them, Wakatenyuu, was listed as Korean when he "enlisted". After Mae-zumo, he became Japanese. OTOH, the new Korean from Takanohana-beya is listed as a Korean, yet he has a Japanese name and has been living for many years with his family in Japan. In summary, this is certainly not a scientific or accurate research, just something a bit different perhaps which has dwelt on my mind for some time now. ------------------- Here is a brief introduction to the main foreigner rikishi of the moment: In order of appearance in this thread: Asashoryu Kyokutenho Kyokushuzan Asasekiryu Hakuho Ama Tokitenku Kokkai Russians: Roho, Hakurozan, Amuru and Orora Kotooshu Takanoyama Kazafuzan Mongolians: A thread where forum's Mongolian members replied to questions about Mongolia and Mongolian wrestling: http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=2349 LonelyPlanet's Mongolia-pages: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/n..._asia/mongolia/ Asashoryu Takasago-beya's Mongolian yokozuna who is known for his aggressive sumo with versatile skill and lightning fast speed. Has an exceptional aversion towards defeats and is a master in turning the tables even when he is forced into defensive. Combination of strength, athleticism, speed, immense will to rule the world, brutality and intensity. Born In September in 1980 weighing around 140 kg. Expert in morozashi and low shitatenage. Married with 1 daughter. Experience in Mongolian wrestling and college sumo in Japan before turning pro. Father and brother known wrestlers. Has 6 yusho (after Haru 2004) on his mawashi and two zensho yusho. Asashoryu on Kyokai's profile page: http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/rik...ikishi_100.html Asashoryu's career's day by day results against sekitori: http://www.szumo.hu/stat/Asashoryu.html Asashoryu's face to face records against sekitori: http://www.scgroup.com/sumo/mtgs/Asashoryu.html Takasago-beya websites: http://gp-dip.co.jp/takasago/index.shtml http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~wakamatu/ Kyokutenho & Kyokushuzan & Kyokutenzan Unusual picture of Kyokutenho and Kyokutenzan in a suit. Picture was taken in Mongolia when Kyokushuzan got married. Kyokutenho: Kyokutenho as new komusubi Kyokutenho and Asashoryu: Oshima-beya duo who started the Mongolian wave into ozumo when they joined in March 1992 along with Kyokutenzan (has spent most of his career in makushita). They found ozumo a bit intimidating and tried to flee back to Mongolia but Kyokutenzan turned their heads and the rest is history. Kyokutenho is a very standard rikishi who never was much into tricks or unconventional sumo. Yorikiri comprised a huge majority of his wins when he was in juryo and as fresh makuuchi rikishi. In his later years he has diversified his sumo a bit and goes more for throws, lift-outs and also slapdowns. For a long time he was a middle maegashira rikishi who didn't have the strength to challenge sanyaku but since the beginning of 2002 he has racked up between 6 and 10 wins almost always when at high enough rank to face all sanyaku rikishi. He has grown into Japanese culture quite tangibly and wants to get Japanese citizenship and carry on as an oyakata after his intai. Cheerful character. Born in September in 1974 weighing around 150kg and carrying a tall frame of 191cm. Kyokutenho on Kyokai's profile page: http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/rik...rikishi_65.html Kyokutenho's career's day by day results against sekitori: http://www.szumo.hu/stat/Kyokutenho.html Kyokutenho's face to face records against sekitori: http://www.scgroup.com/sumo/mtgs/Kyokutenho.html Kyokushuzan at tire pulling keiko. Kyokushuzan usually has a twinkle in the corner of his eye and is still known for his unusual tricks. However, he was much more off-main stream when he first entered sekitori ranks. He also revived such rare techniques as zubuneri and sotomuso with his technical ingeniousity. Little by little his sumo became less liberal and he started to win more bouts with more common techniques. Nowadays he is especially known for his yanking sumo having the best arm yank in the business and also for his pulling sumo. Married with 2 children. He has been appointed to some kind of a good will ambassador of Mongolia in Japan. Also one of the few rikishi who also study aside from being a sumotori. Born in March in 1973 weighing around 140kg, won juryo yusho twice on his way to makuuchi. Kyokushuzan in 1997: Kyokushuzan on Kyokai's profile page: http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/rik...rikishi_38.html Kyokushuzan's career's day by day results against sekitori: http://www.szumo.hu/stat/Kyokushuzan.html Kyokushuzan's face to face records against sekitori: http://www.scgroup.com/sumo/mtgs/Kyokushuzan.html Asasekiryu Asasekiryu (left) with Asashoryu: Asashoryu's Mongolian stablemate. Lesser version of Asashoryu with quite different sumo style. Born in August in 1981 and is almost identical in weight and height (exactly same height, 2kg lighter at 138kg at Hatsu 2004 weigh-in) with Asashoryu. Good technical versatility. Surprised with a stellar 13-2 record in Haru 2004. Won juryo yusho on his way to makuuchi. Asasekiryu on Kyokai's profile page: http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/rik...kishi_2198.html Asasekiryu's career's day by day results against sekitori: http://www.szumo.hu/stat/Asasekiryu.html Asasekiryu's face to face records against sekitori: http://www.scgroup.com/sumo/mtgs/Asasekiryu.html Hakuho New Mongolian marvel who gained over 20kg in the last year. Comes from a well-known Mongolian wrestling family and entered sumo already at the age of 16. Ascension towards juryo was somewhat unnoticed but starting from the end of 2003 he has bloomed into a top class talent in ozumo. Unpolished diamond whose development is followed intensely. Good at both oshi and yotsu. Born in 1985 and belongs to Miyagino-beya which Kobo inhabitates also as stablemate. 188cm/134kg bodily measurements at Hatsu 2004 weigh-in. He won juryo yusho in Haru 2004. Hakuho on Kyokai's profile page: http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/rik...kishi_2320.html Hakuho's career's day by day results against sekitori: http://www.szumo.hu/stat/Hakuho.html Hakuho's face to face records against sekitori: http://www.scgroup.com/sumo/mtgs/Hakuho.html Here is more information about Hakuho and his father: http://www.banzuke.com/03-6/msg00695.html Miyagino-beya site: http://ip.tosp.co.jp/i.asp?i=sumoumiya Ama: Lightest sekitori with only 106kg weight to go with 182cm height (at Haru 2004). Superb athlete with great oshi-sumo and very skillful throws and trips. He belongs to Ajigawa-beya and is Aminishiki's stablemate. Won yusho in sandanme in Haru 2002 as a 17 year old 89 kg youngster. Said back then he wants to emulate the sumo of the likes of Asashoryu and Aminishiki. Good genes as his father was a very strong wrestler in Mongolia. Juryo debut in Haru 2004 was successful with 10-5 record. Statistics speak for themselves. Between Kyushu 2001 and Haru 2004 he used 20 different winning techniques: 13 yorikiri 10 uwatenage 9 oshidashi 8 uwatedashinage 4 shitatenage 3 hatakikomi 3 hikiotoshi 3 yoritaoshi 2 ashitori 2 kakenage 2 kirikaeshi 2 sotogake 1 abisetaoshi 1 hikkake 1 shitatedashinage 1 shitatehineri 1 susoharai 1 tottari 1 tsukidashi 1 tsukiotoshi 1 uchigake Ama on Kyokai's profile page: http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/rik...kishi_2308.html Ama's career's day by day results against sekitori: http://www.szumo.hu/stat/Ama.html Ama's face to face records against sekitori: http://www.scgroup.com/sumo/mtgs/Ama.html Ajigawa-beya's website: http://homepage2.nifty.com/ajigawa-beya/ Ama-section with pictures of oyakata's recruitment trip to catch Ama from Mongolia: http://homepage2.nifty.com/ajigawa-beya/ama/ama.htm Tokitenku Tokitenku is the leg technician wizard whose tripping techniques have now made their debut in juryo with good success. He entered ozumo at the age of 22 in Nagoya 2002 having been studying in agricultural university in Tokyo since 1999. He started his career with 24 consecutive wins (including two play-off wins) before suffering his first defeat. Expert in nimaigeri which is virtually non-existent otherwise in ozumo. Also deploys uchigake and sotogake frequently. If there is a trick that can be done with legs, Tokitenku has done it or will do it. Born in September in 1979. 185cm tall weighing around 130kg. His juryo debut in Haru 2004 brought him kachi koshi (8-7). He belongs to Tokitsukaze-beya and has Tokitsuumi and Shimotori as training partners. Tokitenku on Kyokai's profile page: http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/rik...kishi_2499.html Tokitenku's career's day by day results against sekitori: http://www.szumo.hu/stat/Ama.html Tokitenku's face to face records against sekitori: http://www.scgroup.com/sumo/mtgs/Tokitenku.html Background information on Tokitenku: http://www.banzuke.com/02-4/msg00252.html Kokkai Kokkai at the beginning of his ozumo career: Georgian rikishi born in March in 1981. He has background in freestyle wrestling before entering sumo in May 2001. He has risen rapidly to makuuchi with his bulldozing sumo with unusually forward leaning style. Awesome windmill tsuppari belongs to his repertoire as well as straight forward pushing. Competent in yotsu-sumo too and overall a solid rikishi with no major weaknesses if certain vulnerability in defense isn't counted as such. Exhibits good-natured character and respectful post-bout behavior. Belongs to Oitekaze-beya where his keiko partners are Hayateumi and Hamanishiki amongst others. As an anecdote it can be mentioned that his makuuchi debut preparation was hampered by an unconventional wound injury he got while cutting food in a kitchen with a large knife. Possesses considerable size (188cm/150+kg) and balanced body for sumo. Won juryo yusho in Kyushu 2003 with an exceptional 14-1 record. Kokkai on Kyokai's profile page: http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/rik...kishi_2385.html Kokkai's career's day by day results against sekitori: http://www.szumo.hu/stat/Kokkai.html Kokkai's face to face records against sekitori: http://www.scgroup.com/sumo/mtgs/Kokkai.html Facts from his background in Georgia and news about his debut in ozumo: http://www.banzuke.com/01-2/msg00187.html Kokkai site: http://www7.airnet.ne.jp/art/georgia/kokkai/ Russians: Roho & Hakurozan & Amuru & Orora Russian brothers Roho and Hakurozan joined ozumo at the same time in Natsu 2002. Roho is the bigger (193cm, around 145kg in Haru 2004), 2 years older and stronger of the two (he was born in March in 1980 whereas Hakurozan was born in Februaru in 1982). About their history and life before and during the start of their careers in ozumo you can read in this long translation by our very own language wizard Manekineko who translated the original article into English from a Russian article where Roho and Hakurozan were lenghtily interviewed. Loads of fascinating inside ozumo stuff. Interview was made at the beginning of 2003. Interview translation: http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=169 Roho on Kyokai's profile page: http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/rik...kishi_2486.html Roho's career's day by day results against sekitori: http://www.szumo.hu/stat/Roho.html Roho's face to face records against sekitori: http://www.scgroup.com/sumo/mtgs/Roho.html Bandey's Roho- and Hakurozan pages including basic data and their career results: http://www.szumo.hu/kekka/ROHO.HTM http://www.szumo.hu/kekka/HAKUROZAN.HTM Russian Sumo Federations's wrestlers introduction site where also Roho and Hakurozan are shown and their pre-ozumo career stats: http://www.sumo.boom.ru/eng/sumotori_m.html Amuru is a lanky Russian who has background in boxing and based on Roho's comments is a good cook too. Orora is a giant weighing over 200kg. His whole family is gigantic so definite genetic predisposition for large weight. Both Amuru and Orora compete in lower divisions. Both were born in 1983. Bandey's Orora-page including basic data and his career results: http://www.szumo.hu/kekka/ORORA.HTM Bandey's Amuru-page including basic data and his career results: http://www.szumo.hu/kekka/AMURU.HTM Kotooshu: Kotooshu's makushita bout: 203cm Bulgarian who has superb physique. He is around 130kg mark (in March 2004) and has tremendous grip power. Very tenacious yotsu-rikishi with nice throwing ability. He belongs to Sadogatake-beya and is stablemate to Kotonowaka, Kotomitsuki and Kotoryu. He made his debut in ozumo in Kyushu 2002 and won makushita yusho in Haru 2004 with an unblemished 7-0 record. Kotooshu's comments after clinching his juryo promotion in Haru 2004. Also some background information: http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=2524 Takanoyama Czech light-weight lanky youngster whose determination to join ozumo was very strong and he has been progressing well. Latest result 4-3 at low makushita was promising. Takanoyama info: http://www.banzuke.com/01-5/msg00641.html Kazafuzan from Kazakhstan Nishikido-beya's strongest talent who entered sumo in Kyushu 2003. Born in 1984. His competition results before he entered ozumo: 2001 - bronze medal in team event at the world Junior championship 2002 - bronze medal at the Asian sumo championship (both team and individual Open weight category) 2002 - gold in the Kazakhstan sumo tournament (Nauryz-2002) 2003 - gold in the Kazakhstan sumo student`s tournament (Academy of sports and tourism prizes) 2003 - silver medal at the Kazakhstan free style wrestling championship 2003 - Awarded the rank -Master of sports in sumo(by the Ministry of sports and tourism) 2003 - Awarded the rank- Master of sports in wrestling(by the Ministry of sports and tourism) Loads of info on him in the following links: http://www.banzuke.com/03-6/msg00171.html http://www.banzuke.com/03-5/msg00714.html http://www.banzuke.com/03-5/msg00735.html http://www.banzuke.com/04-2/msg00716.html Edited April 17, 2004 by Rijicho Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tikozan 4 Posted November 24, 2006 Thans for this great report and the photos. (Whistling...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Otokonoyama 2,735 Posted December 5, 2006 Another famous rikishi was Rikidozan, real name Kim Sin-Nakhttp://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/bios/...me/rikibio.html He reached Sekiwake, but his real fame came as the man who single-handedly made Pro-wrestling (Pro-resu) popular in Japan and was known as the "Father of Proresu". He kept his Korean heritage a secret, which was only revealed after his death. Some vintage pro-wrasslin' footage of Rikidozan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
