Takanohana Kōji

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貴 乃 花 光 司
Takanohana Kōji
Takanohana Kōji at the Osaka Honbasho 2005
Personal data
real name Hanada Kōji
Born August 12, 1972
place of birth Tokyo
size 1.85 m
Weight 150 kg
Career
Heya Futagoyama
Career record 794–262–201
701–217–201 (makuuchi)
debut March 1988
Highest rank Yokozuna
Tournament victories 22nd
resignation January 2003

Takanohana Kōji ( Japanese 貴 乃 花 光 司 ), civil: Kōji Hanada ( 花田 光 司 , Hanada Kōji ; * August 12, 1972 in Tokyo ) is a former yokozuna and the younger son of the late sumo wrestler Takanohana Kenshi .

Takanohana, a member of the famous Hanada sumo family, learned the craft of sumo like his brother Wakanohana Masaru in his father's heya . With a weight of up to 150 kg and a height of 1.85 m, he was slightly taller and heavier than his brother. After the introduction of the two to the professional sumo in March 1988, Takanohana, who at that time still fought under the name Takahanada, achieved a rapid rise through the ranks: He was the youngest rikishi to ever fight in the Jūryō division, the youngest fighter ever known in the Makuuchi division and the youngest tournament winner in history. The last time he became the youngest Ōzeki to date was in January 1993, when he was given his father's battle name ( Shikona ), which means 'noble flower'. After that, his previously steep career slowed down somewhat. It was not until November 1994 that Takanohana was promoted to the 65th yokozuna after winning two tournaments in a row .

In 1992 and 1994 to 1997 Takanohana was the most successful makuuchi wrestler, after which he slacked off because of health problems.

His 22nd and last tournament victory in May 2001 in Tokyo can certainly be seen as a great achievement. In the fight against Musōyama he injured his knee and appeared with visible problems in the later play-off against Musashimaru . Takanohana won this fight, but this victory resulted in a year-out because of this injury. Although Takanohana managed a successful 12-3 comeback at the 2002 fall tournament, his injury misery did not end, whereupon he announced his resignation during the 2003 New Year's tournament.

Takanohana was one of the three wrestlers who were allowed to keep their fight name when they joined the sumo association after their active career . As Takanohana Oyakata, he took over his father's stable in 2004 (formerly Futagoyama-beya).

Fighting style

Takanohana fought mainly with techniques of Yotsu-sumo, that is, he mainly used fighting techniques with a grip on the Mawashi. Similar to Asashōryū later , he was able to change his fighting style or his techniques very quickly and adapt to the circumstances.

Private

In 1992, Takanohana was temporarily engaged to actress Miyazawa Rie .

Web links

Commons : Takanohana Kōji  - collection of images, videos and audio files