Akinoshima Katsumi
Japanese sumo wrestler / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Akinoshima?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Akinoshima Katsumi (born 16 March 1967 as Katsumi Yamanaka) is a former sumo wrestler from Akitsu, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1982, and after reaching the top division in 1988 he remained there for 15 years. His highest rank was sekiwake. He was known as the "giant killer" having defeated more yokozuna than any other untitled wrestler (maegashira) in the history of sumo, earning himself 16 gold stars or kinboshi over his career, four more than his nearest kinboshi earning rivals, Takamiyama and Tochinonada. He also has received 19 performance prizes (sanshō), another record in sumo history.
Akinoshima Katsumi | |
---|---|
安芸乃島 勝巳 | |
Personal information | |
Born | Katsumi Yamanaka (1967-03-16) 16 March 1967 (age 57) Hiroshima, Japan |
Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
Weight | 158 kg (348 lb) |
Career | |
Stable | Futagoyama |
Record | 822-757-78 |
Debut | March, 1982 |
Highest rank | Sekiwake (May, 1989) |
Retired | May, 2003 |
Elder name | Takadagawa |
Championships | 1 (Jūryō) 1 (Makushita) 1 (Jonidan) |
Special Prizes | Outstanding Performance (7) Fighting Spirit (8) Technique (4) |
Gold Stars | 16 Chiyonofuji (4) Hokutoumi (4) Asahifuji (4) Ōnokuni (2) Akebono Musashimaru |
* Up to date as of July 2007. |
Akinoshima was a member of Futagoyama stable and was a stablemate of the wrestling brothers Takanohana II and Wakanohana III during their rise in sumo and subsequent yokozuna reigns. Akinoshima was a wrestler always capable of surprise wins, but lacked consistency, spending most of his career as a maegashira. After his retirement in 2003 he became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association and in 2009 he became head coach of the Takadagawa stable.