HAGUROYAMA MASAJI

'Haguroyama Masaji' (羽黒山 政司, November 18, 1914 - October 14 1969) was a sumo wrestler from Niigata, Japan. He was the sport's 36th ''yokozuna''.^[1] He was a ''yokozuna'' for a period of eleven years and nine months dating from his first tournament at that rank in January 1942 until his last in September 1953, which is an all-time record. During his career Haguroyama won seven top division championships and was runner-up on six other occasions. However, he was always in the shadow of his stablemate, Futabayama.

Contents

Career

Retirement from sumo

Top Division Record

Related articles

External Links

References

Career

Haguroyama made his professional debut in January 1934 at age 19 and reached the top ''makuuchi'' division in May 1937. After winning his first top division title in May 1941 he was promoted to ''yokozuna''. He did not, however, win another until May 1944. Upon the retirement of his great rival Futabayama in November 1945 he became dominant, winning four tournaments in a row. However in November 1947 he severed his Achilles tendon and was out of action until May 1949.^[2] He won his final championship in January 1952 at age 37 with a perfect 15-0 record. It was his first tournament win for five years. He retired in September 1953, when he was nearly 39.

Retirement from sumo

He married the daughter of his stablemaster, which enabled him to become head coach of Tatsunami stable after retiring from the ring. He produced ''ozeki'' Wakahaguro and several other top wrestlers. When he died in 1969 the title of Tatsunami Oyakata passed onto his son-in-law, former ''sekiwake'' Annenyama.

Top Division Record

Related articles

★ Glossary of sumo terms

★ List of sumo tournament winners

★ List of Yokozuna

External Links

Japan Sumo Association profile

References

1. The 36th Yokozuna Haguroyama Masaji
2. Takanohana is still star of the no-show