55th All Japan

[Jonosuke 28]

The Emperor

Edited December 10, 2006 by Jonosuke

[Gacktoh 0]

歴代優勝者

1983( 58) 久嶋　啓太(新宮高３) →前頭久島海（出羽海）

1984(　59) 久嶋　啓太(日大１) →前頭久島海（出羽海）

1985(　60) 竹川　裕司(山梨県) →未入門

1986(　61) 安井　和男(東京都) →未入門

1987(　62) 山崎　直樹(日大３) →前頭大翔山（立浪）

1988(　63) 柳川　信行(南海中３) →十両増健（三保ヶ関）

1989(平 元) 成松　伸哉(山口県) →小結智乃花（立浪）

1990(　 ２) 栗本　剛(中大２) →十両武哲山（武蔵川）

1991(　 ３) 伊藤　勝人(大阪府) →未入門

1992(　 ４) 尾曽　武人(専大２) →大関武双山（武蔵川）

1993(　 ５) 禧久　昭広(鹿児島県) →未入門

1994(　 ６) 吉橋　宏之(日本通運) →未入門

1995(　 ７) 禧久　昭広(鹿児島県) →未入門

1996(　 ８) 田宮　啓司(日大２) →関脇琴光喜（佐渡ヶ嶽）

1997(　 ９) 田宮　啓司(日大３) →関脇琴光喜（佐渡ヶ嶽）

1998(　10) 加藤　精彦(日大４) →小結高見盛（東関）

1999(　11) 小山内貴久(青森県スポ振) →未入門

2000(　12) 内田　　水(日大２) →小結普天王（出羽海）

2001(　13) 三好　正人(近大４) →幕下朝陽丸（高砂）

2002(　14) 大西　雅継（日体大３） →前頭嘉風（尾車）

2003(　15) 加藤　耕市（静岡県） →未入門

2004(　16) 栂木　崇行（日本通 運） →未入門

2005(　17) 吉田　勝雄（日大４）→未入門

Sorry all in Japanese.

[Azumashida 1]

Thanks a lot for this presentation of the event! Absolutely invaluable! :-)

So Yamaguchi did not win the high school yokozuna this year, and he is not qualified for the All Japan either. Is he still held in high regards or was he just a precocious talent who may not have such a bright future?

Not qualified (due to lack of Sumo Renmei level recognition)

Lee Dae Won (Hotoku Gakuen 3rd Year) High School Yokozuna 2006.

May I ask what "lack of Sumo Renmei level recognition" means? I noticed this (Korean?) Lee Dae Won in your posts about high school competitions the previous years (from the same high school as Daishoyu, isn't he?) and he seems to have been one of the very best guys in high school for a couple of years... He's also extremely tall and quite heavy if I remember correctly...

Edited December 10, 2006 by Azumaryu

[ilovesumo 12]

It was an amazing day of Sumo for me, starting with keiko, the 55th and ending with meeting Kaiho, I mean KAIHO at the supermarket at Ryogoku... (Blushing...) :-P (Clapping wildly...) seeing him buying stuff, guess for his family cause he had his mobile in his hand was busy talking- guess to his wife telling him what's needed- it's so amazing to see a guy like him- for me especially him, the Rikishi I respect the most, doing so normal things like buying stuff in a supermarket... I just wanted to become (Bye, bye...) in that moment...

not to go :-) :

I went to the Kokugikan at about 4:30 pm. Saw the ticket was 3500 yen- eek, too much for me, so I just stood there writing mails with my mobile...hearing the scratching sound of a Rikishi getting nearer and nearer. I am too (Blushing...) to turn around, so I waited until he passed...Yoshikaze... looking like (Eh?) ...

Standing there was not so nice, it was cold, so I just took off for a walk. Met Kasuganishiki, gave him a nod, (Blushing...), after half an hour I was back to the Kokugikan. a gaijin just went in, passed the students checking the tickets without showing any ticket- so I went over and asked If I could do the same- and BINGO (Sign of approval) ( having again the scratching sound in my back making me rush)

Inside. The scratching was following me... :-O who...whooo? :-S in the last row of the first floor it stopped- standing beside me...Tokitenku (Blushing...) - I had no idea what to do, so I bowed...his face was telling something like (Eh?) + (Chucking salt...) + (Bye, bye...) + :-D + (Whistling...)

somehow scary...

he went on, greeting people he knew. Some well known faces.

After a while Kasugano Oyakata and Wakatoba stood 2 meters away from me.

I stood there and watched the bouts, hoping for Ichihara and Fukao- and they made it to the very final.

Ichihara won over Fukao, both Nichidai.

In the very end, the winners and "loosers" posed for a photo. I just went down and gave Ichihara a nod. He was crying cause he had done it, won it- all the pressure away-he nod back. :-) Pretty good guy I hope we will have him soon in Ozumo's first 2 Divisions.

Surprisingly no Kimigayo today...wonder why

Edited December 10, 2006 by ilovesumo

[Azumashida 1]

Thanks for the report! :-)

So I suppose that would make Ichihara Ms tsukedashi 10. Looking forward to more detailed results of course! :-D

[Kintamayama 45,539]

Ichihara beats Fukao, and yes, he is qualified to start at Makushita 10, the first one eligible since the rule change in 2001:

Edited December 10, 2006 by Kintamayama

[Gacktoh 0]

Ilovesumo-san

Have you seen Futeno ? He's been there today.

So I suppose that would make Ichihara Ms tsukedashi 10. Looking forward to more detailed results of course! :-)

I want to know more detailed results as well !

5 out of 8 Ichihara won by Hatakikomi. sounds bad to me.....

[Kintamayama 45,539]

High School student:

Takayuki Sakuma (Saitama Sakae High 3rd Year)

Level: 2 dan

World Junior, Kanazawa Open, Rookie Yusho.

186cm, 140kg. First appearance.

Made it to the final 8, beating some formidable college opponents. He will go on to Nichidai and plans to enter Sumo after that, in 4 years. "I've got 4 years to gambarize!!", he declared.

[ilovesumo 12]

Havn't seen him, but a few Rikishi sat at the other side, so it could have been him.

[Jonosuke 28]

Regarding high school students, Sakuma deserved to be there as he just about won all major high school tournaments this year except all important, All Japan High School Championships which Lee Dae Won won and was awarded High School Yokozuna. Sakuma was second after Lee. Masahiro Yamaguchi of Tottori Johoku High School did not place in Top 3 (not even sure if he participated).

Sakuma of Saitama Sakae High won the 90th High School Kanazawa Open on May 28 (Masahiro Yamaguchi was the second), the 57th All Japan Rookie Tournament (Yamaguchi was third) held on March 19, the 7th World Junior held in Estonia on August 26 (Open Class), the 55th Towada High School Tournament held on August 15 (Yamaguchi did not place), the first All Japan Junior Weight Class Open (over 100 kg, Yamaguchi was second again).

Getting back to Lee, he is in his third year at sumo elite school, Hotoku Gakuen in Hyogo and is from Amagasaki City Kyoto Prefecture. He started serious sumo training from Grade 5 elementary school. He entered Hotoku Gekuen Middle School and is graduating from Hotoku High next spring.

He is 193 cm tall and currently weighs 165 kg and is being seen to possess sound basic skills as well as power. So far he has shown great promise and potentials.

The reason he could not enter the All Japan this year was because he lacks a level of 2 Dan which Japan Sumo Association mandates for a minimum entry level for high school students at the All Japan. Just like judo and karate, the Japan Sumo Association provides Level System for its member rikishis. I believe he just did not bother to apply for one.

He will be joining in Kasugano beya to start Maezumo at the Hatsu basho.

"I believe he is already feeling like a pro so he did not look like he was all that interested in participating in All Japan. He will be coming over to stay with us on December 16," Kasugano oyakata said.

One additional thing, Sakuma is planning to go to Nihon University rather than joining Ozumo after his graduation.

Edited December 10, 2006 by Jonosuke

[Azumashida 1]

Thanks for a wealth of information on the young high school phenoms! I suppose Lee is a Japanese since Kasugano beya already have Tochinoshin. Looks as though they could have 7 or 8 sekitori fairly soon - although they have some aging rikishi and Kimurayama just had a major setback, kyujo as he was at the Kyushu basho...

As for Yamaguchi, he still has one year to go in high school, doesn't he? Perhaps he had some injury problems this year?... Well, no use to speculate too much of course...

[madorosumaru 7]

Here is a feature with photos on Hotoku High sumo club on the webpages of Hyogo Prefecture's Sun TV. Photo #1 is of Lee Dae Won in class. #2 & #3 show the coach directing keiko. #4 is Lee again. #5 is a second-year student named Hashimoto Seiya, who was "junior high yokozuna" while at Hotoku's junior high school. #6 shows more keiko. #7 is another team leader, Shimako Takashi, who despite his size (85 kg), defeated Lee to win a Hyogo Pref. High School Sumo Tournament.

[Jonosuke 28]

I don't know how long it stays up there but on NHK's website, you can view a brief video report on Ichihara's bouts.

There is one obvious tachiai henka that went wrong which is kind of interestting to watch.

Here's the link and you click Real Audio or Media Player's speed button.

When you look at some of these Nichi-dai guys, you know they can compete at Makushita level without any problem.

Incidentally Ichihara is written 市原.

Edited December 10, 2006 by Jonosuke

[ilovesumo 12]

When you look at some of these Nichi-dai guys, you know they can compete at Makushita level without any problem.

Yes, but I would name only Ichihara at the Moment.

For Fukao...I don't want to say he is bad, but he gained tooo much wight and had the luck of the whole planet today cause there was a rematch like in the all Japan student's tournament a few weeks ago. He did loose from my point of view...the Gyoji gave it to him, must have been Isami Ashi or so...

lucky lucky guy.

Impressive was the guy from Nogyoudaigaku again, must be the one Moti mentioned. I see this one more in Ozumo then Fukao.

Still thinking Yoshida should have turned pro...

[Azumashida 1]

I don't know how long it stays up there but on NHK's website, you can view a brief video report on Ichihara's bouts.

Excellent! Well the the two hatakikomi we see there were really "dominant" ones, he was really in control - and eventually had no problem whatsoever in getting Fukao out (and down) in the final. Looked like a very convincing performance to me!

edit: BTW is it Yamamoto who gets okuridashied by a tiny guy in the third bout we see there? If that's him, then he indeed faces troubles when attacked from the side...

Edited December 10, 2006 by Azumaryu

[Kintamayama 45,539]

Still Ichihara:

[yamaneko 2]

How did koichi Kato do? That guy is a beast...has dominated all at US Open last few years.

Fukao does look much bigger and clumsy as when i saw him last year on ESPN/Madison Square Garden. (notice how they didnt mark that he went yusho at that event, even though they did mention others winning US Open)

How many guys mentioned in this thread have committed to a heya already other than lee? Any of them?

[Jonosuke 28]

Final Round results:

Quarter Final

----------------

Masuda (Kinki University) over Sakuma (Saitama Sakae High) by yoritaoshi

Ichihara (Nihon University) over Tomita (Sankei Soil Company) by uwatenage

Morishita(Tokyo Nogyo University) over Aoki (Kinki University) by yorikiri

Fukao (Nihon University) over Kato (Yaizu City Hall) by yoritaoshi

Semi-Final

------------

Ichihara (Nihon 4th Year) over Masuda (Kinki 4th Year) by hatakikomi

Fukao (Nihon 3rd Year) over Morishita (Tokyo Nogyo 4th) by yorikiri

Final

------

Takayuki ICHIHARA over Mitsuhiko FUKAO by yoritaoshi

Last year 4th year Nichidai guy Yoshida Katsuo beat third year Nichidai guy Ichihara. This year 4th year Nichidai Ichihara beat third year Fukao. And the next year we may see 4th year Nichidai Fukao facing 3rd year Nichidai kid Kimura Yu and so it goes. .

Edited December 11, 2006 by Jonosuke

[Jonosuke 28]

More on Ichihara:

Ichihara:

"(To become pro) is my dream. But so far I haven't thought about too much. I'd like to talk to my manager (Tanaka) first."

"I really wanted to be College Yokozuna. I couldn't realize it but I have become Amateur Yokozuna so I am very happy."

Nichidai Sumo Club manager Tanaka:

"I know he won five matches by hatakikomi. But the reason it works so well for him is because his push is so powerful. There is nothing wrong with it as it's his best move."

Takayuki Ichihara

----------------------------

Nihon University 4th Year

Born: August 16, 1984 22 years old.

From: Nakamura-ward Nagoya City.

182 cm, 165 kg.

Started sumo when he was in grade 2 at Hassya Elementary School.

Became Middle School Yokozuna while attending Mita Middle School in Nagoya

Recruited by Sumo Director Michinori Yamada of Saitama Sakae High School and became High School Yokozuna and then joined Nihon University Sumo Club..

Missed becoming College Yokozuna when he lost to his teammate Mori at the All Japan College/University Championships held last month.

Won Japan Games Adult A to earn Makushita Tsukedashi 15 ranking and earned Makushita Tsukedashi 10 ranking by winning his second prestigeous championship at the All Japan.

Including All Japan, he accumulated 11 national level sumo tournament yushos during his college years.

Has an older and younger sister and older brother with father Torao, 60, and mother Chiyoko, 58.

[Mark Buckton 1]

It was an amazing day of Sumo for me, starting with keiko, the 55th and ending with meeting Kaiho, I mean KAIHO at the supermarket at Ryogoku... (Holiday feeling...) (Holiday feeling...)

I went to the Kokugikan at about 4:30 pm. Saw the ticket was 3500 yen- eek, too much for me, so I just stood there writing mails with my mobile...

nice post V but this is when you've got to call around in advance of these things. Some tickets are priced too high - especially given the amateur status and sadly I had to let a free pair go in the recycling as I couldn't get along myself. Was here instead - THE best gardens in Tokyo - big enough to spend a few hours in and free to boot.

Anybody know?

[madorosumaru 7]

Was here instead - THE best gardens in Tokyo - big enough to spend a few hours in and free to boot.

Anybody know?

The nicest park in Tokyo is Arisugawa Park in Azabu.

[Jonosuke 28]

In the next couple of bashos, we will be seeing an impressive list of college-grad rikishis debuting in Ozumo.

Some of these guys competed at the All Japan just concluded will undoubtedly become a future Kotomitsuki, Kakizoe or Dejima.

Both Ichihara and Mori have more raw power and techniques than Shimoda who received Makushita Tsukedashi 15 ranking previously and came close to the Juryo promotion.

In case of Ichihara at Makushita Tsukedashi 10, the Kyokai cannot come up some lame excuse like Makushita Tsukedashi 15 does not mean it's actually 15. So if he wins all 7 bouts then he will definitely be on to sekitorihood. The only thing is that it may take quite some time to grow his hair long enough to get an Oi-cho.

And Mori is as capable as Ichiraha to climb up the ranks quickly. Mori can easily compete at the level of high Makushita rankings and at this stage I consider him to be ahead of Shimoda was when he joined.

Two other Nichi-dai boys Ryuichi Yamamoto and Takayuki Minami will be starting from Mae-zumo and should have no trouble progressing through to Makushita by this time next year.

The four will likely land in ex-Nichidai heyas like Onoe, Oitekaza and Dewanoumi.

Two guys from Tokyo Nogyo University, Hiroaki Tanaka and Yuya Morishita are drawing considrable attentions from many oyakatas especially Tanaka. Tanaka has been sensational throughout the year, winning national tournaments or placing in top three. Though he did not show well at this All Japan, many consider him to be one of the most talented amateur rikishis around and talk highly of his characater and work ethics. Morishita may not be a stud like Ichihara or Mori but he played an important role in keeping Tokyo Nogyo's sumo club as sharp as any other. Morishita has consistently been a top finisher for the club throughout his college years.

Both will likely end up in Tokitsukaze if the past history is any indication and will start their Maezumo in Haru basho.

Not as well considered as those in East Japan, Takeru Okuya and Ryuji Masuda compiled stellar records in Western Japan College tournaments. Okuya has been a great high school rikishi at Saitama Sakae.

Both will probably start their Maezumo from Takasago beya either at Hatsu or Haru basho.

It will be really interesting to follow their Ozumo career as we may even see all of them competing in Maegashira ranks in several years time if not much much sooner.

[Jonosuke 28]

It's now reported that Takayuki Ichihara will be joining Kise beya on December 16.

I figure he will go to one of ex-Nichi-dai guys placed but I forgot about Kise. Ex-maegashira Higonoumi, now Kise oyakata, is a Nichidai grad.

So the first shoe dropped.

The next is whither Mori goes. Aside from the aforementioned Onoe, Dewanoumi, Oitekaze and Kise, other could be Tagonoura or Irumagawa. All headed by ex-Nichidai oyakata or tradtionally Nichidai friendly.

Edited December 12, 2006 by Jonosuke

[Jakusotsu 6,051]

Would be nice if Kise-beya recruited a future Sekitori in Ichihara. I always had a soft spot for the struggling heya since Higonoumi took over. It usually appears quite low on Naganoyama's Heya Watch threads.

[ilovesumo 12]

Anybody able to go there and watch?