Best little man of all time?

[Ryukaze]

I havent been around too long but I really thought Mainoumi was awesome when he was active. He seemed so small compared to the other rikishi he had to face it made me wonder if they weren't just letting him beat them lol, (especially when he'd fight Konishiki! rediculous!)

Wakanohana (does he count?) is another all time fave, didnt look right the way he would just sling down opponents much bigger than him. And of course my current favorite "Kaiho" who boasts some of the most amazing technique of any active rikishi. You gotta love the smaller guys who can hold their own! mad props!! ;-)

[Naifuzan]

I remember when I first started watching sumo a couple of years ago Furuichi was in juryo.

I guess he wasnt that good, but he sure was little. Below 100kg I think. He was really fun to watch, I wish I could have seen more of him.

[aderechelsea]

I got into sumo for two reasons :

- Kaiho

- Musashimaru

the rest can be summarised in my signature ......

[Kaikitsune Makoto]

Mainoumi was awesome and incredibly fun to watch. Amazing how 100kg guy could have those bouts against Akebono and Konishiki. Only makuuchi rikishi who was really small even in normal standards, especially when he was under 100kg and so short. Kaiho, even Ama (over 115kg now I think), Aminishiki are all big guys in normal standards but Mainoumi was like a passer-by with some good trained muscle and truly small in ozumo.

Kaiho and Ama are both very entertaining and good rikishi. Kaiho has always been one of my favourites. He is also a rikishi with really outstanding physique. Muscular but not overly bulked, doesn't carry much excess fat and is very athletic. Ama is similar but also different due to his taller trunk.

[Mattjila]

This is one of the reasons I keep rooting for Kagaya, the current "Mainoumi II". I love all the kimarite he is, well, forced to use in order to win against larger opponents. Plus, I'll never get to see him in the match recaps until he makes Juryo. He's at Ms45w right now, so I'm hoping...

Edit to add: He is listed at 167.0cm and 93.9kg.

Edited March 1, 2005 by Mattjila

[Kashunowaka]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Terao!

[Zentoryu]

I gotta agree with Nishi. Terao was lean but I never considered him small, at least not by Mainoumi standards.

[bennyloh]

I have always enjoyed Ama's fight (besides Kaiho's-smaller guys). Ama's no pushover, he twists and turns his body because he is good on both left and right throws. This is his advantage over many bigger opponents.

[Kasugaran]

I always thought Chiyonofuji was small when I started watching so many years ago. I loved to see him throw those big guys all over the place. I think Terao can be considered a small guy too. Terao was tall, but no meat on the bones, in Sumo terms that equals small! I think Ama could be a good small guy too....

[Tomoe]

And I can't believe no one mentioned Kotonishiki and Takatoriki. Both were members of the "all time small but strong-Rikishi Club". (Shaking head...)

Especially Kotonishiki was incredible strong and achieved a lot despite his shortness (176 cm).

[Erkhembulgan]

But the best and the lightest rikishi today is Ama! But I think he is on his way to gain another 15 kgs. From former "lightweighters" Kotonishiki was the smartest...

Edited March 1, 2005 by Erkhembulgan

[Araiwa]

And I can't believe no one mentioned Kotonishiki and Takatoriki. Both were members of the "all time small but strong-Rikishi Club".

I think they cannot be considered little compared with Mainoumi. Kotonishiki won his first yusho in a match with small Mainoumi, he just annihilated him, great match...And also Takatoriki was 181cm and about 145kg.

Another little man to be mentioned should be the Sensei Tomonohana. There are a few matches of him on Dales site, one against Akebono. Of the current rikishi maybe Toyonoshima and Takekaze are quite small. But Takekaze weighs 140kg and Toyonoshima should also add some weight.

[Kashunowaka]

I gotta agree with Nishi. Terao was lean but I never considered him small, at least not by Mainoumi standards.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You are right. But he was lighter than most rikishi in makuuchi, so in a sense he was small. (Shaking head...)

[Odoriou]

Who's the 'little man' on this rather famous Konishiki picture? Does anyone know? (Shaking head...)

[Kintamayama]

Who's the 'little man' on this rather famous Konishiki picture? Does anyone know? (Shaking head...)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Akebono when he was little?

Edited March 1, 2005 by Kintamayama

[Jakusotsu]

Looks like Kaiho... (Shaking head...)

Seriously, it's the very same Mainoumi himself.

[Hakuyobaku]

I think that is Mainoumi he he

[Odoriou]

I found another version of this picture. From this angle it's clear to be seen, that it's Mainoumi indeed: (Shaking head...)

[Kintamayama]

I found another version of this picture. From this angle it's clear to be seen, that it's Mainoumi indeed: (Shaking head...)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, this one was taken after Konishiki ate Mainoumi.

Now-desert.

[Kashunowaka]

No, this one was taken after Konishiki ate Mainoumi.

Now-desert.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hence the sand.

[Mark Buckton]

considering the title, no names from the early Showa / Meiji era - few of the early yokozuna were tiny compared to nowadays weren't they?

[Mattjila]

Was that picture from the match that "ended" Mainoumi's career? The one where he beat Konishiki, but had him land on his leg (I think that's what happened)?

[Mark Buckton]

considering the title, no names from the early Showa / Meiji era - few of the early yokozuna were tiny compared to nowadays weren't they?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

and to prove the point - the official NSK listing of Yokozuna information has 3 at below 170cm and 4 at 110kgs or lower - the lightest being the 103Kg Tochigiyama (#27) ;-)

[bennyloh]

I have always enjoyed Ama's fight (besides Kaiho's-smaller guys). Ama's no pushover, he twists and turns his body because  he is good on both left and right throws. This is his advantage over many bigger opponents.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Last basho favourd fellow mongolian asassekiryu was in a right-cheek-to -right cheek crouch with Ama, there was a long lull, Asasekiryu shifted his head for a left cheek to Ama's left, discovered Ama was stronger that side and was thrown

[Kintamayama]

No, this one was taken after Konishiki ate Mainoumi.

Now-desert.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hence the sand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh..geez...I lost my ass..I mean "s"..

(Oops! )