Kagamisato Kiyoji
Kagamisato Kiyoji (Japanese镜 里 喜 代 治, born April 30, 1923 in Sannohe, Aomori Prefecture as Okuyama Kiyoji (奥 山 喜 世 治), † 29 February 2004 in Tokyo ) was a Japanese sumo wrestler. He was 1953-1958 42nd Yokozuna.
Kagamisato was as " full moon of the fight ring " known what was referring to his impressive belly, which he used well to push opponents out of the ring. As a young fighter still experimenting with Tsuppari ( striking techniques ), he developed over time be Yotsu - sumo. With 1.74 m body length, it was not particularly large, but the approximately 160 kg, and he reached in the course of his career, made him a serious wrestler. He was known by the public as a quiet man of particular moral integrity.
Kagamisato, who grew up as an orphan with his mother in a poor family, was due to its striking body size during a jungyo ( tour of sumo wrestlers ) discovered by the former ozeki Kagamiiwa and invited to Tokyo. After initial disinterest came Kagamisato, then called Okuyama Kiyoji, three years later in the newly founded Ringer stable Kumegawa - Beya the now active as equerry Kagamiiwa. In January 1941 Kagamisato took part in a sumo tournament for the first time.
1942 Kumegawa Oyakata came with his wrestlers in a newly created Heya Futabayama of yokozuna. Here, in the later Tokitsukaze - Beya, enjoyed Kagamisato, although only a beginner in professional sports, the personal instructions of the Grand Master, whom he greatly admired throughout his life and with whom he worked until his active time together beyond. Thus equipped Kagamisato won first tournament victory in the Jonidan Division ( January 1942 ) and the Sandanme Division ( January 1943 ). In May 1943 his name appeared for the first time in the ranking of makushita Division; the young Kagamisato was thus arrived just below the prestigious ( and financially much more lucrative ) sekitori leagues. However, a training knee injury stopped his progress for the time being, by her account cashed a make- koshi.
Since Japan was at war, this delay also had an impact outside the sumo world. All wrestlers who did not belong to the prestigious top two divisions were drafted into the Army in 1944. His military time spent Kagamisato as his heya colleagues in a transport unit of the 69th Army regiment in Haratsuka. In June 1945 he was again in a tournament and reached with a 3 -2- kachi- koshi a result that was enough to finally be promoted to juryo Division. After another excellent results the Banzuke ( ranking) led him in June 1947 for the first time as a wrestler the Makuuchi division, the highest class of Japanese Profisumō.
In October 1949, Kagamisato took second place in the tournament, during which he First prize maegashira the East group, ie the highest -rated fighter of his rank, both the reigning yokozuna Azumafuji and the former ozeki Chiyonoyama ( Yokozuna 1951-59 ) defeated. This performance earned him the first time in the history of the two special prizes for Fighting Spirit or special performance at the same time as well as the promotion to sekiwake omitting the normally obligatory komusubi - rank.
In 1951 he received - allegedly for their own surprise - the promotion to ozeki. After six tournaments this rank he won with 14-1 the January tournament in 1953, in which all four active yokozuna such poor results achieved, which permeated the Sumōverband against the resistance of yokozuna - appointed Council transportation Kagamisatos because the yokozuna rank in the eyes the officials with younger wrestlers should be "refreshed ". In fact, had already been more than ten years in office with Haguroyama and retired after this tournament Terukuni two of the then Grand Master.
As Yokozuna was Kagamisato Although never as popular as his colleagues Tochinishiki, Chiyonoyama or Wakanohana I.; he was less interviews and was known as a quiet and disciplined. But against all three mentioned Yokozuna he could have positive balance sheets, as in January 1958 tournament he announced his resignation in the middle of the end of the current Basho. In 38 tournaments in the Makuuchi he had experienced 360 163 defeats in 28 fights he did not compete. Compared to his coach, he explained the decision with growing problems with his right knee.
After the end of the wrestlers career Kagamisato worked as a trainer in Tokitsukaze - Beya, which he, however, after the death Futabayamas / Tokitsukaze Oyakatas and an interlude left as equerry and the Tatsutagawa - Beya founded his own Ringer stable, but in his time brought forth no top contender. In April 1988, he went because he reached the age limit of the Association, to retire. Although he was instructed by a stroke on a wheelchair and into old age remained very overweight, he lived fifteen years and reached the second highest of all age yokozuna in history before he died in 2004.