Musashimaru KÅyÅ
Musashimaru Koyo ( born May 2, 1971, Samoa), Japanese武 蔵 丸 光 洋, actually Fiamalu Penitani, was the second foreigner ever reached the rank of yokozuna in Japanese sumo wrestling.
The young Penitani reached the age of 10 to Hawaii, where he was so successful at the high school as a wrestler in the Greco-Roman style, that he made up a professional career in the eye. He went to Japan adopted a Japanese name, and began 1989 with the sumo wrestling. In 1991 he became a professional athlete in Ringer stable Musashigawa - Beya the former yokozuna Mienoumi. In 1996 he took on the Japanese citizenship.
Musashimarus fighting weight of 223 kg and 230 kg at the end, combined with its superior especially by Japanese standards body length of 191 cm, made him a formidable opponent. Musashimarus resemblance to the samurai warrior and admired as a hero Saigo Takamori did the rest, in order to multiply the number of his fans. Musashimaru quickly rose in the hierarchy of sumo and presented with 52 consecutive tournaments with kachi - koshi (more victories than defeats) a record. However, this was not enough to earn the title of yokozuna, and so received in 1993, the Hawaiians Akebono, the first non - Japanese this award and thus made history. Only in 1999 could follow suit Musashimaru and was appointed to the 67th yokozuna.
Throughout his career Musashimaru won twelve league titles the top division (and thus a more than Akebono ). With over 700 won fights he is one of the five fighters with the most wins.
In November 2003 Musashimaru announced because of a chronic injury to his left wrist to his resignation. On 2 October 2004 he officially ended his career. He has since worked as a trainer in Musashigawa - Beya. Upon the expiry of his special permission to continue his previous Ringer name as Oyakatatitel, he borrowed the Furiwake share, which at that time owned by the still active wrestler Takamisakari was, so he could continue to belong to the Sumōverband. From October 2009, he held the name Furiwake, then from August 2012 onwards the name Oshima, until it finally from February 2013 the famous name Musashigawa his former equerry assumed, under which he again Heya opened. The former Musashigawa - Beya was renamed in 2010 with the takeover by Musōyama to Fujishima - Beya.
Musashimaru Koyo and his colleagues Akebono sumo - taro and Konishiki Yasokichi be celebrated in Israel Kamakawiwooles song " Tengoku Kara Kaminari ( Gentle Giants ) ."
Fighting Style
Musashimaru initially fought frequently with impact and shock techniques such as Oshi - dashi and tsuki - dashi. Over time, he has also become an experienced user Yotsu - Sumō and could apply equally both directions.
Battle statistics
Updated in February 2013.