TaihÅ KÅki
Taiho Kōki (Japanese大鹏 幸喜; born 29 May 1940 Shikuka (now Poronaisk ) as Naya Kōki (纳 谷 幸喜); † January 19, 2013 in Tokyo ) was one of the most important Japanese sumo wrestler of the post-war period. He was 1.87 meters tall and weighed as an active wrestler about 153 kg.
Taiho was next Kitanoumi Toshimitsu and Chiyonofuji Mitsugu to the three major Yokozuna, which until the 1980s, certain and who all came sumo wrestling of the 1960s from the island of Hokkaidō. Although originated Taiho not native from there, but was taken as a child with his parents (father Ukrainians, Japanese mother ) arrived in Hokkaidō when the Japanese occupied island of Sakhalin had fallen against the war on the USSR.
1956 joined Taiho whose nom "big Peng " ( often translated as Phoenix ) means, for the first time for the Nishonoseki - Beya and was appointed in 1961 for the 48th Yokozuna ( the age record of 21 years, the Taiho aufstellte thus, undercutting Kitanoumi 1974 a month). Taiho was far superior to his time most of his opponents and could, for example, so far the only yokozuna in postwar history twice six basho in a row decide for themselves. Likewise sensational was his fight record, which lists about four times as many victories as defeats. With 32 victories, he holds the record for the most tournament wins in the Makuuchi division. 8 tournaments he was able to win with a 15-0 record. 1971 Taiho different from active sports. His career was overshadowed by serious health problems, culminating in a stroke he suffered three years after his retirement at the age of just 35 years.
In his retirement from active sports Taiho was granted as the first rikishi a non unit-linked membership in the Japanese Sumōverband. He founded the stable Taiho - Beya, which he led until 2004, when he handed it to his son-in Otake Tadashige. In 2000, Taiho came with a special ceremony to mark the 60th birthday of a former yokozuna, the Kanreki dohyo - iri, once again in the ring. In 2005 he finally took his leave due to age out of business. He died in 2013 in a hospital in Tokyo.