Hakuhō Shō: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 10:23, 28 November 2009
| Hakuhō Shō | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal information | |
| Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) |
| Weight | 153 kg (337 lb; 24.1 st) |
| Career | |
| Stable | Miyagino |
| Current rank | Yokozuna |
| Record | 474-142-21 |
| Debut | March, 2001 |
| Highest rank | Yokozuna (May, 2007) |
| Championships | 11 (Makuuchi) 1 (Jūryō) |
| Special Prizes | Outstanding Performance (3) Fighting Spirit (1) Technique (2) |
| Gold Stars | 1 (Asashōryū) |
| * Up to date as of Sep 2009. | |
Hakuhō Shō (白鵬翔, born March 11, 1985 as Mönkhbatyn Davaajargal, Template:Lang-mn) is a professional sumo wrestler (rikishi) from Ulan Bator, Mongolia. Making his debut in March 2001, he reached the top makuuchi division in May 2004. On May 30, 2007 at the age of 22 he became the second native of Mongolia, and the fourth non-Japanese overall, to be promoted to the highest rank in sumo, yokozuna. He has won eleven yusho or tournament championships to date, second only to his yokozuna rival (and fellow Mongolian) Asashōryū amongst active wrestlers.
Early career
Like many of his countrymen in professional sumo, Hakuhō belongs to a family in the Mongolian wrestling tradition. His father Jigjidiin Mönkhbat won a silver medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1968 Summer Olympics.[1] Davaajargal did not however have any formal training in Mongolian wrestling himself, as his father wished him to try other sports, and he concentrated on basketball as a child instead.[1] However, at an early age he would be seen reading sumo magazines, and when his father asked him why he liked sumo so much, he responded by saying he wanted to be as big as a sumo wrestler one day. At that time he was considered below average in size.
He came to Japan in October 2000 when he was fifteen years old, invited by pioneering Mongolian rikishi Kyokushūzan.[2] Weighing only 62 kg (137 lb), no sumo training stable (heya) was prepared to accept him. Hearing this, Kyokushūzan asked heya master Miyagino Oyakata to intercede, and Davaajargal was accepted to Miyagino stable on the last day of his two-month stay in Japan, December 24 2000. He was given the ring name (shikona) Hakuhō, with haku meaning "white" and hō meaning "phoenix" (or more literally the Chinese mythological bird "Peng"). His ring name was named after former yokozuna Taihō Kōki.[3]
Hakuhō made his professional debut at the March tournament (honbasho) in Osaka in 2001. Despite having no previous wrestling experience, as his weight increased he steadily rose in the ranks, reaching the second highest jūryō division in January 2004, and the top makuuchi division in May of the same year. In his very first top-division tournament, he scored twelve wins against three losses and was awarded a special prize (sanshō) for Fighting Spirit. He also enjoyed great success in subsequent tournaments, winning a gold star (kinboshi) for defeating Yokozuna Asashōryū in November 2004 while still at the lowest makuuchi rank of maegashira. This tournament also saw him finish as runner-up for the first time. He achieved a rapid promotion to the rank of komusubi in January 2005 and sekiwake only one tournament later. His progress was delayed by an injury which forced him to take leave (zen-kyu) from the Nagoya tournament in 2005.
Ōzeki promotion came in March 2006 after a 13-2 record, which included a playoff for the championship (which he lost to Asashōryū) and also earned him two special prizes for Outstanding Performance and Technique.[4] This gave him a three tournament record of 35 wins against ten losses. His promotion was confirmed just a few weeks after his twenty-first birthday, making him the fourth youngest wrestler to reach ōzeki in modern sumo history.[5]
Ōzeki
At his first tournament as ōzeki in May 2006, with Asashōryū absent, Hakuhō won his first championship (yūshō) with a 14-1 record, defeating Miyabiyama in another playoff.[5] After another strong performance (13-2) in July, in which he finished as runner-up to Asashōryū and defeated him on the final day, Hakuhō flirted with promotion to yokozuna,[6] but an uncharacteristically poor 8-7 showing in September shelved such early hopes.[7] An injury sustained in training prevented him from participating in the November tournament,[8] putting him at risk for demotion (kadoban) in January 2007, when he scored a respectable ten wins on his return to the ring.
Promotion to Yokozuna
In March 2007 Hakuhō won his second championship in Osaka[9] and a third championship in the very next tournament in May, with a perfect 15-0 record.[10] Winning two consecutive championships satisfies the de facto minimum requirements for promotion to the top rank in sumo. On the day following the tournament, the Yokozuna Deliberation Council unanimously recommended his promotion to yokozuna[11] which was formally announced by the Japan Sumo Association on May 30, 2007.[12] He performed his inaugural ring-entering ceremony (dohyo-iri) at the Meiji Shrine (in the lesser-used Shiranui style) on June 1. He performed the ceremony at the Kokugikan during Kyokushuzan's retirement ceremony (danpatsu-shiki) on June 2.[13]
Yokozuna
2007
Hakuhō's first tournament as a yokozuna was in July 2007. His 25 match winning streak was brought to an end by Kotomitsuki on the 10th day, and further losses to Kotoōshū and Chiyotaikai put him out of contention for the title. He finished the tournament with an 11-4 record.
Hakuhō's first tournament championship as a yokozuna came in September 2007 with a 13-2 record, triumphing over Chiyotaikai on the last day. Fellow Mongolian Kyokutenhō was runner-up in this basho. His second title as a yokozuna, and fifth overall, came in the following tournament in November with a 12-3 score. He lost to Kotomitsuki on the final day but the championship had already been decided earlier in the day when his only challenger Chiyotaikai pulled out through injury. His yokozuna rival Asashōryū missed both these tournaments through suspension.
2008
In the January 2008 tournament, he faced the returning Asashōryū on the final day with both wrestlers having a 13-1 score. In a bout lasting nearly a minute, Hakuho defeated Asashōryū, winning his 6th championship with a 14-1 record. In the March 2008 tournament the two yokozuna met once again to decide the title and this time Asashōryū got his revenge, with Hakuhō finishing as runner-up.
In the May 2008 tournament, he won his first nine consecutive bouts. On the 10th day, however, he lost to Ama for the fourth time in their last five meetings, injuring his ankle as a result. Subsequent losses to Kotoōshū (the eventual winner of the tournament) and Kotomitsuki put him out of contention for the championship. He finished on 11-4, losing to Asashōryū on the final day in a match that sparked controversy after the two yokozuna nearly came to blows when Asashōryū gave Hakuhō an extra shove after the bout was over.[14] Both wrestlers were given a warning over their conduct by the Japan Sumo Association.[14]
In July 2008, he won his 7th championship without a serious challenge, securing victory by the 13th day: the first time this had been achieved since January 2005.[15] He finished the tournament unbeaten; his second zensho-yusho. Although he lost on day five of the September tournament, he still dominated all other opponents and secured another championship on the 14th day.[16] He finished the tournament with a 14-1 record.
In the November tournament, Hakuhō lost his opening bout to Aminishiki and his 12th day bout to Ama, both opponents hailing from Isegahama stable. Both Hakuhō and Ama finished with a 13-2 record and the eventual play-off was won by Hakuhō, handing him his 4th yusho of the season and ninth in total.
2009
In the January 2009 tournament Hakuhō defeated Asashōryū on the final day in their first meeting since May, handing his fellow yokozuna his first defeat of the tournament and leaving both men with identical 14-1 records. Hakuhō was however beaten in the subsequent playoff.[17] Hakuho defeated Asashōryū again in the March tournament, this time capping off an undefeated 15-0 championship, his third zensho-yusho and his tenth championship overall.
In May he extending his winning run to 33 regulation bouts, the best since Asashōryū's 35 in 2004, until he was defeated by Kotoōshū on Day 14. He recovered to beat Asashōryū on Day 15 to finish at 14-1, but he lost the playoff bout to Harumafuji who claimed his first championship.
In July he won his eleventh championship, finishing one win ahead of Kotoōshū with another 14-1 score. He almost pulled off his twelfth championship in the following September tournament. One win behind Asashōryū for most of the tournament after giving away his first kinboshi in a year (to Shotenro) he forced a playoff by beating his rival on the final day, but then lost in the succeeding playoff bout. This was a very similar scenario to his loss to Asashōryū in the preceding January tournament. Regardless of this loss, he still managed to become the first makuuchi wrestler ever to win fourteen or more bouts in five consecutive tournaments.[18] He also became the first wrestler ever to lose three makuuchi playoffs in one year.[19] After the tournament he was diagnosed with ligament damage in his left elbow; however surgery was not required.[20]
Fighting style
Hakuho has a straightforward but effective style, reminiscent of yokozuna Takanohana.[21] He mostly employs yotsu-sumo or grappling techniques as opposed to thrusting. He says he does not have a special or favourite kimarite, and that "the only thing I am very good at is yorikiri (force-out)".[1] This technique, the most common kimarite in sumo, is used by Hakuhō to win 28% of his matches.[22] He favours the migi-yotsu position, meaning his right hand is inside and his left hand is outside his opponent's arms, and he has become famous for his left hand inside grip.[23] He also regularly employs uwate-nage, or outer-arm throw. While meeting foreign journalists in April 2009 Hakuhō said he was studying the techniques of the 35th Yokozuna Futabayama, a wrestler whom he greatly admires, in particular his approach to the tachi-ai or initial charge.[1]
Family
In February, 2007, Hakuhō married a 22 year-old university student in Tokyo after a three-year relationship. The couple welcomed a daughter in May, 2007, and a son in September, 2008.[24]
Top division record
| Year | January Hatsu basho, Tokyo |
March Haru basho, Osaka |
May Natsu basho, Tokyo |
July Nagoya basho, Nagoya |
September Aki basho, Tokyo |
November Kyūshū basho, Fukuoka |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | x | x | East Maegashira #16 12–3 F |
East Maegashira #8 11–4 |
Maegashira #3 8–7 |
West Maegashira #1 12–3 O★ |
| 2005 | West Komusubi 11–4 T |
West Sekiwake 8–7 |
East Sekiwake 9–6 |
East Sekiwake 6–3–6 |
West Maegashira #1 9–6 |
West Komusubi 9–6 |
| 2006 | West Sekiwake 13–2 O |
East Sekiwake 13–2–P OT |
West Ōzeki 14–1–P |
East Ōzeki 13–2 |
East Ōzeki 8–7 |
Sat out due to injury 0–0–15 |
| 2007 | West Ōzeki 10–5 |
West Ōzeki 13–2–P |
East Ōzeki 15–0 |
West Yokozuna 11–4 |
West Yokozuna 13–2 |
East Yokozuna 12–3 |
| 2008 | East Yokozuna 14–1 |
East Yokozuna 12–3 |
West Yokozuna 11–4 |
West Yokozuna 15–0 |
East Yokozuna 14–1 |
East Yokozuna 13–2–P |
| 2009 | East Yokozuna 14–1–P |
West Yokozuna 15–0 |
East Yokozuna 14–1–P |
East Yokozuna 14–1 |
East Yokozuna 14–1–P |
West Yokozuna – |
| Record given as wins–losses–absences Top division champion Top division runner-up Retired Lower divisions Non-participation Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique Also shown: ★=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s) |
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See also
References
- ^ a b c d Coskrey, Jason (19 April 2009). "Hakuho remains student of sumo despite success". Japan Times. Retrieved 30 April 2009.
- ^ "GRAPPLING FOR THE TOP SPOT". Trends In Japan. 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "大鵬の納谷氏が白鵬に「喝」入れる" (in Japanese). Nikkan sports. 2008-05-06. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
- ^ "Asashoryu beats Hakuho for 16th Cup". Japan Times. 27 March 2006. Retrieved 19 Oct 2009.
- ^ a b "Mongolian Hakuho claims first Emperor's Cup". Japan Times. 22 May 2006. Retrieved 19 Oct 2009.
- ^ "Hakuho beats Asa, denied promotion". Japan Times. 24 July 2006. Retrieved 19 Oct 2009.
- ^ "Asa finishes strong". Japan Times. 25 Sept 2006. Retrieved 19 Oct 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ ""Hakuho out of Kyushu tourney"". The Japan Times Online. 2006-10-10. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
- ^ ""Hakuho stuns Asa to win tourney"". The Japan Times Online. 2007-03-26. Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ ""Undefeated Hakuho dominates Asashoryu"". Japan Times. 2007-05-28. Retrieved 2007-07-18.
- ^ Kyodo News (2007-05-29). ""Hakuho to receive promotion"". The Japan Times Online. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
- ^ ""Hakuho promoted to Yokozuna"". Nihon Sumo Kyokai. 2007-05-30. Retrieved 2007-05-30.
- ^ "白鵬 国技館で初の土俵入り披露" (in Japanese). Daily Sports. 2007-06-03. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
- ^ a b "Asa, Hakuho warned for dohyo brouhaha". Japan Times Online. 2008-05-28. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Perfect Hakuho wraps up crown". Japan Times. 2008-07-28. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Hakuho grabs eighth championship". International Herald Tribune. 2008-09-27. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
- ^ "Asashoryu title at New Year sumo". International Herald Tribune. 2009-01-25. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ "Kintamayama's Sumo". Retrieved 2009-09-28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Query result". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
- ^ "Hakuho injures left elbow". Japan Times. 30 September 2009. Retrieved 30 September 2009.
- ^ "Mongolian Hakuho promoted to ozeki". Japan Times. 30 March 2006. Retrieved 19 Oct 2006.
- ^ "Hakuho bouts by kimarite". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 30 April 2009.
- ^ Mattila, Mikko (June 2007). "Kimarite Focus" (PDF). Sumo Fan Magazine. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- ^ "Mongolia-born sumo champion gets two prizes". Montsame Agency. 2008-09-03. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Rikishi in Juryo and Makunouchi". szumo.hu. Retrieved 2007-08-24.
External links