Akinoshima Katsumi

Quick Facts

Full Name	Akinoshima Katsumi
Occupation	Rikishi
Date Of Birth	Mar 16, 1967(1967-03-16)
Age	57
Birthplace	Hiroshima Prefecture
Country	Japan
Birth City	Hiroshima Prefecture
Horoscope	Pisces

Akinoshima Katsumi Biography

Akinoshima Katsumi is one of the most popular and richest Rikishi who was born on March 16, 1967 in Hiroshima Prefecture, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Akinoshima Katsumi (born 16 March 1967 as Katsumi Yamanaka) is a former sumo wrestler from Akitsu, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1982, and after reaching the top division in 1988 he remained there for 15 years. His highest rank was sekiwake. He was known as the “giant killer” having defeated more yokozuna than any other untitled wrestler (maegashira) in the history of sumo, earning himself 16 gold stars or kinboshi over his career, four more than his nearest kinboshi earning rivals, Takamiyama and Tochinonada. He also has received 19 performance prizes (sanshō), another record in sumo history.

He competed in the top division for 91 tournaments, which at the time of his retirement was the third highest in history, after Takamiyama and Terao. He never won a top division tournament title, his best result being 12-3 in March 1992 when he finished runner-up to Konishiki. He was ranked in the titled san’yaku ranks for 27 tournaments, 15 at komusubi and 12 at sekiwake. However, he was never consistent enough to earn promotion to ōzeki, often dropping matches to less talented opponents.

He won his nineteenth sanshō or special prize in 1999, breaking the record of eighteen held by his rival Kotonishiki. The last two came in September 1999, a tournament in which he was also runner-up for the second time.

He had an ongoing rivalry with another maegashira star Kotonishiki, and managed to chalk up only a 9-39 win/loss record against him during their respective top division careers. Only three wrestlers in the history of sumo have ever lost more times to another than Akinoshima did against Kotonishiki. He won his last bout against Kotonishiki in March 2000, but injured his elbow in the win. Ironically, this injury would be one factor that led to his eventual retirement in May 2003. After losing to Iwakiyama on the 14th day of the tournament he faced certain demotion to jūryō and announced his retirement with immediate effect, not appearing on the final day. He was the last top division wrestler from the Shōwa era to retire.

Akinoshima received his first kinboshi on his defeat of the yokozuna Ōnokuni in September 1988. He went on to receive at least one kinboshi from every yokozuna he faced. He won 14 of his 16 kinboshi in a period of just four years from 1988 to 1992, and he would earn only two more in the last 11 years of his top division career. It is notable that due to sumo rules, Akinoshima never faced his stablemates, Wakanohana and Takanohana in the sumo ring. Had he had this chance, he may have attained even more kinboshi than his already unrivaled record. His record of 16 kinboshi is four clear of his nearest rival. He also had a remarkable hold over the ōzeki Konishiki, whom he defeated in every one of their first seven meetings, and he had a 25-10 overall career advantage over him.

Akinoshima Katsumi Net Worth

Akinoshima Katsumi is one of the richest Rikishi from Japan. According to our analysis, Wikipedia, Forbes & Business Insider, Akinoshima Katsumi 's net worth $5 Million. (Last Update: December 11, 2023)

Though he practiced judo in his junior high school years, Yamanaka had dreamed from a very young age of becoming a sumo wrestler, and eventually was able to enter a sumo competition while still in junior high school. Sometime later, he had a chance meeting with then ōzeki Takanohana I on one of the ōzeki’s visits to Hiroshima. Yamanaka was invited to join Takanohana’s stable, Futagoyama- beya (then known as Fujishima-beya). Making his professional debut in March 1982, he reached the third highest makushita division in March 1985. After winning the makushita championship with a perfect 7-0 record in May 1987 he made his second division jūryō debut that July, and entered the top division makuuchi in March 1988, just days shy of his 20th birthday.

When he first entered the top division in 1988 his weight was around 130 kg (290 lb), below average, but this gradually increased, and peaked at 158 kg (348 lb) towards the end of his career.

He was an extremely diligent trainer, setting himself the target of one hundred practice bouts every day. He suffered a severe shoulder injury in 1995, which required surgery.

Height, Weight & Body Measurements

Akinoshima Katsumi height 5 ft 9 in Akinoshima weight 348 lbs & body measurements will update soon.

Who is Akinoshima Katsumi Dating?

According to our records, Akinoshima Katsumi is possibily single & has not been previously engaged. As of December 1, 2023, Akinoshima Katsumi’s is not dating anyone.

Relationships Record : We have no records of past relationships for Akinoshima Katsumi. You may help us to build the dating records for Akinoshima Katsumi!

Facts & Trivia

Akinoshima Ranked on the list of most popular Rikishi. Also ranked in the elit list of famous people born in Japan. Akinoshima Katsumi celebrates birthday on March 16 of every year.