Kimikaze Toshiji (皇風 俊司) (born 23 September 1986 as Toshiji Naoe) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Chōfu, Tokyo, Japan. His highest rank was maegashira 13. He won the jūryō championship in March 2012.

Kimikaze Toshiji
皇風 俊司
Personal information
BornToshiji Naoe
(1986-09-23) 23 September 1986 (age 38)
Chōfu, Tokyo, Japan
Height1.82 m (5 ft 11+12 in)
Weight133 kg (293 lb; 20.9 st)
Career
StableOguruma
UniversityWaseda University
Record141-112-20
DebutJanuary, 2009
Highest rankMaegashira 13 (May, 2012)
RetiredMay, 2014
Championships1 (Jūryō)
1 (Makushita)
* Up to date as of June 2014.

Career

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He was the first professional sumo wrestler from Waseda University in 78 years. He joined Oguruma stable in January 2009, recruited by former ozeki Kotokaze. He was promoted to the juryo division in July 2011 after winning the makushita division championship or yusho with a perfect 7-0 record. At this point he changed his shikona from his family name of Naoe to Kimikaze. After winning the juryo championship in March 2012 with a 12-3 record, he was promoted to the top makuuchi division. He had to withdraw from his debut tournament in the top division on the 13th day and never managed to return to makuuchi. He is the first wrestler since Sakaizawa to have to withdraw from his only top division tournament.

Retirement from sumo

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Due to persistent injuries, including a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, he announced his retirement in May 2014. His danpatsu-shiki or official retirement ceremony took place on June 22, 2014 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Hotel with around 230 guests taking part in the hair-cutting. His marriage was announced at the event. After leaving sumo he returned to his hometown of Chofu to open a sumo-themed restaurant.

Fighting style

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Kimikaze was an oshi-sumo specialist, preferring pushing techniques to fighting on the mawashi or belt. His most common winning kimarite was oshi-dashi (push out) but he was also very reliant on slap downs (hataki-komi).

Career record

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Kimikaze Toshiji[1]
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
2009 (Maezumo) East Jonokuchi #25
5–2
 
West Jonidan #90
6–1
 
East Jonidan #15
6–1
 
East Sandanme #54
6–1
 
West Sandanme #3
4–3
 
2010 East Makushita #57
5–2
 
West Makushita #43
3–4
 
West Makushita #51
4–3
 
West Makushita #43
4–3
 
East Makushita #34
5–2
 
East Makushita #21
6–1–PP
 
2011 West Makushita #7
3–4
 

Tournament Cancelled
0–0–0
West Makushita #15
4–3
 
West Makushita #5
7–0
Champion

 
West Jūryō #8
8–7
 
West Jūryō #6
6–7–2
 
2012 East Jūryō #9
8–7
 
West Jūryō #7
12–3
Champion

 
West Maegashira #13
5–8–2
 
West Jūryō #2
2–7–6
 
West Jūryō #13
3–12
 
East Makushita #7
3–4
 
2013 West Makushita #11
2–5
 
East Makushita #21
3–4
 
West Makushita #32
6–1
 
West Makushita #13
5–2
 
East Makushita #9
3–4
 
West Makushita #13
4–3
 
2014 West Makushita #9
2–2–3
 
East Makushita #22
1–6
 
West Makushita #51
Retired
0–0–5
x x x
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)
Divisions: MakuuchiJūryōMakushitaSandanmeJonidanJonokuchi

Makuuchi ranks: YokozunaŌzekiSekiwakeKomusubiMaegashira

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kimikaze Toshiji Rikishi Information". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
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