12 Facts About Chikubayama Masakuni

Chikubayama Masakuni made his professional debut in 1973, breaking into the top makuuchi division thirteen years later in 1986.

Chikubayama Masakuni was the head coach of the Miyagino stable and his most successful wrestler is yokozuna Hakuho.

Chikubayama Masakuni did sumo from a young age but played baseball at junior high school as there was no sumo team available.

Chikubayama Masakuni made his professional debut in March 1973, using his real name of Tazaki as his shikona.

Chikubayama Masakuni first reached sekitori status in November 1978 when he was promoted to the juryo division but he lasted only one tournament, falling back to the unsalaried ranks.

Chikubayama Masakuni spent only two tournaments in the top division, peaking at maegashira 13.

Chikubayama Masakuni retired from being an active wrestler in January 1989 and became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name Nakagawa.

Chikubayama Masakuni was forced to give up the Miyagino name and head coach position in August 2004 when it was acquired by the former Kanechika, but he remained in the stable under the name Kumagatani, and was still regarded as Hakuho's mentor.

In July 2022 the Sumo Association announced that, in light of Miyagino reaching 65 years of age, Magaki-oyakata and Chikubayama Masakuni would be exchanging elder-stocks, with Hakuho becoming the 13th Miyagino and becoming the stablemaster at the stable and Chikubayama Masakuni becoming the 22nd Magaki.

Chikubayama Masakuni remained as a coach at Miyagino stable in a consultancy role until 1 June 2023.

Chikubayama Masakuni was a tsuki-oshi specialist who preferred pushing and thrusting techniques and did not like to fight on the mawashi or belt.

Chikubayama Masakuni won most of his bouts by a straightforward oshi-dashi or push out.