13 Facts About Dewanohana Yoshitaka

Dewanohana Yoshitaka made his professional debut in July 1974, and reached the top division in November 1977.

Dewanohana Yoshitaka retired in January 1988 and became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Dekiyama.

Dewanohana Yoshitaka joined Dewanoumi stable, which was recommended to him by his cousin, a former wrestler at the stable named Dewanohana Yoshihide, and fought his first bout in March 1974.

Dewanohana Yoshitaka had a losing record or make-koshi in his debut tournament, and was demoted to the sandanme division.

Dewanohana Yoshitaka weighed barely more than 100 kilos and initially struggled as a sekitori, falling back to makushita for five tournaments.

Dewanohana Yoshitaka was to spend 62 consecutive tournaments in the top division, compiling a record of 441 wins against 483 losses, with 6 injury absences.

Dewanohana Yoshitaka received ten sansho or special prizes, one for Outstanding Performance, five for Fighting Spirit and four for Technique.

Dewanohana Yoshitaka earned two kinboshi or gold stars for defeating a yokozuna when ranked as a maegashira.

Dewanohana Yoshitaka retired just two tournaments later in January 1988, rather than face demotion to juryo.

Dewanohana Yoshitaka remained in sumo as an elder of the Japan Sumo Association, and worked as a coach at Dewanoumi stable.

Dewanohana Yoshitaka was a judge of tournament bouts and joined the Sumo Association's executive board in 2014, managing the public relations department.

Dewanohana Yoshitaka reached the mandatory retirement age for elders of 65 in 2016, but was re-employed as a consultant for a period of five years on reduced pay, ending upon his 70th birthday in 2021.

Dewanohana Yoshitaka was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who grappled rather than pushed, and was noted for his skill on the mawashi.