15 Facts About Kaiketsu Masateru

Kaiketsu Masateru was a Japanese sumo wrestler, who reached the second highest rank of ozeki on two occasions.

Kaiketsu Masateru was chairman of the Japan Sumo Association from 2010 to 2012.

Kaiketsu Masateru made his professional sumo debut in September 1966 at the age of 18, fighting out of Hanakago stable.

Kaiketsu Masateru adopted the shikona of Hananishiki before switching to Kaiketsu in November 1970.

Kaiketsu Masateru reached the top makuuchi division in September 1971.

Kaiketsu Masateru scored twelve wins against three losses, and defeated yokozuna Kitanoumi in a playoff.

Kaiketsu Masateru's combined total of wins over the last three tournaments was 30, below the normal standard for ozeki promotion of 33, but there was only one ozeki at the time, Takanohana, so the Sumo Association decided to promote Kaiketsu.

Kaiketsu Masateru was promoted to ozeki , alongside Wakamisugi, to whom he had a superior three tournament record.

Kaiketsu Masateru retired in January 1979, having not missed a single bout in his 12-year career.

Kaiketsu Masateru set up his own training stable, Hanaregoma stable, in 1981 after breaking away from Hanakago.

Kaiketsu Masateru became a Director of the Japan Sumo Association, responsible for managing the judges, and supervising the examination of new recruits.

Kaiketsu Masateru insisted that there was no match-fixing in the past, a claim that drew criticism from sumo commentator and former wrestler Mainoumi.

Kaiketsu Masateru stood down from the post at the February 2012 Sumo Association board elections as the terms are for two years and he was close to the mandatory retirement age of 65.

Kaiketsu Masateru left the Sumo Association in February 2013 and Hanaregoma stable was absorbed into Shibatayama stable, run by the former Onokuni.

Kaiketsu Masateru died on May 18,2014, while practicing golf.