22 Facts About Konishiki Yasokichi

Konishiki Yasokichi was the first non-Japanese-born wrestler to reach ozeki, the second-highest possible rank in the sport.

Konishiki Yasokichi entered sumo in July 1982, recruited by another Hawaiian-born wrestler, Takamiyama of the Takasago stable.

Konishiki Yasokichi's father had regular work with the US Navy but had to support eight children.

Konishiki Yasokichi regarded Takamiyama as a local hero and found the opportunity to travel to Japan too good to resist, although his parents were reluctant for him to do so.

Konishiki Yasokichi rose to the privileged sekitori ranks in just eight tournaments, a remarkably rapid rise.

Konishiki Yasokichi was promoted to komusubi for the first time in May 1985 and sekiwake in July 1985.

Konishiki Yasokichi came back strongly from this setback and three consecutive double figure scores in 1987 earned him promotion to ozeki.

Konishiki Yasokichi was the first foreigner to win a top division title since Takamiyama in 1972.

In May 1991 Konishiki Yasokichi won 14 consecutive bouts but was beaten in a playoff on the final day by Asahifuji.

Konishiki Yasokichi had overcome his injuries and showed much more consistency.

Konishiki Yasokichi took advantage by winning two championships in November 1991 and March 1992, with a record in the last three tournaments of 38 wins and 7 losses.

Konishiki Yasokichi was denied promotion to yokozuna, normally awarded to those with two consecutive tournament wins or an equivalent achievement.

Konishiki Yasokichi's remarks were given the headline, "We Don't Need a Foreign Yokozuna" in the magazine.

Konishiki Yasokichi held a press conference during which he made his apology and tearfully denied making the remarks.

Konishiki Yasokichi insisted that The Nihon Keizai Shimbun had misinterpreted his remark, and that he had not spoken to The New York Times, and instead a Hawaiian apprentice Koryu had impersonated him on the telephone.

Konishiki Yasokichi retained his ozeki ranking for 39 tournaments over more than six years, but he eventually lost it in November 1993 after two consecutive losing records.

Konishiki Yasokichi continued to compete in the top division as a maegashira for another four years.

Early in his career, under the instruction of his first stablemaster, Konishiki Yasokichi was primarily an oshi-sumo specialist, preferring pushing and thrusting techniques such as oshi-dashi and tsuki-dashi that would win the bout as quickly as possible.

Konishiki Yasokichi remained in the Japan Sumo Association as an elder for a short time under the name of Sanoyama, before branching out as a Japanese entertainer under the name "KONISHIKI".

Konishiki Yasokichi had previously married former model Sumika Shioda in 1992.

Konishiki Yasokichi is the host of an NHK children's program called Nihongo de Asobo which teaches children traditional and colloquial Japanese.

Konishiki Yasokichi started the Konishiki Kids Foundation to help underprivileged children from Hawaii to experience Japanese culture.