17 Facts About Masurao Hiroo

Masurao Hiroo is a Japanese former sumo wrestler, born Hiroo Teshima in Itoda, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Masurao Hiroo was one of the lightest wrestlers in the top division, and very popular with tournament crowds.

Masurao Hiroo was the head coach of Onomatsu stable and a director of the Japan Sumo Association until 2019 when he left for health reasons.

Masurao Hiroo entered sumo after his second year of high school, and fought his first match, under the name Tejima, at age 17 in the March tournament of 1979.

Masurao Hiroo won his first special prize in November 1986, and his first kinboshi in January 1987.

The March tournament of 1987 saw Masurao Hiroo ranked in the titled san'yaku ranks for the first time, at komusubi.

Masurao Hiroo's knee continued to trouble him for the rest of his career, and he was demoted to the second juryo division on several occasions.

Masurao Hiroo ended up winning the juryo division championship five times, which is a record.

Masurao Hiroo retired from wrestling in July 1990 at the age of just 29.

Masurao Hiroo left a record of 387 wins, 329 losses, missing 86 bouts.

Masurao Hiroo received several honors: the shukun-sho twice, the kanto-sho twice, and the gino-sho once.

Masurao Hiroo has the fewest tournaments in the top division of any sekiwake since the introduction of the six tournaments per year system in 1958.

Masurao Hiroo was a yotsu-sumo wrestler, favouring grappling and throwing rather than pushing techniques.

Masurao Hiroo became head of the Onomatsu stable, which he founded in 1994.

Masurao Hiroo produced five makuuchi wrestlers, Katayama, Wakakoyu, Daido, Amuru and Onosho.

Masurao Hiroo was forced to leave the Nishonoseki ichimon or group of stables in January 2010 after declaring his support for Takanohana's unsanctioned bid to be elected to the board of directors of the Sumo Association.

Masurao Hiroo withdrew from judging duties for the next two tournaments, citing high blood pressure.