19 Facts About Takanohana Kenshi

Takanohana Kenshi, born Mitsuru Hanada, was a sumo wrestler from Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan.

Takanohana Kenshi was the father of Wakanohana Masaru and Takanohana Koji, and as head of the Futagoyama stable coached both of them to the yokozuna rank.

Takanohana Kenshi had been a champion swimmer while at school, but did not think he could make a living out of it.

Takanohana Kenshi was determined to join professional sumo, in spite of some opposition from his family, who had wanted him to continue swimming.

Takanohana Kenshi began his career in the spring of 1965, joining Futagoyama stable which had been set up his elder brother, former yokozuna Wakanohana Kanji I, three years previously.

Takanohana Kenshi initially fought under his own surname of Hanada.

Takanohana Kenshi reached the top makuuchi division in November 1968 at the age of just 18, the youngest ever at the time.

Takanohana Kenshi was the last man to beat yokozuna Taiho, in May 1971.

Takanohana Kenshi was promoted at the same time as his friend and rival Wajima, who quickly went on to be promoted to yokozuna.

Takanohana Kenshi was runner-up in the January and March 1977 tournaments.

Takanohana Kenshi was a bigger crowd attraction than some yokozuna.

Takanohana Kenshi looked to have won the match with an underarm throw, only for the judges to reverse the referee's decision and rule that the tip of Takanohana Kenshi's topknot or oichomage had brushed the surface of the dohyo ahead of his opponent.

Takanohana Kenshi oversaw the promotion of both of his sons to yokozuna, the first time ever that two siblings have held sumo's highest rank.

Takanohana Kenshi was married in 1970 to a former actress and beauty queen, Fujita Noriko, who was once "Miss Oita Prefecture".

Takanohana Kenshi's health began to decline in 2003, and he withdrew from his duties in the Sumo Association.

Takanohana Kenshi passed on control of Futagoyama stable to his son Takanohana in January 2004, and made his last public appearance in January 2005 at the retirement ceremony of one of his former wrestlers, Takanonami.

Takanohana Kenshi underwent extensive treatment, but no recovery was possible, and on 30 May 2005, he succumbed to the disease at the age of 55.

Takanohana Kenshi's favoured techniques were hidari-yotsu, tsuridashi and uwatenage.

Takanohana Kenshi was noted for his ability to spin at the edge of the ring and turn the tables on his opponent with the utchari throw.