Tamanoumi Masahiro was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Aichi.
14 Facts About Tamanoumi Masahiro
1.
2.
Tamanoumi Masahiro won six tournament championships and was runner-up in 12 others.
3.
Tamanoumi Masahiro was promoted to yokozuna simultaneously with his friend and rival Kitanofuji in January 1970 and the two men represented the dawning of a new era after the dominance of Taiho.
4.
Tamanoumi Masahiro died suddenly in October 1971 after a delayed appendectomy.
5.
Tamanoumi Masahiro was born Taniguchi Masao in Osaka, but due to the bombing raids of that city he was evacuated to Gamagori where he grew up.
6.
Tamanoumi Masahiro began his professional sumo career in March 1959, using the shikona, or ring name, surname Tamanoshima.
7.
In 1962 his coach, Tamanoumi Masahiro Daitaro, set up his own Kataonami stable and Tamanoshima joined it.
8.
Tamanoumi Masahiro reached the top makuuchi division in March 1964.
9.
Tamanoumi Masahiro was promoted to sumo's second highest rank of ozeki in November 1966 at the age of 22.
10.
Tamanoumi Masahiro's favoured kimarite were yori kiri, uwatenage and tsuri dashi.
11.
Tamanoumi Masahiro preferred a migi yotsu grip on his opponent's mawashi.
12.
Tamanoumi Masahiro had needed an appendectomy since at least July 1971, but he felt the responsibility of a yokozuna's duties and had not wanted to withdraw from the September 1971 tournament.
13.
Tamanoumi Masahiro was only the fourth man in history to die whilst an active yokozuna.
14.
Tamanoumi Masahiro was just 27 years old and considered to be in his prime and likely to have won many more championships had he lived.