13 Facts About Tochiazuma Tomoyori

Tochiazuma Tomoyori won the top division championship in January 1972.

Tochiazuma Tomoyori is the father of the former ozeki Tochiazuma Daisuke, and upon his retirement as a coach in 2009 his son took over from him.

Tochiazuma Tomoyori made his debut in November 1960, joining the then recently retired yokozuna Tochinishiki's Kasugano stable.

Tochiazuma Tomoyori reached juryo in May 1965 and the top makuuchi division in March 1967.

Tochiazuma Tomoyori won the first of his six Gino-sho or Technique Awards.

Tochiazuma Tomoyori had the unusual experience in January 1971 of defeating a yokozuna on the opening day, and then losing 13 of his remaining 14 bouts, with his only other win being a walkover.

The sole yokozuna at the time, Kitanofuji, withdrew after winning only seven matches, and the only ozeki Tochiazuma faced was Kiyokuni on the final day.

Tochiazuma Tomoyori was runner-up for a third time in May 1973, but was not really in contention for the championship during the tournament, finishing four wins behind the undefeated Wajima.

Tochiazuma Tomoyori retired two months later, during the January 1977 tournament.

Tochiazuma Tomoyori remained in sumo as an elder of the Japan Sumo Association, working as a coach at his old stable.

Tochiazuma Tomoyori's son joined the stable in 1994 and adopted his old shikona of Tochiazuma.

Tochiazuma Tomoyori's son won his first tournament championship in January 2002, exactly 30 years after Tamanoi Oyakata's own triumph, and retired in May 2007.

Tochiazuma Tomoyori took over the running of the stable when Tamanoi reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 in September 2009.