Wakabayama Sadao was a sumo wrestler from Yame, Fukuoka, Japan.
10 Facts About Wakabayama Sadao
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2.
Wakabayama Sadao attempted to locate his parents who he believed might have returned to Japan by joining a sumo touring party.
3.
Wakabayama Sadao was recruited by the active yokozuna Futabayama and joined his Futabayama stable in January 1942.
4.
Wakabayama Sadao used Iwahira as his fighting name until one tournament after he was promoted to the top makuuchi division, when he adopted the shikona of Wakabayama, taking two characters from his head coach Futabayama.
5.
Wakabayama Sadao's birthplace was recorded on the banzuke as Yame, Fukuoka, although he later changed his surname to Aoyama and his birthplace to Omiya, Saitama.
6.
Wakabayama Sadao's promotion followed his yusho or tournament championship in the juryo division in November 1946, the only tournament held that year.
7.
Wakabayama Sadao was demoted from makuuchi in November 1959 after recording only one win against 14 losses.
8.
Wakabayama Sadao competed in the juryo division until announcing his retirement after the January 1961 tournament.
9.
Wakabayama Sadao died of a cerebral thrombosis on January 17,2001, in Fukushima.
10.
Wakabayama Sadao's son-in-law Masashi Onami was a sumo wrestler in the Tatsutagawa stable, fighting as Wakashinobu and reaching a highest rank of makushita 51.