10 Facts About Wakashoyo Shunichi

Wakashoyo Shunichi joined sumo in 1981, wrestling out of Futagoyama stable.

Wakashoyo Shunichi first entered the top makuuchi division in 1991 and made his sanyaku debut in March 1993 from komusubi rank.

Wakashoyo Shunichi retired in November 1997 and became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name Otowayama.

However, the retirement of his former stablemate, Wakanohana in March 2000 meant that his elder name was needed by the former Takamisugi, and Wakashoyo had to leave the sumo world.

Wakashoyo Shunichi made his debut in a kickboxing bout against fellow newcomer, South Korean giant Choi Hong-man in the quarter-final of the K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Seoul on 19 March 2005.

Wakashoyo Shunichi was knocked down twice in the first round; he was not able to recover from the second one.

Wakashoyo Shunichi was again knocked out in the first round.

Wakashoyo Shunichi returned to the promotion against Kazuhiro Hamanaka at Hero's 5 on 3 May 2006 and was submitted with an arm lock.

Babaguchi, under his Wakashoyo Shunichi name, started his career in professional wrestling in Inoki Genome Federation in 2008, later changing to Real Japan Pro Wrestling in 2011.

Wakashoyo Shunichi preferred a hidari-yotsu, or right hand outside, left hand inside grip on his opponent's mawashi.