Kitanoumi Toshimitsu - Career

Career

Born in Sōbetsu, Usu District, Kitanoumi began his professional career in January 1967 at 13, whilst still in middle school. He joined Mihogaseki stable, and was promoted to sumo's second highest jūryō division in May 1971 and the top makuuchi division a year later. He won his first top division yūshō or tournament championship in January 1974 and was promoted to ōzeki immediately afterwards. He secured promotion to yokozuna just three tournaments after that. At 21 years 2 months, he was the youngest ever yokozuna, beating the previous record held by Taihō by one month.

Kitanoumi was the most successful wrestler in sumo for the rest of the 1970s. His dominance meant that he was not that popular with the general public. When he was defeated by underdog Takanohana in a playoff for the championship in September 1975, the audience threw so many zabuton-- or cushions-- into the ring in delight, that Kitanoumi said he could "hardly see the ceiling." His best year was 1978, when he won 5 of the 6 tournaments and won 82 out of a possible 90 bouts, a record that stood until 2005. His chief rival during these years was Wajima, but Kitanoumi was much more consistent. He was heavy at 169 kg, was extremely strong and had excellent balance. He was also remarkably injury free and never seemed to miss a tournament. Indeed, from July 1973 until September 1981 he chalked up fifty consecutive kachikoshi, or tournament records of at least 8 wins out of 15, which is a record for the top division.

However, by the beginning of the 1980s he had a new rival, Chiyonofuji, who earned promotion to ōzeki and then yokozuna by defeating him in decisive matches in January and July 1981. In November 1981 Kitanoumi withdrew from a tournament for the first time. After that his record was patchy, with many absences. His 24th and final title came in May 1984, with a perfect 15-0 record. This was seen by many as a fitting end to a great career and he wanted to retire after that tournament, but was persuaded by the Sumo Association to carry on until the opening of the new Ryōgoku Kokugikan stadium in January 1985. Three days into the tournament, without winning a match, he announced his retirement. He had been ranked as a yokozuna on the banzuke in 63 tournaments, more than any other wrestler. During his career he had won 951 matches, the most in history at the time (he was overtaken by Ōshio in 1987, Chiyonofuji in 1989 and Kaiō in 2009). 804 of those victories came in the top division, behind only Kaiō and Chiyonofuji.