Ama Kōhei

Sumo wrestler infobox
wrestlername = 安馬 公平 Ama Kōhei


realname = Davaanyamyn Byambadorj
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1984|04|14
placeofbirth = Ulan Bator, Mongolia
height = height|meters=1.85
weight = convert|126|kg|lb|abbr=on
heya = Isegahama
rank = Sekiwake
record = 315-230-1
debut = January, 2001
highestrank = Sekiwake (May 2007)
yushos = 1 (Jūryō)
1 (Sandanme)
1 (Jonokuchi)
prizes = Fighting Spirit (1)
Technique (4) Outstanding Performance (4)
goldstars = 1 (Asashōryū)
update = Sept 2008

Ama Kōhei (born April 14, 1984 as Davaanyamyn Byambadorj, _mn. Даваанямын Бямбадорж, in Ulan Bator, Mongolia) is a sumo wrestler. The highest rank he has reached is "sekiwake".

Career

Ama is a relative lightweight (currently the second lightest wrestler in the "makuuchi" division) and is known for his speed, particularly at the "tachi-ai", or initial charge. He is regarded as a technician, like many other Mongolian sumo wrestlers, specialising in throws and lifts.

His father was a Mongolian wrestler, holding a rank roughly equivalent to sumo's "sekiwake". Ama appeared at the Naadam at the age of 15. He was scouted by Ajigawa-oyakata in July 2000 and subsequently joined Ajigawa stable (now Isegahama stable). His first appearance was January 2001. He reached the top "makuuchi" division in November 2004, rising slowly to "komusubi" in May 2006. However, a disappointing 4-11 result in this tournament sent him back to the "maegashira" ranks.

On the eve of the January 2007 tournament his father was tragically killed in a traffic accident. Nevertheless he turned in a strong 10-5 record there and earned promotion back to "komusubi" for March. In May 2007 he made his debut at "sekiwake" rank, becoming the ninth foreign born "rikishi" to do so. He held his rank with an 8-7 record. In September 2007 from "komusubi" rank he defeated "Yokozuna" Hakuhō on the opening day and also beat two "ōzeki". He also memorably defeated newcomer Goeido with a spectacular technique known as "okuritsuriotoshi" or "rear lifting body slam." [this technique is illustrated [http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/kimarite/83.html here] .] He finished with a 10-5 score and won his first "Shunkun-sho" or Outstanding Performance award. He picked up his second Outstanding Performance award in November with another defeat of Hakuhō, and earned promotion back to "sekiwake".

In the January 2008 tournament Ama defeated Hakuho for the third time in a row, the only wrestler to do so in that tournament, and won his third consecutive "Shunkun-sho". However he failed to score more than nine wins, denting his hopes for "ozeki" promotion, which normally requires three consecutive double-figure scores. After a poor start to the March 2008 tournament, he had to win his last four matches to barely preserve his rank with an 8-7 record. On the 8th day at the May 2008 tournament, he amazed audiences by defeating Wakanoho with a perfectly executed utchari or spin throw on the bales. [cite web|url=http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20080519TDY20303.htm|title=Kotooshu secures ozeki rank|publisher=Yomiuri Shimbun|date=2008-05-19|accessdate=2008-05-20] After the match, Wakanoho acted violently and was warned. [cite web|url=http://africa.reuters.com/odd/news/usnT609.html|title=Sumo wrestler warned after dish-smashing tantrum|publisher=Reuters|date=2008-05-19|accessdate=2008-05-20] On the 10th day, he also threw "yokozuna" Hakuho into the seats with an overarm throw, ending his winning streak. [cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/20/sports/AS-SPT-SUM-Japan-Roundup.php|title=Kotooshu in leading position after Yokozuna Hakuho winning streak ends|publisher=International Herald Tribune|date=2008-05-20|accessdate=2008-05-20] After the tournament Ama was awarded his third Technique prize. In the July 2008 tournament he achieved a double figure score for the first time at "sekiwake", and won another Technique prize. In the September 2008 tournament Ama finished with twelve wins, recording his first jun yusho (second place finish, an informal designation), and was awarded his fourth Outstanding Performance award.

Top division record

References

ee also

*Glossary of sumo terms
*List of active sumo wrestlers

External links

*Japanese Sumo Association Biography [http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/rikishi_joho/rikishi_2308.html (English)] [http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/ozumo_meikan/rikishi_joho/rikishi_2308.html (Japanese)]
* [http://www.fsinet.or.jp/~sumo/profile/1/20041101.htm complete biography and basho results (Japanese)]