Toyonoshima Daiki

Sumo wrestler infobox
wrestlername = 豊ノ島 大樹 Toyonoshima Daiki


birthname = Daiki Kajiwara
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1983|06|26
placeofbirth = Sukumo, Kōchi, Japan
height = height|meters=1.68
weight = convert|137|kg|lb|abbr=on|lk=on
heya = Tokitsukaze
rank = Sekiwake
record = 274-222-0
debut = January, 2002
highestrank = Sekiwake (Sept, 2008)
yushos = 1 (Jūryō) 1 (Jonidan) 1 (Jonokuchi)
prizes = Fighting Spirit (2) Technique (1) Outstanding Performance (2)
goldstars = 1 (Hakuhō)
weburl =http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/toyo19830626/
update = Sept 2008

Toyonoshima Daiki (born June 26, 1983 as Daiki Kajiwara) is a professional sumo wrestler from Sukumo, Kōchi, Japan. The highest rank he has reached is "sekiwake".

Career

Toyonoshima is the oldest son of a tofu maker. In his early years, he was an avid soccer player. However, his destiny changed after winning an area boys' sumo tournament championship. In junior high and high school, he was rivals with another future sumo wrestler who would go on to take the fighting name Kotoshōgiku. Kotoshōgiku is now a rival of his in professional sumo as well. [cite web | author=| title="豊ノ島" | publisher=ja.wikipedia.org | language=Japanese | url=http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/豊ノ島 | date=2007 | accessdate=2007-06-09] After graduating from high school, Toyonoshima joined Tokitsukaze stable through a connection a friend of his father's had with the stable. He was below the minimum height requirement of 173cm but was allowed to make his debut after passing a secondary physical exam.

On entering the sumo world, Toyonoshima rose quickly through the lower ranks of sumo, winning two championships in the "jonokuchi" and "jonidan" divisions with perfect 7-0 records. Upon reaching the top "makuuchi" division he initially had little success and was demoted to "jūryō" twice. However, after winning the "jūryō" championship in September 2005, his fortunes began to turn and after some initial struggles, he has risen steadily through the ranks of "makuuchi" to his current position.

The highlight of his career to date came in January 2007 when he finished as runner up to "Yokozuna" Asashōryū with an outstanding 12-3 record and earned his first special prizes for Fighting Spirit and Technique. In March he defeated two "ōzeki", Kotoōshū and Chiyotaikai, and earned promotion to "komusubi" for May. At just 168cm, or 5ft 6in tall, he was the shortest wrestler to make "komusubi" in fifty years. [cite web | author=Hardy, James| title=Summer Grand Sumo Tournament Preview | publisher=Daily Yomiuri Online| language=English| url=http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20070513TDY26001.htm | date=2007-05-13 | accessdate=2007-06-09] However before the tournament began he sprained his knee and ankle ligaments in a practice session with Asashōryū at his heya [cite web | author=| title=New komusubi Toyonoshima to take part in tourney | publisher= Japan Today| language=English| url=http://www.japantoday.com/jp/news/406333 | date=2007-05-10 | accessdate=2007-06-09] and could only manage four wins in his "sanyaku" (titled rank) debut.

In September 2007 Toyonoshima became the first "maegashira" to defeat Hakuhō since his promotion to "yokozuna", earning his first "kinboshi". He also defeated "ōzeki" Kotoōshū and Kotomitsuki. He finished with an 8-7 score and was awarded the Outstanding Performance prize. He achieved another winning record in the next tournament but faltered slightly with two 6-9 scores in January and March 2008. In May, however, he was on the leaderboard for much of the tournament and finished with joint runner-up honours and a share of the Fighting Spirit prize. He returned to the "sanyaku" ranks at "komusubi" for the July tournament, where he defeated Asashōryū for the first time on the opening day. He finished with ten wins and another Outstanding Peformance prize, and Kotoshogiku's losing record meant Toyonoshima was promoted to "sekiwake" for the September tournament, becoming the first wrestler from Tokitsukaze stable to reach the rank since Kurama in 1978.

Top division record

References

ee also

*Glossary of sumo terms
*List of active sumo wrestlers

External links

* [http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/rikishi_joho/rikishi_2429.html Japan Sumo Association profile of Toyonoshima]