Takanofuji Sanzō (born 13 May 1997 as Tsuyoshi Kamiyama, also known as Tsuyoshi Sudario) is a former professional sumo wrestler and current mixed martial artist from Sakai, Ibaraki, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 2013 and his highest rank was jūryō 5. He is the twin brother of former makuuchi division wrestler Takagenji, and they are the first twins to both reach the second highest jūryō division. He won one makushita division championship. He was suspended from the September 2019 tournament after an investigation found he had struck an attendant, and was asked to retire by the Japan Sumo Association. After initially refusing to comply, he retired on 11 October 2019.
| Takanofuji Sanzō | |
|---|---|
| 貴ノ富士三造 | |
 | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | Tsuyoshi Kamiyama May 13, 1997 |
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | 157 kg (346 lb) |
| Career | |
| Stable | Takanohana → Chiganoura |
| Record | 165–112–28 |
| Debut | March 2013 |
| Highest rank | Jūryō 5 (Sept 2019) |
| Retired | October 2019 |
| Championships | 1 (Makushita) |
| * Up to date as of 11 October 2019. | |
Background edit
He was born as Tsuyoshi Kamiyama in Oyama, Tochigi Prefecture. He has a Japanese father and Filipino mother. He is the older of identical twins, and is distinguished from his brother by the fact that he has a mole near his upper lip. They also have an older sister. They grew up in Sakai, Ibaraki Prefecture. Their sister played soccer in national competitions at high school and the twins both played basketball, representing Ibaraki Prefecture in national competition and coming in third place.
Tsuyoshi is married.
Sumo career edit
The brothers had no amateur sumo experience but were encouraged by their father to give professional sumo a try. They joined Takanohana stable in March 2013. Tsuyoshi initially wrestled under the shikona of Takayoshitoshi and made his jūryō debut in March 2018. With his brother Takagenji already in the division it was the first time in sumo history that twins had both achieved sekitori status.[1] However he withdrew partway through that tournament and was suspended from the next for assaulting his personal attendant or tsukebito after a match.[2][3] He was reportedly angry that the attendant was late in telling him the time of his match, making him late entering the stadium.[4] His absence resulted in him falling back to the makushita division. His stablemaster, former yokozuna Takanohana, was demoted in the Sumo Association's hierarchy for failing to report the incident to them and subsequently decided to leave the Sumo Association altogether.[5] Upon the resignation of his stablemaster Takayoshitoshi moved along with his stablemates to Chiganoura stable in October 2018.
He returned to jūryō in March 2019 under his new name of Takanofuji, although he lasted only one tournament before being demoted. In May he won the makushita championship or yūshō with a perfect 7–0 score, ensuring his return to jūryō. In July 2019 he was ranked at jūryō 12, his highest rank to date, with his brother Takagenji making his top makuuchi division debut in the same tournament.[6] Takanofuji had his best result in the division, an 11–4 record, which ensured a new highest rank of jūryō 5 for the following tournament. However, this was to be his final tournament appearance.
Retirement from sumo edit
He was withdrawn by his new stablemaster Chiganoura from the September 2019 tournament after it emerged that he had once again assaulted an attendant after a practice session on 31 August.[7] The incident was investigated by Japan Sumo Association's compliance committee which on September 26 recommended that he retire.[8] He had been found to have hit his attendant in the forehead with his fist, and also used derogatory language toward him and two other attendants.[7] However, the following day Takanofuji held a press conference in which he said he would not go voluntarily because "this penalty is too heavy and I can't accept it." His retirement was urged by his stablemaster, and the Sumo Association said they would take disciplinary measures against him at a later meeting which could involve a forced retirement. Takanofuji was accompanied by a lawyer at his press conference and he said he had written to the Sumo Association asking for a lighter penalty, and sent a petition to the Japan Sports Agency seeking better governance of professional sumo.[9] He moved out of the stable to an apartment and refused to deal directly with his stablemaster, asking his lawyer to be the intermediary.[10]
On 11 October 2019 his retirement was announced by the Japan Sumo Association. Through his attorney Takanofuji said, "I still wanted to continue, but my interactions with the Sumo Association left me exhausted."[11] His decision to retire before harsher penalties were imposed meant he was entitled to severance pay.[12]
Fighting style edit
Takanofuji was a yotsu-sumo wrestler, who sought a grip on the mawashi rather than pushing or thrusting. His preferred grip was migi-yotsu, a right hand inside and left hand outside position. His most common winning kimarite was a straightforward yori-kiri or force out.[13]
Career record edit
| Year | January Hatsu basho, Tokyo |
March Haru basho, Osaka |
May Natsu basho, Tokyo |
July Nagoya basho, Nagoya |
September Aki basho, Tokyo |
November Kyūshū basho, Fukuoka |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | x | (Maezumo) | West Jonokuchi #13 5–2 |
East Jonidan #61 5–2 |
East Jonidan #25 3–4 |
East Jonidan #46 5–2 |
| 2014 | West Jonidan #9 3–4 |
West Jonidan #26 5–2 |
West Sandanme #92 3–4 |
East Jonidan #9 5–2 |
East Sandanme #74 6–1 |
East Sandanme #19 4–3 |
| 2015 | West Sandanme #6 5–2 |
West Makushita #42 4–3 |
East Makushita #37 2–5 |
East Makushita #57 4–3 |
East Makushita #47 5–2 |
East Makushita #28 1–6 |
| 2016 | West Makushita #53 6–1 |
West Makushita #38 3–4 |
West Makushita #45 3–4 |
West Makushita #53 6–1 |
West Makushita #24 2–5 |
East Makushita #39 4–3 |
| 2017 | West Makushita #30 6–1 |
East Makushita #11 2–5 |
East Makushita #25 4–3 |
East Makushita #21 4–3 |
West Makushita #15 4–3 |
West Makushita #11 4–3 |
| 2018 | East Makushita #7 5–2 |
East Jūryō #14 3–6–6 |
West Makushita #9 Suspended 0–0–7 |
West Makushita #49 6–1 |
West Makushita #21 5–2 |
East Makushita #10 5–2 |
| 2019 | East Makushita #3 5–2 |
West Jūryō #13 6–9 |
West Makushita #2 7–0 Champion |
East Jūryō #12 11–4 |
West Jūryō #5 Suspended 0–0–15 |
West Makushita #5 Retired 0–0–0 |
| Record given as wins–losses–absencies Top division champion Top division runner-up Retired Lower divisions Non-participation Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique Also shown: ★=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s) |
||||||
Mixed martial arts career edit
| Tsuyoshi Sudario | |
|---|---|
| Born | Tsuyoshi Kamiyama May 13, 1997 Oyama, Tochigi, Japan |
| Native name | 貴ノ富士三造 |
| Other names | Takanofuji Sanzō |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[15] |
| Weight | 249 lb (113 kg; 17 st 11 lb)[15] |
| Division | Heavyweight |
| Style | Sumo |
| Team | Purebred Gym (2020–present)[16] T's Kickboxing Gym[16] Watanabe Boxing Gym[16] |
| Trainer | Enson Inoue[16] |
| Years active | 2020–present (MMA) |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 11 |
| Wins | 8 |
| By knockout | 7 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Losses | 3 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
After concluding his sumo wrestling career, Takanofuji said in an interview in July 2020 that he was training to become an MMA fighter and hoped to enter a Rizin event.[17] In order to be eligible to compete in the heavyweight division in mixed martial arts, Sudario lost around 110 pounds (50 kg) before his debut.[16]
He made his professional debut against James Raideen on September 27 at Rizin 24.[18] He won the fight via doctor stoppage after the first round.[19]
Takanofuji made his sophomore appearance in the sport against Ikuhisa Minowa at Rizin 26 on December 31, 2020.[20] He won the fight via first-round technical knockout.[21]
Sudario faced Kazushi Miyamoto at Rizin 27 on March 21, 2021.[22] He won quickly via knockout eight seconds into the bout. Sudario kept punching even as the ref was pulling him off, causing a brawl to break out.[23] Sudario was subsequently fined with a 25 percent pay cut due to the incident.[24]
Sudario faced Shoma Shibisai at Rizin 28 on June 13, 2021.[25] He lost the bout via rear-naked choke in the third round.[26]
Sudario faced Saint at Rizin 31 on October 24, 2021.[27] He won the bout via knockout in the first round.[28]
Sudario faced Hideki Sekine at Rizin 37 on July 31, 2021. He won the fight by a first-round knockout, stopping Sekine 53 seconds into the opening round.[29]
Sudario faced Janos Csukas on October 23, 2022 at Rizin 39. Sudario won the fight via TKO in the second round.[30]
Sudario faced Junior Tafa on December 31, 2022 at Rizin 40.[31] Sudario lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[32]
Sudario faced Roque Martinez at Rizin Landmark 5 on April 29, 2023.[33] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[34]
Sudario was expected to face Todd Duffee at Rizin Landmark 6 on October 1, 2023. However, Duffee was forced to withdraw from the bout on September 28, due to visa issues, and was replaced by Lim Dong-hwan.[35] Sudario won the fight via TKO in the third round.[36]
Sudario faced Mikio Ueda on December 31, 2023, at Rizin 45.[37] He lost the bout vis TKO stoppage at the beginning of the second round.[38]
Mixed martial arts record edit
| 11 matches | 8 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 2 |
| By submission | 0 | 1 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 8–3 | Mikio Ueda | TKO (knee and punches) | Rizin 45 | December 31, 2023 | 2 | 0:55 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 8–2 | Lim Dong-hwan | TKO (punches) | Rizin Landmark 6 | October 1, 2023 | 3 | 2:10 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Win | 7–2 | Roque Martinez | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin Landmark 5 | April 29, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 6–2 | Junior Tafa | TKO (punches) | Rizin 40 | December 31, 2022 | 1 | 1:38 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 6–1 | Janos Csukas | TKO (punches and knee) | Rizin 39 | October 23, 2022 | 2 | 0:30 | Fukuoka, Japan | |
| Win | 5–1 | Hideki Sekine | KO (punch) | Rizin 37 | July 31, 2022 | 1 | 0:53 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 4–1 | Lawdlain Saint-Ilme | KO (punch) | Rizin 31 | October 24, 2021 | 1 | 1:51 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Loss | 3–1 | Shoma Shibisai | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Rizin 28 | June 13, 2021 | 3 | 1:39 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 3–0 | Kazushi Miyamoto | KO (punch) | Rizin 27 | March 21, 2021 | 1 | 0:08 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Win | 2–0 | Ikuhisa Minowa | TKO (leg kick and punch) | Rizin 26 | December 31, 2020 | 1 | 3:17 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 1–0 | Dylan James | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Rizin 24 | September 27, 2020 | 1 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Heavyweight debut. |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Photo Journal: Talented twins". The Mainichi. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
- ^ "Sumo wrestler beat attendant following loss in Osaka tourney". Asahi Shimbun. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
- ^ "Sumo wrestler Takayoshitoshi reported to prosecutors on suspicion of striking attendant". Mainichi Daily News. The Mainichi. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
- ^ "Sumo wrestler pulls out of ongoing tournament for beating his junior". Kyodo News. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
- ^ "Takanohana resigns from JSA after lengthy controversies". Asahi Shimbun. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
- ^ Gunning, John (4 July 2019). "Title appears up for grabs at upcoming Nagoya Basho". Japan Times. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
- ^ a b "SUMO/ Takanofuji faces punishment after second assault on attendant". Asahi Shimbun. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
- ^ "SUMO/ JSA seeks Takanofuji's retirement after second assault". Asahi Shimbun. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
- ^ "Sumo: Takanofuji says punishment for off-ring violence 'too heavy'". The Mainichi. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
- ^ "千賀ノ浦親方 音信不通の貴ノ富士と「顔見て話をしたい」、マンション訪れるも応答なし". Sponichi (in Japanese). 7 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
- ^ "暴力行為の貴ノ富士が現役引退「協会の将来に失望。やりとり疲れ果てた」". Sanspo (in Japanese). 11 October 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ "SUMO/ Takanofuji gives in to JSA urging, retires at 22 after 2 assaults". Asahi Shimbun. 12 October 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
- ^ "Takanofuji bouts by kimarite". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- ^ "Takanofuji Sanzo Rikishi Information". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
- ^ a b c "Tsuyoshi Sudario". Sherdog. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e John Hyon Ko (December 17, 2020). スダリオ剛 Tsuyoshi Sudario on Minowaman, losing +100lb to make heavyweight & Rizin future – via YouTube.
- ^ "元貴ノ富士、格闘家に転向". Kyodo (in Japanese). 7 July 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
- ^ "スダリオ剛 Rizin Fighting Federation". Rizin. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Guilherme Cruz (September 27, 2020). "RIZIN 24 results: Kai Asakura scores soccer kick knockout, Tenshin Nasukawa stays unbeaten". mmafighting.com.
- ^ Andrew Whitelaw (December 28, 2020). "Ikuhisa Minowa wants to introduce himself to a new set of fans at Rizin 26". asianmma.com.
- ^ Guilherme Cruz (December 31, 2020). "RIZIN 26 videos, results: Kyoji Horiguchi stops Kai Asakura, Ayaka Hamasaki wins title with scissor choke". mmafighting.com.
- ^ "Ayaka Hamasaki faces Kanna Asakura in super atomweight title rematch at Rizin 27". asianmma.com. February 12, 2021.
- ^ Cruz, Guilherme (21 March 2021). "RIZIN 27 results, videos: Ayaka Hamasaki retains belt in night of quick finishes". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ Alexander K. Lee (March 23, 2021). "Tsuyoshi Sudario fined for late shots following record-setting RIZIN knockout". mmafighting.com.
- ^ "Tofiq Musaev faces Roberto de Souza in lightweight title fight at Rizin 28". asianmma.com. June 1, 2021.
- ^ "【ＲＩＺＩＮ】スダリオ剛が屈辱のギブアップ負け 試合後の会見を欠席（東スポWeb）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-06-14.
- ^ "【RIZIN】大相撲出身スダリオが現役米軍兵SAINTと激突！=10.24". efight.jp. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "【RIZIN】フェザー混沌！ 斎藤裕が王座陥落、牛久絢太郎がTKO勝ちで新王者に！ 金原が芦田をパウンドアウト、 中村大介が一本勝ち、白川がケラモフ戦アピール、浅倉が大島に判定負け". ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
- ^ "【RIZIN.37】元力士・スダリオ剛、元警官の関根"シュレック"秀樹を「左フック一発」でKO わずか"53秒殺"に会場どよめき". spread-sports.jp. 31 July 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ^ "【RIZIN】クレベルが予告通りの三角絞めで牛久を極めてフェザー級新王者に！ スダリオが国際戦でTKO勝ち、矢地が連敗脱出、武田が横綱相撲で一本勝ち、宇佐美が佐々木をTKO、..." ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
- ^ "【RIZIN】大みそかBellator対抗戦の最後のカードは武田光司！ 榊原CEOも期待「満場一致でお願いしたい」（オリコン）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-11-12.
- ^ "【RIZIN】スダリオ剛が98秒KO負け！マーク・ハント門下のジュニア・タファの剛腕に沈む（ゴング格闘技）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-01-02.
- ^ "【RIZIN】スダリオ剛がUFC帰りのロッキー・マルティネスと対戦決定「今までで一番強い選手、タフな試合になる」". efight.jp. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ^ "【RIZIN】朝倉未来が引き込む牛久に判定勝ち「男はやるときやりゃあいいでしょう」、斎藤が打撃も当ててテイクダウンし平本にスプリット判定勝ち、太田が倉本を1R KO、グスタボ..." ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
- ^ "【RIZIN】「パスポート配送トラブル」で名古屋大会スライドのトッド・ダフィーが結局欠場。スダリオ剛が緊急参戦のミドル級戦士イム・ドンファンと対戦＝10月1日（日）愛知". ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ 格闘技情報を毎日配信！, eFight 【イーファイト】. "【RIZIN】スダリオ剛、豪腕アッパーで韓国ドンファンをKO撃破！ダフィーとの"大みそか王座戦"を要求". eFight【イーファイト】格闘技情報を毎日配信！ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ "Sumo star Tsuyoshi Sudario set for Rizin 45". Asian MMA. 2023-11-11. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
- ^ 格闘技情報を毎日配信！, eFight 【イーファイト】. "【RIZIN】"極真世界王者"上田幹雄、"戦慄の上段ヒザ"でスダリオを一撃KO！日本人ヘビー級頂上対決を制す＝試合結果". eFight【イーファイト】格闘技情報を毎日配信！ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-02-19.
External links edit
- Takanofuji Sanzo's official biography (English) at the Grand Sumo Homepage
- Professional MMA record for Tsuyoshi "Takanofuji" Sudario from Sherdog
- Tsuyoshi Sudario ("Takanofuji Sanzo") at Tapology.com