Wakashoyo Shunichi | |
---|---|
若翔洋 俊一 | |
Personal information | |
Born | Yoichi Babaguchi 8 March 1966 Tokyo, Japan |
Height | 181 cm (5 ft 11 in) |
Weight | 164 kg (362 lb) |
Career | |
Stable | Futagoyama |
Record | 496–444–57 |
Debut | May 1981 |
Highest rank | Sekiwake (May, 1993) |
Retired | November 1997 |
Elder name | See Career |
Championships | 1 (Jūryō) 1 (Sandanme) |
Special Prizes | Fighting Spirit (2) |
* Up to date as of June 2020. |
Wakashoyo Shunichi (born 8 March 1966 as Yoichi Babaguchi) is a Japanese mixed martial artist, kickboxer, professional wrestler and former sumo wrestler.
Although born in Chiba, he grew up in Nakano, Tokyo. He joined sumo in 1981, wrestling out of Futagoyama stable. He first entered the top makuuchi division in 1991 and made his sanyaku debut in March 1993 from komusubi rank. Unusually, he came through with a winning record (which included a win over new yokozuna Akebono), and was awarded his second successive special prize for Fighting Spirit. After the tournament he was promoted to sekiwake , which was the highest rank he was to achieve. He 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 (who had been borrowing Wakanohana's), and Wakashoyo had to leave the sumo world.
He then signed with K-1, a kickboxing and mixed martial arts organization, fighting under his old shikona (He uses the Latin script, appearing as "WAKASHOYO" rather than using the Japanese characters. The Sumo Association requested that Konishiki do the same thing in his post-sumo career). He 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 was knocked down twice in the first round; he was not able to recover from the second one. In July 2005 he entered Hero's, the mixed martial arts series promoted by K-1, against kickboxing legend Peter Aerts in an MMA bout at Hero's 2. He was again knocked out in the first round. Wakashoyo returned to the promotion against Kazuhiro Hamanaka at Hero's 5 on 3 May 2006 and was submitted with an arm lock.
In 2008 he began using his real name, Yoichi Babaguchi, as his fighting name. However, he reverted to the name Wakashoyo in December 2010 for a kickboxing match with fellow former sekitori Sentoryu. Out of shape in his first match in over two and a half years, he lost in the first round. [1]
Babaguchi, under his Wakashoyo name, started his career in professional wrestling in Inoki Genome Federation in 2008, later changing to Real Japan Pro Wrestling in 2011.
During his sumo career Wakashoyo favoured yotsu-sumo, or grappling techniques. He preferred a hidari-yotsu, or right hand outside, left hand inside grip on his opponent's mawashi . His most common winning kimarite was yori-kiri, or force out, but he also liked using kotenage, or armlock throw.
Year in sumo | January Hatsu basho, Tokyo | March Haru basho, Osaka | May Natsu basho, Tokyo | July Nagoya basho, Nagoya | September Aki basho, Tokyo | November Kyūshū basho, Fukuoka |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1981 | x | x | (Maezumo) | WestJonokuchi#29 4–3 | WestJonidan#139 4–3 | EastJonidan#115 4–3 |
1982 | EastJonidan#93 4–3 | EastJonidan#64 3–4 | WestJonidan#81 4–3 | WestJonidan#55 3–4 | EastJonidan#71 5–2 | WestJonidan#27 2–5 |
1983 | EastJonidan#49 4–3 | WestJonidan#34 5–2 | WestSandanme#89 5–2 | WestSandanme#60 4–3 | WestSandanme#45 2–5 | WestSandanme#72 3–4 |
1984 | WestSandanme#83 4–3 | WestSandanme#62 3–4 | WestSandanme#81 4–3 | WestSandanme#62 5–2 | EastSandanme#33 5–2 | WestSandanme#1 1–6 |
1985 | WestSandanme#39 5–2 | WestSandanme#9 3–4 | WestSandanme#24 5–2 | EastMakushita#55 2–5 | WestSandanme#22 3–4 | EastSandanme#35 4–3 |
1986 | EastSandanme#15 7–0 Champion | EastMakushita#20 3–4 | EastMakushita#34 3–4 | EastMakushita#48 5–2 | WestMakushita#24 2–5 | EastMakushita#42 5–2 |
1987 | EastMakushita#28 1–6 | WestMakushita#56 6–1–P | WestMakushita#28 4–3 | WestMakushita#19 2–5 | WestMakushita#39 6–1 | EastMakushita#19 5–2 |
1988 | EastMakushita#10 4–3 | EastMakushita#6 0–3–4 | EastMakushita#41 4–3 | EastMakushita#30 5–2 | WestMakushita#17 6–1 | EastMakushita#4 5–2 |
1989 | WestMakushita#1 0–1–6 | EastMakushita#36 0–2–5 | EastSandanme#12 Sat out due to injury 0–0–7 | WestSandanme#72 6–1 | WestSandanme#20 5–2 | WestMakushita#50 Sat out due to injury 0–0–7 |
1990 | EastSandanme#31 Sat out due to injury 0–0–7 | EastSandanme#92 6–1 | EastSandanme#38 5–2 | EastSandanme#12 6–1 | EastMakushita#40 5–2 | EastMakushita#20 5–2 |
1991 | EastMakushita#10 6–1 | WestMakushita#3 5–2 | EastJūryō#11 10–5 | WestJūryō#3 9–6 | EastMaegashira#13 3–12 | WestJūryō#4 10–5–P |
1992 | WestMaegashira#15 6–9 | EastJūryō#2 10–5 | EastMaegashira#11 5–10 | EastJūryō#2 10–5 | WestMaegashira#13 10–5 | EastMaegashira#4 8–7 |
1993 | WestMaegashira#3 10–5 F | WestKomusubi#1 10–5 F | EastSekiwake#2 7–8 | WestKomusubi#1 7–8 | EastMaegashira#1 5–10 | WestMaegashira#5 8–7 |
1994 | WestKomusubi#1 6–9 | EastMaegashira#2 4–11 | EastMaegashira#10 2–13 | EastJūryō#6 8–7 | WestJūryō#4 9–6 | WestJūryō#1 11–4–P |
1995 | EastMaegashira#15 8–7 | WestMaegashira#12 9–6 | EastMaegashira#4 3–12 | EastMaegashira#15 11–4 | EastMaegashira#4 7–8 | WestMaegashira#4 5–9–1 |
1996 | EastMaegashira#10 Sat out due to injury 0–0–15 | EastMaegashira#10 6–9 | WestMaegashira#14 4–11 | EastJūryō#7 11–4–P | EastJūryō#3 5–10 | WestJūryō#9 9–6 |
1997 | EastJūryō#5 10–5 | EastJūryō#2 4–11 | WestJūryō#7 8–7 | EastJūryō#5 1–14 | EastMakushita#7 3–4 | WestMakushita#13 Retired 1–1–0 |
Record given as win-loss-absent Top Division Champion Top Division Runner-up Retired Lower Divisions Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique Also shown: ★=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s) |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 wins, 6 losses, 1 draw | |||||||||
Loss | 0–6–1 | Sentoryū | TKO (3 knockdowns) | Survivor: Round 6 | 25 December 2010 | 1 | 1:09 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Loss | 0–5–1 | Noboru Tadashi | TKO (low kicks) | Utsunomiya Utsunomiya Vol.2 | 29 March 2009 | 1 | 0:46 | Japan | |
Loss | 0–4–1 | Masami Ueno | KO | Chikusei Fighting Dream | 15 September 2008 | 1 | 0:40 | Japan | |
Loss | 0–3–1 | Atsushi Hamada | KO (right low kick) | Dragon Moero | 22 December 2007 | 1 | 1:55 | Japan | |
Loss | 0–2–1 | Gen Shiyo | KO (right low kick) | New Japan Kickboxing Association: Titans Neos II | 16 September 2007 | 1 | 0:54 | Japan | |
Draw | 0–1–1 | Mr. Kamikaze | No decision | Ryukyu Kamikaze Spirit | 13 November 2005 | 3 | 3:00 | Okinawa Prefecture, Japan | |
Loss | 0–1 | Choi Hong-man | KO (left hook) | K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Seoul | 19 March 2005 | 1 | 1:40 | Seoul, South Korea | 2005 Seoul Grand Prix quarter-final bout. |
8 matches | 1 win | 6 losses |
By knockout | 0 | 5 |
By submission | 1 | 1 |
Draws | 1 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 1–6–1 | Kyoshiro Kawada | KO (punches) | Kingdom Ehrgeiz: Majors vs. Indies | 30 April 2012 | 1 | N/A | Tokyo, Japan | |
Loss | 1–5–1 | Hirohide Fujinuma | TKO (punches) | Deep: 47 Impact | 17 April 2010 | 1 | 0:17 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Loss | 1–4–1 | Yusuke Kawaguchi | TKO (punches) | Deep: Megaton Grand Prix 2008 Semifinal | 24 May 2008 | 1 | 0:16 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 1–3–1 | Kintaro Tsurukame | Submission (punches) | Deep: Megaton Grand Prix 2008 Opening Round | 29 March 2008 | 1 | 1:22 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Loss | 0–3–1 | Kengo Watanabe | TKO (punches) | GCM: Cage Force EX Western Bound | 17 February 2007 | 1 | 0:20 | Tottori, Japan | |
Loss | 0–2–1 | Kazuhiro Hamanaka | Submission (kimura) | K-1: Hero's 5 | 3 May 2006 | 1 | 1:22 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Draw | 0–1–1 | Soichi Nishida | Draw | GCM: D.O.G. 4 | 11 December 2005 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Loss | 0–1 | Peter Aerts | TKO (punches) | K-1: Hero's 2 | 6 July 2005 | 1 | 1:36 | Tokyo, Japan |
Robert Malcolm Sapp is an American mixed martial artist, kickboxer, professional wrestler, actor, and former American football player. He is currently under contract with Rizin Fighting Federation. Sapp has a combined fight record of 24–39–1, mostly fighting in Japan. He is well known in Japan, where he has appeared in numerous commercials, television programs, and various other media, and has released a music CD, Sapp Time. He is known there as a gaijin tarento. He is currently working sporadically for various MMA promotions in the U.S., Japan, and Europe.
Maurice L. Smith is a retired American kickboxer and mixed martial artist. In kickboxing, he held the WKC world light heavyweight championship, the WKA world heavyweight championship, and the ISKA world heavyweight championship. In mixed martial arts, he held the Heavyweight championship in Battlecade Extreme Fighting and the UFC, and became a member of the UFC Hall of Fame in 2017. A professional competitor since 1980, Smith has formerly competed in kickboxing for the companies All Japan Enterprise and K-1, Pancrase, RINGS, PRIDE, Strikeforce, International Fight League and RFA.
Taylor Wily is an American actor, former sumo wrestler and mixed martial artist. He is from Laie, Hawaii and is of American Samoan descent. He is commonly known for his recurring role as Kamekona Tupuola on Hawaii Five-0.
Takanosato Toshihide, real name Toshihide Takaya, was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Namioka, Aomori. He was the sport's 59th yokozuna from 1983 to 1986 and won four top division tournament championships. After retirement he established Naruto stable which he ran from 1989 until his death.
Henry Armstrong Miller is a former sumo wrestler, raised in St. Louis, Missouri, who competed under the shikonaSentoryū Henri. The first wrestler from the US mainland to reach the top makuuchi division, he made his professional debut in 1988 and reached a highest rank of maegashira 12 before retiring in 2003. He last competed in MMA as recently as 2013, losing to Kazuhiro Nakamura.
Mienoumi Tsuyoshi is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Matsusaka, Mie. He was the 57th yokozuna of the sport. After retiring he founded the Musashigawa stable and was a chairman of the Japan Sumo Association. He was the first rikishi in history who was demoted from the rank of Ozeki but still managed the promotion to Yokozuna.
Tosanoumi Toshio, is a former sumo wrestler. He first reached the top division of professional sumo in 1995, winning 13 special prizes and earning 11 kinboshi or gold stars for defeating yokozuna over his long career. The highest rank he reached was sekiwake. He retired in 2010 to become a coach at his stable, Isenoumi stable under the name of Tatekawa.
Wakamisugi Akiteru, also known as Daigō Hisateru, was a sumo wrestler from Kagawa, Japan. The highest rank he achieved was sekiwake. He was the brother in law of yokozuna Wakanohana Kanji I.
Kitabayama Hidetoshi was a former sumo wrestler and coach from Muroran, Hokkaidō, Japan. His highest rank was ōzeki.
Akinoshima Katsumi is a former sumo wrestler from Akitsu, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1982, and after reaching the top division in 1988 he remained there for 15 years. His highest rank was sekiwake. He was known as the "giant killer" having defeated more yokozuna than any other untitled wrestler (maegashira) in the history of sumo, earning himself 16 gold stars or kinboshi over his career, four more than his nearest kinboshi earning rivals, Takamiyama and Tochinonada. He also has received 19 performance prizes (sanshō), another record in sumo history.
Rene Rooze is a Dutch former kickboxer and mixed martial artist.
Arase Nagahide, real name Arase Hideo was a sumo wrestler from Ino, Agawa District, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was sekiwake. After his retirement in 1981 he became a television personality and ran unsuccessfully for political office.
Kim Min-soo is a South Korean former judoka, professional mixed martial artist and K-1 kickboxer. He is best known for becoming a K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Seoul finalist and also winning a Silver Medal in Judo at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. He is also known for his fights with WWE professional wrestler and UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, WWE wrestler and K-1 fighter Sean O'Haire, and NFL player turned kickboxer and New Japan Pro-Wrestling contender Bob Sapp. Min-soo holds a notable kickboxing win over Muay Thai world champion Mourad Bouzidi. He announced his retirement from contact sports in 2011, with subsequent stints as color commentator for Japanese and Korean mixed martial arts and professional wrestling events. Kim is also the head judo coach for the Korean Top Team.
Aobajō Yukio is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. He did not miss a single bout in his 22-year professional career, and holds the record for the most consecutive matches fought, at 1,630. After his retirement from active competition he was an elder of the Japan Sumo Association and a coach.
The following were the events in professional sumo during 1997.
Ōzutsu Takeshi is a former sumo wrestler from Mie, Japan. Beginning his professional career in May 1971, he was ranked in the top makuuchi division continuously from March 1979 to January 1992, and his record of 1170 consecutive bouts there is the second best in history after Takamiyama. His highest rank was sekiwake. He was runner-up in one tournament and earned ten kinboshi or gold stars for defeating yokozuna. He also won four sanshō or special prizes. He wrestled for Taihō stable and after his retirement in May 1992 he worked there as a coach before leaving the Japan Sumo Association in 2008.
Kurama Tatsuya was a sumo wrestler from Yasu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1968, reaching the top makuuchi division in 1976. His highest rank was sekiwake and he won three special prizes and two kinboshi. He was well-known for his good looks and flamboyant personal life. After retiring in 1989 he became a sumo elder for a short time before leaving the Japan Sumo Association to work as a commentator and television personality. He died of leukemia in 1995.
Oginohana Akikazu is a former sumo wrestler from Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan. He made his professional debut in July 1983, and reached the top division in January 1990. His highest rank was maegashira 2. He retired in July 1998. He is the son of former sekiwake Oginohana Masaaki and the elder brother of former komusubi Oginishiki. Since 2014 he has been the head of the Dewanoumi stable.
Shinji Hamada, better known as Toyonoumi Shinji, was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Buzen, Fukuoka. He made his professional debut in March 1981 and reached the top division in November 1988. He was known by the shikona Takanohama until 1990. His highest rank was maegashira 1. He did not miss a single bout in his 19-year professional career. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, under the name Yamahibiki. He left the Sumo Association in June 2002.
Hagurohana Toji was a sumo wrestler from Nishiokoppe, Hokkaidō, Japan. He made his professional debut in September 1955, and reached the top division in September 1960. He was a prominent member of the top division during the Hakuho era, dominated by Taihō and Kashiwado. Upon retirement from active competition in 1965 at the early age of 29 he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Onaruto and later Tamagaki. He left the Sumo Association in October 1972. He died of cancer in 1984 at the age of 48.