Kitanofuji Katsuaki

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北の富士勝昭
Kitanofuji Katsuaki
Personal information
Real name	Takezawa Katsuaki
Date of birth	March 28, 1942
Place of birth	Hokkaidō, Japan
Height	185.0cm
Weight	135.0kg
Career*
Heya	Dewanoumi, Kokonoe
Rank	retired
Record	592-294-62 (Makuuchi)
Debut	January 1957
Highest rank	Yokozuna (January 1970)
Yushos	10 (Makuuchi) 1 (Juryo)
Special Prizes	Outstanding Performance (2) Fighting Spirit (1) Technique (3)
* Career information is correct as of January 2007.

Kitanofuji Katsuaki 北の富士勝昭 (born March 28, 1942 as Takezawa Katsuaki) is a former sumo wrestler, born in Hokkaido, Japan. He was the sport's 52nd Yokozuna.

Kitanofuji began his professional career in January 1957 at the age of just 14. In November 1963 he achieved a perfect 15-0 score in the second highest juryo division (a feat not equalled until 43 years later by Baruto) and was promoted to the top makuuchi division. He reached ozeki rank in July 1966. His first tournament championship came in March 1967. This was an era dominated by Taiho but he emerged from the great Yokozuna's shadow by winning consecutive championships in November 1969 and January 1970 to secure his own promotion to Yokozuna. Promoted alongside him was his friend and rival Tamanoumi. His first title as a Yokozuna came in May 1970. After a run of relatively mediocre 11-4 marks he won in May 1971 with a perfect record and he took two other championships that year. However, Tamanoumi's sudden death in October 1971 shook Kitanofuji badly and affected his performance in the ring. He announced his retirement in July 1974, recognising that there was now a new era dominated by Wajima and Kitanoumi.

In 1977 he became head of the Kokonoe stable of wrestlers. During his tenure both Chiyonofuji and Hokutoumi reached the rank of Yokozuna. He handed over control of Kokonoe stable to Chiyonofuji in 1992, but he remained an oyakata until 1998 and still often appears on television as a sumo analyst.