Kyokutenzan Takeshi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Birth name | Batmönkhiin Enkhbat | |
| Date of birth | August 4, 1973 | |
| Place of birth | Ulan-Bator, Mongolia | |
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 21⁄2 in) | |
| Weight | 102 kg (220 lb) | |
| Career* | ||
| Heya | Ōshima | |
| Record | 337-321-0 | |
| Debut | March, 1992 | |
| Highest rank | Makushita 13 (July, 2004) | |
| Retired | November, 2007 | |
|
* Career information is correct as of November 2007. |
||
Kyokutenzan Takeshi (born August 4, 1973 as Batmönkhiin Enkhbat, Mongolian: Батмөнхийн Энхбат) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Ulan Bator, Mongolia. In 2005, he obtained Japanese citizenship.
Contents |
[edit] Career
Kyokutenzan joined sumo in March 1992 at the same time as his more famous Mongolian colleagues Kyokushūzan and Kyokutenhō, but unlike them he never reached sekitori status. He served as a tsukebito, or personal attendant, to Kyokutenhō. During his early days in sumo, when five of the six Mongolians in Oshima stable ran away and sought refuge in the Mongolian embassy, Kyokutenzan was the only one who remained, and he persuaded his countrymen to return.
During the January 2007 tournament Kyokutenzan attracted criticism over the amount of time he was spending in the two dressing rooms in which the wrestlers prepare for their bouts. He was interviewed by the Japan Sumo Association as part of their investigation of alleged match-fixing involving Yokozuna Asashōryū.[1] Kyokutenzan responded by saying, "I have nothing to hide. In my 15 years of sumo, I've never been involved in yaocho (cheating). I can say that with conviction." He explained his visits to the dressing room by saying, "I'm just giving advice on living here to my Mongolian juniors. The only time I can see them is during the basho. I was, however, warned by the (Sumo Association's) audit committee today, so in the future, I will be more careful."
Kyokutenzan retired from professional sumo at the end of the 2007 Kyushu basho. His retirement ceremony was held in December with Hakuho and Asashoryu amongst the attendees as well as Kyokushuzan and Kyokutenho.[2] Kyuokutenzan moved to Germany with his wife, who he had married in July 2007, to start a business. [3] His first child, a girl, was born in May 2008.
[edit] References
- ^ McCurry, Justin (2007-01-30). Sumo king enters ring of fire (English). The Guardian. Retrieved on 2007-06-05.
- ^ [sumo] Kyokutenzan's dampatsu (and nostalgia)
- ^ Sumo: Kyokutenzan hangs up mawashi, to become businessman
