Fujinishiki Akira

Fujinishiki Akira (born Akira Watanabe, also known as Akira Ichimiya, 18 March 1937 – 17 December 2003) was a sumo wrestler from Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan. His highest rank was "komusubi," which he held on ten occasions. He won the top "makuuchi" division tournament championship or "yusho" in 1964 and was runner-up in two other tournaments. He won seven special prizes and seven gold stars for defeating "yokozuna." After his retirement in 1968 he was an elder of the Japan Sumo Association and was the head coach of Takasago stable from 1988 until shortly before his retirement from the Sumo Association in 2002. He died of liver disease in 2003.
Career.
Making his debut in 1953, he wrestled for Takasago stable, home of then "yokozuna" Azumafuji to whom the "Fuji" part of his "shikona" referred. He first entered the top "makuuchi" division in 1959 and was runner-up in two tournaments that year, winning a special prize for Fighting Spirit in each. His highest rank was "komusubi", which he first reached in 1960. He spent a total of ten tournaments at that rank, the last coming in 1967, but never managed to earn promotion to "sekiwake". He never managed to win more than eight bouts as a "komusubi" but was somewhat unlucky not be promoted after two consecutive 8–7 records at the rank in 1961, and he was regarded as certainly being of "sekiwake" level in ability. He holds the modern record for most tournaments at "komusubi" without reaching "sekiwake".
The highlight of his career came in July 1964 when he took the top division championship or "yūshō" with a 14–1 record. He was ranked as a "maegashira" at the time and did not meet any "ōzeki" or "yokozuna" during the tournament. He defeated "sekiwake" Kitanofuji on the final day, avoiding the need for a playoff with "ōzeki" Yutakayama. He was perhaps fortunate that "yokozuna" Taihō, who won four championships in that year alone, dropped out after five days.
His "tsukebito" or personal attendant was Hawaiian born Takamiyama, later to become the first foreigner to win a championship, and Fujinishiki was one of the wrestlers who helped introduce him to sumo and Japanese culture. His mentorship of Takamiyama continued as a coach after his retirement from the ring.
Retirement from sumo.
Following his retirement as an active wrestler in November 1968 he stayed at Takasago stable as a coach under the elder name of Nishiiwa. In 1988 he became head of the stable, following the death of former "yokozuna" Asashio Tarō III. He coached Konishiki, Mitoizumi and amongst others. He also served on the Japan Sumo Association's board of directors. However, after his wrestler Toki was involved in a car accident that killed a pedestrian in December 2000, he was punished by a demotion and a reduction in salary. In February 2002, in failing health, he passed on ownership of the stable to former "ōzeki" Asashio Tarō IV, who merged his Wakamatsu stable with Takasago's. He let his former wrestler Mitoizumi use the old Takasago premises to launch Nishikido stable. He remained as a coach under the Wakamatsu name until his retirement the following month upon reaching 65, and continued to attend training sessions after that. He died of liver disease in December 2003.
Fighting style.
He specialized in pushing and thrusting techniques ("tsuki/oshi") and was known for his strong "tachi-ai" or initial charge.
Personal life.
His eldest son , born in 1969, is a professional wrestler. His second eldest son Akihiro was once the personal manager of "yokozuna" Asashoryu (who was criticized for failing to attend Fujinishiki's funeral). It was Akihiro who was initially reported to have been punched by Asashoryu in a drunken brawl at a dance club in January 2010, although it soon emerged it was the manager of the club and this led to the "yokozuna"'s enforced retirement.
He was seen in the 1967 James Bond film "You Only Live Twice", fighting in a bout against Kotozakura.
Career record.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 