Chiyotaikai Ryūji
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Ryūji Chiyotaikai (千代大海 龍二, Chiyotaikai Ryūji, born April 29, 1976) is a Japanese former sumo wrestler. He made his professional debut in 1992 and reached the top makuuchi division in 1997. He held the second highest rank of ōzeki or champion for 65 consecutive tournaments from 1999 until 2009, making him the longest serving ōzeki in the modern era. He won three top division yūshō or tournament championships, and was a runner-up on seven other occasions. However, he also held the dubious record of being in danger of demotion from ōzeki fourteen times. He wrestled for Kokonoe stable until his retirement in January 2010 at the age of 33. He remained in sumo as a coach at his stable, and became the head coach in August 2016 following the death of Chiyonofuji.
Chiyotaikai Ryūji | |
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千代大海 龍二 | |
Personal information | |
Born | Ryūji Hiroshima (広島 龍二) (1976-04-29) April 29, 1976 (age 47) Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan |
Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in) |
Weight | 158 kg (348 lb; 24.9 st) |
Web presence | website |
Career | |
Stable | Kokonoe |
Record | 771-524-115 |
Debut | November 1992 |
Highest rank | Ōzeki (March 1999) |
Retired | January 2010 |
Elder name | Kokonoe |
Championships | 3 (Makuuchi) 2 (Jūryō) 1 (Sandanme) 1 (Jonokuchi) |
Special Prizes | Outstanding Performance (1) Fighting Spirit (1) Technique (3) |
Gold Stars | 1 (Takanohana II) |
* Up to date as of Jan 2010. |