Kindai in the News

Three senior students in Kinki University Sumo Wrestling Club, have entered the Takasago and Hakkaku sumo stables.
The simultaneous entry of three players into the sumo world is the largest ever, a prestigious record since formation of our sumo team in 1925.

[Outline]
During the 90th anniversary year of its founding, the Kinki University Sumo Wrestling Club now has three of its members entering professional sumo stables― a landmark achievement.
Hiroki Ishibashi, the national No.1 ranked wrestler among all university students,
and the No.5 ranked wrestler and captain of the club, Kazuma Tamaki will enter the Takasago stable, while Yuki Ikegawa, national No.6 ranked among the universities will enter the Hakkaku stable. They will have their first 2016 tournaments in January and March, with the goals of professional wrestlers. The number of professional wrestlers who have graduated from Kinki University has now increased to eight.

[About Kinki University Sumo Wrestling Club]
The club was established in 1925, and so 2016 marks its 90th year and, as of December 2015, we have 31 members.
During this time we have been group champion in the National Student Sumo Championships eight times.
There are currently five active professional wrestlers who are graduates of Kinki University
(Homarefuji, Takarafuji, Tokushoryu, Oiwato, and Hamaguchi).
During the club's long history there have been 17 alumni who became professionals,
and now that number has increased to 20.

[Takasago-beya (Takasago Stable)]

■Hiroki Ishibashi
Date of birth: March 1, 1994
From: Toyama city, Toyama
Faculty: Business Administration, Senior
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 162 kg
Major Sumo style: Right-handed grip
Sumo strengths: Pushing out, forcing out, overarm throw, beltless arm throw
High school attended: Graduated from Toyama Commercial High School



<Achievements>
Nationally ranked No. 1 among university students (2015)
・The 40th National Students' Sumo Tournament, Individual contestants' Class-by-class championships, 135kg class: First Prize (2015)
・The 40th West-Japan Students' Sumo Tournament, Individual contestants' Class-by-class championships, 135kg class: First Prize (2015)
・The 74th West-Japan All-star Students' Sumo Tournament: First Prize (2015)
・The 87th West Japan Students' Sumo Championships: First Prize (2015)
・The 64th All Japan Students' Sumo Championships: Third Prize (2015)

■Kazuma Tamaki
Date of birth: May 29, 1993
From: Ise city, Mie
Faculty: Business Administration, Senior
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 142 kg
Major Sumo style: Basic push, left-handed grip
Sumo strengths: Pushing out, thrusting out, slapping down, throwing out
High school attended: Graduated from Kinki University High School



<Achievements>
Nationally ranked No. 5 among University Students (2015)
・The 40th West-Japan Students' Sumo Tournament, Individual contestants' Class-by-class championships, Open-weight: First Prize (2015)
・The 40th All-Japan Students' Sumo Tournament, Individual contestants' Class-by-class championships, Open-weight: Third Prize (2015)
・The 53rd All-Japan Universities-Corporates Sumo Match, Wakayama Competition, Individual contestant class, Third Prize (2015)

[Hakkaku-beya (Hakkaku Stable)]

■Yuki Ikegawa
Date of Birth: June 2, 1993
From: Matsubara city, Osaka
Faculty: Business Administration, Senior
Height: 190 cm
Weight: 165 kg
Major Sumo style: Left-handed grip
Sumo strengths: Forcing out, pushing-out,
forearm throw
High school attended: Graduated from Kinki University High School


<Achievements>
Nationally ranked No. 6 among University Students (2015)
・The 39h National Students' Sumo Tournament, individual contestants' Class-by-class championships, 135kg class: Third Prize (2014)
・The 32nd All-Japan University Sumo Tournament, Uwajima Competition, Individual class: Third Prize (2015)
・The 40th National Students' Sumo Tournament, Individual contestants' Class-by-class championships, 135kg class: Third Prize (2015)
・The 93rd All Japan Students' Sumo Championships: Second Prize (2015)