Takanohana Kenshi

Takanohana Kenshi
貴ノ花 健士
Personal information
BornMitsuru Hanada
(1950-02-19)February 19, 1950
Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan
DiedMay 30, 2005(2005-05-30) (aged 55)
Height1.82 m (5 ft 11+12 in)
Weight115 kg (254 lb; 18.1 st)
Career
StableFutagoyama
Record726-490-58
DebutMay, 1965
Highest rankŌzeki (November, 1972)
RetiredJanuary, 1981
Elder nameFutagoyama
Championships2 (Makuuchi)
2 (Jūryō)
1 (Jonokuchi)
Special PrizesOutstanding Performance (3)
Fighting Spirit (2)
Technique (4)
Gold Stars1 (Kitanofuji)

Last updated: June 2020

Takanohana Kenshi (貴ノ花 健士), born Mitsuru Hanada (花田 満, Hanada Mitsuru; February 19, 1950 – May 30, 2005), was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hirosaki, Aomori. Making his debut in May 1965, his highest rank was ōzeki, which he reached in November 1972. He then went on to hold the rank for what was then a record fifty tournaments, before retiring in January 1981. He was extremely popular and was nicknamed the "Prince of Sumo" (角界のプリンス, Kakukai no Purinsu) due to his good looks and relatively slim build. He was the younger brother of Wakanohana Kanji I, and the father of Wakanohana Masaru and Takanohana Kōji. After retiring from competition, he coached both of his sons to the rank of yokozuna as head of Futagoyama stable.