Fujinishiki Takemitsu (18 March1937 - 17 December2003) was a sumo wrestler from Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. After his retirement he was the head coach of Takasago stable.

Career

Making his debut in 1953, he first entered the top makuuchi division in 1959 and was runner-up in two tournaments that year. His highest rank was komusubi. He spent a total of ten tournaments at that rank but never managed to earn promotion to sekiwake. The highlight of his career came in July 1964 when he took the top division championship or yusho with a 14-1 record. He was ranked as a maegashira at the time and did not meet any ozeki or yokozuna during the tournament. He was perhaps fortunate that yokozuna Taiho, who won four championships in that year alone, dropped out after five days. He wrestled for Takasago stable and following his retirement as an active wrestler in November 1968 stayed there as a coach. In 1988 he became head of the stable, following the death of former yokozuna Asashio Tarō III. He coached Konishiki and Mitoizumi amongst others. He also served on the Japan Sumo Association's board of directors. In February 2002, in failing health, he passed on ownership of the stable to former ozeki Asashio Tarō IV. He died of liver disease in December 2003.

He was seen in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice, fighting in a bout against Kotozakura.

Top division record

References

See also

• Glossary of sumo terms
• List of past sumo wrestlers
• List of sumo tournament winners
• List of yokozuna