Shōhōzan Yūya

{{hatnote|In this Japanese shikona name, the surname is Shōhōzan.}} {{short description|Japanese sumo wrestler}} {{Infobox sumo wrestler | image = Matsutani 2010 May.JPG | caption = Shōhōzan in 2010 | native_name = 松鳳山裕也 | name = Shōhōzan Yūya | birth_name = Yūya Matsutani | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|2|9}} | birth_place = Chikujō, Fukuoka, Japan | height = {{height|meters=1.76}} | weight = {{convert|133|kg|lb|abbr=on}} | heya = Hanaregoma | university = Komazawa University | rank = | record = 582-605-22 | debut = March, 2006 | highestrank = Komusubi (January, 2013) | retireddate = June, 2022 | yushos = 1 (Jūryō) 2 (Makushita) 1 (Jonidan) | prizes = Fighting Spirit (3) Outstanding Performance (1) | goldstars = 5 Harumafuji (3) Kakuryū (2) | weburl = |update = 22 June 2022 }}

{{nihongo|'''Shōhōzan Yūya'''|松鳳山裕也||born February 9, 1984 as {{nihongo|'''Yūya Matsutani'''|松谷裕也}}|lead=yes}} is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Chikujō, Fukuoka. Wrestling for Hanaregoma stable, he made his professional debut in March 2006 and reached the top ''makuuchi'' division in November 2011. His highest rank was ''komusubi'', which he achieved on five occasions. He earned three Fighting Spirit prizes, five ''kinboshi'' or gold stars for defeating ''yokozuna'', and was runner-up in one tournament before retiring from competition in June 2022.

==Early life and sumo background== He played baseball and judo in his junior high school years, but on transferring to an industrial and science high school in nearby Ōita Prefecture he joined the sumo club after being scouted by the coach at the school. In his second and third years he participated in two annual regional tournaments. In these tournaments, he managed to reach the best eight, but was beaten both times by future ''ōzeki'' Kotoshōgiku. In Komazawa University, he was a regular on the sumo team and managed to be runner up for the championship at a national competition.

==Career== ===Early career=== His successes at this level garnered him many invitations from various sumo stables but chose to enter Matsugane, the stable that first approached him (it has since changed its name to Nishonoseki and then Hanaregoma). He entered the professional ring in May 2006, fighting under his own surname of Matsutani. He was not able to achieve ''makushita tsukedashi'' status as he had never managed to win a national tournament before turning pro. He posted a decent ''jonokuchi'' debut with a 5–2 record. In the next tournament, he took the ''jonidan'' championship with a perfect 7–0 record and a playoff victory over fellow up-and-comer Sakaizawa. Three strong tournaments in ''sandanme'' got him promotion to the third ''makushita'' division in March, 2007. He had had a very strong showing up to this point, and had claimed he wanted to make ''makushita'' before the time for his hair to be tied up in a topknot came. He did achieve this goal, and though he started out strong with two consecutive 6-1 tournaments, as is often the case with wrestlers trying to advance through ''makushita'', this is where he began to have trouble. He would struggle in the division for exactly three years. He began to find his stride in July, 2009. He achieved a 6–1 record and had a playoff bout against the future Akiseyama, which he lost. His sumo would grow more consistent from this point and after four more tournaments in ''makushita'' in which he had only one losing tournament, he finally qualified for the second tier ''jūryō'' division for the May 2010 tournament. He was only the second wrestler in thirty-three years from Komazawa University to achieve promotion to ''jūryō''.

In his ''sekitori'' debut he won 9 of 15 bouts and was promoted to ''jūryō'' #8 for the following tournament, but only managed a 6–9 record. His losing tournament would be the least of his concerns though. It was revealed on August 12, 2010 in a follow-up to the June investigation into baseball gambling, that Matsutani, along with a ''sandanme'' wrestler from his stable had also been involved in gambling, but had not come forward, and had participated in the July, 2010 tournament while other wrestlers who were implicated or who admitted involvement had been suspended. He, along with his stablemate and his coach, apologized to the public in a press conference soon after. In September, the Japan Sumo Association handed down the decision not to dismiss the wrestlers, but to suspend them for two tournaments (September and November).

Upon his return in the first tournament of 2011 he had fallen to ''makushita'' #51. Seemingly burning to redeem himself, Matsutani pulled off a perfect 7-0 championship, and even with the turmoil due to the following tournament being cancelled due to the match-fixing scandal he still pulled off another perfect championship in the succeeding May tournament. In many ways, this would mirror ''sekitori'' Toyonoshima's feat in previous months of bouncing back from a demotion to ''jūryō'' for baseball gambling by pulling off a championship in that tournament and almost pulling off a ''makuuchi'' championship in a playoff loss to Hakuhō in the following tournament. Matsutani would attain re-entry to ''jūryō'' at a career high #3. He only managed a 7–8 record, but in the following September tournament at ''jūryō'' #5 would bounce back with a convincing 11–4 winning tournament.

===Makuuchi career=== [[File:Shōhōzan vs Tochinowaka May 2014 001.jpg|thumb|right|Shōhōzan (left) facing Tochinowaka in May 2014]] On his November 2011 tournament top tier ''makuuchi'' debut, he adopted the ''shikona'' Shōhōzan and achieved a 10–5 record. He reached what was at that time a career high of ''maegashira'' 1 in the September tournament of 2012. He had his best tournament to date in the following tournament in November, scoring ten wins and defeating three ''ōzeki''. This earned him his first special prize, for Fighting Spirit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/sports/AJ201211250045|title=SUMO/ Hakuho shows he's the man to beat in 2013 by dumping Harumafuji on Day 15|date=25 November 2012|publisher=Asahi Shimbun|accessdate=27 November 2012}}</ref> He was promoted to ''komusubi'' for the January 2013 tournament, becoming the first man from Matsugane stable to reach the ''san'yaku'' ranks since its establishment in 1990. He was re-promoted to ''komusubi'' three times, though he never held the rank for more than one tournament. He won his second Fighting Spirit prize in September 2013, and also earned his first ''kinboshi'' for an upset of a ''yokozuna'' while ranked as a ''maegashira,'' defeating Harumafuji.

After a disastrous 1–14 performance in the March 2015 tournament, he was demoted to ''jūryō'', and was unable to get a winning record in the next tournament to return immediately to the top division. In September however he won the division with a 13–2 record and was promoted back to the top division for the next tournament. In November he produced his best performance in the top division, winning twelve matches and finishing in a three-way tie for second place: only a defeat by Aminishiki on the final day prevented him from reaching a play-off for the championship. His efforts saw him being awarded his third Fighting Spirit award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japantoday.com/category/sports/view/harumafuji-wins-kyushu-title-despite-final-day-defeat|title=Harumafuji wins Kyushu title despite final-day defeat|date=22 November 2015|work=Japan Today|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123032617/http://www.japantoday.com/category/sports/view/harumafuji-wins-kyushu-title-despite-final-day-defeat|archivedate=23 November 2015}}</ref>

In January 2016 he defeated Harumafuji again to win his second ''kinboshi'', but he otherwise had a relatively quiet year, and was not able to put together enough consistent performances to earn promotion back to ''san'yaku.'' In the January 2017 tournament he earned his third ''kinboshi'', once again beating Harumafuji, and he got his fourth in March, but he remained in the ''maegashira'' ranks for the rest of the year. In May 2018 he won the Outstanding Performance prize for being the only wrestler to defeat the tournament winner, Kakuryū. This performance was rewarded with promotion to ''komusubi'' for the first time since 2014, but he lasted only one tournament at the rank with a 3–12 record. He was demoted to ''jūryō'' after the September 2020 tournament, by which time he was the oldest man in the top division, but he decided to continue wrestling. He earned promotion back to ''makuuchi'' for the November 2021 tournament in Fukuoka Prefecture at the age of 37 years and 8 months, making him the ninth oldest wrestler to do so.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2021/11/01/sumo/basho-reports/terunofuji-fukuoka-yokozuna/|title=Yokozuna Terunofuji leads sumo into new era without Hakuho|date=1 November 2021|work=Japan times|access-date=1 November 2021}}</ref> He was the only wrestler from Fukuoka in the top division at that time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2021/11/10/sumo/kyushu-basho-history/|title=Despite sluggish attendance, Kyushu Basho boasts overwhelming charm|last=Gunning|first=John|date=10 November 2021|access-date=7 December 2021}}</ref>

==Retirement from sumo== Shōhōzan's 11-year run as a ''sekitori'' came to an end in May 2022 when he could score only 3–12 at the rank of ''juryō'' 12. He said afterwards he would take time to consider his future, paying attention to his physical condition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202205220000649.html|title=十両松鳳山３勝止まり、関取転落は確実「体と相談しながらゆっくり考えます」進退明言せず Juryo Shohozan has 3 wins, fall from sekitori is certain, says "I will think carefully while considering my body," without declaring that he will continue or retire|date=22 May 2022|work=Nikkan Sports|language=Japanese|access-date=2 June 2022}}</ref>

The Japan Sumo Association announced Shōhōzan's retirement on 22 June 2022.<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Japan Sumo Association |author-link=Japan Sumo Association |user=sumokyokai |number=1539508960398434304 |title=<Notice of Retirement of Shohozan> Former Komusubi Shohozan (real name Yuya Matsutani, Hanaregoma stable) has retired.}}</ref> His retirement ceremony was held at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan on 11 February 2023. About 400 people took part in cutting his topknot in the ceremony, which was closed to the public.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202302110001173.html|title=元小結・松鳳山断髪式で号泣「泣かない予定でしたけど両親の時はきましたね」父と母へ感謝|date=11 February 2023|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=11 February 2023|lang=ja}}</ref>

==Personal life== He had become known for having a very stern, almost scary visage, but in his ''jūryō'' entry interview people were surprised to learn he had a very expressive smiling face and a friendly way of talking. He even admitted to being sensitive enough to cry when he first heard of his ''jūryō'' entry.

Shōhōzan is married, with his first son born in 2014. He also has another younger son.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/190113|title=33歳コワモテ力士の目を覚まさせた妻の叱咤|date=25 September 2017|publisher=Toyokeizai Online|language=Japanese|accessdate=27 September 2017}}</ref>

==Fighting style== Shōhōzan specialised in pushing and thrusting techniques, or ''oshi-sumo''. His most common winning ''kimarite'' was ''oshi-dashi'', or push out, followed by ''yori-kiri'' or force out.

==Career record== {{Sumo record box start|Shōhōzan Yūya<ref>{{cite web | author= | title=Shohozan Yuya Rikishi Information | publisher=Sumo Reference | url=http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Rikishi.aspx?shikona=Sh%C5%8Dh%C5%8Dzan&heya=-1&shusshin=-1&b=-1&high=-1&hd=-1&entry=-1&intai=-1&sort=1 | date= | accessdate=2011-12-04}}</ref>}} {{Sumo record year start link|2006}} {{Basho}} {{Basho|MAEZUMOU}} {{Basho|jk|14|w|5|2}} {{Basho|jo|90|w|7|0|P Champion}} {{Basho|sa|84|w|5|2}} {{Basho|sa|52|w|6|1}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2007}} {{Basho|sa|2|e|4|3}} {{Basho|ma|54|e|6|1}} {{Basho|ma|26|e|6|1}} {{Basho|ma|9|e|3|4}} {{Basho|ma|14|e|3|4}} {{Basho|ma|19|w|2|5}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2008}} {{Basho|ma|34|w|4|3}} {{Basho|ma|25|w|4|3}} {{Basho|ma|17|w|6|1}} {{Basho|ma|5|e|1|6}} {{Basho|ma|26|e|4|3}} {{Basho|ma|16|w|3|4}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2009}} {{Basho|ma|24|w|6|1}} {{Basho|ma|9|e|3|4}} {{Basho|ma|13|e|3|4}} {{Basho|ma|21|e|6|1|P}} {{Basho|ma|7|e|4|3}} {{Basho|ma|5|w|3|4}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2010}} {{Basho|ma|7|w|6|1}} {{Basho|ma|1|e|4|3}} {{Basho|j|12|e|9|6}} {{Basho|j|8|e|6|9}} {{Basho|SUSPENDED|rank=j|r-no=11|tozai=e}} {{Basho|SUSPENDED|rank=ma|r-no=11|tozai=w}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2011}} {{Basho|ma|51|w|7|0 Champion}} {{Basho|CANCELLED|absent=0| Match fixing investigation|rank=ma|r-no=4|tozai=w}} {{Basho|ma|4|w|7|0 Champion}} {{Basho|j|3|e|7|8}} {{Basho|j|5|e|11|4}} {{Basho|m|15|e|10|5}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2012}} {{Basho|m|8|e|8|7}} {{Basho|m|6|e|7|8}} {{Basho|m|7|e|9|6}} {{Basho|m|3|w|8|7}} {{Basho|m|1|e|7|8}} {{Basho|m|2|e|10|5|||f}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2013}} {{Basho|k|1|w|4|11}} {{Basho|m|4|w|7|8}} {{Basho|m|5|e|8|7}} {{Basho|k|1|e|7|8}} {{Basho|m|1|e|8|7|||f|*}} {{Basho|k|1|e|4|11}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2014}} {{Basho|m|5|e|9|6}} {{Basho|k|1|w|5|10}} {{Basho|m|5|e|8|7}} {{Basho|m|1|e|4|11|}} {{Basho|m|7|e|6|9}} {{Basho|m|10|e|7|8}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2015}} {{Basho|m|11|e|8|7}} {{Basho|m|8|e|1|14}} {{Basho|j|3|w|7|8}} {{Basho|j|4|w|6|9}} {{Basho|j|6|w|13|2 Champion}} {{Basho|m|10|w|12|3||j|f}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2016}} {{Basho|m|1|w|5|10|||*}} {{Basho|m|5|w|4|11}} {{Basho|m|11|w|11|4}} {{Basho|m|4|e|5|10}} {{Basho|m|7|e|8|7}} {{Basho|m|5|e|8|7}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2017}} {{Basho|m|2|e|7|8|||*}} {{Basho|m|3|e|5|10|||*}} {{Basho|m|8|e|6|9}} {{Basho|m|10|w|10|5}} {{Basho|m|3|e|8|7}} {{Basho|m|3|e|3|12}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2018}} {{Basho|m|9|e|9|6}} {{Basho|m|4|e|8|7}} {{Basho|m|2|e|8|7|||o|*}} {{Basho|k|1|w|3|12}} {{Basho|m|7|e|7|8}} {{Basho|m|7|w|10|5}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2019}} {{Basho|m|3|w|5|10}} {{Basho|m|10|e|7|8}} {{Basho|m|11|e|8|7}} {{Basho|m|9|e|6|9}} {{Basho|m|12|e|9|6}} {{Basho|m|8|e|8|7}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2020}} {{Basho|m|7|e|7|8}} {{Basho|m|8|e|4|11}} {{Basho|CANCELLED|rank=m|r-no=12|tozai=w|absent=0| State of Emergency }} {{Basho|m|12|w|5|10}} {{Basho|m|15|w|5|10}} {{Basho|j|2|w|6|9}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2021}} {{Basho|j|4|e|5|10}} {{Basho|j|8|w|8|7}} {{Basho|j|6|e|8|7}} {{Basho|j|1|w|5|10}} {{Basho|j|4|e|10|5}} {{Basho|m|17|w|4|11}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2022}} {{Basho|j|3|w|6|9}} {{Basho|j|6|w|4|11}} {{Basho|j|12|e|3|12}} {{Basho|INTAI|rank=ma|r-no=5|tozai=w|win=|loss=}} {{Basho}} {{Basho}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record box end}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Shōhōzan Yūya}} * {{Goo Sumo|A=|2910}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shohozan, Yuya}} Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:Japanese sumo wrestlers Category:Sumo wrestlers from Fukuoka Prefecture Category:Komazawa University alumni Category:Komusubi Category:Hanaregoma stable sumo wrestlers