{{Short description|Japanese sumo wrestler (born 1992)}} {{family name hatnote|Ura|lang=Japanese}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}} {{Expand Japanese|topic=bio|宇良和輝|date=April 2017}} {{Infobox sumo wrestler | image = File:Ura Kazuki20220115-1.jpg | caption = | native_name = 宇良 和輝 | name = Ura Kazuki | birth_name = Kazuki Ura | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1992|06|22}} | birth_place = Neyagawa, Osaka, Japan | height = {{height|meters=1.75}} | weight = {{convert|139|kg|lb st|abbr=on}} | heya = Kise | university = Kwansei Gakuin University | rank = see below | record = | debut = March 2015 | highestrank = Komusubi (January, 2024) | retireddate = | yushos = 1 Juryo<br />2 Sandanme<br />1 Jonidan<br />1 Jonokuchi | prizes = 1 Technique | goldstars = 2<br>Harumafuji<br>Terunofuji | weburl = | update = 25 December 2023 }} {{MedalTableTop |name= | medals = {{MedalSport | Men's Sumo }} {{MedalCountry | {{JPN}} }} {{MedalCompetition | World Combat Games }} {{MedalGold| 2013 St. Petersburg | Lightweight }} }} {{nihongo|'''Ura Kazuki'''|宇良 和輝||born 22 June 1992|lead=yes}} is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Neyagawa, Osaka. After winning a gold medal in sumo at the 2013 World Combat Games, he made his professional debut in 2015, wrestling with the Kise stable and he won the ''jonokuchi'' division championship in his first tournament. He reached the top ''makuuchi'' division in March 2017, but a pair of serious injuries led to two extended layoffs, and his rank dropped to the lowest since his debut tournament, and it was three and a half years before he returned to top-level competition. He has two ''kinboshi,'' or gold stars, for defeating a ''yokozuna.''
Ura's highest rank has been ''komusubi'', which he achieved in January 2024. His unpredictable style has made him a favourite with tournament crowds.<ref name="Miki"/>
==Amateur career== While attending the School of Education, Kwansei Gakuin University, Ura was a member of the sumo club.<ref name="KGU pro">{{cite press release | title = First sumo wrestler from KGU to turn professional! | publisher = Kwansei Gakuin University Public Relations Office | date = 12 February 2015 | url = http://global.kwansei.ac.jp/news/2015/news_20150212_010497.html | access-date = 2017-04-22 | archive-date = 23 April 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170423151844/http://global.kwansei.ac.jp/news/2015/news_20150212_010497.html | url-status = dead }}</ref> He competed in sumo at the 2013 World Combat Games at Saint Petersburg, Russia, winning a gold medal in the lightweight division.<ref name="KGU pro" />
==Professional career== ===Debut and early success=== In February 2015, he announced his intention to enter the Kise stable as a professional sumo wrestler,<ref name="KGU pro" /> and after his first bouts in March, made his tournament debut in the May ''basho'', winning the {{Lang|ja-latn|jonokuchi}} division.<ref>{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); No by-line-->|url=http://www.sankei.com/west/news/150522/wst1505220041-n1.html|script-title=ja:関学大出身初の力士, 宇良が序ノ口優勝 ｢信じられない。素直に喜びたい｣|title=Kangakudai Shūshin Hatsu no Rikishi, Ura ga Jonokuchi Yūshō ｢Shinjirarenai. Sunao ni Yorokobitai｣|language=ja|trans-title=Ura, the first professional sumo wrestler to come out of Kwansei Gakuin University, wins the Jonokuchi championship. Says "It's unbelievable" and that "I just want to enjoy the moment".|date=2015-05-22|newspaper=Sankei Shimbun|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703165333/http://www.sankei.com/west/news/150522/wst1505220041-n1.html|archive-date=2015-07-03|access-date=2017-05-16}}</ref> He again performed well in the July tournament, posting a 7–0 record and losing a playoff for the {{Lang|ja-latn|jonidan}} division championship. After going 5–2 in the {{Lang|ja-latn|sandanme}} division in September, he finished the year with a 7–0 record as a {{Lang|ja-latn|makushita}} debutante, again losing a division championship playoff in November.
Ura began 2016 with a 6–1 record and another {{Lang|ja-latn|makushita}} playoff loss in January. Also going 6–1 in March, he was promoted to {{Lang|ja-latn|jūryō}} for the next tournament. In recognition of becoming the first among their alumni to achieve {{Lang|ja-latn|sekitori}} (the two highest divisions in sumo) rank, he was given a ''keshō-mawashi'' by Kwansei Gakuin University.<ref name ="KGU kesho">{{cite press release | title = KGU's first sumo wrestler Ura presented with a kesho-mawashi (ceremonial apron) | publisher = Kwansei Gakuin University Public Relations Office | date = 28 April 2016 | url = http://global.kwansei.ac.jp/news/2016/news_20160428_012546.html | access-date = 2017-04-22 | archive-date = 23 April 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170423151553/http://global.kwansei.ac.jp/news/2016/news_20160428_012546.html | url-status = dead }}</ref> He finished the May tournament 10–5 and with a 11–4 finish in the July tournament, he entered the September event as the top-ranked {{Lang|ja-latn|jūryō}}, but he went 6–9, his first losing record, having fractured a bone in his left wrist that required post-tournament surgery.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1718957.html|title=宇良11勝も三賞逃す…取り口技能でなく異能扱い|date=29 May 2017|publisher=Nikkan Sports|language=ja|access-date=30 May 2017}}</ref> On his return, he posted a 8–7 record in the November tournament.
His overall 11–4 record in the January 2017 tournament led to his promotion to the top {{Lang|ja-latn|makuuchi}} division and a rank of {{Lang|ja-latn|maegashira}} 12. In March 2017, before a home crowd in Osaka, he achieved a winning record (''kachi-koshi'') of 8–7, and entered the May 2017 tournament at {{Lang|ja-latn|maegashira}} 10. There he scored eleven wins against four losses in this tournament, but did not receive a special prize for his efforts, despite speculation that he would win the Technique Award. Former {{Lang|ja-latn|yokozuna}} Kitanofuji, commentating for NHK, expressed his surprise at the omission.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1831463.html|title=宇良が骨折手術、秋場所で左手甲痛め秋巡業全休へ|date=3 October 2016|publisher=Nikkan Sports|language=ja|access-date=8 June 2017}}</ref> Still, his performance earned him a career-high ranking of {{Lang|ja-latn|maegashira}} 4 for the July 2017 tournament. There he got off to a 5–1 start, but then injuries among those ranked above him shifted him to a more challenging schedule, facing the ''san'yaku'', the foremost wrestlers, for the first time. Though he defeated Harumafuji on Day 9 to earn his first ''kinboshi'' or gold star for a win over a ''yokozuna'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/07/17/sumo/basho-reports/hakuho-equals-legendary-yokozuna-chiyonofuji-1045th-career-victory/#.WWyzOE2Wzoo|title=Hakuho equals legendary yokozuna Chiyonofuji with 1,045th career victory|date=17 July 2017|publisher=Japan Times|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> he injured his knee in a defeat to ''ozeki'' Takayasu on the following day, and he lost four of his remaining five matches to finish with a ''make-koshi'' 7–8 record.
===Injury problems and returns=== Ura withdrew from the summer regional tour that followed the July 2017 tournament, citing damaged right knee ligaments, and indicated he would need a month's rest to recover.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1865082.html|title=宇良が夏巡業から離脱…右膝の外側靱帯を痛める|date=31 July 2017|publisher=Nikkan Sports|language=ja|access-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> He returned for the September tournament, but exacerbated his injury on the second day and was forced to withdraw,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20170912/p2g/00m/0sp/054000c|title=Sumo: Ozeki Takayasu, maegashira Ura withdraw from Autumn tourney|date=12 September 2017|publisher=The Mainichi|access-date=12 September 2017}}</ref> with reports indicating a right knee anterior cruciate ligament injury and a left knee meniscus injury that would require surgery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hochi.co.jp/sports/sumo/20171110-OHT1T50063.html|title=九州場所、鶴竜、貴ノ岩ら４人が休場|date=10 November 2017|publisher=Hochi|language=ja|access-date=11 November 2017|archive-date=25 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625082355/http://www.hochi.co.jp/sports/sumo/20171110-OHT1T50063.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> With the subsequent extended rehabilitation,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.daily.co.jp/general/2018/07/08/0011426331.shtml|title=宇良６場所連続休場 木瀬親方は万全の状態での再起強調「２度と同じケガはさせたくない」|date=8 July 2018|publisher=daily.co.jp|language=ja|access-date=9 July 2018}}</ref> he only returned to the competition a year later at the September 2018 contest, having dropped three divisions in the rankings to near the bottom of {{Lang|ja-latn|sandanme}}. In this tournament he went 6–1 to stop his slide, and followed that with an undefeated 7–0 record and {{Lang|ja-latn|sandamne}} division championship in the November 2018 tournament. This returned him to {{Lang|ja-latn|makushita}} for the January 2019 contest, but he re-injured his right-knee ligament on a day 10 bout against future top-division man, Hōshōryū, withdrawing from the remainder of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoMain/absence/|title=Absent Rikishi Information|publisher=Japan Sumo Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123210158/http://sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoMain/absence/|archive-date=23 January 2019}}</ref>
He underwent surgery again in late February 2019, requiring another extended recovery period,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20190314/sum19031421450013-n1.html|title="業師"宇良が右膝再手術 靱帯断裂、長期離脱へ 木瀬親方「完璧にして戻す」|date=14 March 2019|publisher=Sanspo|language=ja|access-date=15 March 2019}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> from which he only returned the following November, having dropped to the bottom of {{Lang|ja-latn|jonidan}}, his lowest rank since his debut tournament. He achieved a 6–1 record in this first tournament back, and in the following tournament in January 2020, from the rank of {{Lang|ja-latn|jonidan}} 28, an undefeated 7–0 record and a playoff victory earned Ura the division championship. Fighting at the rank of {{Lang|ja-latn|sandanme}} 30 at the March tournament, Ura won his second straight division championship with another perfect 7–0 record and a playoff win. This result earned him a return to {{Lang|ja-latn|makushita}} for the July tournament (the May tournament having been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic), and he extended his winning streak to 18 matches before finishing at 6–1 and earning a spot in the upper ranks of {{Lang|ja-latn|makushita}}, where another 6–1 in September elevated him back to {{Lang|ja-latn|jūryō}} after 15 tournaments in lower divisions. He is only the second former top division wrestler after Terunofuji to fall as far as {{Lang|ja-latn|jonidan}} and make a return to {{Lang|ja-latn|jūryō}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoTopics/banzuke_topics/|title=2020 November Grand Sumo Tournament Banzuke Topics|work=Japan Sumo Association|access-date=27 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027201003/http://sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoTopics/banzuke_topics/|archive-date=27 October 2020}}</ref> earning 9–6 and 10–5 records on his first two tournaments back in November 2020 and January 2021, respectively. In the March 2021 tournament he reached 6–2 on Day 8 after a win over another fan favorite, Enhō, a highly-anticipated first match between the two in professional sumo,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14291512|title=SUMO/ Small vs. small matchup comes up big with the spectators|date=22 March 2021|work=Asahi Shimbun|accessdate=23 March 2021}}</ref> but a minor injury Ura suffered in the contest forced his withdrawal from the next two days of the tournament,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202103230000550.html|title=宇良11日目から再出場 炎鵬戦で左ふくらはぎ負傷|date=23 March 2021|work=Nikkan Sports|language=Japanese|accessdate=23 March 2021}}</ref> before returning to gain 4 additional wins. thumb|Ura ''tegata'' (handprint & signature) Ura won the {{Lang|ja-latn|jūryō}} championship in May 2021 with a 12–3 record, ensuring his return to {{Lang|ja-latn|makuuchi}} after 21 tournaments away. He now holds the record for the lowest rank reached before a successful {{Lang|ja-latn|makuuchi}} return ({{Lang|ja-latn|jonidan}} 106 West).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoTopics/banzuke_topics/|title=2021 July Grand Sumo Tournament Banzuke Topics|work=Japan Sumo Association|access-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625140100/https://sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoTopics/banzuke_topics/|archive-date=25 June 2021}}</ref>
===Return to top division=== Ura began the July 2021 tournament ranked at {{Lang|ja-latn|maegashira}} 13, and after a 10–5 record rose to {{Lang|ja-latn|maegashira}} 6 for September. In a tournament that included a pairing that matched him against fellow top division returnee and newly-promoted {{Lang|ja-latn|yokozuna}} Terunofuji, he finished 7-8. He then opened the November tournament one rank lower at {{Lang|ja-latn|maegashira}} 7. In this tournament he produced a 10–5 record and won his first special prize, for Technique,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/11/581ac8931c70-sumo-yokozuna-terunofuji-secures-1st-perfect-record-to-celebrate-6th-title.html|title=Sumo: Yokozuna Terunofuji secures 1st perfect record to celebrate 6th title|date=28 November 2021|work=Kyodo News|access-date=29 November 2021}}</ref> and as a consequence surpassing his pre-injury highest rank, opening the January 2022 tournament at {{Lang|ja-latn|maegashira}} 2 and again achieving a winning record of 8–7. At {{Lang|ja-latn|maegashira}} 1 in March, he finished 4–11, dropping him to {{Lang|ja-latn|maegashira}} 6. In the May 2022 tournament, Ura's record after the 13th day stood at 9–4, just one win behind three leaders tied on 10–3, but he withdrew from the tournament on Day 14 with a left ankle injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2022/05/21/sumo/ura-sumo-tourney-injury/|title=Title-chasing Ura forced to pull out of sumo tourney with ankle injury|date=21 May 2022|work=Japan Times|access-date=11 July 2022}}</ref>
In the September 2022 tournament, Ura stood out by winning his fourth day with a rare ''Tsutaezori'' kimarite and earned his second ''kinboshi'' when he defeated ''yokozuna'' Terunofuji on the sixth day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/09/f990438044f1-sumo-tamawashi-hokutofuji-stay-perfect-as-terunofuji-falls-again.html|title=Sumo: Tamawashi Hokutofuji stay perfect as Terunofuji falls again|date=12 September 2022|publisher=Kyodo News|accessdate=12 September 2022}}</ref> In the November tournament Ura ended with a 4–11 record.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chifuri |first=Hiromitsu |date=2022-12-26 |title=2022 Kyushu Basho Results |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sumo-standings/2022-kyushu-basho-results/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=The Japan Times |language=en-US |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223173823/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sumo-standings/2022-kyushu-basho-results/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In the January 2023 tournament Ura finished with a 7–8 record.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chifuri |first=Hiromitsu |date=2023-02-20 |title=2023 New Year Basho Results |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sumo-standings/2023-new-year-basho-results/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=The Japan Times |language=en-US |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223173753/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sumo-standings/2023-new-year-basho-results/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the March tournament Ura secured a 9–6 record.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Premselaar |first=Alan |date=2013-01-18 |title=Sumo Daily Bouts |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sumo-daily-bouts/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=The Japan Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
===''San'yaku'' promotion=== Following an 8-win record at the top ''maegashira'' rank in November 2023, Ura was promoted to komusubi, reaching ''san'yaku'' for the first time in his career. Ura said after the promotion that he was happy, adding that he thought he would never make it to the ''komusubi'' rank. He became the first former top-division competitor in the history of sumo to reach ''san'yaku'' after being demoted to ''jonidan''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202312250000560.html|title=宇良が念願の新三役に「なれないと思っていた。自分でも不思議。うれしいです」と感慨|date=25 December 2023|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=25 December 2023|lang=ja}}</ref> Ura finished the tournament 6–9, however, beating Ryūden on the final day using the rare winning technique ''tsutaezori'' ('underarm forward body drop').<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2024/01/28/kiji/20240128s00005000480000c.html|title=宇良が伝え反り 結び3番前に豪快な技で場内を沸かせる|date=28 January 2024|publisher=Sports Nippon|access-date=28 January 2024|lang=ja}}</ref>
Ura was demoted to ''maegashira'' 1 for the March 2024 tournament. Despite finishing that tournament with a losing record, he stood out in the first week by beating three of the then four ''ōzeki'' (Hōshōryū, Kirishima and Kotonowaka).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202403100001102.html|title=宇良ご当所沸かせた"銀星"発進「一番一番頑張りたい」大関豊昇龍破り地元大阪のファンは大歓声|date=10 March 2024|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=10 March 2024|lang=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202403120000816.html|title=宇良が大関霧島を突き落として銀星「覚えてないです。無我夢中で」初日の豊昇龍戦に続く大関撃破|date=12 March 2024|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=16 March 2024|lang=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://hochi.news/articles/20240314-OHT1T51207.html?page=1|title=宇良、琴ノ若を肩透かし３大関撃破 地元大阪のファンから大歓声「声援を感じる余裕がない」とがむしゃら|date=15 March 2024|publisher=Sports Hochi|access-date=16 March 2024|lang=ja}}</ref> Ura took the early lead in the following tournament in May by winning six consecutive matches in the first week of the competition, achieving this series of consecutive victories for the first time in his career.<ref name=WNHeye>{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202405160001270.html|title=【若乃花の目】５連勝の宇良、好調要因は前に出る思い切り 型がない「スタイル」で相手を幻惑|date=16 May 2024|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=17 May 2024|lang=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.daily.co.jp/general/2024/05/16/0017657177.shtml|title=宇良 幕内自身初４連勝発進 ３連勝発進３場所全て勝ち越し２場所で２桁星 「何もないです。終わるまでは」|date=16 May 2024|publisher=Daily Sports|access-date=17 May 2024|lang=ja}}</ref> His position as leader came to an end, however, when he lost his seventh and eighth matches to ''ōzeki'' Kotozakura (the former Kotonowaka) and Hōshōryū respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202405180001299.html|title=全勝宇良、大関琴桜に敗れ無敗力士なくなる 大の里は熱海富士に勝利 大相撲夏場所７目|date=18 May 2024|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=19 May 2024|lang=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://hochi.news/articles/20240519-OHT1T51281.html?page=1|title=大関・豊昇龍は連敗せず 宇良に勝利も土俵に腹部を強打「大丈夫。大関らしい相撲を」|date=19 May 2024|publisher=Sports Hochi|access-date=19 May 2024|lang=ja}}</ref> He lost six more times in a row and finished the tournament with another losing record.
In the first tournament of 2025, Ura won his match against Takayasu by beating him with the rare ''kimarite'' of ''tsutaezori'', drawing a positive reaction from Nishiiwa (formerly Wakanosato), then commentator on NHK.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202501150000634.html|title=宇良、"珍手"伝え反り白星で観客沸かせる「これだけでもお客さんは見にきたかいが」西岩親方|date=15 January 2025|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=15 January 2025|lang=ja}}</ref> During the May tournament of the same year, Ura repeated the same move against the same opponent to claim a third victory, although he mentioned a jaw injury which he played down to journalists.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202505210001043.html|title=宇良が大技「伝え反り」！初場所に続きまた高安に 首抱えられた苦しい体勢から相手はわせる|date=21 May 2025|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=25 May 2025|lang=ja}}</ref>
Near the end of the July 2025 tournament, Ura—who had already achieved a winning record—injured his knee in a bout against Wakatakakage. He withdrew from the tournament the next day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202507260000313.html|title=宇良が14日目から休場 13日目の若隆景戦で押し倒された際、膝を痛める|date=26 July 2025|publisher=Nikkan Sports|lang=ja|access-date=26 July 2025}}</ref>
==Style== When he first entered the professional ranks Ura's weight was listed as {{convert|113|kg|lb|abbr=on}},<ref name=Gould>{{cite news|url=http://metropolisjapan.com/a-new-champion-appears/|last=Gould|first=Chris|title=A New Champion Appears: A Japanese sumo wrestler reclaims the grand title|publisher=MetropolisJapan.com|date=4 May 2017|location=Tokyo|access-date=30 May 2017}}</ref> but by May 2017 he had bulked up to {{convert|137|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and by March 2021 to {{convert|143|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, heavier than the other 'small' {{Lang|ja-latn|sekitori}} such as Ishiura, Terutsuyoshi, Tobizaru and Enhō. When he first became a {{Lang|ja-latn|sekitori}}, he displeased some sumo elders as one of several younger wrestlers bucking tradition by choosing colorful ''mawashi'' over the traditional brown or black, in his case opting for deep pink.<ref name=Shoji /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/article/sumo-throws-a-wobbly-as-young-stars-ditch-tradition-zbpfsxjbm|url-access=limited|title=Sumo throws a wobbly as young stars ditch tradition|last=Shearing|first=Hazel|work=The Times|date=2016-11-13|access-date=2017-04-22|location=London}}</ref>
Ura is predominantly a pusher. However, observers have noted his tendency to be unpredictable, with former ''yokozuna'' Wakanohana even saying that he has "no style", which prevents his opponents from anticipating him.<ref name=WNHeye/> The unpredictability of his improvisational style that responds to opponents' moves has made him popular.<ref name=Shoji>{{cite news|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2016/11/07/language/strength-tradition-draw-women-back-sumo-world/#.WQoOYtLytPY|title=Strength and tradition draw women back to sumo world|last=Shoji|first=Kaori|publisher=The Japan News|date=2016-11-07|location=Tokyo}}</ref> Ura has been called "agile as a gymnast"<ref name=Shoji/> and his bouts acrobatic.<ref name=Miki>{{cite news|url=http://www.the-japan-news.com/news/article/0003662709|last=Miki|first=Shuji|title=SUMO ABC (50) / Do rikishi from the college ranks ever shine in the top ranks?|department=The Japan News|newspaper=Yomiuri Shimbun|date=2017-05-05|location=Tokyo|archive-date=8 June 2017|access-date=6 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608235212/http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0003662709|url-status=dead}}</ref> His favourite techniques as listed in his Japan Sumo Association profile include {{Lang|ja-latn|oshi}} pushing/thrusting techniques as well as the rare {{Lang|ja-latn|ashitori}} (leg grab), and he has also drawn notice for performing other rare winning techniques.
Known for his rare ''kimarite'', Ura won a {{Lang|ja-latn|jūryō}} bout by ''koshinage'', a hip throw, during the May 2016 tournament.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gettyimages.ie/event/grand-sumo-summer-tournament-day-10-640332649#ura-throws-dewahayate-to-win-with-a-rare-kimarite-of-koshinage-in-the-picture-id531876092|title=Grand Sumo Summer Tournament – Day 10|publisher=GettyImages|date=2016-05-17|access-date=2017-05-03}}</ref> He employed another rare winning technique at the January 2017 tournament, ''tasukizori'' (reverse backward body drop), against fellow {{Lang|ja-latn|jūryō}} wrestler, Amakaze, its first instance in sumo's upper divisions since 1955 when winning techniques were first announced.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/ura-defeats-amakaze-with-a-tasukizori-reverse-backward-body-news-photo/632272180#ura-defeats-amakaze-with-a-tasukizori-reverse-backward-body-drop-in-picture-id632272180|title=Sumo: Juryo wrestler Ura employs another rare technique|publisher=GettyImages|date=2017-01-20|access-date=2017-04-22}}</ref> In the November 2020 tournament he deployed two unusual techniques. On the fifth day he used {{Lang|ja-latn|izori}} to defeat Kyokushūhō, the first time the move had been seen at ''sekitori'' level since Tomonohana used it against Hananokuni in September 1993. Tomonohana (now Tamagaki-''oyakata'') was at the ringside in his role as a judge to see Ura's win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/column/sumo/news/202011180000107.html|title=玉垣親方「おっ」目の前で宇良が弟子に居反りも感慨|date=18 November 2020|work=Nikkan Sports|language=ja|access-date=23 November 2020}}</ref> On the fourteenth day of the same tournament Ura defeated Azumaryū with the rare {{Lang|ja-latn|ushiromotare}}, or "backward lean out," which brought cheers from the crowd when the technique was announced.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.goo.ne.jp/article/sponichi/sports/sponichi-spngoo-20201121-0184.html|title=珍手「後ろもたれ」で9勝目の宇良、場内どよめきと拍手 それでも「自分の思惑通りでは…」(Ura's 9th win with the rare hand "back leaning", screaming and applauding in the hall)|date=21 November 2020|work=Sponichi|language=ja|access-date=23 November 2020|archive-date=21 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121083912/https://news.goo.ne.jp/article/sponichi/sports/sponichi-spngoo-20201121-0184.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the twelfth day of the May 2023 tournament, Ura won his match against Tobizaru using the very rare ''kimarite'' winning technique ''zubuneri''. This technique had not been used in ''makuuchi'' for 25 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hochi.news/articles/20230525-OHT1T51199.html?page=1|title=宇良が幕内２５年ぶりの「頭捻り」で白星 翔猿との"業師"対決制す「また一つ伝説を作る」「魅せる相撲」|date=25 May 2023|work=Sports Hochi|access-date=25 May 2023}}</ref> Since he used the ''kimarite'' of ''tsutaezori'' a total of three times out of the five times this technique was used in ''makuuchi'' during the 2024-2025 period, Ura was asked if he trained precisely to perform complicated ''kimarite''. Ura replied that he didn't apply any specific training.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/1012082?rct=sumo|title=宇良、大技・伝え反りで高安下す 幕内では5度目、うち3度が宇良と業師ぶり発揮【大相撲初場所】|date=15 January 2025|publisher=Chunichi Sports|access-date=15 January 2025|lang=ja}}</ref>
==Career record== {{Sumo record box start|Ura Kazuki<ref>{{cite web | title=Sumo reference | url=http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Rikishi.aspx?r=12226}}</ref>}} {{Sumo record year start link|2015}} {{Basho}} {{Basho|MAEZUMOU}} {{Basho|jk|9|w|7|0<br>Champion}} {{Basho|jo|10|e|7|0|P}} {{Basho|sa|18|w|5|2}} {{Basho|ma|54|w|7|0|P}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2016}} {{Basho|ma|6|w|6|1|P}} {{Basho|ma|2|w|6|1}} {{Basho|j|13|w|10|5}} {{Basho|j|8|w|11|4}} {{Basho|j|1|e|6|9}} {{Basho|j|5|e|8|7}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2017}} {{Basho|j|3|e|11|4}} {{Basho|m|12|w|8|7}} {{Basho|m|10|w|11|4}} {{Basho|m|4|e|7|8|||*}} {{Basho|m|4|w|1|2|12}} {{Basho|KYUJO|rank=m|r-no=16|tozai=w}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2018}} {{Basho|KYUJO|rank=j|r-no=11|tozai=e}} {{Basho|KYUJO|rank=ma|r-no=10|tozai=w}} {{Basho|KYUJO|rank=ma|r-no=50|tozai=w}} {{Basho|KYUJO|rank=sa|r-no=30|tozai=w}} {{Basho|sa|91|e|6|1}} {{Basho|sa|33|e|7|0<br>Champion}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2019}} {{Basho|ma|23|w|2|3|2}} {{Basho|KYUJO|rank=ma|r-no=36|tozai=w}} {{Basho|KYUJO|rank=sa|r-no=16|tozai=w}} {{Basho|KYUJO|rank=sa|r-no=76|tozai=w}} {{Basho|KYUJO|rank=jo|r-no=36|tozai=w}} {{Basho|jo|106|w|6|1}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2020}} {{Basho|jo|28|e|7|0|P<br>Champion}} {{Basho|sa|30|w|7|0|P<br>Champion}} {{Basho|CANCELLED|rank=ma|r-no=19|tozai=e|absent=0|<BR> <SMALL>State of Emergency </SMALL>}} {{Basho|ma|19|e|6|1}} {{Basho|ma|5|w|6|1}} {{Basho|j|13|e|9|6}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2021}} {{Basho|j|10|e|10|5}} {{Basho|j|7|e|10|4|1}} {{Basho|j|2|e|12|3<br>Champion}} {{Basho|m|13|w|10|5}} {{Basho|m|6|e|7|8}} {{Basho|m|7|e|10|5|||t}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2022}} {{Basho|m|2|e|8|7}} {{Basho|m|1|w|4|11}} {{Basho|m|6|e|9|5|1}} {{Basho|m|3|w|7|8}} {{Basho|m|3|w|8|7|||*}} {{Basho|m|3|e|4|11}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2023}} {{Basho|m|7|w|7|8}} {{Basho|m|8|w|9|6}} {{Basho|m|4|e|7|8}} {{Basho|m|4|w|7|8}} {{Basho|m|4|w|9|6}} {{Basho|m|1|w|8|7}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2024}} {{Basho|k|1|w|6|9}} {{Basho|m|1|e|6|9}} {{Basho|m|4|w|7|8}} {{Basho|m|4|w|6|9}} {{Basho|m|5|e|9|6}} {{Basho|m|2|w|5|10}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2025}} {{Basho|m|4|w|7|8}} {{Basho|m|5|e|7|8}} {{Basho|m|5|e|5|10}} {{Basho|m|9|e|8|6|1}} {{Basho|m|8|e|10|5}} {{Basho|m|3|w|8|7}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2026}} {{Basho|m|2|e|4|11}} {{Basho|m|8|e|5|10}} {{Basho|m|11|e|10|5|}} {{Basho|||||}} {{Basho|||||}} {{Basho|||||}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record box end}}
==See also== *Glossary of sumo terms *List of active sumo wrestlers *List of active gold star earners *List of sumo tournament second division champions
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Goo Sumo|3616}} *[https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/wrestlers/31/ Wrestlers to Watch: Ura] at :NHK World *[https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/sumopedia/9/ NHK Sumopedia: Mawashi] (prominently featuring Ura) *[https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/techniques/85/ NHK Sumopedia: Tasuki-zori/Reverse backwards body drop] (opens with Ura performing rare technique) {{Makuuchi rikishi banzuke}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ura, Kazuki}} Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:Japanese sumo wrestlers Category:Kwansei Gakuin University alumni Category:Sumo wrestlers from Osaka Prefecture Category:Sportspeople from Neyagawa, Osaka Category:Sumo wrestlers who use their birth name