Rikishi:Tochinokuma

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Tochinokuma Hachisaburo (Japanese: 栃ノ熊 蜂三郎) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler wrestling for Kirigaya stable.

Tochinokuma Hachisaburo
栃ノ熊 蜂三郎
Tochinokuma in July 2023
Personal information
Born	Takeyari Hachiro (武槍 蜂郎) (2001-06-21) 21 June 2001 Kumagaya-shi, Saitama prefecture, Japan
Nationality	Japanese
Gender	Male
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Weight	148 kg (326 lb; 23 st 4 lb)
Career
Shusshin	Saitama-ken, Kumagaya-shi
Stable	Kirigaya
Current rank	see below
Record	178-137
Debut	Fukuoka 2020
Highest rank	Yokozuna (Natsu 2024)
Championships	1 Makuuchi 1 Makushita
Special Prizes	Fighting Spirit (2) Outstanding Performance (1) Technique (1)

Background

Hachiro was born and raised in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture. His father Yutaro (熊太郎) was a businessman, but he died in a tragic car crash in Tokyo when Hachiro was 6 years old. After the accident, Hachiro, his mother Asako (麻子), and three older siblings Homi (蜂巫), Hosuke (蜂助), and Hoshi (蜂師), lived with his grandparents on their farm in the more agricultural northern part of the city, near the banks of the Tone River. The family mostly grew vegetables, but also tended to a little beekeeping arrangement left behind by Yutaro, who raised bees and collected honey as a hobby. Hachiro himself grew fond of the bees and the honey, and partly to honor his father's memory, he took it upon himself to continue the beekeeping pastime. Life was simple, the work was often difficult, and the summers were uncomfortably hot, but the food was plentiful and the family lived happily.

Another of his father's pastimes was watching professional sumo matches. Yutaro would gather Hachiro and his siblings to watch each basho intently, providing energetic commentary throughout. After Yutaro's death, Hachiro vowed to one day get on the dohyo and bring honor and pride to his family. Unfortunately, Hachiro never got the opportunity to join a sumo club in junior high school, simply because his school didn't have one. When Hachiro graduated, he begged his mother to let him go to the prestigious Saitama Sakae High School so he could join their sumo club. Asako revealed that her late husband left each of their children an ample sum of money for their education. So, after working hard to pass the entrance examination, Hachiro got into his dream school and quickly learned the techniques of sumo. Even in between academic work, sumo club, and the three hour daily commute, Hachiro made sure that the bees on the farm were well cared for.

Career

Upon graduating from Saitama Sake, Tochinokuma was recruited into Kirigaya stable, taking the shikona Tochinokuma (栃ノ熊) in honor of his father and his birthplace.

Fighting style

Tochinokuma is primarily a pusher-thruster but also specializes in unorthodox kimarite, preferring technical moves over those that involve belt grappling. While his balance and footwork have never been the best, he more than makes up for them with physical power and a strong strategic sense.

Personal life

Tochinokuma is currently single and is in no rush to find a lovelife. He enjoys being an uncle to his siblings' children. His sister Homi and her husband Haginoya Yoshimasa (萩之谷 芳正) have two sons, Yoshisuke (芳祐) and Yoshinori (芳徳). Meanwhile, Tochinokuma's brother Hosuke has a son, Kazuhachi (和蜂) and a daughter, Mitsuki (蜜姫).

His hobbies include beekeeping, ecological conservation, sci-fi, karaoke, travel, and learning languages. He often returns to his family's farm in Kumagaya to help out at the apiary. He has a small collection of semi-precious minerals, enjoys the company of the cats at the local cat cafe, loves snowy weather, and can't resist a good meal of fried chicken.

Career record

Tochinokuma Hachisaburo

2020	x	x	x	x	x	Fukuoka West Makushita #9 12–3 Champion
2021	Hatsu West Jūryō #9 8–7	Philippines West Jūryō #8 8–7	Haru West Jūryō #6 9–6	Natsu West Jūryō #1 6–9	Nagoya East Jūryō #5 6–9	Scotland East Jūryō #8 9–6
2022	Hatsu East Maegashira #14 11–4 F	Haru East Maegashira #6 7–8	Natsu West Maegashira #6 4–11	Nagoya East Maegashira #13 12–3 FOT	Egypt West Maegashira #4 6–9	Kyushu East Maegashira #7 9–6
2023	Hatsu West Maegashira #2 7–8	Haru West Maegashira #3 8–7	Istanbul East Maegashira #3 7–8	Nagoya West Maegashira #3 9–6	Aki West Komusubi #1 9–6	Kyushu West Sekiwake #1 9–6
2024	Hatsu East Sekiwake #1 10–5	Bali West Ōzeki #2 12–3	Natsu West Yokozuna #1 –	x	x	x
Record given as win-loss-absent    Top Division Champion Top Division Runner-up Retired Juryo Unsalaried Divisions Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique     Also shown: ★=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s) Divisions: Makuuchi — Jūryō — Makushita — Sandanme — Jonidan — Jonokuchi Makuuchi ranks: Yokozuna — Ōzeki — Sekiwake — Komusubi — Maegashira