Ajigawa Stable Master

Real Name: Ryūji Suginomori
Date of Birth: October 3rd, 1978
Place of Birth: Fukaura Town, Nishitsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 125 kg
Affiliated Stables: Ajigawa Stable → Isegahama Stable
Professional Debut: January 1997 Tournament
Promotion to Makuuchi Division: July 2000 Tournament
Retirement: July 2019 Tournament

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Career

In December 1996, he joined Ajigawa Stable (now Isegahama Stable). He made his professional debut in the January 1997 tournament. In January 2000, he was promoted to the Juryo division, and in July of the same year, he entered the Makuuchi division. In his Makuuchi debut, he was the youngest and lightest wrestler, achieving 10 wins and receiving the Fighting Spirit Prize. In the January 2003 tournament, he defeated Yokozuna Takanohana to earn his first gold star. He became notable as Takanohana's last opponent before retirement. He was promoted to komusubi in November 2006 and to sekiwake in September 2007. He won gold stars from all five yokozuna he faced, totaling eight gold stars, and received four Outstanding Performance Prizes, two Fighting Spirit Prizes, and six Technique Prizes.

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Injuries

On the other hand, he suffered many serious injuries but always made comebacks with an indomitable spirit. In the July 2003 tournament, he damaged the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee. In the May 2016 tournament, he ruptured his left Achilles tendon. Overcoming these major injuries, he won the Fighting Spirit Prize in the November 2017 tournament. His highest rank was East Sekiwake, with a career record of 907 wins, 908 losses, and 55 absences over 135 tournaments.

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he retirement in the July 2019 tournament

He took on the name Ajigawa. His tenure as a sekitori (in Makuuchi and Juryo divisions) lasted 117 tournaments, tying for the all-time record with Ōzeki Kaiō. He holds the record for the oldest return to the Makuuchi division at age 39. Graduated from the Graduate School of Sport Sciences at Waseda University in March 2022. Received the Special Meritorious Service Award from Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture, in May 2020