Wakanohana Kanji

Wakanohana Kanji was a professional sumo wrestler from Aomori Prefecture whose highest rank was yokozuna, the highest rank in sumo. After making his professional debut in July 1968, he became yokozuna following the May 1978 tournament as the 56th yokozuna in history. From July 1978 he used the ring name Wakanohana, having previously competed under other shikona, or ring names. Winning four championships in makuuchi, the top division, he compiled a record of 656 wins and 323 losses over 88 career tournaments. As an active wrestler his last stable was Futagoyama stable, and he retired in January 1983. Born on 3 April 1953, he died on 16 July 2022 at the age of 69.