1. Overview
Mitoizumi Masayuki (born Masato Koizumi on September 2, 1962) is a former sumo wrestler from Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. His professional career spanned 22 years, from his debut in 1978 until his retirement in 2000. He achieved the highest rank of sekiwake and was a top-division champion in July 1992, his only yūshō. Mitoizumi was widely known by his nickname the "Salt Shaker" due to his distinctive and voluminous pre-match ritual of throwing large quantities of purifying salt onto the dohyō (sumo ring). After his retirement, he transitioned into the role of a sumo elder, currently known as Nishikido Oyakata, and established his own training stable, Nishikido stable. His career is noted for its exceptional longevity, remarkable resilience in battling numerous injuries, his compassionate nature, and his unique place in sumo history, including the notable achievement of his top-division championship and the challenges he faced in his personal health and stable management.
2. Early Life and Sumo Entry
Mitoizumi Masayuki's journey into the world of professional sumo was shaped by his childhood experiences and a pivotal recruitment encounter.
2.1. Childhood and Family Background
Masato Koizumi, as he was known then, faced early challenges, having lost his father at a young age. He and his younger brother, Shōji, were raised by their mother. During his time at Mito Municipal Ifuku Junior High School in Ibaraki Prefecture, his mother encouraged him to pursue judo, where he developed his skills to the level of a first dan.
2.2. Recruitment and Early Training in Sumo
In late 1977, Koizumi attended what he believed was a signing event for Takanohana Kenshi, but it was actually for the sumo wrestlers Takamiyama Daigorō and Fujizakura Sakaemori. During this event, Takamiyama, a renowned Hawaiian-born sumo wrestler, approached the then 16-year-old Koizumi, impressed by his large stature, and suggested he consider sumo. A few days later, Takasago Oyakata also approached him, offering hard-to-find 11 in (29 cm) shoes, which solidified Koizumi's decision to join the sumo world. Takasago Oyakata himself gave Koizumi the shikona (ring name) Mitoizumi, combining his birthplace of Mito with his family name Koizumi, and expressing a wish for his success to flow like an "inexhaustible spring."
Upon entering Takasago stable, Koizumi found a training partner in Nagoka (later ōzeki Asashio), who was a fellow recruit entering the stable as a makushita tsukedashi. Despite being seven years older and having earned two university yokozuna titles, Asashio considered Koizumi a suitable practice opponent, and their rigorous training together, though challenging for a young junior high graduate, became a crucial foundation for Mitoizumi's future career. Numerous anecdotes from their time together highlight their bond, including an incident where Koizumi was reprimanded for misplacing Asashio's laundry and another where Koizumi's casual question, "Why aren't you at practice today?" helped Asashio overcome his thoughts of quitting sumo around September 1979.
3. Professional Sumo Career
Mitoizumi Masayuki's professional sumo career was characterized by a distinctive style, a singular top-division championship, and an enduring battle against injuries over more than two decades.
3.1. Early Career and Rank Progression
Mitoizumi made his professional debut in March 1978 under his original surname, Koizumi, later adopting the shikona of Mitoizumi in 1981. His early career was fraught with difficulties, including periods of illness. In 1982, he suffered a serious knee injury that required four months of hospitalization, causing him to miss several tournaments and significantly fall in the rankings. This was merely the first of many injuries he would contend with throughout his exceptionally long career.
He broke into the salaried sekitori ranks in May 1984, entering the jūryō division. Coincidentally, this was the same tournament in which his discoverer, Takamiyama, announced his retirement. Just two tournaments later, in September 1984, Mitoizumi was promoted to the top makuuchi division. In January 1985, his third tournament in makuuchi, he achieved an 11-4 record and earned his first Fighting Spirit Prize (Kanto-sho). However, misfortune struck again before the May 1985 tournament when he was involved in a car accident, sustaining facial cuts and forcing him to miss part of the event. This incident, which led to a ban on active sumo wrestlers driving cars, contributed to him being demoted back to jūryō after the next tournament.
Mitoizumi returned to makuuchi in March 1986, achieving a 12-3 record and another Fighting Spirit Prize. In July, he secured 10-5, earning another Kanto-sho. By September 1986, he had risen to his highest rank of sekiwake. However, in a bout against ōzeki Ōnokuni, he suffered a severe injury to his left knee, including a medial collateral ligament rupture, tibial intercondylar eminence fracture, and meniscus detachment. This catastrophic injury led to three consecutive tournament absences and a demotion back to jūryō. Doctors advised him to give up sumo, and seeing his pale, injured knee for the first time filled him with despair. Despite considering retirement, he was inspired by younger patients with severe disabilities at a rehabilitation facility and motivated by a desire to honor his mother. He ultimately fought his way back to the top division in January 1988, remaining there for the next eleven years. In September 1988, while at komusubi, he won 10-5, defeating a yokozuna and an ōzeki, earning him a Outstanding Performance Prize (Shukun-sho). Yet, another injury to his left ankle occurred in a match against Ōnokuni again, and these two recurring knee and ankle issues plagued him throughout his career.
3.2. Unique Style and "Salt Shaker" Nickname
Mitoizumi developed a distinctive pre-match ritual that earned him widespread recognition and the enduring nickname "Salt Shaker." This practice began on the eighth day of his first jūryō tournament when he was struggling, following a suggestion from his attendant, Amami-fuji, to throw salt more vigorously if he was not winning. Initially, he threw large amounts from the first preliminary salt toss, but later confined his dramatic salt throwing to the final toss at the time limit. Each throw involved an impressive 21 oz (600 g) of purifying salt flung high into the air. British sumo fans, who followed his matches on Channel 4 and at the 1991 exhibition at the Royal Albert Hall, coined the nickname. This habit became synonymous with Mitoizumi in Japan as well, and after his retirement, his unique ritual was continued by other wrestlers like Kitazakura Hideki and later Terutsuyoshi Junri.
Another characteristic of his pre-match routine was vigorously slapping his face and mawashi (belt) to build up fighting spirit. This gesture was an unconscious habit he only became aware of when a fan pointed it out to him. While popular, he found it difficult to replicate on demand for events. Conversely, he was sometimes criticized by sumo enthusiasts for his tendency to delay standing until the very last moment of the time limit, especially in matches against wrestlers like Takanohana and Naminohana, who preferred to stand more frequently before the time limit.
3.3. Makuuchi Championship and Peak Performance
The pinnacle of Mitoizumi's career arrived in July 1992, when he secured his sole top-division championship. Ranked at West Maegashira 1, he benefited from the absence of then-new ōzeki Akebono Tarō, who was injured during a pre-tournament European tour. Unlike most wrestlers who were fatigued and suffering from jet lag after the demanding tour, Mitoizumi, having missed the tour due to his own persistent lower back pain, was well-rested and in prime condition.
He began the tournament with an impressive seven consecutive victories, his first such streak in makuuchi. Despite suffering his first loss to then-komusubi Takanohana on day eight and a second loss to ōzeki Kirishima Kazuhiro on day ten, he maintained a dominant lead in the championship race. Though he was criticized for intentionally skipping the Europe tour to gain an advantage, Mitoizumi insisted his absence was genuinely due to injury, stating, "Honestly, I wanted to go to Europe too." In the final days, he defeated sekiwake Kotonishiki Kōji with a quick tsukiotoshi (thrust down) on day 13 and secured his 12th win against Takanonami Sadahiro on day 14 with a powerful uwatenage (overarm throw). In the bout against Takanonami, he narrowly resisted the opponent's strong forward drive, then reversed the situation with an overarm throw as Takanonami attempted an outer leg trip. His championship was clinched on the same day when all three of his closest pursuers-komusubi Musashimaru Kōyō, and ōzeki Konishiki and Kirishima-unexpectedly lost their bouts. In the changing room, Mitoizumi, who had been waiting, was so surprised by the results that he exclaimed "No way!?" and then embraced his younger brother, Shōji, shedding tears of joy. Journalists at the time remarked on his unusually dramatic display of happiness. Coincidentally, the victory took place in Nagoya, the same venue where his master, Fujinishiki, had won a makuuchi championship as a maegashira in 1964. Mitoizumi finished the tournament with an impressive 13-2 record. His victory made him the 24th maegashira to win a championship since the establishment of the system in 1909. This period was unusually marked by maegashira champions, with Kotofuji Takaya winning in July 1991, Kotonishiki in September 1991 (who would later win a second maegashira championship in November 1998), and Takanohana in January 1992, making Mitoizumi the fourth maegashira champion in just one year.
For his championship parade, then-ōzeki Konishiki served as the flag bearer. This was a rare occurrence, as it was uncommon for an ōzeki to carry the championship flag for a lower-ranked wrestler, drawing some criticism. However, Konishiki, who considered Mitoizumi a benefactor and older brother from their early days in Takasago stable, insisted on the role. Konishiki stated, "Mito-zeki has carried the flag for all three of my championships and even for Akebono's last tournament. This is just my way of repaying the favor." Konishiki had reportedly expressed certainty of Mitoizumi's victory during his own loss on day 14.
3.4. Career Longevity and Injury Battles
Despite his championship victory, Mitoizumi was unable to replicate that peak performance. After his final appearance in the san'yaku ranks in November 1992, he remained in the top division until March 1999. In January 1993, he changed his shikona from Masato to Masayuki, feeling that "Masato" sounded too much like a politician's name and was not fitting for a sumo wrestler. However, his recurring knee and ankle injuries continued to plague him, preventing him from returning to the san'yaku ranks.
He continued to fight in the jūryō division until September 2000, when he finally announced his retirement at the age of 38 to avoid demotion to the third-tier makushita division. His active career spanned more than 22 years, an exceptionally long period for a sumo wrestler. His total of 807 career wins ranks among the highest in sumo history. Notably, he never earned a kinboshi (a bonus prize for defeating a yokozuna as a maegashira), as all his victories against yokozuna occurred while he was ranked in komusubi or sekiwake. His 79 tournaments in makuuchi and 99 absences were, at the time, the highest number of absences for any wrestler outside of the yokozuna and ōzeki ranks, earning him the nickname "Department Store of Injuries."
4. Fighting Style
Mitoizumi was not renowned as a technical wrestler, and he never received a Technique Prize. His physical attributes, including his height of 76 in (194 cm) and a peak weight of 441 lb (200 kg), gave him considerable power. His most common winning technique (kimarite) was overwhelmingly yorikiri, a straightforward force out, which accounted for over half of his victories at sekitori level. He was particularly strong when he achieved a hidari-yotsu migi-uwate (left-hand belt grab, right-hand overarm grab) position, despite being left-handed. His powerful thrusting attacks (tsuppari), force-outs (yori), and overarm throws (uwatenage) were also formidable, with one notable instance being his throw of Yokozuna Takanohana. Opponents often primarily guarded against his right overarm grab, making the struggle for this position a key highlight of his matches. While his right-hand techniques were strong, he was also capable of strategies like hiki (pulling back) and arm-locking sashite (arm thrust).
Despite his imposing physique and power, which led many to expect him to reach ōzeki if not for his injuries (a sentiment shared by commentators like Kitanofuji Katsuaki), Mitoizumi's fighting style had weaknesses. He tended to have a high waist and loose armpit defense, making him susceptible to opponents gaining a morozashi (double underarm belt grab). His knees often appeared stiff, making him vulnerable to losing balance easily against pushing sumo styles (oshi-zumo). The combination of his strong upper body and fragile lower body meant that matches against large, right-handed yotsu wrestlers like Ōnokuni frequently placed immense strain on his already weakened knees.
5. Retirement and Life as a Sumo Elder
After his active career, Mitoizumi transitioned into a new phase of his life within the sumo world, taking on roles as a sumo elder, establishing his own stable, and facing significant personal health challenges.
5.1. Retirement Ceremony and Becoming an Elder
Mitoizumi's official retirement ceremony, known as danpatsu-shiki (hair-cutting ceremony), was held on June 9, 2001. The event was notable for the sheer number of participants, with a record 470 patrons, wrestlers, and coaches taking part in the ritual of cutting his topknot. He remained involved in sumo as a coach at Takasago stable, having acquired the elder name Nishikido Oyakata.
5.2. Founding and Leading Nishikido Stable
During the illness of Takasago stable's former head, former komusubi Fujinishiki Akira, Mitoizumi effectively led the stable. He was initially designated as Fujinishiki's successor through an adoption arrangement in 1998. However, a controversy arose due to personal problems related to his fiancée, from whom he eventually separated. As a result, the succession opportunity was lost, and control of Takasago stable passed to former ōzeki Asashio Tarō IV, who merged it with Wakamatsu stable. In December 2002, Mitoizumi decided to establish his own training stable, or heya, named Nishikido stable. At the stable's entrance, his personal championship portrait (yūshō-gaku) is proudly displayed. The stable faced challenges in producing high-ranked wrestlers, with its first sekitori, Mitoryū Takayuki, only emerging in November 2017 with his promotion to jūryō. Unusually for a stablemaster, he remained unmarried for many years before marrying Yukiko Ono, a soprano, in February 2016.
5.3. Roles within the Japan Sumo Association
As a sumo elder, Nishikido Oyakata has held various important positions within the Japan Sumo Association. He served for a long period as a shōbu shinpan (tournament bout judge). In April 2014, he was elected chairman of the Toshiyori-kai (Elder Association), which comprises elders outside of the main executive board. Upon his appointment, he expressed his intent to revitalize the formal general meetings, aiming to establish a robust communication network to facilitate quick gatherings when needed and to foster a more effective Elder Association by incorporating members' opinions for the benefit of the Sumo Association.
He retired from his role as a judge in August 2016. However, in the March 2018 duty assignments, he was promoted to yakuin-taigū iin (executive board member equivalent) and took on the role of shinpan-bu fuku-buchō (vice-head of the judging department). In March 2022, he was again appointed as a yakuin-taigū iin.
5.4. Health Challenges and Public Awareness
Mitoizumi has faced significant health challenges that have become publicly known. In October 2016, he appeared on the television program Bakuhō! THE FRIDAY, where he disclosed that he was suffering from end-stage kidney failure and required lengthy dialysis treatments, which sometimes prevented him from attending training sessions. He also addressed reports in weekly magazines alleging that disciples were leaving his stable due to his strictness. He explained that the reduction in his stable's membership to just three wrestlers was due to a confluence of factors, including age, injuries, and illnesses among the disciples, rather than defiance. He further revealed that the decrease in the number of disciples resulted in reduced financial allocations from the Sumo Association, leading to monthly financial deficits for the stable. His wife also faced public criticism and accusations of a "luxurious lifestyle," but the program highlighted her dedication to the stable, showing her managing household chores from early morning, preparing meals for the disciples, charting their training progress, and offering emotional support.
His health struggles continued to impact his duties. In March 2019, he took a leave of absence from the March tournament due to poor health. In August 2020, he received a reprimand from the Sumo Association after one of his disciples, Gokusshindō Takahiro, violated COVID-19 guidelines by accompanying fellow wrestler Abi Masatora during forbidden outings. In March 2021, he again had to withdraw from the tournament due to health issues, though he did not have a fever. In January 2022, his wife tested positive for COVID-19, and he subsequently contracted the virus himself. Due to his pre-existing health conditions and high fever, he was hospitalized in an isolation ward. He reported his discharge after his fever subsided on the 14th day of the tournament.
6. Personal Life and Interests
Beyond his life in the sumo ring, Mitoizumi Masayuki has publicly shared aspects of his personal life, including his family, marriage, and diverse hobbies.
6.1. Family and Marriage
Mitoizumi has a younger brother, Umenosato Shōji, who was also a sumo wrestler at Takasago stable. Umenosato competed for 21 years, from 1980 to 2001, reaching the jūryō division on one occasion in July 1993. After his retirement, he now works as a manager at Nishikido stable. After many years of remaining single as a stablemaster, Mitoizumi announced his marriage to Yukiko Ono, a soprano singer 22 years his junior, in February 2016.
6.2. Hobbies and Other Interests
Mitoizumi is well-known for his passion for painting, a hobby he has pursued since childhood. In his early years, when his mother was often away for work after his father's passing, he would alleviate his loneliness by sketching in notebooks, copying works by masters such as Osamu Tezuka, Tetsuya Chiba, and Akio Chiba. This early practice honed his drawing skills, earning him an award in a city-wide competition during elementary school. As a sekitori, with more free time, he began oil painting after being introduced to it by the wife of his then-master, Takasago Oyakata (former komusubi Fujinishiki). Under the guidance of a teacher, he was amazed by the expressive range of using spatulas and combs in painting. He would sometimes paint for five or six hours without eating, leading him to abstain from the hobby during active tournament periods. He humbly refers to it as a "long-lasting hobby" and as of 2023, he continues to exhibit his works and includes sketches of favored landscapes in letters to his supporters.
He is also a devoted fan of Yomiuri Giants, a professional baseball team. During the July 1992 tournament when he was competing for the championship, he famously quipped to reporters about a "100 percent chance of winning," clarifying that he was referring to the Giants. (The Giants ultimately finished second that year). Additionally, he is an avid video game enthusiast, particularly fond of the Dragon Quest series. An anecdote recounts him asking his attendant, Tōga Susumu, to level up his characters in the game. Toga later became a stable manager at Nishikido stable after his retirement in 2012.
Mitoizumi was known to be a compassionate person, earning him the nickname "Crying Mitoizumi." He often took struggling attendants out for drinks to dissuade them from quitting, frequently ending up in tears himself while recounting his own past struggles. Konishiki, who experienced subtle discrimination upon his arrival in sumo, was deeply touched by Mitoizumi's empathy, later stating that Mitoizumi was the only one who treated him kindly and without discrimination from the start.
After his danpatsu-shiki, unlike many former wrestlers who maintain an all-back hairstyle, Mitoizumi shaved his head bald. He later revealed this was due to suffering from alopecia, and he shaved his head to make the bald spots less noticeable. As the condition has improved, he has since regrown his hair.
7. Overall Achievements and Records
Mitoizumi Masayuki had a distinguished career with notable achievements and a lengthy presence in professional sumo.
- Total Career Record: 807 wins, 766 losses, 162 absences (Winning percentage: .513)
- Makuuchi Record: 530 wins, 556 losses, 99 absences (Winning percentage: .487)
- Total Active Tournaments: 136
- Makuuchi Tournaments: 79
- Sanyaku Tenure: 11 tournaments (4 as sekiwake, 7 as komusubi)
- Special Prizes (Sanshō): 7
- Outstanding Performance Prize (Shukun-sho): 1 (September 1988 tournament)
- Fighting Spirit Prize (Kanto-sho): 6 (January 1985, March 1986, July 1986, May 1988, November 1989, July 1992 tournaments)
- Championships (Yūshō):
- Makuuchi Division Championship: 1 (July 1992 tournament)
- Jūryō Division Championship: 1 (January 1986 tournament)
- Makushita Division Championship: 1 (March 1984 tournament)
- Kinboshi: None (All victories over yokozuna occurred while he was ranked in komusubi or sekiwake; he never achieved a kinboshi while in the maegashira rank.)
| Year | Rank | Wins | Losses | Absences | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Maezumo | - | - | - | Debut |
| Jonokuchi 32 West | 5 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Jonidan 74 East | 4 | 3 | - | ||
| Jonidan 55 East | 3 | 4 | - | ||
| Jonidan 63 West | 4 | 3 | - | ||
| 1979 | Jonidan 46 West | 4 | 3 | - | |
| Jonidan 24 East | 4 | 3 | - | ||
| Jonidan 10 West | 2 | 5 | - | ||
| Jonidan 35 East | 5 | 2 | - | ||
| Sandanme 88 East | 5 | 2 | - | ||
| Sandanme 57 West | 4 | 3 | - | ||
| 1980 | Sandanme 43 West | 5 | 2 | - | |
| Sandanme 11 East | 1 | 1 | 5 | ||
| Sandanme 41 West | 3 | 4 | - | ||
| Sandanme 53 West | 5 | 2 | - | ||
| Sandanme 21 West | - | - | - | Sat out due to injury | |
| Sandanme 60 West | - | - | - | Sat out due to injury | |
| 1981 | Jonidan 14 West | 5 | 2 | - | |
| Sandanme 70 West | - | - | - | Sat out due to injury | |
| Jonidan 31 West | 6 | 1 | - | ||
| Sandanme 61 West | 4 | 3 | - | ||
| Sandanme 47 West | 7 | 0 | - | Makushita Yusho | |
| Makushita 43 East | 4 | 3 | - | ||
| 1982 | Makushita 29 East | 6 | 1 | - | |
| Makushita 5 West | 4 | 3 | - | ||
| Makushita 2 West | 2 | 5 | - | ||
| Makushita 12 West | 3 | 4 | - | ||
| Makushita 23 West | 3 | 4 | - | ||
| Makushita 32 East | 5 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 1983 | Makushita 18 East | - | - | - | Sat out due to injury |
| Makushita 53 East | - | - | - | Sat out due to injury | |
| Sandanme 34 East | 6 | 1 | - | ||
| Makushita 51 East | 7 | 0 | - | Makushita Yusho | |
| Makushita 4 West | 3 | 4 | - | ||
| Makushita 12 East | 5 | 2 | - | ||
| 1984 | Makushita 5 East | 4 | 3 | - | |
| Makushita 1 East | 7 | 0 | - | Makushita Yusho | |
| Juryo 8 West | 9 | 6 | - | ||
| Juryo 3 East | 11 | 4 | - | ||
| Maegashira 11 West | 7 | 8 | - | ||
| Maegashira 13 East | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| 1985 | Maegashira 10 East | 11 | 4 | - | Fighting Spirit Prize |
| Maegashira 1 West | 7 | 8 | - | ||
| Maegashira 2 East | 2 | 5 | 8 | Sat out due to facial lacerations, external nasal lacerations, and head contusion from Day 1, returned from Day 9 | |
| Maegashira 14 West | 3 | 12 | - | ||
| Juryo 8 West | 8 | 4 | 3 | ||
| Juryo 6 West | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| 1986 | Juryo 4 East | 11 | 4 | - | Juryo Yusho |
| Maegashira 12 West | 12 | 3 | - | Fighting Spirit Prize | |
| Maegashira 1 West | 6 | 9 | - | ||
| Maegashira 6 East | 10 | 5 | - | Fighting Spirit Prize | |
| Sekiwake 1 West | 1 | 3 | 11 | Sat out due to left knee medial collateral ligament rupture, left tibial intercondylar eminence fracture, and meniscus detachment from Day 4 | |
| Maegashira 7 West | - | - | - | Sat out due to injury (public injury) | |
| 1987 | Maegashira 7 West | - | - | - | Sat out due to left knee medial collateral ligament rupture, left knee meniscus detachment, and left tibial intercondylar eminence fracture |
| Juryo 3 West | 6 | 9 | - | ||
| Juryo 6 West | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| Juryo 5 West | 5 | 10 | - | ||
| Juryo 11 East | 10 | 5 | - | ||
| Juryo 4 West | 9 | 6 | - | ||
| 1988 | Juryo 2 West | 10 | 5 | - | |
| Maegashira 13 East | 9 | 6 | - | ||
| Maegashira 8 East | 9 | 6 | - | Fighting Spirit Prize | |
| Maegashira 2 East | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| Komusubi 1 West | 10 | 5 | - | Outstanding Performance Prize | |
| Komusubi 1 East | 0 | 2 | 13 | Sat out due to left ankle sprain and left ankle ligament damage from Day 2 | |
| 1989 | Maegashira 8 West | - | - | - | Sat out due to injury (public injury) |
| Maegashira 8 West | 9 | 6 | - | ||
| Maegashira 2 East | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| Komusubi 1 West | 7 | 8 | - | ||
| Maegashira 1 West | 9 | 6 | - | ||
| Komusubi 1 East | 11 | 4 | - | Fighting Spirit Prize | |
| 1990 | Sekiwake 1 East | 7 | 8 | - | |
| Komusubi 1 East | 2 | 9 | 4 | Sat out due to left knee meniscus injury from Day 11 | |
| Maegashira 7 East | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| Maegashira 3 West | 6 | 9 | - | ||
| Maegashira 7 East | 5 | 10 | - | ||
| Maegashira 14 East | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| 1991 | Maegashira 11 East | 7 | 8 | - | |
| Maegashira 13 West | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| Maegashira 12 West | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| Maegashira 9 East | 10 | 5 | - | ||
| Maegashira 2 East | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| Maegashira 2 East | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| 1992 | Maegashira 1 East | 8 | 7 | - | |
| Komusubi 2 West | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| Komusubi 1 West | 7 | 8 | - | ||
| Maegashira 1 West | 13 | 2 | - | Makuuchi Yusho, Fighting Spirit Prize | |
| Sekiwake 2 West | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| Sekiwake 2 West | 1 | 12 | 2 | Sat out due to left heel and left ankle sprain from Day 11, returned from Day 14 | |
| 1993 | Maegashira 10 West | 8 | 7 | - | |
| Maegashira 7 West | 4 | 11 | - | ||
| Maegashira 14 East | 10 | 5 | - | ||
| Maegashira 5 West | 9 | 6 | - | ||
| Maegashira 1 West | 4 | 10 | 1 | Sat out due to right knee joint fracture from Day 14 | |
| Maegashira 11 East | - | - | - | Sat out due to injury (public injury) | |
| 1994 | Maegashira 11 East | 8 | 7 | - | |
| Maegashira 7 West | 4 | 11 | - | ||
| Maegashira 14 East | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| Maegashira 13 East | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| Maegashira 11 West | 7 | 8 | - | ||
| Maegashira 14 West | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| 1995 | Maegashira 13 East | 7 | 8 | - | |
| Maegashira 15 West | 9 | 6 | - | ||
| Maegashira 7 East | 5 | 10 | - | ||
| Maegashira 13 East | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| Maegashira 9 East | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| Maegashira 2 West | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| 1996 | Maegashira 1 West | 3 | 12 | - | |
| Maegashira 8 East | 7 | 8 | - | ||
| Maegashira 10 East | 9 | 6 | - | ||
| Maegashira 3 West | 4 | 11 | - | ||
| Maegashira 8 East | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| Maegashira 2 West | 4 | 11 | - | ||
| 1997 | Maegashira 8 East | 7 | 8 | - | |
| Maegashira 10 East | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| Maegashira 5 East | 4 | 11 | - | ||
| Maegashira 10 East | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| Maegashira 6 East | 5 | 10 | - | ||
| Maegashira 11 East | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| 1998 | Maegashira 10 East | 6 | 9 | - | |
| Maegashira 14 West | 9 | 6 | - | ||
| Maegashira 10 East | 6 | 9 | - | ||
| Maegashira 13 East | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| Maegashira 8 East | 5 | 10 | - | ||
| Maegashira 14 West | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| 1999 | Maegashira 11 West | 8 | 7 | - | |
| Maegashira 10 East | 5 | 10 | - | ||
| Juryo 1 East | 5 | 10 | - | ||
| Juryo 7 East | 9 | 6 | - | ||
| Juryo 4 East | 6 | 9 | - | ||
| Juryo 6 East | 8 | 7 | - | ||
| 2000 | Juryo 4 East | 8 | 7 | - | |
| Juryo 3 West | 5 | 9 | 1 | ||
| Juryo 7 West | - | - | - | Sat out due to injury (public injury) | |
| Juryo 7 West | 5 | 8 | 2 | ||
| Juryo 11 West | 1 | 12 | - | Retired after Day 13 |
Record given as wins-losses-absences.
Special Prizes (Sanshō) key: Fighting Spirit Prize, Outstanding Performance Prize, Technique Prize.
Divisions: Makuuchi - Jūryō - Makushita - Sandanme - Jonidan - Jonokuchi.
Makuuchi ranks: Yokozuna - Ōzeki - Sekiwake - Komusubi - Maegashira (rank indicated by #number).
| Wrestler | Wins | Losses | Wrestler | Wins | Losses | Wrestler | Wins | Losses | Wrestler | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aokiyama | 6 | 5 | Aobajō | 1 | 2 | Akinoshima | 13 | 9 | Akinojo | 2 | 2 |
| Akebono | 0 | 11 | Asanoshō | 6 | 10 | Asanowaka | 10 | 8 | Asahifuji | 6 | 9 |
| Asahiyutaka | 5 | 7 | Itai | 6 | 6 | Enazakura | 1 | 2 | Kyokuhō | 6 | 3 |
| Ōnishiki | 1 | 0 | Ōnokuni | 3 | 8 | Ōnohana | 1 | 0 | Ōwakamatsu | 1 | 0 |
| Oguranishiki | 7 | 8 | Ogino Hana | 8 | 4 | Kaio | 1 | 5 | Kaihō | 3 | 0 |
| Kaihō | 2 | 2 | Kasugafuji | 10 | 8 | Gan'yū | 4 | 6 | Hokutoki | 8 | 6 |
| Kyokukōzan | 2 | 0 | Kyokushūzan | 5 | 3 | Kyokutenhō | 2 | 0 | Kyokudōzan | 8 | 7 |
| Kiraibō | 5 | 6 | Kirishima | 14 | 17 (1) | Kirinishiki | 4 | 3 | Kirinji | 0 | 6 |
| Kinzan | 0 | 2 | Kyokushūzan | 11 (1) | 2 | Kurama | 3 | 3 | Kenzan | 1 | 3 |
| Kōbōyama | 1 | 2 | Gojōrō | 5 | 2 | Kotoinazuma | 14 | 13 | Kotogane | 9 | 11 |
| Kotozakura | 2 | 0 | Kototsubaki | 4 | 3 | Kotonishiki | 6 | 13 (1) | Kotonowaka | 7 | 9 |
| Kotofuji | 10 | 9 | Kotobefu | 3 | 6 | Kotoriyū | 5 | 6 | Sakahoko | 7 | 8 |
| Sadanoumi | 0 | 3 | Shikishima | 6 | 5 | Tsugushihō | 1 | 0 | Jindake | 3 | 7 |
| Daikikō | 1 | 0 | Daishi | 6 | 5 | Taijūzan | 8 | 8 (1) | Daishōhō | 8 | 8 |
| Daishōyama | 4 | 5 | Daizen | 2 | 2 | Daitetsu | 4 | 3 | Daishō | 1 | 2 |
| Takatora | 9 | 13 | Takanonami | 6 | 7 | Takanohana | 5 | 13 | Kōjōfuji | 3 | 4 |
| Ryū Sanjin | 11 | 11 | Tagaryu | 7 | 4 | Tatehikari | 2 | 0 | Gyokukairi | 1 | 0 |
| Tamagasumi | 1 | 6 | Tamaryū | 2 | 1 | Chiyotaikai | 0 | 1 | Chiyotenizan | 0 | 1 |
| Chiyonofuji | 1 | 10 | Dejima | 1 | 1 | Terao | 16 | 16 (1) | Dewaarashi | 1 | 1 |
| Dewanohana | 4 | 1 | Tōryū | 1 | 1 | Tokitsuumi | 2 | 1 | Tokitsunada | 1 | 3 |
| Tosanoumi | 1 | 5 | Tochiazuma | 1 | 0 | Tochiazuma | 0 | 1 | Tochitsukasa | 6 | 2 |
| Tochiken | 2 | 1 | Tochinohana | 1 | 2 | Tochinofuji | 1 | 1 | Tochinowaka | 13 | 18 |
| Tochibatake | 1 | 0 | Tomofuji | 4 | 2 | Chinohana | 1 | 1 | Toyonoumi | 5 | 4 |
| Naminohana | 6 | 3 | Hachiya | 1 | 0 | Hananoumi | 3 | 1 | Hanonokuni | 3 | 3 |
| Hamanoshima | 6 | 9 | Higonoumi | 6 | 7 | Hitachiryū | 0 | 1 | Hidanohana | 2 | 1 |
| Fujinoshina | 1 | 1 | Futahaguro | 1 | 3 | Hōō | 3 | 1 | Hokutenzan | 7 | 6 (1) |
| Hokutoumi | 3 | 10 | Mainoumi | 11 | 6 | Maenozuru | 2 | 0 | Masudayama | 3 | 0 |
| Masurao | 2 | 0 | Misugisato | 17 | 7 | Minatofuji | 10 | 8 | Musashimaru | 3 | 10 |
| Musashiyama | 1 | 5 | Yamato | 1 | 3 | Rikio | 1 | 0 | Ryōgoku | 10 (1) | 0 |
| Wakamatsu | 1 | 2 | Wakashōyō | 7 | 4 | Wakasegawa | 2 | 4 | Wakanosato | 1 | 2 |
| Wakanosato | 3 | 4 | Wakanohana | 8 | 8 | Wakanoyama | 0 | 1 |
Notes: Numbers in parentheses indicate fusenshō (win by default) or fusenpai (loss by default).
8. Reception and Legacy
Mitoizumi Masayuki's career and personality have been subject to both widespread admiration and occasional criticism.
8.1. Positive Evaluations and Contributions
Mitoizumi's career is marked by his unwavering resilience and dedication, particularly his perseverance through numerous severe injuries that would have ended many others' careers. Despite doctors advising him to give up sumo after a grave knee injury in 1986, his determination to honor his mother and his encouragement from observing younger patients in rehab motivated him to continue.
His compassionate and empathetic nature earned him the nickname "Crying Mitoizumi." It was common for him to take struggling junior attendants out for drinks and, in trying to dissuade them from quitting, he would often become tearful while sharing his own past difficulties. This compassionate side had a profound impact on other wrestlers, including Konishiki, who stated that Mitoizumi was the only one who treated him kindly and without discrimination from the beginning of his sumo career, which was especially meaningful given Konishiki's experiences with subtle prejudice.
Mitoizumi also played a unique role as a frequent flag bearer for other champions, including his stablemate Konishiki and Yokozuna Chiyonofuji and Hokutoumi, as well as Akebono. This selfless act, often performed for higher-ranked wrestlers, showcased his supportive nature within the sumo community. He even humorously recounted almost instinctively reaching for the championship flag during his own parade, despite Konishiki serving as his flag bearer.
8.2. Criticisms and Controversies
While generally well-regarded, Mitoizumi's career was not without its points of criticism or controversy. His distinctive pre-match ritual, while popular, sometimes drew criticism from sumo purists who found his repeated, seemingly dilatory movements before the time limit to be disruptive to the flow of the match.
A significant incident early in his career was the car accident he was involved in before the May 1985 tournament. This accident, which caused him injuries and forced him to miss part of the tournament, directly led to the Japan Sumo Association implementing a ban on active sumo wrestlers driving automobiles, a rule that remains in effect today.
After his retirement, a personal issue regarding his fiancée became a public controversy. He had been adopted by the 6th Takasago Oyakata as a successor to the stable, but his engagement to a woman who later was involved in highly publicized marriage fraud allegations and issues with other wrestlers, including Oikazeumi, led to him losing the opportunity to inherit the Takasago stable. Instead, he had to establish his own stable, Nishikido stable, by breaking off from Takasago stable.
More recently, in August 2020, as a stablemaster, he received a reprimand from the Sumo Association. This disciplinary action was taken because one of his disciples violated the association's COVID-19 guidelines, which brought his stable master under scrutiny. In a separate instance, as a judge, he faced criticism in some media reports regarding the bout arrangement for Terunofuji Haruo during his maegashira championship run in July 2020, with some suggesting that the judging committee, of which he was a vice-head, was too complacent in its scheduling, leading to Terunofuji's unexpected ascent.
9. Renaming History
Mitoizumi used several professional names (shikona) throughout his sumo career:
- Masato Koizumi (小泉 政人Koizumi MasatoJapanese): March 1978 tournament - May 1981 tournament
- Mitoizumi Masato (水戸泉 政人Mitoizumi MasatoJapanese): July 1981 tournament - December 1992 tournament
- Mitoizumi Masayuki (水戸泉 眞幸Mitoizumi MasayukiJapanese): January 1993 tournament - September 2000 tournament
10. Elder Name Changes
Upon his retirement from active sumo, Mitoizumi adopted the elder name Nishikido, which also underwent a few changes:
- Nishikido Masayuki (錦戸 眞幸Nishikido MasayukiJapanese): September 2000 - November 2000
- Nishikido Masato (錦戸 政人Nishikido MasatoJapanese): November 2000 - September 2002
- Nishikido Masato (錦戸 将斗Nishikido MasatoJapanese): September 2002 - March 2012
- Nishikido Masayuki (錦戸 眞幸Nishikido MasayukiJapanese): March 2012 - present