1. Overview
Seirō Takeshi (青狼 武士Seirō TakeshiJapanese), born Amgaa Unubold (Амгаагийн ӨнөболдAmgaagiin ÖnöboldMongolian) on August 18, 1988, is a former Mongolian professional sumo wrestler. He made his professional debut in July 2005 and, after a decade of competing in sumo's lower ranks, he reached the top makuuchi division for the first time in 2015. His highest rank was maegashira 14. Standing 73 in (185 cm) tall and weighing 306 lb (139 kg), Seirō wrestled for Shikoroyama stable. He retired from sumo in July 2020 due to various health issues.
2. Early Life and Sumo Background
Amgaa Unubold was born on August 18, 1988, in Ulan Bator, then part of the Mongolian People's Republic. His father was a successful Mongolian wrestler (`bökh`) who held a rank equivalent to sumo's `sekiwake`, and was also a friend of the father of `yokozuna` Asashōryū. Growing up, Unubold did not have extensive experience in Mongolian sumo himself, only practicing informally as the annual Naadam festival approached.
His interest in Japanese sumo began when he started watching broadcasts and became engrossed as Asashōryū was rapidly ascending to the rank of `yokozuna`. At the age of 14, Unubold won a Japanese sumo audition that reportedly involved around 1,000 participants, which was intended to facilitate his entry into sumo in Japan. However, just before his planned departure, he sustained a fissure fracture in his right leg while playing basketball, causing the opportunity to fall through. Two years later, he received a phone call directly from Asashōryū, which ultimately led to his journey to Japan.
In April 2005, Unubold stayed at Asashōryū's residence for about ten days and participated in training sessions at Takasago stable. Before the May 2005 tournament, he formally joined Shikoroyama stable, where he met his master, the former `sekiwake` Terao. He adopted the ring name (`shikona`) Seirō, a name derived from "Sei" (青, meaning "blue") from Asashōryū's `shikona` and "rō" (狼, meaning "wolf"), a symbol often associated with Mongolia. When he first arrived in Japan, he weighed under 220 lb (100 kg). Despite his initial confidence that he would reach the `sekitori` rank within two years, it took him ten tournaments to even progress beyond the `jonidan` division. He later reflected that his master, Shikoroyama, resembled his late father, inspiring a sense of discipline and enduring presence throughout his long sumo career. He was also supported by his senior stablemate, the well-respected Hōmashō.
3. Professional Sumo Career
Seirō Takeshi's career trajectory as a professional sumo wrestler was marked by persistent effort through the lower divisions, a significant promotion to `jūryō` status, and multiple attempts to establish himself in the top `makuuchi` division amidst fluctuating performances and injuries.
3.1. Early Career and Lower Divisions
Seirō made his professional debut as a 17-year-old in September 2005. In the lowest `jonokuchi` division, he achieved a respectable 5-2 record in his first tournament, earning immediate promotion to `jonidan`. He spent the next ten tournaments in the `jonidan` division, securing more wins than losses (`kachi-koshi`) in six of them. For the July 2007 tournament in Nagoya, he was promoted to the `sandanme` division. Following four consecutive `kachi-koshi` records, he reached the `makushita` division in March 2008. However, his initial `makushita` stint was short-lived, as he dropped back to `sandanme` after recording a losing record (3-4).
Throughout his early career, Seirō faced challenges, including his relatively light weight in his first few years. He also underwent surgery for a retinal detachment, which impacted his rank. In the May 2009 tournament, he achieved an undefeated 7-0 record, winning the championship in the `sandanme` division and securing his second promotion to `makushita`. Although a period of injury in early 2010 briefly saw him relegated back to `sandanme`, he quickly returned to `makushita` for the July tournament that year. He remained consistently in the `makushita` division for three more years, working to solidify his technique and build strength.
3.2. Sekitori Promotion
By November 2012, Seirō had advanced to `makushita` 5, placing him within reach of `sekitori` status. In preparation for the tournament, he engaged in training sessions at the Miyagino stable with `yokozuna` Hakuhō, who provided him with dedicated guidance. Despite this, he faced the formidable wall of the upper `makushita` ranks and ended the tournament with a losing record.
In the May 2013 tournament, positioned at East `makushita` 1, anticipation grew for him to become the second `sekitori` from Shikoroyama stable, following Hōmashō. Despite some early struggles, including a loss to Shiho due to a `tachi-ai` (initial charge) henka (sidestep), he secured a `kachi-koshi` on his sixth bout, confirming his promotion to the `jūryō` division for the July tournament. This achievement elevated him to `sekitori` status. In his first `jūryō` tournament (July 2013), ranked East `jūryō` 9, he achieved a 9-6 winning record. The following September, at his highest rank of East `jūryō` 7, he recorded a 4-11 losing record, followed by a 6-9 result in November. While he narrowly avoided relegation back to `makushita` due to favorable `banzuke` (ranking sheet) luck, he began the January 2014 tournament at West `jūryō` 14, the lowest `jūryō` rank. Despite a difficult start with five consecutive losses, he rallied to win seven straight bouts from Day 7 to Day 13, securing an 8-7 `kachi-koshi`.
In May 2014, Seirō performed exceptionally well, achieving a 10-4 record by Day 14. He won his final bout on `senshūraku` (final day), which propelled him into a four-man playoff for the `jūryō` championship, though he ultimately lost in the first round to Ichinojō. By January 2015, following the retirement of his stablemate Hōmashō, Seirō became the top wrestler and the sole `sekitori` in Shikoroyama stable, taking on a significant leadership role within the stable.
3.3. Makuuchi Debut and Later Career
Seirō's consistent performance in early 2015, with `kachi-koshi` records of 9-6 in January, 8-7 in March, and 8-7 in May, earned him a promotion to the `makuuchi` division. He debuted in sumo's top division in the July 2015 Nagoya tournament, ranked `maegashira` 15. This marked him as the 23rd Mongolian-born and 46th foreign-born wrestler to reach `makuuchi`, and the second from Shikoroyama stable after Hōmashō. At his debut press conference, Seirō expressed his happiness and a sense of relief, noting that it had taken 59 tournaments to reach `makuuchi`, saying, "It was long. I wanted to get there two or three years earlier." Despite his facial resemblance to Asashōryū, he humorously downplayed it, stating, "I'm not too happy about it (laughs). I am myself." He also recalled Asashōryū's challenging remark, "There's no weak wolf like you," and set a goal of winning 10 or 11 bouts and potentially earning a special prize.
However, his `makuuchi` debut ended with a 7-8 `make-koshi` (losing record), as he lost his final two bouts to Yoshikaze and Homarefuji. Nevertheless, this record allowed him to maintain his position in the top division for the following tournament. In September, he again recorded a 7-8 result, with 7 wins against `makuuchi` opponents but 3 losses against `jūryō` wrestlers. After two consecutive `make-koshi`, he was demoted back to `jūryō` for November, where he secured an 8-7 record, keeping him near the top of the second division. In January 2016, he started strongly with five consecutive wins in `jūryō`, but won only two more bouts, finishing 7-8. In March, he showed greater consistency with a 9-6 score, including a top-division win over Satoyama on the final day, which virtually guaranteed his re-promotion to `makuuchi`.
Seirō reached his career-high rank of `maegashira` 14 in May 2016. However, his second stint in the top division lasted only one tournament, as he recorded a 5-10 `make-koshi` and was immediately relegated. A subsequent 8-7 record in July kept him in contention for promotion, but a disappointing performance in September saw him drop to the lower ranks of `jūryō`. He returned to form in November with an impressive 11-4 record, finishing as runner-up to Satō (later Takakeishō) and re-establishing himself in the upper ranks of `jūryō`. He continued to compete in the second tier throughout 2017 but was never in serious contention for another `makuuchi` promotion. In October 2017, he won the `jūryō` division of the 76th Meiji Shrine Festival All-Japan Rikishi Championship, defeating his stablemate Abi.
In September 2018, while ranked West `jūryō` 9, Seirō sustained a left ankle sprain in his opening bout against Shimanoumi. Although he attempted to compete on Day 2, he was forced to withdraw from the tournament on Day 3. He re-entered on Day 7, but was still far from full strength, ultimately finishing with a record of 1 win, 11 losses, and 3 absences (including one default win). This resulted in his demotion to `makushita` for the November tournament, breaking a significant streak of 32 consecutive tournaments as a `sekitori`. Despite the demotion, he expressed resilience, stating, "It doesn't matter what rank I am. I'll return in one tournament, it's fine."
His master praised his diligence in training in an article before the March 2019 tournament, noting his exceptional dedication. True to his word, Seirō achieved a strong 6-1 record at West `makushita` 3 in March, earning re-promotion to `jūryō` after only three tournaments in the lower division. However, his return to `jūryō` was brief; he recorded a 7-8 `make-koshi` at West `jūryō` 14 in May and was again relegated to `makushita`. He earned another `jūryō` promotion after the July 2019 tournament, but this tenure was also short-lived, as he withdrew from the September 2019 tournament with only two wins due to aseptic meningitis. He had intended to return on Day 10 but experienced dizziness and had to withdraw again. He finished his final full tournament in January 2020 with a 3-4 record at East `makushita` 11.
4. Fighting Style
Seirō Takeshi primarily favored a `migi-yotsu` grip, meaning his left hand was on the outside of his opponent's belt while his right hand was on the inside. He also demonstrated an ability to attack by pulling a `hidari-maemitsu` (left front belt grip).
Despite his strengths, Seirō had recognized weaknesses in his `tachi-ai`, often being described as "soft" or "sweet." He was also noted for being slow to secure his left-hand grip, which sometimes led him to resort to pulling techniques when he couldn't obtain a firm belt grip. During his period of stagnation in the `makushita` division, he had a fear of engaging in head-on collisions at the `tachi-ai`. Overcoming this apprehension was crucial for his eventual promotion to `jūryō`. His master, Shikoroyama, emphasized that Seirō needed to refine his technique to secure the `mawashi` (belt), asserting that a solid impact would prevent him from pulling back. While his initial sumo style was often described as unrefined and reliant on superficial techniques, he later developed a more versatile approach, incorporating thrusting (`tsuki`) and pushing (`oshi`) as secondary methods, drawing upon his earlier experiences.
5. Main Achievements
Seirō Takeshi's professional sumo career spanned 89 tournaments, accumulating a total of 433 wins, 424 losses, and 25 absences.
5.1. Championships by Division
- `Sandanme` championship: 1 (May 2009)
5.2. Overall Career Statistics
- Total Career Record: 433 wins, 424 losses, 25 absences (89 tournaments)
- `Makuuchi` Division Record: 19 wins, 26 losses (3 tournaments)
- `Jūryō` Division Record: 213 wins, 243 losses, 9 absences (31 tournaments)
5.3. Makuuchi Match Record
The following table details Seirō's head-to-head records against specific opponents he faced during his tenure in the `makuuchi` division:
| Wrestler | Wins | Losses | Wrestler | Wins | Losses | Wrestler | Wins | Losses | Wrestler | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asasekiryū | 1 | 0 | Amuru | 1 | 0 | Iki | 0 | 1 | Endō | 1 | 1 |
| Gagamaru | 2 | 0 | Kagamio | 0 | 1 | Kitataiki | 1 | 0 | Kyokushūhō | 1 | 0 |
| Kyokutenhō | 1 | 0 | Kotoeikō | 1 | 1 | Satoyama | 1 | 0 | Shōhōzan | 0 | 1 |
| Sōkokurai | 2 | 0 | Daieishō | 0 | 2 | Daishōmaru | 1 | 0 | Takanohi | 1 | 0 |
| Gōfū | 0 | 1 | Chiyofuji | 0 | 2 | Chiyotaikai | 0 | 2 | Tokitenkū | 0 | 1 |
| Tokushōryū | 0 | 1 | Toyonoshima | 0 | 2 | Toyohibiki | 1 | 0 | Nishikigi | 0 | 1 |
| Hidenoumi | 2 | 1 | Homarefuji | 0 | 1 | Yoshikaze | 0 | 1 |
6. Personal Life
Seirō announced in May 2018 that he had been married since December 2016 to a Mongolian woman. Their wedding reception was held on June 10, 2018, in Tokyo. Approximately 250 guests attended the ceremony, including notable figures such as his stable master Shikoroyama-oyakata, and the `yokozuna` Hakuhō and Kakuryū. The reception had been delayed due to his rank declining after the marriage registration was submitted. During his speech, Seirō expressed his deep gratitude, stating that he was "filled with emotion" seeing so many people attend, as he had worried about the turnout. Hakuhō listened attentively and applauded, while Kakuryū offered words of encouragement to his fellow countryman, wishing him and his wife success and expressing hope that Seirō would establish himself firmly in the `makuuchi` division.
7. Retirement and Post-retirement Life
Seirō announced his retirement from professional sumo on July 13, 2020, just before the scheduled July tournament. The decision was primarily driven by a number of health issues, including a battle with aseptic meningitis. He had been hospitalized for two weeks due to the condition, during which he lost approximately 44 lb (20 kg) of weight and experienced a significant decline in physical strength, from which he was unable to fully recover.
His `danpatsu-shiki` (retirement ceremony), where his topknot (`chonmage`) was ceremonially cut, was held in a Tokyo hotel on August 20, 2022. His master, Shikoroyama, performed the `tomebasami` (final snip) of his `chonmage`.
Following his retirement, Seirō returned to Mongolia and embarked on a career as a businessman. Initially, he had expressed a desire to work in the real estate sector. However, from June 2021, he has been operating a company that specializes in dealing with gypsum (stone plaster).
8. Ring Name History
Seirō Takeshi used a single official ring name throughout his professional sumo career:
- Seirō Takeshi (青狼 武士Seirō TakeshiJapanese): July 2005 tournament - July 2020 tournament