Ōnoumi Hisamitsu

Ōnoumi Hisamitsu was a sumo wrestler from Minamiakita District, Akita, Japan.

Wrestling career

He made his professional debut in 1937. He fought in the top makuuchi division for 16 tournaments and his highest rank was maegashira 3. He was a member of Nishonoseki stable and recruited the future yokozuna Wakanohana Kanji I while still an active wrestler.
In 1951 he took part in an exhibition tournament in Los Angeles, the first visit by professional sumo wrestlers to the United States since World War II, alongside Yakatayama, Fujitayama and retired former yokozuna Maedayama.

Coaching career

After his retirement from active competition in 1952 he became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name Hanakago and established the Hanakago stable, taking Wakanohana with him. He was later the coach of yokozuna Wajima, who eventually married Hanakago's daughter and took over control of the stable shortly before Hanakago's death in 1981.

Personal life

In 1982 Ōnoumi’s wife attempted suicide and he was demoted from his position as a judge as a result. The marriage eventually ended in divorce.