Former yokozuna Kitanofuji, who was popular in recent years for his witty comments during live sumo tournament broadcasts, died on Nov. 12. He was 82.
A native of the town of Bihoro in Hokkaido, Kitanofuji, whose real name was Katsuaki Takezawa, joined the Dewanoumi stable at the invitation of then-yokozuna Chiyonoyama.
After making his professional sumo debut in 1957, Kitanofuji rose through the ranks to join other sumo wrestlers in the top division for the January 1964 tournament.
He was promoted to the second-highest rank of ozeki after the 1966 Nagoya tournament.
After switching to the Kokonoe stable, established under the retired Chiyonoyama, Kitanofuji was promoted to yokozuna after the January 1970 tournament. He often battled with archrival Tamanoumi, who rose to the top rank together with Kitanofuji.
Kitanofuji retired after the Nagoya tournament in July 1974. Throughout his career, he racked up 10 tournament titles and had a record of 786 wins and 427 losses. He was awarded the Shukunsho outstanding performance award twice, the Kantosho fighting spirit award once and the Ginosho technique prize three times.
After succeeding the Kokonoe stable, Kitanofuji focused on nurturing sumo wrestlers, most notably Chiyonofuji and Hokutoumi, who both went on to become yokozuna. Hokutoumi, currently known as stablemaster Hakkaku, is the chairman of the Japan Sumo Association.
As sumo association director, Kitanofuji held various posts such as head of public relations. In 1998, he left the association following turmoil linked to an association election.
He later gained popularity among viewers of NHK’s sumo broadcasts for his frank and witty punditry.