Hamanoshima Keishi

Who is Hamanoshima Keishi?

'Hamanoshima Keishi is a former sumo wrestler from Uto, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi. A former amateur champion at Nihon University, he made his professional debut in January 1992, joining Mihogaseki stable. He reached the top makuuchi division in January 1994, winning the Outstanding Performance prize that July. He reached his highest rank of komusubi the following tournament in September, but scored only six wins against nine losses and never made the rank again. He was demoted from the top division in 2001, and for the last two years of his career fought in the unsalaried makushita division. He retired in 2004, becoming an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name Onoe Oyakata. In 2006 he was given permission to branch out from Mihogaseki and set up his own Onoe stable. Among the top division wrestlers he has produced are Baruto, Satoyama and Yamamotoyama.

In April 2011 three of his wrestlers were forced to retire by the Japan Sumo Association because of match-fixing. Onoe was demoted two ranks in the Association' elder hierarchy as punishment. In the same month he was found by police to be driving while intoxicated, and he faces prosecution. Onoe apologised for his actions at a press conference.