Hattorizakura Futoshi

is a Japanese former sumo wrestler from Chigasaki, Kanagawa. He made his professional debut in September 2015 and was first known as . He retired after the July 2021 tournament at the age of 23. His highest rank was jonokuchi 9. He was notable for having an exceptionally poor record in sumo, having won only 3 of his 238 career bouts, and set an all-time record of 104 consecutive losses. At times he was criticized for appearing to make deliberate attempts to lose and thus avoid competing. He was a member of Shikihide stable, which is well known for taking on any aspiring wrestler regardless of ability.

Early life Hattori first became interested in sumo in elementary school, from watching broadcasts of the makushita division on TV. At junior high school he was a member of the track and field club, specializing in the 1500 metres. After completing his compulsory education he did not go on to high school, preferring to work on strength training and continuing his athletic activities. From this he became interested in sumo training methods. but Shikihide saw his small size and told him that he might be better suited as a sumo gyōji (referee) or tokoyama (hairdresser) and that he had to go back home to get his parents' permission first. Hattori returned to the stable in August 2015 with his mother, and was accepted as a new recruit. He began with 22 consecutive losses before recording his first career win over Sawanofuji on the sixth day of the May 2016 tournament. Eventually he had 89 consecutive losses before getting his second career win over Soga in July 2018. After another 23 losses he got his third and final career victory over Houn in January 2019. The run had extended to 104 consecutive losses by July 2021, just after his 23rd birthday. Afterwards his stablemaster Shikihide said that Hattorizakura had a neck injury and feared hurting himself further. The second part of the shikona, Sōta, was a reference to the shogi player Sōta Fujii.

Shōnanzakura, due to his lack of success, spent his entire career in the lowest jonokuchi division, where it is possible to move up the division despite not getting a kachi-koshi or more wins than losses in a tournament. In May 2021 he reached his highest rank of jonokuchi 9, not because of any improvement in performance but because a large number of new recruits from the previous tournament had not been able to compete because their maezumo bouts were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they all had to be ranked below him as a result.

Retirement from sumo It was revealed on 25 August 2021 that Shōnanzakura had retired after the July tournament and had his danpatsu-shiki or retirement ceremony at his heya on 7 August. His stablemaster Shikihide said he had wanted his wrestler to continue but ultimately accepted his decision. He praised Shōnanzakura for remaining dedicated despite his losing streak, being first to training and being courteous when helping out with cleaning and cooking the chankonabe. He said Shōnanzakura was now back at his parents' house in Kanagawa and ready to begin his second life.

Fighting style He was restricted not only by his light weight, but his poor tachi-ai which saw him stand up straight too quickly, leading to him being overwhelmed by his opponents. He worked on getting a migi-yotsu (right hand inside, left hand outside) grip on his opponent's mawashi or belt.

Records

Shōnanzakura holds a number of "losing" records, including: 104 consecutive losses 30 completed tournaments with no wins (26 of these 0–7, four were 0–8 when he was required to fight an extra match) 42 losses in a calendar year, the most for any non-sekitori 34 consecutive make-koshi, the most by a wrestler with no kachi-koshi and second only to Morikawa's 38 overall Reaching 100 career defeats with only one career win Reaching 200 career defeats with only three career wins

Career record