Ōdate Uzaemon

was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Tagawa, Dewa Province (now Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture), Japan. His highest rank was ōzeki. He is the fifth ōzeki from Yamagata Prefecture and the last promoted at this rank until the promotion of Kashiwado in September 1960, 72 years later. Nicknamed , meaning 'insolent', he was known both for his bad manners and outrages towards his masters, and for his wrestling skills, boosting sumo's popularity at a match given in honor of Emperor Meiji.

Career Ōdate was born as the second son of a farmer named Suwa Giemon. Since he was a child, he was active in local sumo wrestling, which earned him a reputation as a fierce wrestler, even earning the nickname , meaning 'demon boy'. Because of his gluttony and love of sumo, he often neglected his work, so he was abandoned by his family. He moved to Tokyo and entered Tatsutagawa stable with the aim of becoming a professional sumo wrestler (rikishi). He made his professional debut in December 1873 as a jonidan. In 1874, he was expelled from the world of professional sumo for the first time after hitting his master. Without a stable, he retired for a time to Niigata Prefecture and worked in a sake brewery.

In 1877, he was recruited by Takasago Uragorō within the Takasago Kaisei-Gumi . In June 1882, he made his makuuchi debut and excited the audience with his dynamic moves, mainly using pushing and throwing techniques, which made use of his great strength. In addition to Ōdate's strength, his physique was said to have broad shoulders and strong muscles. On 10 March 1884, at the tenran tournament held in Tokyo, he fought against Umegatani I, the "invincible yokozuna", in one of the most commented match of its time. The fight, which took place at the request of Emperor Meiji, lasted 40 minutes, Championships for the best record in a tournament were not recognized or awarded before the 1909 summer tournament, and the unofficial championships above are historically conferred. For more information, see yūshō.