Tenkaihō Takayuki

Tenkaihō Takayuki (born 14 October 1984 as Takayuki Minami) is a retired sumo wrestler from Tamana, Kumamoto, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 2007, and reached the top division in January 2012. His highest rank was maegashira 8. He won one sandanme championship. He retired in March 2019 to become a coach in the Japan Sumo Association, where he remained until his departure in October 2025.

Early life and sumo background Minami began sumo in only his first year of primary school. In middle school he was regular participant in tournaments and came in third place in a Kyūshū wide tournament. In his second year of high school he was in the best eight in a national sumo tournament, and in his third year made the best sixteen in the same national tournament. He continued practicing sumo at Nihon University and was a teammate of later sumo stars Yamamotoyama and Kiyoseumi. Upon graduation he chose to join Onoe stable which was led by former Hamanoshima who went to the same high school and university as Minami had. Following the retirement of former maegashira Chiyonokuni, Tenkaihō changed his elder name from Sanoyama (inherited by Chiyonokuni) to Kitaijin, previously held by former sekiwake Kotoyūki.

In late October 2025, it was announced that Tenkaihō had retired as a coach and departed from the Japan Sumo Association. Soon after his departure, it was reported that he would be joining Abema's Grand Sumo Tournament coverage as a commentator.

Fighting style Tenkaihō was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who preferred grappling techniques to pushing and thrusting. His favoured grip on his opponent's mawashi or belt was migi-yotsu, a left hand outside, right hand inside position. His most common winning kimarite was a straightforward yori-kiri or force out, which accounted for about half of his career victories.

Personal life He registered his marriage in September 2015, to a care worker from Anjo, Aichi. Their wedding reception was held in June 2016.

Career record