Konishiki came into to watch Vaihi play music at Tiki's. Both Chris and Kapo wanted to get a few sumo lessons from the master. They did manage to get this photo!


KKONISHIKI  (Konishiki Yasokichi) - World famous Sumo competitor.

Konishiki was born Saleva'a Fuauli Atisano'e on December 31, 1963. He grew up on the Leeward Coast of Oahu where many of its population are economically challenged. Konishiki's world opened up before him when he transferred to University Laboratory School in Honolulu, where he met many different people from various backgrounds, making him realize that the world is very big. His horizon further broadened when he moved to Japan to pursue a career in sumo, Japan's traditional national sport. Immersed in highly culturally-oriented world of sumo, Konishiki learned the importance of harmony between people, regardless of culture, religion, race, or ethnic origin.

Konishiki quickly rose up the ranks in sumo, eventually becoming the first non-Japanese sumo wrestler to attain the prestigious title of ozeki, sumo's second highest rank. During his illustrious 16-year career, Konishiki won a total of 733 bouts, including 649 in the top division, making him one of the most successful wrestlers in sumo history. He and his fellow non-Japanese wrestlers were highly influential in opening up the often closed world of sumo to the rest of the world.

Since his retirement from the sumo in 1998, Konishiki has made "giving back to the community" the main focus of his life. He has immersed himself in promoting Hawaii to the rest of the world through music and regular TV appearances. He has also been actively involved in various charitable causes concerning children, following his belief that kids are the future of the world. www.konishikikids.com
   
   

Konishiki Yasokichi - The 222nd Ozeki ( From http://www.chijanofuji.com/Konishiki1.html)

Konishiki
Shikona: Konishiki Yasokichi
Real Name: Shiota Yasokichi
Name at Birth: Salevaa Atisanoe
Date of Birth: December 30, 1963
Place of Birth: Nanakuli, Oahu,
Hawaii, USA
Sumo Heya (Stable ): Takasago
Height: 184cm
Weight: 250-275kg
(maximum: 283kg)
Favourite Grip:
 Tsuki Oshi
Favourite Techniques: Yorikiri, Oshidashi
Hatsu Dohyo (Sumo Debut):  July, 1982
Juryo Division Debut: November, 1983
(after 8 Basho)
Makuuchi Division Debut: July, 1984
(after 12 Basho)
Sanyaku Debut: November, 1984
(after 2 Makuuchi Basho)
Ozeki Debut: July, 1987
(after 18 Makuuchi Basho)
Retirement: November, 1997
(after 81 Makuuchi Basho)
Makuuchi Championships
(Yusho):		 3
Zensho Yusho (15-0 record): 0
Makuuchi Jun-Yusho
(Runner-Up):		 9
Ozeki Record: 345-197-43 (.637)
Makuuchi Record: 649-476-89 (.577)
Career Record: 733-498-95 (.595)
Most consecutive wins: 15
Kinboshi:  2
Ginboshi: ?
Ginboshi gained by
opponents:		 ? (in 39 Basho)
Outstanding Performance
Award: 
(Shukun-sho)		 4
Fighting Spirit Prize: 
(Kanto-sho)		 5
Technique Prize: 
(Gino-sho)		 1
No. Tournaments /
Makuuchi		 92 / 81

Konishiki -  Hon Basho History
 YEAR  Hatsu 
(January)		 Haru 
(March)		 Natsu 
(May)		 Nagoya 
(July)		 Aki 
(September)		 Kyushu 
(November)		 Yearly Stats
 Rank  Record  Rank Record Rank Record Rank Record Rank Record Rank Record  win-loss avg
1997 M13E 8-7 M10W 6-7-2 M14E 8-7 M9W 8-7  M2W 0-11-4  M14E  5-9-Ret  35-48-06 .422
1996
 M8E 7-8 M9W 6-9 M14E 10-5 M8W 8-7 M4E 4-11 M9E 6-9 41-49 .456
1995 M8W 8-7 M3E 5-10 M7W 5-10 M13W 9-6 M5E 5-10 M10W 8-7 40-50 .444
1994 S2W 2-13 M9E 8-7 M5E 5-10 M12E 8-7 M10E 8-7 M5E 6-9 37-53 .411
1993 O1W 10-5 O1W 9-6 O1W 7-8 O1W 9-6 O2E 0-2-13 O2E 6-9 41-36-13 .532
1992 O1E 12-3 O1E 13-2-C O1E 9-6 O1W 10-5 O1W 9-6 O1E 0-2-13 53-24-13 .688
1991 O1W 0-1-14 O1W 9-6 O1E 14-1-R O1E 12-3-R O1E 11-4-R O1W 13-2-C 59-17-14 .776
1990 O1E 10-5 O1E 13-2-R O1E 12-3 O1W 10-5 O1E 9-6 O1W 10-5 64-26 .711
1989 O2E 3-9-3 O2W 10-5 O2W 9-6 O2W 8-7 O2W 5-10 O2W 14-1-C 49-38-03 .563
1988 O2E 13-2-R O1W 8-7 O1W 8-7 O1W 8-7 O2E 3-12 O2W 10-5 50-40 .556
1987 S1E 10-5 S1E 11-4-R S1E 12-3 O1W 9-6 O1W 12-3 O1E 8-7 62-28 .689
1986 K1W 10-5 K1E 12-3-R S1W 3-6-6 M4E 0-0-15 M4E 12-3-R S1W 10-5 47-22-21 .681
1985 M1W 6-9 M3W 8-7 K1W 12-3-R S1W 9-6 S1E 0-0-15 M9W 11-4 46-29-15 .613
1984 J3E 4-5-6 J10W 13-2-C J2E 11-4-C M11E 8-7 M6W 12-3-R S1W 5-6-4 53-27-10 .663
1983 Sd50?
 6-1 Sd?
 6-1 Ms28W
 6-1 Ms8? 4-3 Ms6E 6-1 J12W 11-4-R 39-11 .780
1982
 Sumo Entry: July 1982 Maezumo Hatsu
Dohyo		 Jk12E
 7-0-C Jd11E
 7-0-C 14-00 1.00
C=Basho Champion (Yusho) R=Runner Up (Jun-Yusho) Y=Yokozuna O=Ozeki S=Sekiwake K=Komusubi
M=Maegashira, J=Juryo, Ms=Makushita, Sd=Sandanme, Jd=Jonidan, Jk=Jonokuchi E=East W=West