:Takayasu Akira

{{Infobox sumo wrestler

| name = Takayasu Akira

| native_name = 髙安晃

| image = Takayasu 2012 Jan 2.JPG

| caption = Takayasu in 2012

| birth_name = Akira Takayasu

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|2|28}}

| birth_place = Tsuchiura, Ibaraki, Japan

| ethnicity = Japanese Filipino

| height = {{height|meters=1.88}}

| weight = {{convert|176|kg|lb st|abbr=on}}

| heya = Tagonoura

| rank = see below

| record =

| debut = March, 2005

| highestrank = Ōzeki (July, 2017)

| yushos = 1 (Makushita)

| prizes = Fighting Spirit (6)
Outstanding Performance (4)
Technique (2)

| goldstars = 6
Harumafuji (3)
Hakuhō
Terunofuji
Hōshōryū

| weburl = http://tagonoura.jp/Tagonoura stable

| update = 1 May 2025

}}

{{Nihongo|Takayasu Akira|髙安晃||born February 28, 1990 in Tsuchiura}} is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler. He made his professional debut in 2005 and reached the top makuuchi division in 2011, the first wrestler born in the Heisei era to do so. His highest rank has been ōzeki. He wrestles for Tagonoura stable. He has been runner-up in a tournament nine times and has earned twelve special prizes: six for Fighting Spirit, four for Outstanding Performance and two for Technique. He has won six gold stars for defeating yokozuna. After achieving 34 wins in the three tournaments from January to May 2017, he was officially promoted to ōzeki on May 31, 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/05/29/sumo/relieved-takayasu-eyeing-first-title-ozeki-promotion-bag/#.WS1fc02GPoo|title=Relieved Takayasu eyeing first title with ozeki promotion in the bag|date=29 May 2017|publisher=Japan Times|access-date=30 May 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2017/05/3f54f821de5e-update1-sumo-takayasu-officially-promoted-to-ozeki.html|title=Sumo: Takayasu officially promoted to ozeki|date=31 May 2017|publisher=Kyodo News}} He maintained the rank for a total of 15 tournaments.

Early life and sumo background

Takayasu was born in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki to Eiji Takayasu and Bebelita Bernadas. His father is from Ibaraki Prefecture and his mother is from the island of Bohol in the Philippines. He has a brother, Hiroyuki, who is five years his senior.{{cite web|title=Half-Pinoy sumo star to visit Manila|url=http://www.philstar.com/sports/2012/09/27/853394/half-pinoy-sumo-star-visit-manila|publisher=The Philippine Star|access-date=September 27, 2012}} His cousin is Satochi, former drummer of the rock band Mucc.{{cite web|title=高安いとこはビジュアル系バンドドラム連打し「晃、おめでとうッ！」|url=https://www.daily.co.jp/gossip/2017/06/01/0010243719.shtml|publisher=Daily Sports|language=Japanese|date=June 1, 2017|access-date=December 7, 2023}} Takayasu was a catcher on his junior high school baseball team and expected to play for his high school club as well, but his father encouraged him to take up sumo, having noticed his physical resemblance to fellow Ibaraki native and sumo wrestler Kisenosato.{{cite news|url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20170529/p2a/00m/0na/007000c|title=Ozeki-in-waiting Takayasu aiming for sumo's greatest heights|newspaper=Mainichi Daily News |date=29 May 2017|publisher=The Mainichi|access-date=30 May 2017}} Through his father's recommendation he joined Kisenosato's Naruto stable (now Tagonoura stable) upon graduating from junior high school. Takayasu ran away from the stable several times due to the severe training, but on each occasion his father persuaded him to return.

Career

=Early career=

On his entry to Naruto stable, he was already 180 centimeters tall and weighed 120 kilograms, and consequently had much expectation pinned on him from the start. His first tournament was in March, 2005. He made steady progress through the lower divisions, with only a few losing record or make-koshi tournaments. He won the yūshō or championship in the third makushita division in September, 2010 with a perfect 7–0 record. This propelled him into jūryō division, where along with Masunoyama became one of the first two sekitori to be born in the Heisei era.{{cite web|url=http://www.the-japan-news.com/news/article/0003689511|title=Takayasu eyes 2nd push for ozeki rank|date=10 May 2017|publisher=Japan News/Yomiuri Shimbun|access-date=11 May 2017}} He decided against adopting a traditional shikona despite reaching the elite and has continued to use his birth name. In his first jūryō tournament in November he almost pulled off a second consecutive championship, losing to Toyohibiki in a playoff after both finished with 11–4 records.

=''Makuuchi'' career=

File:Takayasu 2011 Nov.jpg

After two more strong performances at jūryō Takayasu was promoted to the top makuuchi division in July, 2011. His debut record of 9–6 at maegashira 11 earned him a maegashira rank of no. 6 in the following tournament, then his highest, but he only managed a 6–9 record there. After a 9–6 score in the November 2011 tournament he was promoted to a new high of maegashira 3. He scored only 6–9 in the January 2012 tourney, but a 10–5 record in March saw him reach maegashira 1 in the May tournament.

Takayasu had his best result in the top division up to that point in the January 2013 tournament, finishing runner up on 12–3 and winning his first sanshō award for Fighting Spirit. He had two gold star wins in 2013, in two different tournaments, both at maegashira 1, and both against Harumafuji. The second win against Harumafuji also helped him procure his first Outstanding Performance prize, and his first promotion to the san'yaku ranks at komusubi. He only lasted one tournament at this rank however, and went into a bit of a slump before bouncing back with an 11–4 at the July 2014 tournament. In the November 2014 tournament he scored against top-ranked competition, earning two gold stars for defeating Harumafuji and Hakuhō and receiving the Outstanding Performance prize. This saw him promoted to komusubi once more at the beginning of 2015, but he once again fell short with a 6–9 record.

He had to withdraw from a tournament for the first time in his career in September 2015, but recovered with two winning records in the next two tournaments. After a poor performance in March 2016, a 9–6 result in May saw him promoted to komusubi for the third time. At Nagoya in July he produced his first winning record at a san'yaku rank with eleven wins, beating the ōzeki Kotoshōgiku, Goeido and Terunofuji and being awarded the Special Prize for Technique.{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/07/24/sumo/basho-reports/harumafuji-captures-title-nagoya-basho/|title=Harumafuji captures title at Nagoya Basho|date=July 24, 2016|publisher=Japan Times}} September saw him at sekiwake for the first time and he was in contention for the championship at 10–2 after twelve days, although he had a somewhat disappointing end to the tournament losing his last three bouts to maegashira ranked wrestlers. However, he was awarded his third Fighting Spirit Prize. His performance fueled speculation about a potential promotion to ōzeki but he failed to maintain his momentum in November, ending with a 7–8 record.

Back at komusubi in January 2017 Takayasu produced one of his best efforts as he finished in a tie for third place and was awarded the special prize for Fighting Spirit. His 11 wins included victories over yokozuna Kakuryū and Hakuhō and three of the four ōzeki (the fourth ōzeki was his stablemate Kisenosato).{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/01/22/sumo/basho-reports/kisenosato-boosts-case-promotion-yokozuna/|title=Kisenosato boosts case for promotion to yokozuna|date=January 22, 2017|publisher=Japan Times Online}} In March 2017 Takayasu was back up to sekiwake at West "Sekiwake" #1. Takayasu was able to win his first 10 days straight, the first time he had ever gone 10–0 to start a tournament which put him in contention for the cup. On Day 11 and 12 Takayasu lost against yokozuna Kakuryū and Harumafuji, then on Day 13 lost against Yoshikaze. However, he was able to win the final two days and finish out the tournament with a 12–3 record. For his performance in the tournament he won the Outstanding Performance prize, for the third time. Having 23 wins in the last two tournaments in the titled ranks of san'yaku, it appeared that Takayasu would receive serious attention for promotion to ōzeki if he could achieve around 11 wins or more in the May 2017 tournament.{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/05/01/sumo/basho-reports/kisenosato-heads-summer-basho-top-ranked-fighter/#.WRHJ6meGPoo|title=Kisenosato heads into Summer Basho as top-ranked fighter|date=1 May 2017|publisher=Japan Times|access-date=9 May 2017}} The Chairman of the Japan Sumo Association (JSA), Hakkaku, has called for him to show greater consistency, saying he "is competitive when he follows his winning formula, but he still has many weak points." Takayasu achieved his target, recording his eleventh win with a victory over Harumafuji on the thirteenth day, and was awarded his second Technique prize. Immediately after the tournament Hakkaku announced that an extraordinary meeting of the JSA board of directors would be convened to consider Takayasu's promotion.{{cite web|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2017/05/e875e980b811-update2-sumo-takayasu-all-set-for-promotion-to-ozeki.html|title=Sumo: Takayasu all set for promotion to ozeki|date=29 May 2017|publisher=Kyodo News}} On May 31, Takayasu was officially promoted to ōzeki. During his promotion speech, he was quoted as saying "I will devote myself to sumo and compete fairly so I can live up to my name as ōzeki."

File:Takayasu tegata.jpg

=''Ōzeki''=

In his first tournament as an ōzeki Takayasu won eight of his first ten matches and appeared to be in contention for the championship, but a run of four consecutive defeats followed and he ended with a record of 9–6. The September tournament saw three of the four yokozuna withdraw beforehand due to injuries, and Takayasu seemed poised to challenge for the championship, but he injured a muscle in his right thigh in a match on the second day, and was himself forced to withdraw.{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/201709120000301.html|title=高安と宇良が休場３横綱１大関休場は１８年ぶり|publisher=nikkansports.com|date=12 September 2017|access-date=3 December 2017}} During the November tournament, Takayasu managed to win 8 matches, saving his rank but was again forced to withdraw after Day 12 due to a thigh injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/11/24/sumo/basho-reports/injured-takayasu-withdraws-kyushu-grand-sumo-tournament/#.WiO60rpFyM8|title=Injured Takayasu withdraws from Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament|publisher=The Japan Times|date=24 November 2017|access-date=3 December 2017}} In January 2018 he had his best result to date as an ōzeki, finishing runner-up to surprise winner Tochinoshin with a 12–3 record.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/01/28/sumo/basho-reports/champion-tochinoshin-finishes-new-year-basho-style/#.WnB0pOSWyUk|title=Champion Tochinoshin finishes New Year Basho in style|date=28 January 2018|publisher=Japan Times|access-date=30 January 2018}} In the March tournament Takayasu started off with two losses but followed those up with 9 straight wins, before being defeated by Chiyomaru. Takayasu then went on to win his last three matches; handing yokozuna Kakuryu, who had already won the tournament going into Day 15, his second loss. Finishing the tournament with a 12–3 record Takayasu was a runner-up to Kakuryu, alongside fellow runner-up Kaisei.{{cite web|url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20180326/p2g/00m/0sp/002000c|title=Sumo: Takayasu finishes strong with win over champion Kakuryu|date=26 March 2018|publisher=The Mainichi|access-date=26 March 2018}} He injured his left upper arm in training shortly before the beginning of May tournament and announced his withdrawal from the first day, although he still hoped to enter the tournament later – "I decided to play it safe because I can’t compete in my 100 percent form. I still want to join the tournament if I recover in time."{{cite web|url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20180511/p2g/00m/0sp/039000c|title=Sumo: Grand champion Kisenosato to miss 7th straight meet|date=11 May 2018|publisher=The Mainichi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511134428/https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20180511/p2g/00m/0sp/039000c|archive-date=11 May 2018}} He ended up missing the entire tournament and was kadoban in July, although he retained his ōzeki rank with a 9–6 record. He was runner-up for the fourth time in his career in November 2018, finishing one win behind Takakeishō on 12–3.{{cite web|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201811250038.html|title=SUMO/ Takakeisho wins 1st championship at Kyushu basho at only 22|date=25 November 2018|publisher=Asahi Shimbun|access-date=15 March 2019}} In July 2019 he injured his left elbow in his Day 8 match with Tamawashi, and withdrew after securing his majority of wins, defaulting against Hakuhō on Day 11. His withdrawal, following Takakeishō, Tochinoshin and Gōeidō, meant four ōzeki were absent from a tournament for the first time since the beginning of the Showa era in 1926.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/07/17/sumo/takayasu-pulls-nagoya-basho-leaving-tournament-without-ozeki/#.XTCSsuSWyUk|title=Takayasu pulls out of Nagoya Basho, leaving tournament without an ozeki|date=17 July 2019|publisher=Japan Times|access-date=18 July 2019}} The injury forced him to sit out the following tournament in September.{{cite web|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/09/ee8dd1c38ffb-sumo-injury-forces-ozeki-takayasu-to-withdraw-from-autumn-basho.html|title=Sumo: Injury forces ozeki Takayasu to withdraw from autumn basho|date=6 September 2019|publisher=Kyodo News|access-date=6 September 2019}}

After starting the November 2019 tournament in Fukuoka with a 3–4 record, Takayasu appeared in the dohyō-iri before the main bouts for Day 8, but then withdrew suddenly from his match against Takarafuji due to lower back pain.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/11/17/sumo/basho-reports/hakuho-easily-defeats-tamawashi-stay-top/|title=Hakuho easily defeats Tamawashi to stay on top|date=17 November 2019|publisher=Japan Times|access-date=17 November 2019}} Takayasu's stablemaster later confirmed that he would not be re-entering the tournament.{{cite web|url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20191118/p2g/00m/0sp/083000c|title=Sumo: Hakuho stays in command on Day 9 of Kyushu meet|date=18 November 2019|work=The Mainichi|access-date=18 November 2019}} As a kadoban ōzeki, a losing record meant that Takayasu was relegated to sekiwake for the next basho.{{cite web|url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20191224/p2g/00m/0sp/024000c|title=Sumo: Asanoyama, Daieisho bumped up in rankings for New Year's meet|date=24 December 2019|work=The Mainichi|access-date=24 December 2019}} He lost all chances for an immediate promotion back to ōzeki with his sixth loss in the January 2020 tournament, and will have to start over from scratch to regain the rank.{{cite web|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/01/29037035b051-sumo-takakeisho-falls-enho-beats-goeido-on-day-9-of-new-year-meet.html|title=Sumo: Takakeisho falls, Enho beats Goeido on Day 9 of New Year meet|date=20 January 2020|publisher=Kyodo News|access-date=20 January 2020}}

=Later career=

Takayasu was back in the maegashira ranks for the first time since May 2016 in the March 2020 tournament. He withdrew on Day 5 after four straight losses, with a left thigh injury.{{cite web|url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200312/p2g/00m/0sp/122000c|title=Sumo: Hakuho labors to 5th victory, unbeaten in 4-way tie|date=12 March 2020|work=The Mainichi|access-date=12 March 2020}} He returned in July 2020 with a 10–5 record, his first score in double figures since March 2019. Another 10-5 performance in September 2020 paved the way for his return to the san'yaku ranks; he finished the November 2020 tournament as komusubi with a winning 8–7 record. In the March 2021 tournament Takayasu was two wins ahead of the rest of the field with only one loss entering Day 11, but he was defeated by Shodai for the eighth straight time and saw his lead cut to one win.{{cite web|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/03/8604371de75b-sumo-takayasus-lead-cut-to-1-win-with-loss-to-shodai-on-day-11.html|title=Sumo: Takayasu's lead cut to 1 win with loss to Shodai on Day 11|date=24 March 2021|work=Kyodo News|access-date=29 March 2021}} He lost his final three matches to finish out of the running on 10–5, his final day defeat to Aoiyama costing him a share of the Fighting Spirit prize. He moved up to sekiwake in May and produced another 10–5 record, with chief judge Isegahama Oyakata indicating that winning the championship in July could lead to promotion back to ōzeki.{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202107020000425.html|title=高安「ぎっくり腰」で名古屋場所休場回復なら出場意向も大関復帰は絶望的|date=2 July 2021|work=Nikkan Sports|language=Japanese|access-date=2 July 2021}} However, he injured his lower back in training shortly before the start of the tournament and announced his withdrawal. While this likely eliminated his re-promotion hopes, stablemaster Tagonoura said that Takayasu could return to competition during the basho.{{cite web |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/07/94b4fb3279c2-sumo-yokozuna-chasing-terunofuji-returning-hakuho-win-nagoya-openers.html|title=Sumo: Yokozuna-chasing Terunofuji, returning Hakuho win Nagoya openers|date=4 July 2021|publisher=Kyodo News|access-date=4 July 2021|quote=Sekiwake Takayasu, who went 10-5 in the last two tournaments, is sidelined with lower back pain. Although his stablemaster Tagonoura said he could be back in action sometime during the tournament, his chance for re-promotion to ozeki, normally requiring 33 wins over three straight tournaments, is all but gone.}} He sat out just the first two days, returning on Day 3.{{cite web |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/07/db733c6fdf76-sumo-hakuho-terunofuji-stay-perfect-on-day-3-in-nagoya.html|title=Sumo: Hakuho, Terunofuji stay perfect on Day 3 in Nagoya|date=6 July 2021|publisher=Kyodo News|access-date=6 July 2021|quote=Sekiwake Takayasu (1-0-2) earned his first win of the tournament by forcing out Ichinojo (2-1).}}

Takayasu withdrew from the September 2021 tournament with a hip injury after he was driven out of the ring by yokozuna Terunofuji in their Day 11 contest. It was the second straight tournament that he was unable to finish, and his losing record will likely result in him being demoted back to the maegashira ranks in November.{{cite web |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/09/941b1f3db0da-sumo-komusubi-takayasu-out-of-autumn-meet-takes-losing-record.html|title=Sumo: Komusubi Takayasu out of autumn meet, takes losing record|date=23 September 2021|publisher=Kyodo News|access-date=23 September 2021}}

Takayasu sat out of the January 2022 tournament after four individuals at his stable, including his stablemaster (former maegashira Takanotsuru), tested positive for COVID-19.{{cite web |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/4af0b75c9aab-sumo-former-ozeki-takayasu-tagonoura-stable-to-miss-new-year-tourney.html|title=Sumo: Former ozeki Takayasu, Tagonoura stable to miss New Year tourney|date=4 January 2022|publisher=Kyodo News|access-date=4 January 2022}} Takayasu returned in the March 2022 tournament to win his first 10 bouts, but ultimately finished 12–3, losing his winning streak and the yūshō playoff to new sekiwake Wakatakakage.{{cite web|url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220327_23/|title=Wakatakakage wins Spring Grand Sumo Tournament|date=27 March 2022|publisher=NHK|access-date=27 March 2022}} With this effort, Takayasu earned the special Fighting Spirit prize, his first sanshō in almost five years.

Soon after the banzuke was released for the July 2022 tournament, Takayasu and a junior stablemate tested positive for COVID-19. Takayasu, and the entire Tagonoura stable, were withdrawn from the tournament a few days later after another junior wrestler tested positive.{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202207020001183.html|title=高安ら田子ノ浦部屋の力士が名古屋場所休場新たに幕下以下の力士１人の新型コロナ陽性が判明|date=2 July 2022|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=3 July 2022|language=ja}} It was the second time in 2022 that Takayasu has had to sit out of a tournament due to COVID rules. Returning in September, Takayasu was runner-up to Tamawashi with an 11–4 record, having failed to beat Tamawashi on the final day to force a playoff. Takayasu received his sixth career Fighting Spirit Prize for this performance.{{cite web|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/09/7cc818ffbed7-sumo-tamawashi-secures-2nd-championship-with-win-over-takayasu.html|title=Sumo: Tamawashi secures 2nd championship with win over Takayasu|date=25 September 2022|work=Kyodo News|access-date=27 September 2022}}

Takayasu entered the final day of the November 2022 Tournament with a chance to win his first Emperor's Cup outright but was defeated by maegashira Abi, setting up a three-way playoff between himself, Abi and ōzeki Takakeishō. Takayasu drew Abi in the first playoff match, but lost after his head slammed hard into Abi's chest on the tachi-ai. He appeared stunned, and needed assistance to stand up from the ring. Abi would eventually win the playoff, resulting in Takayasu's third runner-up performance of the year. Takayasu received his fourth Shukun-shō (Outstanding Performance prize) for his efforts.{{cite web |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/11/5fb22dc45e18-sumo-abi-wins-3-way-playoff-to-claim-maiden-championship.html|title=Sumo: Abi wins 3-way playoff to claim maiden championship|date=27 November 2022|publisher=Kyodo News|access-date=27 November 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202211270001417.html|title=高安は「この一番」での緊張がある。そこを乗り越えられれば大関にも戻れる」佐渡ケ嶽審判長|date=27 November 2022|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=28 November 2022|language=ja}}

Takayasu was promoted to sekiwake for the January 2023 tournament, but withdrew after suffering 4 defeats in his first 5 matches.{{cite web |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20230113-D5PDVOTXYZPNDHE6OHRD2S2KLU/|title=関脇高安と平幕隠岐の海が休場大相撲初場所６日目|date=13 January 2023|publisher=Sankei Sports|access-date=13 January 2023|language=ja}} It was later reported that Takayasu pulled out due to a shinbone contusion.{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/631afcee33275bfa055a672287f9d9a49381b674|title=高安約3週間安静で休場 5連敗の隠岐の海も|date=14 January 2023|website=news.yahoo.co.jp|publisher=Sports Nippon|access-date=14 January 2023|language=ja}} This led to his demotion to maegashira 7 for the March tournament.{{Cite web |last=Chifuri |first=Hiromitsu |date=2023-02-27 |title=Sumo Rankings |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sumo-rankings/2023-spring-basho-rankings/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=The Japan Times |language=en-US}} During the May tournament of the same year, Takayasu withdrew from the first day because of an injury to the back of his right thigh sustained during a morning training session.{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202305140000360.html|title=高安が右太もも痛め休場田子ノ浦親方「歩くことは少しできるが、仕切ることはできない」|date=14 May 2023|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=14 May 2023|language=ja}} Although the medical certificate indicated that Takayasu would need three weeks to recover, he expressed his desire to try to return to competition later in the basho.{{cite web|url=https://www.saitama-np.co.jp/articles/26756|title=元大関・高安休場、右内転筋負傷|date=14 May 2023|work=Saitama Shimbun|language=ja|access-date=15 May 2023}}

After posting consecutive 10-win results in the last two tournaments of 2023, Takayasu was once again elevated to san'yaku with the rank of komusubi. At the start of the January 2024 tournament he withdrew after two days because of back pain issues.{{cite web |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/01/961fbea8dd56-sumo-komusubi-takayasu-withdraws-from-new-year-meet.html|title=Sumo: Komusubi Takayasu withdraws at New Year meet|date=16 January 2024|publisher=Kyodo News|access-date=16 January 2024}} He returned on Day 6,{{cite web |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/01/50d6ab6e988b-sumo-kotonowaka-loses-to-wakamotoharu-asanoyama-takes-sole-lead.html|title=Sumo: Kotonowaka loses to Wakamotoharu, Asanoyama takes sole lead|date=19 January 2024|publisher=Kyodo News|access-date=19 January 2024}} and competed in two more matches before withdrawing again on Day 8. His medical certificate indicated that he contracted influenza and that his back pain returned, which would require about ten days of home rest.{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202401210000231.html|title=高安が中日から再び休場対戦相手の琴ノ若は不戦勝に３日目から休場し６日目から再出場も|date=21 January 2024|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=21 January 2024|language=ja}} Takayasu also contracted an injury shortly before the start of the third day of the May 2024 tournament, forcing him to declare himself kyūjō despite going on a consecutive winning streak against Ōnosato and Wakamotoharu.{{cite web|url=https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/898323?rct=sumo|title=2連勝スタートの高安が休場、田子ノ浦親方「場所前からの蓄積、無理して出場して悪化しても」【大相撲夏場所】|date=14 May 2024|work=Chunichi Sports|language=ja|access-date=14 May 2024}} Later in the tournament he expressed his desire to return to competition,{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202405190000548.html|title=急性腰痛症で３日目から休場の高安が再出場　９日目はいきなり結びの一番で大関豊昇龍戦|date=19 May 2024|work=Nikkan Sports|language=ja|access-date=19 May 2024}} and in his comeback he defeated both {{Transliteration|ja|ōzeki}} Hōshōryū (Day 9) and Kotozakura (Day 10), also improving his head-to-head record against the former to 9 wins from 11 bouts.{{cite web |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/05/5df986070f5a-sumo-kotozakura-takes-share-of-lead-as-onosato-suffers-upset-loss.html|title=Sumo: Kotozakura takes share of lead as Onosato suffers upset loss|date=20 May 2024|publisher=Kyodo News|access-date=20 May 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://hochi.news/articles/20240521-OHT1T51163.html?page=1|title=琴桜が３敗に後退、高安に苦杯　大の里、湘南乃海、宝富士の３人が２敗で首位　３敗は７人に　大相撲夏場所１０日目|date=21 May 2024|work=Sports Hochi|language=ja|access-date=21 May 2024}}

On the opening day of the July 2024 tournament he lost to {{Transliteration|ja|sekiwake}} Kirishima and was seen clutching his chest after the match. He withdrew the following day, having been diagnosed with a partial tear of his left pectoral muscle.{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202407150000360.html|title=高安が休場、左大胸筋部分断裂で全治３週間の見込み　２場所連続、今年４場所中３場所目|date=15 July 2024 |publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=15 July 2024|language=ja}} Takayasu resumed training with the intention of taking part in the September tournament, mentioning however that he was paying more attention to his practice as he felt he was "driving a car that has travelled 300,000 kilometers".{{cite web |url=https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/950028?rct=sumo|title=大けが、途中休場した高安　稽古を再開「30万キロぐらい走った車ぐらい」マイペースで調整|date=28 August 2024 |publisher=Chunichi Sports|access-date=29 August 2024|language=ja}}

In March 2025, Takayasu once again asserted himself as a wrestler on the verge of greatness, recording a {{Transliteration|ja|kinboshi}} against the brand-new {{Transliteration|ja|yokozuna}} Hōshōryū on the eighth day,{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202503160001239.html|title=高安が横綱豊昇龍を押し倒し６個目金星「今が一番楽しい」初土俵から20年の35歳が初Ｖへ前進|date=16 March 2025|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=18 April 2025|language=ja}} and snatching a twelfth victory on the final day.{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202503230001096.html|title=35歳の高安が３敗死守、阿炎の変化に冷静対応　結びの一番で大の里が敗れれば悲願の初優勝決定|date=23 March 2025|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=18 April 2025|language=ja}} The latter qualified him for a playoff with the title on the line against {{Transliteration|ja|ōzeki}} Ōnosato. Takayasu lost out, however, nonetheless taking the Technique prize for his efforts during the tournament.{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202503230000732.html|title=高安、悲願の初優勝ならず　初土俵から119場所目、目標に近づくも…またも最後に力尽きる|date=23 March 2025|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=18 April 2025|language=ja}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202503230001347.html|title=初優勝逃した高安「悔いはない」→「ないと言ったらうそ」正直回答　悲願達成へ何度も立ち上がる|date=23 March 2025|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=18 April 2025|language=ja}}

Fighting style

Takayasu is an oshi-sumo specialist, preferring pushing and thrusting techniques (tsuki/oshi) to fighting on the opponent's mawashi. His most common winning kimarite so far in his career are yori-kiri (force out), hataki-komi (slap down) and oshi-dashi (push out). He strengthened his physique and his pushing techniques through intense training sessions with his senior stablemate Kisenosato.

Personal life

In October 2019 Takayasu announced his engagement to enka singer {{interlanguage link|Konomi Mori|ja|3=杜このみ}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/11/07/sumo/emperors-cup-race-looks-wide-open-kyushu-basho/#.XcQvp-SWymQ|title=Emperor's Cup race looks wide open at Kyushu Basho|last=Gunning|first=John|date=7 November 2019|work=Japan Times|access-date=7 November 2019}} They were married in July 2020 and welcomed their first child, a baby girl, in February 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.daily.co.jp/gossip/2020/08/07/0013581298.shtml|title=高安＆杜、入籍＆妊娠４カ月を発表高安「共に人生を歩んでいきたい」|work=daily.co.jp|language=Japanese|date=7 August 2020|access-date=6 August 2020}} Takayasu credited his strong performance in the July 2020 tournament on the news that his wife was pregnant. He had an equally strong tournament in March 2021 immediately following his daughter's birth. This has given rise to the popular nickname “Papayasu”.{{cite web|url=https://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20200807/mrg20080704000001-n1.html|title=杜このみ、高安と７月中旬に結婚＆妊娠４カ月を発表|work=Sankei Sports|language=Japanese|date=7 August 2020|access-date=7 August 2020}} In August 2022, they welcomed their second child, a baby boy.{{Cite web |title=高安の妻・杜このみ第2子長男出産を報告「生まれて来てくれた感謝で胸がいっぱいに」 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex 芸能 |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2022/08/20/kiji/20220820s00041000233000c.html |access-date=2022-08-20 |work=Sports Nippon |language=ja}} Due to the COVID crisis, the couple celebrated their religious wedding in June 2023, at the Hokkaidō Shrine,{{Cite web |title=元大関・高安＆杜このみ夫妻、北海道神宮での挙式を報告「結婚して３年、やっと」 |url=https://hochi.news/articles/20230612-OHT1T51106.html?page=1 |date=13 June 2023 |access-date=13 June 2023 |website=Sports Hochi |language=ja}} and held a reception in Tokyo later in the month with 700 guests attending.{{Cite web |title=高安＆杜このみ３度目の披露宴杜の師匠・細川たかしら700人超す出席者が２人の門出を祝う |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202306170000842.html |date=17 June 2023 |access-date=17 June 2023 |work=Nikkan Sports |language=ja}}

Career record

{{Sumo record box start|Takayasu Akira{{cite web |last= |publisher=Sumo Reference |title=Takayasu Akira Rikishi Information |url=http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Rikishi.aspx?shikona=takayasu&heya=-1&shusshin=-1&b=-1&high=-1&hd=-1&entry=-1&intai=-1&sort=1 |access-date=2011-10-22}}}}