Hitachiyama Taniemon

Hitachiyama Taniemon was a sumo wrestler from Mito, Ibaragi Prefecture, Japan. He was the sports 19th yokozuna from 1903 till 1914. His great rivalry with Umegatani Ttar II created the UmeHitachi Era and did much to popularise sumo. He is remembered as much for his exploits in promoting the sport as for his strength on the dohy. In his later years as head coach of Dewanoumi stable he trained hundreds of wrestlers, including three yokozuna. Many consider him the most honorable yokozuna in sumo history, which earned him the nickname Kakusei , or sumo saint.

Hitachiyama was born as Tani Ichige, on January 19, 1874, to a samurai family which belonged to the Mito Domain. His family was dismissed by the Meiji restoration authorities and was ruined financially. He moved to Tokyo and became dependent on his uncle. He attempted to enter Waseda University where his uncle was employed. At around this time, however, his uncle observed that he was able to lift a rock weighing 58 kan, or 217.5160kg . His uncle advised him to become a sumo wrestler. At that time, sumo wasnt seen as a sport of much regard, so his father opposed the idea. Despite his fathers protestation, he joined Dewanoumi stable in 1890.

Source: Wikipedia