# Taihō Kōki

> Japanese sumo wrestler and the 48th Yokozuna (1940-2013)

**Wikidata**: [Q319055](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q319055)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taihō_Kōki)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/taiho-koki

## Summary
Taihō Kōki was a Japanese sumo wrestler who became the 48th Yokozuna, the highest rank in professional sumo, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest sumo wrestlers in history. Born in 1940 and passing away in 2013, he dominated the sport during the 1960s, setting numerous records that still stand today.

## Biography
- Born: May 29, 1940
- Nationality: Japanese
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Professional sumo wrestling, achieving Yokozuna rank
- Employer(s): Japan Sumo Association
- Field(s): Professional sumo wrestling

## Contributions
Taihō Kōki's primary contribution was his dominance of professional sumo wrestling during the 1960s. He achieved the prestigious Yokozuna rank, becoming the 48th wrestler to hold this title. Throughout his career, he set numerous records in tournament victories and winning streaks that established him as one of the greatest sumo wrestlers of all time. His success helped popularize sumo wrestling and inspired future generations of rikishi.

## FAQs
**What was Taihō Kōki's real name?**
Taihō Kōki's real name was Naya Kōki (納谷 幸喜), and he was also known by his Ukrainian birth name Іван Маркіянович Боришко.

**When did Taihō Kōki become Yokozuna?**
Taihō Kōki became the 48th Yokozuna in the history of professional sumo, though the exact year is not specified in the source material.

**What records did Taihō Kōki set?**
Taihō Kōki set numerous records in tournament victories and winning streaks during his career in the 1960s, establishing himself as one of the greatest sumo wrestlers in history.

**What awards did Taihō Kōki receive?**
Taihō Kōki received the People's Honour Award, one of Japan's highest commendations bestowed by the Prime Minister.

**When did Taihō Kōki pass away?**
Taihō Kōki passed away on January 19, 2013, at the age of 72.

## Why They Matter
Taihō Kōki matters because he redefined excellence in professional sumo wrestling during the 1960s, setting records that stood for decades and establishing a standard of dominance rarely matched in the sport's history. His achievement as the 48th Yokozuna represented the pinnacle of sumo wrestling success, and his career helped elevate the sport's popularity both in Japan and internationally. As one of the most successful and celebrated rikishi in sumo history, Taihō Kōki's legacy continues to influence how excellence is measured in professional sumo, with his records serving as benchmarks for future generations of wrestlers.

## Notable For
- Becoming the 48th Yokozuna in sumo history
- Setting numerous tournament victory records in the 1960s
- Establishing winning streak records that stood for decades
- Receiving the People's Honour Award from the Japanese government
- Being recognized as one of the greatest sumo wrestlers of all time
- Dominating professional sumo during the 1960s era

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Taihō Kōki was born on May 29, 1940, with the birth name Іван Маркіянович Боришко (Ivan Boryshko), reflecting his Ukrainian heritage. He later adopted the Japanese name Naya Kōki (納谷 幸喜) when he began his career in professional sumo wrestling. His multicultural background made him a unique figure in the traditionally Japanese sport of sumo.

### Professional Sumo Career
Taihō Kōki's professional career in sumo wrestling was marked by extraordinary success and dominance. He rose through the ranks of the Japan Sumo Association to achieve the highest possible rank of Yokozuna, becoming the 48th wrestler in history to earn this prestigious title. His career peaked during the 1960s, a period during which he established himself as the dominant force in professional sumo.

### Records and Achievements
Throughout his career, Taihō Kōki set numerous records that demonstrated his exceptional skill and consistency in the sport. He achieved remarkable success in tournament victories, winning multiple top-division championships. His winning streaks were particularly noteworthy, setting standards that would stand as benchmarks for excellence in sumo wrestling for many years. These records helped cement his reputation as one of the greatest rikishi in the history of the sport.

### Physical Attributes
Taihō Kōki stood at 187.0 cm (6 feet 1.6 inches) tall and competed at a weight of 153.0 kg (337.3 pounds). These physical dimensions, combined with his technique and skill, made him a formidable competitor in the sumo ring.

### Legacy and Recognition
Taihō Kōki's impact on sumo wrestling extended far beyond his competitive years. He received the People's Honour Award, one of Japan's highest civilian honors, recognizing his exceptional contributions to Japanese culture and sport. His success helped popularize sumo wrestling and inspired future generations of wrestlers to pursue excellence in the sport. Even after his retirement, Taihō Kōki remained an influential figure in the sumo community, with his records and achievements continuing to be referenced as standards of greatness in professional sumo.

## References

1. [Source](http://viaf.org/viaf/data/viaf-20170101-links.txt.gz)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. CiNii Research
4. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
5. [Ex-Sumo champ Taiho dies](http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_01_19/Ex-Sumo-champ-Taiho-dies)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013