to beat Tamawashi on the final day to force a playoff. Takayasu received his sixth career Fighting Spirit Prize for this performance. 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. Takayasu was promoted to sekiwake for the January 2023 tournament, but withdrew after suffering 4 defeats in his first 5 matches. It was later reported that Takayasu pulled out due to a shinbone contusion. This lead to his demotion to maegashira 7 for the March tournament. 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 . They were married in July 2020 and welcomed their first child, a baby girl, in February 2021. 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”. In August 2022, they welcomed their second child, a baby boy. Career record See also List of active gold star earners Glossary of sumo terms List of active sumo wrestlers List of ōzeki List of sumo tournament top division runners-up Active special prize winners List of sumo record holders References External links 1990 births Living people Japanese people of Filipino descent Japanese sumo wrestlers Sumo people from Ibaraki Prefecture People from Tsuchiura Ōzeki Sumo wrestlers who use their birth name