Washūyama Yoshikazu (born April 2, 1949, as Yoshikazu Satō) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture. He competed in the top makuuchi division for over a decade, reaching the rank of sekiwake, and was known for his technical skill despite a significant size disadvantage compared to his opponents.
Career Washūyama joined the Kasugano stable and made his professional debut in March 1964. He initially wrestled under his surname, Satō, before adopting the shikona (ring name) Washūyama, derived from Mount Washū in his home prefecture. He reached the jūryō division in 1970 and the makuuchi division in 1971.
Standing approximately 175 centimeters (5 ft 9 in) and weighing roughly 100 kilograms (220 lb) for much of his career, Washūyama was one of the lightest wrestlers in the top division. To compensate for his lack of bulk, he utilized speed and a wide repertoire of techniques (kimarite). His career coincided with the dominance of yokozuna Kitanoumi and Wajima; despite his size, he managed to earn five kinboshi (gold stars) for defeating yokozuna while ranked as a maegashira.
Throughout his career, he was awarded several special prizes (sanshō), including six for Technique and one for Outstanding Performance. His highest rank was sekiwake, which he first attained in 1977.
Post-Retirement Washūyama retired from active competition in May 1985. Following his retirement, he remained in the Japan Sumo Association as an elder (oyakata). He initially took the name Sakaigawa but later transferred to the Dewanoumi name. In 1996, he became the head of the Dewanoumi stable, one of the most prestigious stables in sumo history, succeeding the former yokozuna Sadanoyama. He led the stable until 2014, when he reached the mandatory retirement age for stablemasters. He also served as a director on the board of the Japan Sumo Association.