Mongolian grand champ Hakuho sets record 1,048 wins in sumo
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mongolian grand champion Hakuho was cheered by spectators as he left the ring after beating champion Takayasu in their bout during the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya, central Japan, today. Hakuho set a record of 1,048 carrier match wins in sumo history.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mongolian grand champion Hakuho, left, toppled champion Takayasu to win their bout during the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya, central Japan, today. Hakuho set a record of 1,048 carrier match wins in sumo history.
TOKYO >> Mongolian grand champion Hakuho set the record for most career wins in sumo after toppling ozeki Takayasu in the Nagoya grand sumo tournament today.
Hakuho’s milestone 1,048th win surpassed the total that former ozeki Kaio finished on in 2011.
Born Munkhbat Davajarga, the Mongolian yokozuna started his sumo career at age 16, and made his tournament debut in 2001. Hakuho also has set records for winning 760 bouts as yokozuna, clinching 38 tournaments, 13 of them undefeated — also a record.
“I’m so happy I was able to achieve the record before so many fans,” Hakuho said as he tried to catch his breath after slamming down Takayasu.
Fans cheered, holding up signs reading “Hakuho” and “Congrats 1,048 wins.”
His success underscores a growing presence of foreign rikishi in Japan’s centuries-old national sport. Three of the four rikishi currently holding the yokozuna rank are Mongolian.
Still, Japan’s conservative sumo association bans foreign nationals from becoming stable master. Hakuho is reportedly considering obtaining Japanese citizenship so he can serve that role eventually after retirement.
