Sumo: Mongolian-born Joshoyu eyes quick rise after pro debut
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Mongolian-born Joshoyu has vowed a rapid rise through the ranks as he made his long-awaited professional sumo debut at last month's N
Mongolian-born sumo wrestler Joshoyu, 22, aims for a swift ascent in professional ranks following his debut at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament last month. The aspiring athlete commented, "I want to reach sekitori as soon as possible," referring to the top two divisions of sumo wrestling. Joshoyu became the first foreign-born apprentice at the Minatogawa stable, which Takakeisho, a former ozeki, now oversees after assuming control of the defunct Tokiwayama stable in January.
Joshoyu had faced difficulty joining a stable due to the one foreign wrestler per stable rule. After graduating from Tottori Johoku High School, a renowned sumo school, he spent about two years as an amateur while working at an elderly day care center. Impressed by the spectators' reactions to televised sumo, Joshoyu expressed his hope of appearing on TV to bring joy to the audience.
Since the May new-recruit test, Joshoyu has gained nearly 10 kg and now weighs over 130 kg. The presence of fellow wrestlers Aonishiki and Fujinokawa, both active near the top of the makuuchi division, serves as motivation for the young sumo hopeful.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
