{
  "id": 16881389,
  "title": "Sumo: Back in top division, evergreen Tamawashi still evolving at 41",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/sumo-back-in-top-division-evergreen-tamawashi-still-evolving-at-41",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-28T10:07:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20261028/p2g/00m/0sp/047000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Fukuoka (Kyodo) -- Tamawashi, the Mongolian-born former sekiwake, will make history by becoming the oldest wrestler to return to the elite makuuchi division for the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament next month, at the age of 41. He will officially enter the record books after spending the past two tournaments in the second-tier juryo division.\n\nIn an interview, Tamawashi expressed his desire to approach the tournament with a fresh mindset, stating, \"I want to approach this with a fresh mindset.\" He added that he hopes to demonstrate how much he has evolved since his last appearance in the top division.\n\nTamawashi has been practicing intensively for the big event, engaging in practice bouts for a second straight day in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture. He currently serves as a goodwill ambassador for the rural city, describing it as his \"second hometown\" due to its mountainous terrain and star-filled night skies, which resemble his native Mongolia.\n\nThe 15-day meet at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center, where Tamawashi is ranked as a No. 15 maegashira, will mark his 101st appearance in the top division, tying him with former ozeki Kaio and former yokozuna Hakuho for the third-most in the modern era.",
  "summary": "FUKUOKA (Kyodo) -- Former sekiwake Tamawashi will become the oldest wrestler in the modern era to return to the elite makuuchi division at next month'",
  "key_points": [
    "Tamawashi, 41, set to become oldest wrestler in makuuchi history",
    "Returns to elite division after two in juryo",
    "Marks 101st appearance in top division, tied with Kaio and Hakuho"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Tamawashi’s return to the elite division at age 41 signals a rare longevity that challenges the typical physical decline of professional wrestlers in the modern era.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}