Sumo’s greatest champion to retire

Sports
e.erdenejargal@montsame.gov.mn
2021-09-28 17:48:26

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. Embassy of Mongolia in Japan yesterday reported Mongolian-born sumo champion Hakuho M.Davaajargal’s decision to retire from the sport.

 

After having knee injury in March of last year, Hakuho missed six tournaments in a row. But he made an outstanding comeback in July, claiming his 45th Emperor’s Cup with a perfect 15-0 record.

“At this age, I did not think I would win the tournament with a perfect record. I am just relieved”, he said in an interview following the tournament.

 

Unfortunately, he missed spring tournament due to multiple coronavirus infections in the stable which he belongs to.

 

Starting his professional sumo wrestler career in 15, he climbed to yokozuna, the sport’s highest rank aged 22.

 

36-year-old yokozuna is leaving the sport as its longest-serving yokozuna. Winning his 1000th bout in 2016, he extended his career wins to 1187. He is also the only person ever to claim 86 victories in one year twice.


His retirement is leaving fellow Mongolian-born yokozuna Terunofuji G.Gan-Erdene as the only active yokozuna.