Asashoryu and his parents (behind) celebrate his promotion to ozeki. (Jiji)

Sumo, Japan's national sport, recently welcomed its first ever Mongolian ozeki, 21-year-old Asashoryu (real name: Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj). Ozeki is one step below the top rank in sumo, yokozuna. Asashoryu rose to ozeki in his twenty-second basho (tournament) since his debut, becoming the fastest ever wrestler to reach ozeki since 1958, when the present system of six tournaments per year was introduced. The previous record of 26 basho was held by former Hawaiian yokozuna Akebono, who is now a sumo master. Asashoryu rose to prominence thanks to his natural speed and powerful momentum. He is the fourth foreign ozeki, following in the footsteps of Konishiki, Akebono, and Musashimaru, who are all from Hawaii.

Proud Parents
Although Asashoryu narrowly missed out on winning the Nagoya basho in July, he achieved an outstanding record of 12 wins and three defeats, including a victory over yokozuna Musashimaru. It was the first tournament in which Asashoryu had a chance to obtain promotion from sekiwake to ozeki, and he responded to the challenge superbly, recording his best ever record and gaining 10 or more wins for the third tournament in a row. After the tournament, the Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association) unanimously approved his promotion. At the ceremony to inform Asashoryu of his promotion, he responded to the messenger who told him the good news, saying, "I will try my hardest to ensure I do not shame the title of ozeki." His parents, who had rushed from Mongolia to be at the ceremony, were delighted at their son's achievement.

Wrestling Runs in the Family
Sumo is also the national sport of Mongolia, although the style is different from that practiced in Japan. There are 28 Mongolian rikishi (sumo wrestlers) in Japan, more than from any other foreign country. Asashoryu also reached the highest rank of Mongolian sumo at the age of 21, while his father and elder brother are wrestlers in his homeland. Another of his elder brothers is a pro wrestler in Japan, so martial arts are truly a family affair. In September 1997 Asashoryu came to Japan to study at Meitoku Gijuku High School in Kochi Prefecture, where he learned the Japanese language and Japanese-style sumo. After that he entered the famed Takasago stable of sumo wrestlers trained by former ozeki Asashio. Armed with his natural speed and the technique he had learned in Mongolian sumo, his rise through the ranks was meteoric. His youth and unreserved fighting spirit earned Asashoryu the nickname "naughty boy," but, according to his trainer at the Takasago stable, at the Nagoya basho "He was more relaxed in both body and spirit, without the harshness he has shown before."

Aiming for Yokozuna
When a wrestler reaches the rank of ozeki, he has to fight strong opponents more often than before. Asashoryu weighs 134 kilograms (about 298 pounds), on the small side for a sumo wrestler. In order to stand up to heavier opponents, he will need to put on more weight. "He has the potential to become a yokozuna, especially considering his age," says former yokozuna Kitanoumi, a chairman of the NSK, expressing high hopes for Asashoryu's future. Having apparently achieved hero status in his homeland Mongolia, Asashoryu's fans are now wondering just how much better this young sumo star can get.