Asashoryu, sumo's sixty-eighth yokozuna, performs a ceremonial ring entrance. (Jiji)

When the annual Spring Grand Sumo Tournament got underway in Osaka on March 9, all eyes were on Asashoryu, the Mongolia-born Sumo wrestler who had just been promoted to yokozuna (the top rank in sumo) in January following the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. Asashoryu, whose real name is Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj, is the first yokozuna to hail from Mongolia. Sumo fans, who were somewhat sad following the retirement of the great yokozuna Takanohana midway through the January tournament, were eager to see the new 22-year-old yokozuna climb into the ring for the first time since reaching the top rank.

Rapid Rise Through the Ranks
The New Year Grand Sumo Tournament was Asashoryu's second consecutive championship, and soon afterward he earned promotion to the rank of yokozuna from ozeki (the second-highest rank). Asashoryu is the third foreign-born yokozuna after Akebono and Musashimaru, both of whom came from the United States. He made his debut in the ring five years ago, and his promotion to yokozuna after only 25 tournaments is the fastest rise in the history of sumo, eclipsing the old mark of 30 that had been held by Akebono.

Asashoryu is relatively light for a sumo wrestler, weighing in at 137 kilograms (301 pounds), almost 20 kilograms (44 pounds) lighter than the average wrestler in the makuuchi (top) division. But he has overcome this handicap by utilizing his quickness and well-developed techniques in the ring, and this wiry wrestler now stands atop the sumo world.

There are a number of traditional ceremonies that a wrestler must take part in once he is promoted to yokozuna. At the ceremony in which messengers of the Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association) officially informed him of his promotion, Asashoryu wore formal Japanese clothes and responded in fluent Japanese, "I will do my utmost as a yokozuna for the development of sumo." And at a sumo ritual at the Meiji Shrine marking his promotion, Asashoryu wore the pure white tsuna (heavy braided belt made of linen) that yokozuna wear when they enter the ring. He deftly performed the Unryu style of ring entrance that the yokozuna belonging to the Takasago stable have traditionally performed.

Triumphant Homecoming
Following his promotion, Asashoryu made a triumphant homecoming to his native Mongolia. The country's national sport - Mongolian wrestling - is somewhat similar to sumo, and Asashoryu was given a hero's welcome. He received congratulations from many people, including the country's prime minister. Asashoryu responded to the acclaim by saying, "I'll do my best as the first Asian yokozuna from outside of Japan."

Asashoryu came to Japan in 1997 and studied at Meitoku Gijuku High School in Kochi Prefecture after having been scouted in Mongolia by Toshiyuki Hamamura, who was the coach of the school's sumo club. "He had spring in his muscles unlike anyone else, and I really wanted to bring him to Japan," explains Hamamura. As for his expectations of Asashoryu as a yokozuna, he says: "He has the capacity to become even stronger. He should stay humble and work to become a great yokozuna." Sumo fans can look forward to seeing how this young champion's career will play out.