Mongolian Hakuho was promoted to grand champion yesterday, becoming the fourth non-Japanese to reach sumo's highest rank.
Hakuho, whose real name is Munkhbat Davaajargal, gained promotion after sealing back-to-back Emperor's Cups and the third of his career on Saturday at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.
The Japan Sumo Association (JSA) finalized Hakuho's promotion yesterday.
PHOTO: AP
The 22-year-old Hakuho becomes the 69th grand champion in sumo history and the first since fellow Mongolian Asashoryu was promoted after the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in January 2003.
Hakuho is the third-youngest wrestler to reach sumo's summit. JSA chairman Kitanoumi and former great Taiho earned promotion to yokozuna when they were 21 years old.
The title of yokozuna, or grand champion, is considered a mark of honor, and its holders are held to high standards.
Japan's ancient sport hasn't had a Japanese grand champion since Takanohana retired in January 2003.
Hakuho is one of eight Mongolian wrestlers competing in sumo's elite division. He made his debut in March 2001 and was promoted to the second-highest rank of ozeki in May last year, when he won his first Emperor's Cup.
Shohei Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw on Friday joined their Los Angeles Dodgers teammates in sticking their fists out to show off their glittering World Series rings at a ceremony. “There’s just a lot of excitement, probably more than I can ever recall with the Dodger fan base and our players,” manager Dave Roberts said before Los Angeles rallied to beat the Detroit Tigers 8-5 in 10 innings. “What a way to cap off the first two days of celebrations,” Roberts said afterward. “By far the best opening week I’ve ever experienced. I just couldn’t have scripted it any better.” A choir in the
After fleeing Sudan when civil war erupted, Al-Hilal captain Mohamed Abdelrahman and his teammates have defied the odds to reach the CAF Champions League quarter-finals. They are today to face title-holders Al-Ahly of Egypt in Cairo, with the return match in the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott, on Tuesday next week. Al-Hilal and biggest domestic rivals Al-Merrikh relocated to Mauritania after a power struggle broke out in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and a paramilitary force. The civil war has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced more than 12 million people, according to the UN. The Democratic Republic of the Congo-born Al-Hilal
Matvei Michkov did not score on Monday, but the Philadelphia rookie had a hand in both goals as hosts the Flyers earned a 2-1 victory over the Nashville Predators. Ryan Poehling and Jamie Drysdale got the goals for the Flyers (31-36-9, 71 points), who won their third straight. Michkov and Travis Konecny assisted on both. Ivan Fedotov stopped 28 shots to earn his first win since March 1, ending a personal six-game losing streak. Zachary L’Heureux got the lone goal for Nashville. Michael McCarron and Brady Skjei got the assists for the Predators (27-39-8, 62 points), who have just four goals in their
Arminia Bielefeld on Tuesday pulled off a major upset in the DFB-Pokal by defeating defending champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-1 in their semi-final. The third-division team came from behind after Jonathan Tah gave the visitors a 17th-minute lead. Marius Worl replied three minutes later and Maximilian Groser scored Bielefeld’s second goal just before the break. The home team looked more likely to add to that tally as the Leverkusen players looked jaded. “I’m just proud of this team,” Bielefeld coach Mitch Kniat said as most of the fans the small stadium sang around him. “No one will sleep in the city tonight.” Patrik Schick went
RSS