TOKYO, Jan 7 (Kyodo/APP): Set to make his debut as a ranked wrestler at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament starting Sunday, Mongolian rookie Asahifuji is already drawing attention thanks to his illustrious ring name and impressive performances in practice.
While it is rare for a new wrestler to inherit the ring name of a former yokozuna, the talented 23-year-old was deemed worthy of it by his previous stablemaster, the namesake former grand champion who won four Emperor’s Cups between 1988 and 1991.
Asahifuji, whose real name is Battsetseg Ochirsaikhan, has already proven more than a match during training at his Isegahama stable for accomplished top-division maegashira wrestlers such as Yoshinofuji and Hakunofuji, formerly Hakuoho.
“I’m not used to it yet,” said Asahifuji of his famed name, having stepped into the ring for the first time in out-of-rank maezumo competition at November’s Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
He had three straight wins in Fukuoka to earn his place among the ranked competitors and wore the same “kesho mawashi” ceremonial apron during his promotion announcement that his esteemed predecessor also used.
Despite living at the stable since 2021 after graduating from a high school in Kanagawa Prefecture, he had his debut put on hold because of the Japan Sumo Association’s rule limiting each stable to one foreign-born wrestler.
The retirement of Mongolian-born former yokozuna Terunofuji in January 2024 cleared the way for Asahifuji to finally find his name ranked in jonokuchi, the lowest tier of the sport’s pyramid, for the upcoming meet at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.
“Even though he couldn’t get started right away, he got stronger because he persevered,” said the former yokozuna Asahifuji, who led the Isegahama stable until June and is now elder Miyagino. “I want him to have a sense of responsibility and aim high.”
Standing 185 centimeters and weighing 150 kilograms, Asahifuji already has the physique to compete at the highest level, having steadily developed through intense training at the stable despite compiling an unremarkable record as a high school wrestler.
Terunofuji, now the Isegahama stablemaster, believes his fellow Mongolian-born grappler can be an example for his stablemates and others in the sport.
“I want him to prove that even if one doesn’t win titles as an amateur, he can still become stronger by practicing in the sumo stable,” the stablemaster said.