Jul 21 (NHK) - An informed source in the sumo world says Mongolian Yokozuna Grand Champion Hakuho is considering the option of acquiring Japanese citizenship. The move would allow him to become a stablemaster after retirement and train younger wrestlers.
In 2007, Hakuho became the 69th Yokozuna. The 32-year-old wrestler has won a record 38 grand tournaments so far. That's 6 more than the previous record held by former Yokozuna Taiho.
In the Nagoya tourney, Hakuho won his bout on Thursday against Sekiwake Tamawashi. He has now equaled the record for most career victories at 1,047, which was set by former Ozeki Kaio.
Hakuho aims to remain active until the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. A wrestler must have Japanese citizenship in order to remain a member of the Japan Sumo Association after retirement.