By Dana S. Mar
The North American Post
With a 14-1 record by the end of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday, Kisenosato has finally earned promotion to yokozuna. Kisenosato is the first Japanese sumo wrestler to have earned the rank in 19 years, current grand champions being Hakuho, who took a record 37 championships, Harumafuji and Kakuryu, all of whom are Mongolians. The decision was made and announced on Wednesday from the Japan Sumo Association, which had decided unanimously on the promotion based upon Kisenosato’s recent performance and first Emperor’s Cup.
Kisenosato, whose real name is Yutaka Hagiwara, was the second youngest juryo wrestler since the Showa era when he joined at the age of 17. Now 30, Kisenosato is considered a little old for having earned the yokozuna title.
