Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho starts procedures to become Japanese

April 17, 2019

Tokyo--Mongolian yokozuna professional sumo grand champion Hakuho has entered procedures to acquire Japanese nationality, informed sources said Wednesday.

After retirement, sumo wrestlers from overseas need to obtain Japanese citizenship in order to remain in the Japan Sumo Association as a stablemaster and train younger wrestlers.

Hakuho, 34, whose real name is Munkhbat Davaajargal, is married to a Japanese woman. He belongs to Miyagino stable.

Hakuho won the spring grand sumo tournament in March, the last of the Heisei era, with a 15-0 record, claiming the championship for the 42nd time, an all-time high.

He had expressed intention to acquire Japanese nationality. Jiji Press