Mongolian ironman Tamawashi became the oldest wrestler in 40 years to regain promotion to sumo’s upper ranks, after the 37-year-old was listed as a komusubi on Monday in the Japan Sumo Association’s rankings ahead of the November 13-27 Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Tamawashi, who will turn 38 on November 16, the fourth day of the 15-day meet at Fukuoka Kokusai center, was promoted from a No. 3 rank-and-file maegashira wrestler after winning his second career grand tournament in September.

He will be competing in the three “sanyaku” ranks below yokozuna for the first time since July 2019, and will be sharing the spotlight with sekiwake Mitakeumi.

Three-time Emperor’s Cup winner Mitakeumi will have one shot in Fukuoka to regain promotion to ozeki, sumo’s second-highest rank, but will need 10 wins, something he last achieved in March in his first tournament as an ozeki.

The event will likely be without sumo’s lone yokozuna, Terunofuji, who recently undertook knee surgery.

The 30-year-old’s singular career was previously derailed by injuries to both knees as a young ozeki. Since then, he has bounced back from the sport’s second-lowest division to win six of his seven career championships and earn promotion to sumo’s ultimate rank. (Japantimes)