Asashoryu, the 68th Yokozuna or Grand Champion of sumo,
bade formal farewell to the ring on Sunday at a ceremony organized by The
Japanese Sumo Association in Tokyo. Among those present to watch   his topknot cut in a ritual to officially
end his controversial career were Prime Minister S.Batbold and other
Mongolians.  

More than 300 people, ranging from a professional boxer
to a television personality, each cut a tiny portion of his knot with a large
pair of gold-colored scissors on the ring under the glare of fans and media.
Asashoryu, who quit the sport in February, sat rigid and shut his eyes tight
when his stablemaster Takasago chopped off the final strand.

“I have two hearts beating in my body — Mongolia
gave me birth and Japan fostered me. I love these two countries most,” the
30-year-old Mongolian said on the ring to huge cheers from fans after he parted
with the knot. He saluted the fans as he left the ring. He kissed its side and
raised both hands in the air before leaving the arena.

After the ceremony, Asashoryu, whose real name is
Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj, told reporters he wanted to be “reborn as a
Japanese”.

“It”s my dream to become a yokozuna as a
Japanese,” he said, using the Japanese word for a grand champion.

He won enthusiastic followers with his “bad
boy” image and colorful character. But he also angered traditionalists who
believed his comments and behavior were too abrasive for a sumo champion
expected to be a discreet social role model. He quit the sport after he was
accused of punching a man in a nightclub brawl.