Top Mongolian sumo wrestler ‘Yokozuna’ Hakuho Davaajargal will return home after having smashed the record for most career wins in Japan’s national sport as a ‘yokozuna’, or grand champion. His many fans will welcome Hakuho at Chinggis Khaan airport at 7.30 p.m. today (24th of July). Mongolia’s most famous sporting hero took down Takayasu in a frenetic bout to deafening cheers at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. 

With his 1,048th win, the 32-year-old surpassed former wrestler Kaio’s record, which has been in place since 2011. The historic win came just 16 years after Hakuho’s debut, in contrast to the 23 years it took for the previous record holder.

The Mongolian – who was so small when he arrived in Japan at the age of fifteen, that only a minor sumo ‘stable’ would take him in – also holds the record for the most number of tournament wins.