Record-breaking sumo champion Hakuho said Tuesday he had given up his Mongolian nationality in April and has now acquired Japanese citizenship, clearing the way to run his own stable of wrestlers in the future.

As Japan does not allow multiple nationalities for adults over 22, Hakuho needed to relinquish his Mongolian citizenship. A wrestler does not need to hold Japanese nationality to compete in tournaments but only Japanese citizens can become a stablemaster after retirement.

The 34-year-old wrestler has won a record 42 sumo tournaments known as bashos.

Hakuho, the son of a Mongolian wrestling champion and an Olympic wrestling silver medallist, came to Japan at the age of 15 to enter the sumo world. He was born Munkhbat Davaajargal.

Previously, two Mongolian-born sumo wrestlers, namely; Kyukutenzan (B.Enkhbat), Asasekiryu (B.Dashnyam) have become Japanese citizens.