Sumo wrestler Tochinoshin has been promoted to Ozeki! He excited us so much during the last Natsu-basho!
Ozeki is the second highest rank in the sumo world. Of course, the top rank is Yokozuna and three Ykozunas are now Hakuho, Kakuryu and Kisenosato. Tochinoshin is the third wrestler from Europe and the first one from Georgia to reach this rank.
The Japan Sumo Association (Nihon Sumo Kyokai) officially decided his promotion to Ozeki on May 30 at their meeting. After their decision, messangers from this association (they are Dewanoumi-Oyakata and Onaruto-Oyakata) visited Kasugano-beya, which Tochinoshin belongs to as a wresler since 2006.
They informed Tochinoshin and his stable master Kasugano-Oyakata of his promotion with the words: “We inform you that you have been unanimously recommended for promotion to Ozeki. Congratulations.” 「本日の理事会において、関脇栃ノ心が全会一致で大関に推挙されましたことをご報告いたします。本日は誠におめでとうございます(in Japanese)」 Tochinoshin prepared an acceptance speech and presented his words to the messengers. He said, “I humbly accept. I will follow the teachings of my stable master and devote myself to training in order to be a role model for other wrestlers.「謹んでお受け致します。親方の教えを守り、力士の手本となるように稽古に精進します。本日は誠にありがとうございました(in Japanese)」
Tochinoshin, you are so great!!! Conglatulations!