Tochinoshin Becomes 1st Georgian to Win Sumo Championship

Tokyo, Jan. 27 (Jiji Press)--Tochinoshin, a No. 3 maegashira, clinched the championship in the New Year grand sumo tournament on Saturday, becoming the first wrestler from the former Soviet republic of Georgia to win the Emperor's Cup. On the 14th day of the bimonthly 15-day tournament, held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo, Tochinoshin, 30, who belongs to the Kasugano stable, forced out Shohozan, a No. 9 maegashira, improving his record to 13-1. It is the first time for a rank-and-file maegashira wrestler in the highest sumo division of makuuchi to win a grand tournament since Kyokutenho from Mongolia won the May 2012 tournament. Two European wrestlers--Kotooshu from Bulgaria and Baruto from Estonia--have taken championships. Tochinoshin is the first wrestler from the Kasugano stable to claim the title in 46 years. Tochinoshin, whose real name is Levan Gorgadze, made his professional sumo debut in the March 2006 tournament. He advanced to the makuuchi top division in the May 2008 tournament. END