Japan names first homegrown Sumo champion in two decades
Kisenosato, 30, is the first Japanese Sumo champion since Wakanohana in 1998.
Sumo is the national sport of Japan, but it took a beating due to the lack of local talent.
Foreign wrestlers from American Samoa and Mongolia have dominated the sport in these 19 years.
"I think it was the support I received that enabled me to come this far," a tearful Kisenosato told the media.
"I desperately hung on at the end," he added following his first tournament victory.
He has been promoted to the rank of Yokozuna, the highest rank in Sumo wrestling.
Image: Creative Commons/Wikipedia
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