The ironman of sumo finally got the most precious piece of silverware.
Sekiwake Tamawashi came away with the first Emperor's Cup of his 15-year career when he defeated No. 9 maegashira Endo on the final day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
"I couldn't think of anything," Tamawashi said in a ringside TV interview. "I just did my best."
The victory was a double bonus for the Mongolian, as it also came on the day his wife gave birth to their second child. "That's the best," he exclaimed.
During the interview, he had to fight back tears.
"The first thing that came to my mind was gratitude," the 1.88-meter, 172-kilogram wrestler said. "I want to thank everyone who supported me all this time."
Tamawashi, who made his debut in January 2004, had made his mark in the sport with his durability. His current streak of appearing in 1,151 consecutive bouts is the most among active wrestlers.
Tamawashi had previously won one championship each in the juryo and makushita divisions as he made his way up the rankings.
He went into the final day of the 15-day tournament with a one-win lead over sekiwake Takakeisho, the winner of the previous Kyushu tournament who fought two bouts later in the last match of the basho.
But any hopes of Takakeisho forcing a playoff ended when Tamawashi sent Endo sprawling face-first to the sand. In the end, it did not matter, as Takakeisho lost his match against ozeki Goeido.
While Tamawashi was unable to push Endo back on the jump-off, the Mongolian straightened him up enough so that when Endo dipped his head and pressed forward, Tamawashi skillfully shrugged him by and allowed gravity to do the rest.
At 34 years 2 months, Tamawashi becomes the second-oldest wrestler to win a first title since the system of six tournaments per year was started in 1958. Only Kyokutenho, at 37 years 8 months, was older.
Tamawashi also became the latest in a growing line of wrestlers from his homeland to win a makuuchi division championship, although through the first 10 days it appeared that compatriot and yokozuna Hakuho would walk off with the title.
But nursing leg injuries, Hakuho was dealt three consecutive losses, and joined the two other yokozuna, Kisenosato and Kakuryu, on the sidelines. Kisenosato announced his retirement after losing on the first three days, while Kakuryu pulled out after five days.
It marked the second straight tournament that ended with no yokozuna taking the ring.
Takakeisho, while deprived of a chance for a second straight championship, was outclassed by Goeido, who established a solid base off the jump-off and handily pushed the sekiwake out to finish at 9-6.
Takakeisho ended up 11-4, opening the door for possible promotion to ozeki for the next tournament.
For his efforts, Tamawashi received both the Outstanding Performance Award and Fighting Spirit Prize. Takakeisho did not go away empty-handed, as he earned the Technique Prize. Komusubi Mitakeumi also received the Outstanding Performance Award.
In other matches, ozeki Takayasu also ended his tournament on a winning note, forcing out No. 8 maegashira Kaisei to finish 9-6. Kaisei went 10-5, which should earn him a hefty promotion for the next tournament.
Mitakeumi, a title contender until he missed three days due to injury, was defeated by No. 2 maegashira Nishikigi to end the tournament at 8-4. Nishikigi, whose seven wins included victories over yokozuna Kakuryu and two ozeki, locked up both of Mitakeumi's arms and marched him out of the ring.
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