Sekiwake Tamawashi was still as stunned as anyone that he came away with his first makuuchi division championship at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament that concluded on Sunday.
"I still can't believe it," the 34-year-old Tamawashi said Monday in Tokyo at the traditional day-after press conference for the tournament champion. "I now believe that dreams really can come true."
Speaking at the Kataonami Stable in Sumida Ward with his stablemaster as his side, the Mongolian wrestler also spoke about the coincidence of his wife giving birth to their second child on the final day of the tournament.
"My wife made a great effort, so it was my turn next," he said on his thoughts as he took the ring with the chance to clinch the title, which he did with a victory over No. 9 maegashira Endo to finish with a 13-2 record.
In the commemorative group photo of his first championship with family and supporters, Tamawashi left a spot open next to him, a tribute to his wife who was in the hospital. "I wanted to take the photo with her," he said.
Stablemaster Kataonami, the former sekiwake Tamakasuga, spoke of further expectations for Tamawashi, who at 34, became the second-oldest wrestler to win a maiden title.
"His pushing attack is as good as anyone's," Kataonami said. "I want him to have a long career as a wrestler."
For his part, Tamawashi does not seem ready to stop anytime soon.
"I want to keep going even in my 40s," he said. "If I take it one match a time, the results will come."
Caption: Sekiwake Tamawashi speaks to the media in Tokyo on Monday, the day after winning the New Year tournament.
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