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Yokozuna Hakuho performs ring-entering rite in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho (C) dedicates a ring-entering ritual at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine on Jan. 7, 2015, with No. 5 maegashira Kaisei (L) and No. 7 maegashira Kyokutenho serving as usher and sword bearer, respectively, in a customary ceremony ahead of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament opening on Jan. 11 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in the Japanese capital.

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Hakuho matches Taiho's record of 32 career c'ships

FUKUOKA, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia (R) celebrates with his compatriot sumo wrestler Kyokutenho before leaving by car for a victory parade in Fukuoka, western Japan, on Nov. 23, 2014. Hakuho won the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament with a 14-1 record, matching the all-time record of 32 career championships set by Taiho.

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Sumo wrestler Kyokutenho greets 40th birthday

TOKYO, Japan - Senior professional sumo wrestler Kyokutenho (L) is surrounded by supporters on his 40th birthday at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo on Oct. 4, 2014.

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Yokozuna Hakuho unbeaten at summer sumo tournament

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia (R) forces out third-ranked maegashira Kyokutenho of Mongolia on the seventh day of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on May 17, 2014, remaining unbeaten.

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Hakuho defeats Kyokutenho in New Year sumo tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho shoves Kyokutenho out of the ring on Jan. 21, 2014, on the 10th day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

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Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Grand champion Hakuho (R) pushes No. 2 maegashira Kyokutenho out of the ring on Nov. 13, 2013, the fourth day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, at Fukuoka Kokusai Center in the city of Fukuoka.

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Sumo in Jakarta

JAKARTA, Indonesia - Mongolian wrestler Kyokutenho (R) lifts a boy during a sumo practice session for children during a tournament held by the Japan Sumo Association in Jakarta on Aug. 25, 2013.

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Kyokutenho recalls being "1st Japanese" champion since 2006

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows sumo wrestler Kyokutenho (R), a naturalized Japanese citizen born in Mongolia, responding to fans during his victory parade after winning the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in May 2012 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo's Sumida Ward. Left is Yokozuna Hakuho carrying Kyokutenho's championship flag. Kyokutenho won his first grand tournament at 37, making him the oldest wrestler to win a title since the sumo championship system started in 1909.

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Kyokutenho recalls being "1st Japanese" champion since 2006

TOKYO, Japan - Sumo wrestler Kyokutenho, a naturalized Japanese citizen born in Mongolia, stamps his feet on June 13, 2013, at the Tomozuna stable in Tokyo's Sumida Ward. He still practices every day, hoping to become the first makuuchi wrestler in his 40s since the establishment of the current six-tournament system in 1958.

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Kyokutenho recalls being "1st Japanese" champion since 2006

TOKYO, Japan - Sumo wrestler Kyokutenho, who was born in Mongolia, gives an interview with Kyodo News on June 13, 2013, at the Tomozuna stable in Tokyo's Sumida Ward. He acquired Japanese citizenship in 2005.

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Hakuho wins sumo tourney

FUKUOKA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (top) defeats ozeki Kakuryu on Nov. 24, 2012, the penultimate day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, Fukuoka Prefecture. Hakuho secured his 23rd overall championship before beating Kakuryu as ozeki Kotoshogiku in the preceding bout defeated Kyokutenho, the only wrestler with a mathematical chance of winning the title.

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Kyokutenho wins summer basho

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian-born No. 7 maegashira Kyokutenho (L) receives the Emperor's Cup from Japan Sumo Association chairman Kitanoumi for winning the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 20, 2012.

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Kyokutenho wins summer basho

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian-born No. 7 maegashira Kyokutenho (L) receives the Emperor's Cup from Japan Sumo Association chairman Kitanoumi for winning the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 20, 2012.

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Kyokutenho wins summer basho

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian-born Kyokutenho (back) sends Tochiozan sprawling with a smackdown in a playoff at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 20, 2012, the final day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. The No. 7 maegashira became the oldest wrestler in the modern era to win his career first title at 37 years, 8 months.

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Kyokutenho wins summer basho

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian-born Kyokutenho (L) sends Tochiozan sprawling with a smackdown in a playoff at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 20, 2012, the final day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. The No. 7 maegashira became the oldest wrestler in the modern era to win his career first title at 37 years, 8 months.

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Kaio notches record 1,046th career win

NAGOYA, Japan - Veteran ozeki Kaio (L) receives a bouquet of flowers after beating maegashira Kyokutenho to surpass former yokozuna Chiyonofuji for the most career wins with his 1,046th victory at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament in Aichi Prefecture on July 14, 2011.

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Kaio notches record 1,046th career win

NAGOYA, Japan - Veteran ozeki Kaio (L) beats maegashira Kyokutenho to surpass former yokozuna Chiyonofuji for the most career wins with his 1,046th victory at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament in Aichi Prefecture on July 14, 2011.

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Hakuho's ring-entering ceremony

NAGOYA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (front) performs a ring-entering ceremony at Atsuta Jingu shrine in Nagoya on July 2, 2011, ahead of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. The wrestler holding a sword at left is Kyokutenho.

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Hakuho extends winning streak to 55 bouts

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (L) gives a hand to countryman Kyokutenho after tossing him to the dirt on the eighth day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at the Ryogoku Kokugikan gymnasium in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2010. Hakuho extended his winning streak to 55 bouts.

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Hakuho extends winning streak to 55 bouts

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho tosses countryman Kyokutenho to the dirt on the eighth day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at the Ryogoku Kokugikan gymnasium in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2010. Hakuho extended his winning streak to 55 bouts, a day after surpassing the longest winning streak in postwar sumo history.

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Hakuho beats Kyokutenho at Nagoya meet

NAGOYA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (L) rips through countryman Kyokutenho, deploying a devastating overarm throw to dispatch the No. 3 maegashira just seconds into the match at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, central Japan, on July 17, 2010.

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Kotooshu beats Kyokutenho at Nagoya tourney

NAGOYA, Japan - Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu forces Mongolian maegashira Kyokutenho out of the ring at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium on July 16, 2010, retaining the lead with grand champion Hakuho.

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Baruto beats Kyokutenho

NAGOYA, Japan - Estonian ozeki Baruto (L) forces No. 3 maegashira Kyokutenho out of the ring at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium on July 15, 2010, the fifth day of the 15-day meet.

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Promotion-seeking Baruto rolls on in Osaka

OSAKA, Japan - Estonian sekiwake Baruto (R) forces Mongolian No. 2 sekiwake Kyokutenho out of the ring on the eighth day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka on Mary 21, 2010, remaining unbeaten.

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Ozeki Harumafuji beats Kyokutenho to stay tied for Osaka lead

OSAKA, Japan - Mongolian ozeki Harumafuji (L) pushes compatriot second-ranked maegashira Kyokutenho out of the ring at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka on March 18, 2010, remaining unbeaten during the first five days of the 15-day competition.

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Hakuho unblemished at sumo tourney

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho (in back) drives out fellow Mongolian Kyokutenho at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 17, 2010, sharing the lead with sekiwake Baruto, ozeki Harumafuji and three other wrestlers.

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Baruto throws down Kyokutenho at New Year basho

TOKYO, Japan - Estonian sekiwake Baruto sends down fifth-ranked maegashira Kyokutenho with a pulling overarm throw for his 12th win on the final day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Jan. 24, 2010, at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. Baruto earned the Outstanding Performance Prize, one of three special prizes the Japan Sumo Association gives to makuuchi division wrestlers on the final day of a tournament.

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Asashoryu still going strong at autumn tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna Asashoryu blasts No.2 maegashira Kyokutenho out of the ring, securing his lead with a perfect 5-0 record on the fifth day of the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

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Hakuho marches on at autumn tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho forces countryman Kyokutenho out of the ring to preserve his perfect start to the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sept. 16, 2009. Hakuho improved to 4-0.

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Grand champion Hakuho beats Kyokutenho

NAGOYA, Japan - Grand champion Hakuho forces out komusubi Kyokutenho on the fifth day of the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya on July 16.

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Hakuho rolling, Harumafuji rebounds at Nagoya sumo

NAGOYA, Japan - Ozeki Harumafuji of Mongolia sends fellow komusubi Kyokutenho to the ground on the fourth day of the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya on July 15.

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Asashoryu beats Kyokutenho at Nagoya sumo

NAGOYA, Japan - Yokozuna Asashoryu (R) dispatches komusubi Kyokutenho with a powerful underarm throw on the first day of action at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on July 12.

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Harumafuji remains perfect at summer sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian ozeki Harumafuji (R) forces out Kyokutenho (L) to keep his unblemished record intact to share the lead with Hakuho on the sixth day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on May 15.

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Hakuho remains unbeaten at summer tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (top) executes a textbook ''uwatenage'' throw to beat compatriot Kyokutenho in the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 13, retaining a share of the lead on 4-0.

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JSA conducts 1st random drugs test on sumo wrestlers

TOKYO, Japan - High-ranking Kyokutenho (L) and other ''yukata''-clad sumo wrestlers head for the Ryokogu Kokugikan sumo gymnasium in Tokyo on April 22. The Japan Sumo Association carried out its first random drug tests the same day following a series of drug-related scandals that have tarnished the image of the country's ancient national sport.

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Hakuho, Asashoryu unstoppable at spring sumo

OSAKA, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho forces komusubi Kyokutenho out of the ring on the sixth day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka Municipal Gymnasium in Osaka on March 20.

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Asashoryu gets 1st day win at spring sumo

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna Asashoryu defeats komusubi Kyokutenho, getting his campaign for a second consecutive title victory off with a bang on the opening day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka Municipal Gymnasium on March 15.

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Asashoryu secures 3rd win at sumo tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu floors No. 1 maegashira Kyokutenho with a beltless armthrow for his third win at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Jan. 13, the third day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Miyabiyama suffers 1st defeat at Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Rank-and-filer Miyabiyama (L) is sent sprawling with a beltless arm technique by Mongolian Kyokutenho, suffering his first defeat on the eighth day of the 15-day Kyushui Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center on Nov. 16.

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Asashoryu beats Kyokutenho at autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Asashoryu (L) pushes No. 3 maegashira Kyokutenho out of the ring on the fifth day of the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sept. 18.

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Asa back on track, Hakuho perfect at autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho (L) forces No. 3 maegashira Kyokutenho out of the ring in the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sept. 17, day four of the 15-day competition.

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Asashoryu gains 5th win at summer sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu (L) shrugs off Kyokutenho (R) and dispatches him into the front row of seats with a vicious shove on the sixth day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on May 16.

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Asashoryu still chasing, Hakuho in front at summer sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia throws down No. 2 maegashira Kyokutenho of Mongolia in the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on May 14, day four of the 15-day competition.

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Asashoryu whips Kyokutenho to remain in lead at spring sumo

OSAKA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu (R) kept his undefeated streak alive by disposing of countryman Kyokutenho (L) to remain the sole leader at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 18.

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Hakuho stays perfect at New Year sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho overwhelms Toyonoshima with an underarm throw, sending his opponent flying out of the ring at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on Jan. 15. Hakuho, the reigning Emperor's Cup holder, retains a share of the early lead with Aminishiki, Futeno and Kyokutenho.

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Hakuho beats Kyokutenho at Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (L) forces out No. 4 maegashira Kyokutenho on the 10th day of action of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Nov. 20, sharing the lead at 8-2 with ozeki Chiyotaikai, ozeki Kotomitsuki and maegashira wrestler Baruto of Estonia.

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Kyokutenho banned from tourney for causing car accident

TOKYO, Japan - File photo of Mongolian-born sumo wrestler Kyokutenho, who will be suspended from the upcoming Summer Grand Sumo Tournament for causing a traffic accident, the Japan Sumo Association said May 7.

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Mongolian maegashira involved in traffic accident

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian sumo wrestler Kyokutenho speaks to reporters at his stable in Tokyo on May 2, apologizing for causing a traffic accident last week. The Japan Sumo Association, which strictly forbids its wrestlers from driving, is set to hold a special executive committee meeting early next week to decide what kind of punishment it will hand down to the eighth-ranked maegashira.

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Mongolian sumo wrestler changes nationality for his dream

TOKYO, Japan - Kyokutenho, 32, and Keiko, 33, (center) pose for a picture at their bridal party after their wedding ceremony held on Feb. 17 in a Tokyo hotel with about 570 guests attending.

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Asashoryu outfoxes Kyokutenho, heating up at spring sumo

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Asashoryu of Mongolia throws down No. 2 maegashira Kyokutenho on the sixth day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka on March 16.