Kazakh sumo wrestler Yersin Baltagul has made history by becoming the leader for the first time in Japan’s Emperor’s Cup, reports the national portal “Adyrna.”
The prestigious national wrestling tournament, held in the elite division of Japan at the “Kokugikan” Sumo Arena in Tokyo, is nearing its conclusion.
This competition has brought an unexpected result: Yersin Baltagul, a wrestler from Kazakhstan, has become the standout figure of the January basho.
The wrestler is known in Japan by the ring name Kimbouzan Hiroki. As of the results of nine rounds, Baltagul is at the top of the tournament leaderboard.
Kimbouzan Hiroki is the only undefeated wrestler in the January basho. Following him in the rankings is Mongolian sumo wrestler Tiesema, with Japanese wrestlers Oho and Takerufuji in third and fourth places, respectively.
The Emperor’s Tournament will conclude on January 26, with the wrestlers scheduled to compete in five more bouts. Kimbouzan Hiroki is the first Kazakh sumo wrestler to join the elite division.
Yersin was born in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan. Before sumo, he practiced judo.
