Photo/Illutration Tamawashi expresses his delight at an online news conference on Sept. 26, the day after he won his second career title. (Provided by the Japan Sumo Association)

Tamawashi had wrapped up his second sumo championship but showed no emotion as he waited for the tournament to conclude.

He explained at an online news conference Sept. 26 that he was showing consideration befitting an experienced wrester like himself, but inside he was fighting to hold in his emotions.

“I was about to cry, but I thought I shouldn’t disturb the next match,” Tamawashi said.

The Mongolia native, who ranks as maegashira No. 3, triumphed on the final day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 25.

At 37 years and 10 months, Tamawashi became the oldest winner of a sumo tournament since 1958, when the current system of holding six tournaments a year began.

To the question of when he feels his age, the Kataonami stable member joked, “My face has aged.”

He then showed a serious side when he said that he pushes himself hard in practice “to the point I could cry.”

He won his first championship when he was a sekiwake in 2019.

“I have always thought that someday, one day, (I will win another title),” Tamawashi said.

His win on Sept. 25 against Takayasu clinched his second championship. But it was the seventh-from-the-last match that day.

Now that the tournament has ended, Tamawashi said he wants to “spend my days as usual” with his family, adding “That’s when I’m happiest.”

During the autumn tournament, he defeated one yokozuna and three ozeki.

It was the first time in 37 years for a maegashira to defeat all yokozuna and ozeki in a tournament.
Tamawashi, who is 190 centimeters tall, is nicknamed the “Iron Man.”

He has not missed a match since his debut in the 2004 New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

This means he has fought in 1,463 consecutive matches, the third-longest record.

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