(Reuters) - Tochinoshin became the first Georgian to win a grand sumo tournament on Saturday, defeating Japanese wrestler Shohozan for his seventh straight victory at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo.

Tochinoshin, whose real name is Levan Gorgadze, was fighting as a number three ‘maegashira’, the lowest of the five ranks in the sport’s top ‘makuuchi’ division, and began the day two wins ahead of grand champion or ‘yokozuna’ Kakuryu.

The 30-year-old recovered from a slight misstep against Shohozan to claim the one victory he needed to win a 15-day grand tournament in Japan’s traditional sport.

“This is the greatest. I’m extremely happy,” Tochinoshin, who improved his record at the tournament to 13 wins and one defeat, was quoted as saying by Kyodo news agency.

“Congratulations @tochinoshin! Georgian #Sumo wrestler Levan Gorgadze is the winner of Emeperor’s Cup!” Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili tweeted after Tochinoshin was crowned champion.

Tochinoshin’s victory is the culmination of a hard slog back to the upper echelons of the sport after his career was nearly ended by a severe knee injury.

The 177 kg (390 pound) Georgian ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament at the tournament in Nagoya in July 2013 and dropped out of the top division after missing three grand tournaments.

He returned to the makuuchi division more than a year later and revealed how he had toyed with the idea of quitting the sport.

“This is something I never imagined when I dropped from makuuchi,” Tochinoshin said. “There were many times I felt like quitting.

“But I settled down, got out of the hospital and even though I had dropped way down the rankings, my attitude changed dramatically. I wanted to give it one more shot.”

Miscalculation almost cost Tochinoshin dear during Saturday’s contest when he lost balance and nearly landed on the straw after Shohozan ducked out of the way of one of his strikes.

The Georgian recovered, even though his back was briefly turned to his opponent, managing to pivot and lock up Shohozan’s arm before going on to claim victory.

Kakuryu slumped to his fourth straight defeat after he was beaten by Takayasu. </s> Tochinoshin became the first rank-and-file wrester in nearly six years to win a grand sumo tournament on Saturday, the penultimate day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

Fighting as a No. 3 maegashira, the 30-year-old from Georgia reeled off his seventh straight win to run his record in the 15-day event at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan to 13-1.

Beginning the day two wins ahead of yokozuna Kakuryu, Tochinoshin, whose real name is Levan Gorgadze, survived a slight misstep against 1.77-meter dynamo Shohozan (9-5), but recovered quickly to force him over the straw.

"This is the greatest. I'm extremely happy," said Tochinoshin after sending his ninth-ranked maegashira opponent down to his fifth loss of the tournament.

From the start, each man tried to drive the other back with rapid-fire shoves to the upper body with Tochinoshin forcing his opponent back to the straw. But as the Georgian drew back for another blow, Shohozan ducked out of the way, and Tochinoshin's follow-through carried him toward the straw and perilously close to defeat.

For a second, Tochinoshin's back was turned to his opponent. But the 177-kilogram Georgian pivoted in a flash, locked up the disbelieving Shohozan's right arm and proceeded to usher him struggling from the bout.

He is the third sumo wrestler from Europe to win a 15-day grand tournament in Japan's traditional sport. Before he made his professional sumo debut in March 2006, Gorgadze practiced judo and the Russian martial art, sambo.

In the July 2013 Nagoya tourney when he was fighting as a No. 11 maegashira, Tochinoshin severely damaged his right knee, rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament and tearing the medial collateral ligament. He missed three straight grand tournaments before returning to action in the third-tier makushita division.

Tochinoshin returned to the top division in November 2014 and began a gradual rise up the rankings until he was promoted to sekiwake after going 10-5 as a No. 4 maegashira in May 2016.

"This is something I never imagined when I dropped from makuuchi," Tochinoshin said. "There were many times I felt like quitting. But I settled down, got out of the hospital and even though I had dropped way down the rankings, my attitude changed dramatically."

"I wanted to give it one more shot. My stablemaster and his wife encouraged me, and that made me happy."

Long after Tochinoshin had stolen the day's headlines, ozeki Goeido forced out sekiwake Mitakeumi, leaving both with 8-6 records. In the day's final bout, ozeki Takayasu (11-3) put a feather in his cap by sending yokozuna Kakuryu (10-4) to his fourth straight defeat.

As he had the day before against Mitakeumi, Kakuryu was thrown of his game by a couple of blows to his throat early on and could not keep pace with the ozeki's powerful shoving attack. </s> Tochinoshin is one win away from claiming his first championship after dispatching Ichinojo at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday.

Grand champion Kakuryu suffered his third straight loss on the 13th-day of the 15-day tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan and now trails Tochinoshin by two wins.

Tochinoshin, a No. 3 maegashira whose only loss here was to the yokozuna, posted his sixth straight victory, defeating top-ranked maegashira Ichinojo (8-5). The two maegashira held onto each other's belts, but the 177-kilogram Tochinoshin lifted the 215-kg Mongolian toward the edge and forced him out.

The Georgian, who seized the sole lead on Thursday, can secure his title on Saturday with a win against No. 9 Shohozan (9-4).

In the day's final bout, Kakuryu was shoved out by sekiwake Mitakeumi (8-5). The Dewanoumi stable sekiwake snapped his five-match losing streak to secure a winning record.

"I'm glad. I can't say I didn't feel pressure after having consecutive losses," Mitakeumi said.

The two ozeki won their respective bouts. Takayasu (10-3) bulldozed fourth-ranked maegashira Arawashi (6-7) out to secure his sixth straight win. Goeido (7-6) snapped his three-match losing streak when he dispatched No. 5 Okinoumi (4-9).

Fan-favorite No.5 Endo (8-5) secured a winning record at the meet after beating former ozeki Kotoshogiku (6-7). Endo forced out Kotoshogiku, who is now the second-ranked maegashira.

Earlier in the day, No. 10 maegashira Aminishiki (2-8-3), who missed three days during the meet due to injury, posted his first win since he returned on Day 10. The Isegahama stable wrestler held on to No.6 Ikioi (2-11) and pulled him down.

Aminishiki became the oldest wrestler at age 39 to return to the elite makuuchi division at last year's Kyushu meet and won the Fighting Spirit prize. However, he had only one win before hurting his right knee on Day 5. </s> Sumo Crown Comes Home With Japan’s 1st Wrestling Title in 19 Years

The sumo wrestler Kisenosato was promoted to “Yokozuna” — the sport’s highest rank — three days after winning the title in Toyko. It was Japan’s first such award in almost two decades. </s> Japan has its first home-grown top ranked sumo wrestler in almost two decades after Kisenosato was promoted to the highest rank of "Yokozuna".

The last Japan-born wrestlers to reach the top were brothers – Takanohana and Wakanohana – who made it to yokozuna in 1994 and 1998 respectively.

The 30-year-old was promoted to the top rank three days after he won his first title at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament with a 14-1 record. "I think it was the support I received that enabled me to come this far. I desperately hung on at the end," Kisenosato said.

He added that he would "concentrate on being true to the title of Yokozuna", while accepting the honour.

Kisenosato, whose real name is Yutaka Hagiwara and who hails from Ibaraki to the north of Tokyo, has been an ozeki - the second-highest rank - since 2012. However, on Wednesday (25 January), he became the first Japanese to gain that coveted rank since 1998.

Before joining wrestling, Kisenosato was a pitcher in his school's baseball club. He made his debut in 2002 and according to Japan's Mainichi newspaper, the 73 tournaments he took to become a yokozuna are the most by any wrestler since 1926.

It was believed that with the promotion of Kisenosato, Japanese fans of the sport would be pleased as they finally get to see a local wrestler back at the top of a sport, which is regarded as a cultural icon, after several years.

In recent years, the sport was dominated by the Mongolians and Hawaiians. It was also hit by a series of scandals involving bullying of junior trainees, and wrestlers gambling on professional baseball games.

The last three wrestlers promoted to Yokozuna were Mongolian – Hakuho, Harumafuji and Kakuryu. Before them came Hawaiian Akebono and Samoan Musashimaru. </s> A Japanese sumo wrestler has reached the pinnacle of the country's ancient sport for the first time in almost two decades.

Newly promoted Japanese sumo wrestler Kisenosato, center, accompanied by his stable master Tagonoura, right, and the master's wife, Kotomi, holds up a red sea bream during a formal ceremony to notify him of his promotion to the pinnacle of Japan's ancient sport.

Kisenosato was promoted to the highest rank of "Yokozuna" today, three days after winning his first title at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament with a 14-1 record.

"I humbly accept the honor," he said at a ceremony in Tokyo. "I will concentrate on being true to the title of Yokozuna."

Kisenosato, whose real name is Yutaka Hagiwara, is the first Japanese wrestler to earn the coveted rank of "grand champion" since 1998.

Mongolians and Hawaiians have dominated the sport for more than a decade, causing concern among some sumo officials and fans. The last three wrestlers promoted to Yokozuna were Mongolian: Hakuho, Harumafuji and Kakuryu. Before them came Hawaiian Akebono and Samoan Musashimaru.

The sport's popularity has waned in recent years amid a series of scandals involving bullying of junior apprentices, and wrestlers gambling on professional baseball games. The lack of a Japanese at the top, and competition from football and baseball, has also had an impact.

Previously, the last Japanese promoted to Yokozuna was Wakanohana in 1998. His brother, Takanohana, was the last Japanese to compete as a Yokozuna. He retired in 2003.

Wrestlers must normally win two consecutive tournaments to be promoted. Kisenosato only has one title but earned the top rank based on his consistent results in recent tournaments and the New Year title.

As much as his promotion will give the sport a shot in the arm, it comes at an advanced age for a sumo wrestler.

Kisenosato is 30 years old. Mongolian Hakuho, who is 31, was 22 when he became a grand champion. He went on to win a record 37 championships. </s> After 19 years in which the top rank of Japan's national sport has been dominated by foreigners — most recently Mongolians — the Japan Sumo Association on Wednesday promoted one of their own to the sport's highest rank.

A 30-year-old named Kisenosato was made the sport's 72nd yokozuna, or grand champion. And the nation is rejoicing.

Kisenosato, who was born Yutaka Hagiwara in a prefecture just north of Tokyo, accepted the promotion dressed in a traditional black kimono.

"I will devote myself further not to disgrace the name of yokozuna," he said.

Sumo wrestling was invented in Japan, and involves very large and lightly clad men competing to see who can force the other to step outside the ring or touch the ground with something other than the soles of his feet.

PHOTO: You'd Cry Too! Babies and Sumos Face Off in Crying Contest

Kisenosato's promotion came after he won his first sumo tournament, on Sunday. It took him 73 tournaments to achieve the honor, making his ascent one of the most glacial in the postwar era.

He is the first native Japanese promoted to the rank of yokozuna since 1998. In the interim, the title has been held by an American Samoan, Musashimaru Koyo, who later became a naturalized Japanese citizen, and four Mongolians.

There are no set criteria for elevating a sumo wrestler from ozeki, the second highest title, to yokozuna. But the Yokozuna Deliberation Council looks at the winner of a tournament, reviews his hinkaku, or dignity and grace, as well as his recent performances, and then make a recommendation to the Sumo Association.

Kienosato promised in a news conference to bring honor to the position.

"I believe yokozuna is a position that is under constant scrutiny and that people will be watching how I carry out my daily life," he said. "In that respect, I feel I need to grow further as a person and strive to become a yokozuna whom people can respect."

A yokozuna cannot be demoted. If he fails to uphold a majority win during a tournament, the only road left is retirement, something of which Kisenosato is well aware.

"Once you become a yokozuna, you cannot lose," he said. "I have to be even stronger and become a wrestler who never loses." </s> After decades of scandals and humiliation at the hands of Mongolian wrestlers, sumo finally has Japanese grand champion again.

Kisenosato, a 30-year-old, 385-pound wrestler, was promoted Wednesday to the rank of yokozuna, the first time a Japanese competitor has been elevated to the highest tier in sumo in 19 years.

“The position of yokozuna is proof of much hard work and he’ll need to continue to work hard and protect the position like hell,” Nobuyoshi Hakkaku, chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, told reporters when announcing the promotion.

Japan’s national sport has been in decline in recent years, partly the result of a generational shift toward sports like baseball, partly because of the health issues associated with the heft needed to wrestle, and partly because of the increasing dominance of foreigners.

All three of the current yokozuna, whose ranks Kisenosato now joins, come from Mongolia. Competitors from Brazil, Russia, China and even Hawaii have also been doing well in past years.

So Kisenosato electrified Japan at the weekend when he won the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, recording 14 wins and only one loss.

Usually, a wrestler is promoted to yokozuna after winning two tournaments, but the Yokozuna Deliberation Council Monday recommended that Kisenosato be elevated to the top rank after only one victory.

The Japan Sumo Association concurred Wednesday, making Kisenosato the first Japanese wrestler to be promoted to grand champion since Wakanohana in 1998.

“Kisenosato to end long drought of Japan-born yokozuna,” a headline in the Asahi newspaper declared. “Hopes are rising that this new Japanese yokozuna will reinvigorate the world of sumo,” a writer said in the Nikkei Asian Review.

Kisenosato had something of a reputation for fragility, failing to come through high-pressure matches on many occasions. But at the tournament on Sunday, something felt different, he said.

“I was not excessively tense and was able to fight while keeping my calm,” he told Japanese reporters. “In addition to my own power, I felt that some different power was working.”

Indeed, Kisenosato has set another record: It took him 89 rounds of tournaments to become yokozuna, the slowest record in modern sumo history. And his victory Sunday came only after two Mongolian yokozuna pulled out of the tournament.

Some worry that Kisenosato has been promoted too quickly or that rules were bent to allow him to reach grand champion status.

“I like Kisenosato. Of course I want to see a Japanese yokozuna! And I believe his stable results in the past six tournaments were wonderful,” Ebizo, a renowned and outspoken kabuki actor, wrote on his blog this week. “But he became yokozuna with only one tournament win. I wonder if this could be an attempt to produce a Japanese yokozuna after such a long time.” </s> " A Japanese sumo wrestler has reached the pinnacle of the country's ancient sport for the first time in almost two decades. Kisenosato was promoted to the highest rank of "Yokozuna" on Wednesday, three days after winning his first title at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament with a 14-1 record.

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In sumo, Tochinoshin Tsuyoshi becomes the first Georgian wrestler in history to win the makuuchi (top division) championship.