Kyokushūzan Noboru

1.1. Childhood and Background

Davaagiin Batbayar was born on March 8, 1973, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. From a young age, he practiced Mongolian wrestling and initially harbored ambitions of becoming a policeman. Raised in a socialist Mongolian environment, he displayed a tenacious personality, reportedly eating stones and even parts of his home's inner walls in his early childhood, around the age of three, due to food shortages. In addition to his native Mongolian and Japanese, he is proficient in Russian and Korean. His cultural background led to some humorous initial encounters with Japanese customs; for example, Mongolians traditionally consider fish sacred and do not eat raw fish, leading to his bewilderment upon seeing his stablemaster consume it.

1.2. Recruitment and Initial Struggles in Sumo

In late 1991, Ōshima-oyakata (the former Ōzeki Asahikuni Masuo), a Japanese sumo training stable master, traveled to Mongolia to recruit promising wrestlers. Davaagiin Batbayar, upon noticing the recruitment advertisement, was one of 170 applicants. He was selected along with five others, including Kyokutenhō and Kyokutenzan, becoming the first Mongolians ever to join professional sumo. Upon his arrival in Japan, he was given the shikona (wrestler's name) of Kyokushūzan, meaning "eagle mountain of the rising sun." He made his professional debut in March 1992.

However, the transition proved challenging. Six months after their arrival, due to significant cultural differences, language barriers, and the extremely rigorous training regime, five of the six Mongolian recruits, including Kyokushūzan, ran away from the Ōshima stable and sought refuge at the Mongolian embassy in Japan. They were eventually persuaded to return by Ōshima-oyakata's wife and Kyokutenzan. This early incident underscored the severe cultural shock and arduous conditions faced by pioneering foreign sumo wrestlers. Batbayar's initial perception of Japan as a technologically advanced nation where objects would appear by simply speaking to them (a misunderstanding from hearing about progress in Japan) was quickly shattered upon seeing the traditional topknots and sand-covered wrestlers in the sumo stable. He also initially struggled to understand how to use chopsticks.

2.1. Fighting Style and Techniques

Early in his top division career, Kyokushūzan gained considerable popularity due to his varied techniques, which were significantly influenced by Mongolian wrestling. These techniques, less commonly seen in sumo, often surprised his early opponents, earning him the nickname gino depato (技のデパート_{department store of techniques}^Japanese) or, more specifically, the "Mongolian branch" (モンゴル支店_{Mongol Shiten}^Japanese) of the "department store," the "main store" (本店_hon-ten^Japanese) being Mainoumi Shūhei. In the May 2002 tournament, he achieved a remarkable feat by winning his first eight bouts using eight different techniques.

As his career progressed, the Japan Sumo Association eventually advised him to cease using some of his more unusual techniques due to concerns about potentially injuring other wrestlers. Consequently, his style evolved to become more defensive and, arguably, less successful towards the end of his career. His most common winning kimarite (決まり手_{winning technique}^Japanese) were uwatenage (上手投げ_{overarm throw}^Japanese) and yorikiri (寄り切り_{force out}^Japanese), utilizing his preferred mawashi grip of migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside). However, his increased reliance on hatakikomi (叩き込み_{slap down}^Japanese) and hikiotoshi (引き落とし_{pull down}^Japanese) also reflected this shift in style.

Kyokushūzan also introduced techniques from Mongolian sumo that were previously absent in the Japanese sport, contributing to the addition of 15 new kimarite to sumo in 2000. He was the first wrestler to win with the newly established techniques of okuridashi-tsuriotoshi (送り出し吊り落とし_{rear push-out lift-and-drop}^Japanese) in January 2001 and okuri-hikiotoshi (送り引き落とし_{rear pull-down}^Japanese) in January 2002. His record of winning with a wide variety of moves included two instances of komata-sukui (小股掬い_{scooping leg trip}^Japanese) and ashitori (足取り_{leg pick}^Japanese) in a single tournament (March 1997), and three rare winning techniques (sotomuso (外無双_{outer arm swivel down}^Japanese), kakenage (掛け投げ_{hooking throw}^Japanese), and watashikomi (渡し込み_{arm-bar throw}^Japanese)) in May 1998. Other unique wins included sotokomata (外小股_{outer thigh scoop}^Japanese) in January 2000, uchimuso (内無双_{inner arm swivel down}^Japanese) in January 2002, and harimanage (波離間投げ_{body slam throw}^Japanese) in March 2003.

Despite never achieving a higher rank than komusubi, Kyokushūzan's ability to remain in the top division for an extended period was attributed by sumo commentators like Mainoumi to his tachi-ai (立合い_{initial charge}^Japanese), where he avoided intense collisions and instead allowed opponents to step in, creating opportunities for his techniques. This defensive approach reportedly helped him avoid physical wear and tear. He is credited with an impressive 45 different winning kimarite throughout his career. He was also known for his exceptional dedication to practice, sometimes completing over 50 bouts a day during sumo tours. However, some stablemasters criticized him for not embracing a more forward-driving sumo style, suggesting that his strong legs and 腰_{koshi (hips/lower back)}^Japanese could have led him to achieve the rank of Ōzeki.

2.2. Promotions and Achievements

Kyokushūzan rapidly climbed the sumo ranks, reaching the jūryō division in March 1995 and the top makuuchi division in September 1996. His swift rise continued with his promotion to komusubi in March 1997, just three tournaments after his top division debut. While he never returned to a san'yaku rank (sumo's elite ranks below yokozuna), he holds a record for the longest consecutive tenure in the maegashira rank (the lowest rank in the top division), remaining there for 58 tournaments in a row until his retirement.

He was a runner-up in two tournaments, in March 2003 and September 2004. Kyokushūzan was awarded five special prizes for his outstanding performances: two for Technique (January 1997, May 2002), two for Fighting Spirit (May 2005, March 2006), and one for Outstanding Performance (May 2003). He also earned five kinboshi (金星_{gold star}^Japanese) for defeating reigning yokozuna. His kinboshi victories included one against Akebono (May 1997), two against Wakanohana (March 1999), one against Musashimaru (January 2002), and his final one against fellow Mongolian Asashōryū (May 2003).

Further notable achievements include securing 11 wins in May 2001, reportedly spurred by Asashōryū surpassing him in rank. He achieved another 11 wins in September 2004 and his career-best 12 wins in May 2005, which earned him his first Fighting Spirit Prize. In July 2005, he defeated Tochiazuma using a komata-sukui technique. In March 2006, he again recorded 11 wins, earning his fifth special prize. Despite his skill, his inability to consistently apply powerful yorikiri (force out) led to him not being able to secure a permanent place in the san'yaku ranks. He shares a unique record with Takayasu of twice achieving a kachikoshi (勝ち越し_{more wins than losses}^Japanese) and twice a makekoshi (負け越し_{more losses than wins}^Japanese) in the middle of a tournament.

2.3. Rivalries and Incidents

Kyokushūzan's career included a widely publicized rivalry with fellow Mongolian Yokozuna Asashōryū. A significant incident occurred during their bout in the July 2003 tournament when Asashōryū pulled on Kyokushūzan's topknot. This is a kinjite (forbidden move) in sumo, leading to Asashōryū's disqualification (hansoku (反則_foul^Japanese)). This was the first time a yokozuna had ever been disqualified for such a foul. However, Kyokushūzan did not receive a kinboshi for this win, as they are not awarded for victories by hansoku. The Japan Sumo Association deliberated for five days before officially announcing that a kinboshi would not be granted, as there was no precedent.

The conflict between the two wrestlers escalated after this bout, with a heated verbal altercation occurring in the bathhouse, which required the intervention of Ōzeki Kaiō to stop. Further, Asashōryū reportedly damaged the side mirror of Kyokushūzan's car, leading to a compensation dispute. The rivalry had roots in a previous encounter in May 2003, where Asashōryū controversially demanded a monoi (a judges' review) after losing at the edge of the ring. Despite the intense public perception of their animosity, the two later publicly reconciled before the media.

2.4. University Education during Active Career

In 2004, while still an active sumo wrestler, Kyokushūzan enrolled in the correspondence education program of the School of Human Sciences at Waseda University. His decision to pursue higher education was inspired by a conversation in May 1998, where Mongolian President Natsagiin Bagabandi and then-Japanese Foreign Minister Keizō Obuchi (a Waseda University alumnus) were present. President Bagabandi advised him to study after retiring from sumo, suggesting that he should take advantage of his opportunities. Obuchi, in turn, recommended Waseda University. Kyokushūzan's interest in Waseda grew from this encounter, leading him to adopt a claret-colored mawashi, the school's official color, from the May 2002 tournament onwards.

3.1. Health Concerns and External Pressures

Kyokushūzan unexpectedly announced his retirement on the second day of the Kyushu tournament in November 2006, following a loss on the first day. This decision was primarily attributed to health issues; he had been diagnosed with ischemic heart disease and advised by doctors that continuing to wrestle would endanger his life.

However, it later emerged that his retirement was also significantly influenced by an attempted extortion plot by gangsters linked to the Sumiyoshi-kai yakuza crime syndicate. Leading up to his retirement, Ōshima stable experienced several unsettling incidents: on November 9, 2006, the stable's front door glass was broken by a stone, and tear gas was thrown inside. Two days later, on November 11, an unmanned two-ton truck rammed into the stable. In July 2007, former leaders of a Sumiyoshi-kai affiliated gang were arrested on suspicion of attempted extortion against Kyokushūzan. During police questioning, Kyokushūzan confirmed that this incident was a contributing factor to his decision to retire. One publication alleged that the yakuza's involvement stemmed from Kyokushūzan having allegedly double-sold development rights to a Mongolian gold mine to both Sumiyoshi-kai and Kansai-area yakuza. This situation underscored the vulnerability of public figures, even athletes, to criminal elements and the broader societal implications of such external pressures.

3.2. Retirement Ceremony

Following his retirement, a ceremony in his honor was held in Ulaanbaatar at the end of 2006, attended by the then-Mongolian Prime Minister. His official danpatsu-shiki (断髪式_{topknot-cutting ceremony}^Japanese), where the retired wrestler's chonmage is ceremonially cut, took place on June 2, 2007, at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. The ceremony saw over 200 participants, with his stablemaster, Ōshima-oyakata, making the final cut. Notable attendees included former Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu, House of Representatives member Katsuya Hirasawa, Saitama Prefecture Governor Kiyoshi Ueda, actor Hiroshi Fujioka, Olympic gymnast Yukio Iketani, and doctor Hiromasa Kinoshita (husband of Jaguar Yokota), along with various Mongolian officials and high-ranking sumo wrestlers (though Ōzeki Tochiazuma, who had just retired in May 2007, was absent). The ceremony concluded with his eldest daughter and actress Anna Tsuchiya (who also participated in his memorial photobook) presenting flowers. Two days later, on June 4, 2007, Kyokushūzan released a memorial photobook.

4.1. Political Activities in Mongolia

Upon his retirement, Kyokushūzan did not naturalize as a Japanese citizen, making it clear he would return to Mongolia, and thus, he did not remain with the Sumo Association. He renounced his permanent residency in Japan and returned to his homeland. In June 2008, he successfully ran for election to the State Great Khural (Mongolian parliament) as a candidate for the opposition Democratic Party, securing a top position. From May 2009, he served as a special advisor to the President of Mongolia. In 2010, he also acted as a sumo goodwill ambassador at the Sports Accord World Combat Games held in China. He sought re-election in the 2012 parliamentary elections, running in his native Khovd Province, but was unsuccessful, despite the Democratic Party emerging as the leading party. From 2013, he served as an advisor on Japan to the Prime Minister of Mongolia Chimediin Saikhanbileg. He ran for the Democratic Party again in the 2020 parliamentary elections but was once more unsuccessful. On November 30, 2017, he was dismissed from his role as a non-regular presidential advisor, a move that the Mongolian news site "News.mn" linked to his public statements regarding the Harumafuji assault incident.

4.2. Contributions to the Sumo World

Throughout his active career and especially since his retirement, Kyokushūzan has been a dedicated recruiter and mentor for young Mongolian sumo wrestlers. He actively used his connections to help fellow Mongolians interested in sumo find suitable stables in Japan that were seeking foreign recruits. In this capacity, he played a crucial role in initiating the careers of notable wrestlers such as Hakuhō, Tamawashi, and Mōkonami. He estimates that he has recruited around 25 Mongolians for professional sumo over the years. Notably, he was instrumental in Hakuhō's entry into sumo, helping him find a stable when Hakuhō was on the verge of returning to Mongolia, unaware of Hakuhō's identity as the 4-year-old boy who once gave him food at a Naadam festival. Kyokushūzan now serves as the chairman of the Mongolian Sumo Association.

His commitment to social contributions in Mongolia is also evident through the "Kyokushūzan Development Fund," which he established to support the education of Mongolian children and provide aid to impoverished communities. Through this fund, he has gathered donations and provided various forms of assistance, earning him a reputation as a hero in his home country, where he is sometimes considered even more popular than Asashōryū. He has been awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Ulaanbaatar. Furthermore, in 2017, he opened "KYOKUSHU BEYA" in Ulaanbaatar, where he teaches sumo to local children, fostering the next generation of wrestlers.

In May 2016, on May 29, he made his first public appearance in a match in about 10 years at Ryōgoku Kokugikan. In the retirement sumo of his stablemate and peer, former sekiwake Kyokutenhō, he was designated as the opponent for Kyokutenhō's "last bout." He secured a left overarm grip at the initial charge and drove his opponent to the edge of the ring, but was ultimately defeated by a reversal ucchari. He brought his wine-red mawashi and sagari, which were his trademarks during his active career, and wore tabi prepared by Kyokutenhō, greatly entertaining the audience.

4.3. Business Ventures

Upon his return to Mongolia, Kyokushūzan embarked on various entrepreneurial activities. He became a successful businessman, engaging in diverse sectors including construction, telecommunications, and trade.

4.4. Notable Controversies and Public Engagements

Kyokushūzan has been involved in several public statements and controversies that have highlighted broader societal implications, particularly concerning the cultural nuances between Japan and Mongolia.

In 2011, during a major sumo match-fixing scandal, Kyokushūzan commented in an interview with a local Mongolian newspaper that Mongolians "understand match-fixing" and that it "exists in Mongolian sumo." He explained that in Mongolian sumo, when a higher-ranked wrestler defeats a local favorite, fans might express disappointment by saying, "You should have let him win." He analyzed that for the Japanese, the scandal was a "big incident" because it was perceived as deceiving the nation. While denying his own involvement in match-fixing during his active career, he stressed that current Mongolian sumo wrestlers should not be suspected.

In 2017, he became a central figure in the controversy surrounding Yokozuna Harumafuji's assault on fellow wrestler Takanoi. Kyokushūzan publicly recounted details he claimed to have heard directly from Takanoi via phone, stating that Takanoi had been hit "40 to 50 times with an ashtray and a karaoke remote control" and that his head required stitches, making it difficult for his topknot to be tied afterward. This account was vehemently denied by Asashōryū, who accused Kyokushūzan of lying. Kyokushūzan expressed a desire for both Harumafuji and Takanoi to reconcile and apologize publicly in front of the Japanese media, indicating that his aim was not to take sides but to seek resolution. His subsequent dismissal as a presidential advisor in Mongolia was linked by some media outlets to his involvement in this incident.

In October 2018, when Takanoi filed a civil lawsuit against Harumafuji for damages, Kyokushūzan controversially offered to pay the requested 24.00 M JPY himself, drawing considerable criticism. He later clarified his stance, explaining that Mongolians were shocked by the large sum (which he noted was equivalent to ten times that amount in Mongolia) and that Takanoi's family faced public backlash in Mongolia. He elaborated that in Mongolian culture, suing a senior (an elder) is generally frowned upon. Therefore, he believed Takanoi's decision to withdraw the lawsuit was the "correct" choice, as returning to Mongolia with such a large settlement could have led to further negative consequences for him.

Kyokushūzan has also maintained a deep connection with his former stablemaster, Ōshima-oyakata. He visited Ōshima about a month before his death, despite Ōshima's inability to recognize most people, he was reportedly overjoyed to see Kyokushūzan. Kyokushūzan also attended Ōshima's private family funeral in 2024.

6.1. Pioneering Role and Positive Contributions

Kyokushūzan is widely recognized for his pioneering role as the first Mongolian sumo wrestler to reach the top division, opening the door for many subsequent Mongolian rikishi who would come to dominate the sport. He served as a crucial cultural bridge between Japan and Mongolia, actively recruiting and mentoring younger Mongolian sumo wrestlers and using his connections to facilitate their entry into professional sumo stables. His personal involvement was instrumental in the careers of future Yokozuna Hakuhō and Ōzeki Tamawashi, among others.

Beyond sumo, his social contributions in Mongolia have been significant. He established the "Kyokushūzan Development Fund" to support education and aid the poor, reflecting his deep commitment to his homeland. His efforts in this regard have earned him the status of a national hero and the title of Honorary Citizen of Ulaanbaatar. Furthermore, he continues to nurture young talent by operating "KYOKUSHU BEYA" in Ulaanbaatar, where he teaches sumo to local children, ensuring the legacy of Mongolian wrestling continues to thrive.

6.2. Criticisms and Controversies

While celebrated for his achievements, Kyokushūzan's career and post-retirement activities were not without criticism and controversy. His unique and sometimes defensive fighting style, while effective for longevity, drew criticism from some stablemasters who believed he could have achieved higher ranks if he had adopted a more aggressive, forward-moving approach. His public comments during the 2011 sumo match-fixing scandal, where he stated that Mongolians "understand match-fixing," were seen by some as insensitive in the Japanese context, although he aimed to explain cultural differences in perception. His involvement in the Harumafuji assault incident and his highly publicized statements, including offering to pay Takanoi's settlement, also drew criticism, though he contextualized these actions within Mongolian cultural norms regarding seniority and public reputation. These instances highlight the complexities of navigating cross-cultural expectations in the public sphere.

9.1. Summary of Major Records

• Total Career Record: 560 wins, 601 losses, 2 absences (winning percentage: .482)
• Makuuchi Record: 408 wins, 507 losses, 2 absences (winning percentage: .446)
• Active Career Tenure: 89 tournaments
• Makuuchi Tenure: 62 tournaments
• San'yaku Tenure: 1 tournament (as Komusubi)
• Special Prizes (Sanshō): 5
  • Outstanding Performance Prize (Shukun-shō): 1 (May 2003)
  • Fighting Spirit Prize (Kantō-shō): 2 (May 2005, March 2006)
  • Technique Prize (Ginō-shō): 2 (January 1997, May 2002)
• Kinboshi (Gold Stars): 5 (vs. Akebono: 1; vs. Wakanohana: 2; vs. Musashimaru: 1; vs. Asashōryū: 1)
• Division Championships (Yūshō):
  • Jūryō: 2 (July 1995, March 1996)
  • Makushita: 1 (January 1995)

9.2. Tournament Records by Year

9.3. Makuuchi Head-to-Head Records

• Numbers in parentheses indicate wins or losses by forfeit or disqualification.