Egyptian Becomes First African in Elite Sumo

An Egyptian-born wrestler has become the first African to be promoted to the elite division of Japan's ancient sport of sumo.

The Japan Sumo Association on Wednesday promoted Osunaarashi to the juryo division, the second-highest in sumo.

"My dreams are still ahead of me," the 21-year-old Osunaarashi said. "I will practice hard every day to realize them."

Osunaarashi, whose real name is Abdelrahman Ahmed Shaalan, earned the promotion after winning the title in the third-highest division at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament which was completed Sunday.

Juryo wrestlers, like those in the top makuuchi division, receive a regular monthly salary as well as other perks associated with having become a sekitori, or a member of the two upper divisions in sumo. Sumo wrestlers ranked in the divisions below juryo are considered to be in training and receive a small allowance instead of a salary.

Shaalan first tried sumo at the age of 15. He won a bronze medal at the 2008 world junior sumo championships.

"He has received attention for becoming the first African sumo wrestler," his coach Otake said. "Now I want him to get attention for his good results in sumo."

Sumo has been dominated by Mongolians in recent years. The sport's two current grand champions, Hakuho and Harumafuji, are both from Mongolia.

There hasn't been a Japanese grand champion since Takanohana retired in 2003 and a Japanese wrestler hasn't won a major tournament since ozeki Tochiazuma in 2006.

Osunaarashi is a Japanese word meaning big sand storm.