With the retirement of Chiyomaru, sumo has lost one of the most popular wrestlers of the past 15 years.
In a world of stoic seriousness, the Kyushu native’s near constant smile was a breath of fresh air.
That happy demeanor combined with his rotund physique even for a sumo wrestler meant the aptly named Chiyomaru — the last character of his name means "round" — was a unique presence in Japan’s national sport.
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