In September 2002 Asashoryu became the first Mongolian-born wrestler to reach sumo¡¯s second-highest rank of ¨³ú±ğ°ì¾±.
Four months later, a second consecutive 14-1 championship sealed the Ulaanbaatar native¡¯s promotion to the top rung of Japan¡¯s national sport.
Over the next 23 years, six more men from Mongolia would reach ¨zeki, with all but one going on to become yokozuna.
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