InsideJapan News Network

Kaio Hiroyuki, one of the top sumo wrestlers of all time, has announced his retirement from the sport yesterday (July 19th).

The legend holds an astonishing wrestling record, being only one of two sumo wrestlers to surpass 1,000 top-level wins, reports the Japan Times.

His overall record stands at 1,047 wins, 700 losses and 158 draws or no-contests.

Kaiki Nobuhide, the leader of the Tomozuna stable from which Kaio used to wrestle, told the news provider that the choice to retire came from the sportsman himself.

"He told me that he wants to retire. He has really done the best he can, that's all," he said.

"I told him: 'You've really done your utmost and anytime that you want to retire it's fine with me.'"

Kaio was ranked as an ozeki (champion) sumo wrestler from 2000 to 2011, which is the longest time anyone has held this rank. His fight record is the best that anyone holds in the modern era without being promoted to the top rank of yokozuna.

Written by Susan Ballion  


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