Tochinoshin is officially ozeki. Today the Japan Sumo Association board of directors promoted the 30-year-old Georgian to sumo’s second-highest rank of ozeki.

The ceremony was held this morning. Levan Gorgadze said the following in the ritualized vow: “I will follow the stable master’s teachings, try to be a role model for other wrestlers and work hard in training”.

In 2018 Levan Gorgadze has 37 wins and 8 defeats. In January he won Emperor’s Cup. In May the Georgian took the second place.

Tochinoshin is the third European ozeki, after Bulgarian Kotooshu and Estonian Baruto.

The next supertournament will be held in July.