Munkh-Orgil Batjargal, known by the nickname Tamawashi, has set a Guinness World Record by participating in 1,763 matches consecutively throughout his professional sumo career. This was reported by MiddleAsianNews.
On January 26 in Tokyo, he was presented with a certificate confirming this outstanding achievement.
He began his journey in professional sumo in January 2004 and has not missed a single match in 21 years, currently ranking fifth in the left-side maegashira standings.
Munkh-Orgil Batjargal was born on November 16, 1984, into a family of educators. His father is a drawing teacher, and his mother is a lecturer in Mongolian language for foreigners.
In his youth, he was interested in sports such as basketball, volleyball, and table tennis, and he also practiced traditional wrestling called bokh for some time.
His path to professional sumo was paved by his older sister, who was studying at the University of Tokyo. Munkh-Orgil visited Japan several times at her invitation, and once she suggested he try his hand at a wrestling school. They went to the Ryogoku area, where they coincidentally met Kakuryu, who provided them with the contact of Kyokushuzan. This wrestler helped the young compatriot join Kataonami-beya.
Munkh-Orgil left his studies at the University of Ulaanbaatar, where he was studying hotel management, and made his professional debut in January 2004.
His coach gave him the ring name Tamawashi, which translates to "precious ball" and "eagle."
It took him exactly four years to reach the second elite division, Juryo.
After he became a sekitori, he received permission from his oyakata Kataonami to travel home for the first time.
In September 2008, Tamawashi made his debut in the top sumo league, Makuuchi.
In January 2017, he was awarded the title of Sekiwake for the first time.
In January 2019, at the age of 34, Tamawashi won the Emperor's Cup, and in September 2022, at 37 years and 10 months, he achieved his second yusho.
He considers former Sekiwake Tamakasuga, who runs the Kataonami school, as a role model.
Tamawashi's hobby is handicrafts.
Among his favorite dishes, the strongman enjoys tempura, while he does not like eel and sea urchins.
Munkh-Orgil is married to a beautiful Mongolian woman and has two sons.
His height is 190 cm, and his weight is 170 kg.
