THE JAPAN NEWS

 

The heaviest wrestler in the history of the Japan Sumo Association — weighing slightly over 290 kilograms — has called it quits, saying he would return to his homeland of Russia after retirement.

Orora, a wrestler in the second-lowest jonidan division, won his last career bout at the ongoing Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on Friday.

The 35-year-old, who belongs to the Yamahibiki stable, entered the sumo world at 16. He served for a long time as an attendant to the late JSA Chairman Kitanoumi, a former yokozuna and Orora’s mentor.

“If my mentor had been alive, he would have reached the mandatory retirement age this year,” Orora said. “I promised him I’d continue sumo until then.”

Orora did not make it any further than the third-tier makushita division, but his charming nature attracted many fans. “I’m really satisfied by having been a sumo wrestler,” Orora said.

The Russian said he would make his living in his homeland after retirement. “Physically, I’m a mess. I need to gradually lose weight,” he said.