Japan Awaits Ukrainian Sumo Wrestlers

Kharkiv has seen the second Ambassador of Japan Cup international sumo tournament with 86 athletes from four countries taking part. The championship was for the first time personally attended by Mr. Kishchiro Amae, Japan’s ambassador to Ukraine. In presenting the prizes, he said he hoped to see Ukrainian sumo wrestlers perform in his country. Until then, this can only be seen at September tournaments held in the Kharkiv Pharmaceutical Academy’s sports complex. On the other hand, this time there were none of the Japanese wrestlers who visited Kharkiv last year. Among those who failed to come was also this country’s sumo leader, 200 kilogram Valentyn Rusliakov from Yenakiyevo. In his absence, Kharkiv- based Pavlo Babych emerged victorious in the open weight class. Among women, the most prestigious title was won by Russia’s Anna Zhigalova. At the Japanese side’s suggestion, the tournament was dedicated to the famous sumo wrestler Koki Taiho. His father Markiyan Boryshko, happens to have been born in Zachepylivka district, Kharkiv oblast. The tournament organizers hope that the object of dedication himself will attend the next year’s tournament.