The upcoming Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament marks 50 years since Takamiyama (Jesse Kuhaulua) became the first-ever foreign-born winner of the Emperor¡¯s Cup.
That milestone event stood unmatched for 17 years ¡ª that is, until Konishiki¡¯s victory in 1989 kick-started an era of regular foreign winners, which later morphed into total dominance by non-Japanese wrestlers with the arrival of the Mongolians.
Although Japanese rikishi have made a comeback of sorts in recent times, it¡¯s still 19 years and counting since a wrestler born in this country has emerged victorious in central Japan.
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