Tamawashi and Shodai were promoted to sumo's sekiwake rank for January's New Year Grand Sumo Tournament it was announced on Monday, and the contrast between the two couldn't be any sharper.
When the 15 days of action kicks off at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 8, Tamawashi will be competing in his 77th tournament. Only four other wrestlers have had more experience before making their sekiwake debut.
On the other end of the spectrum from the 32-year-old Mongolian is 25-year-old Shodai, who will be competing in his 17th grand tournament. Among sekiwake debutants since 1958, only former ozeki Konishiki (14) needed fewer to reach the rank.