Georgian wrestler Tochinoshin was officially promoted to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki by the Japan Sumo Association on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old, whose real name is Levan Gorgadze, became the third European wrestler to reach the rank, moving up from sekiwake. He is the first new ozeki since Takayasu was promoted after last year's Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.

Upon receiving the news at his Kasugano stable in Tokyo, Tochinoshin delivered a kojo (stage speech), a custom for wrestlers newly promoted to the status.