Late-blooming sekiwake Tamawashi, who won his first title at the age of 34 in the just-concluded New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, said Monday he does not intend to slow down despite taking his time to claim the Emperor's Cup.
A day after winning the 15-day championship at Ryogoku Kokugikan with a 13-2 record, the Mongolian said he will shatter the young athlete ideal by fighting age and working out to stay younger for longer.
"I have to be young. I have to train as hard (as the younger wrestlers)," said Tamawashi, who became the second-oldest wrestler in sumo's current six-basho format to win his first championship.