Yokozuna Hakuho has applied for a renunciation of his Mongolian nationality in a move toward acquiring Japanese citizenship, a sumo source said Wednesday.

The 34-year-old, whose real name is Munkhbat Davaajargal, had previously indicated a desire to become a naturalized Japanese citizen, a requirement of all foreign wrestlers wishing to become sumo elders.

"If he doesn't end with Mongolia, he cannot apply to Japan," the source said.