Hotaka Suyama made a little history on Friday when the student of philosophy passed the first part of his entrance test to enter professional sumo as its first apprentice wrestler from the University of Tokyo, a bastion of elite academia.
The native of Saitama Prefecture underwent the Japan Sumo Association entrance test at the sport's home, Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, the venue of May's Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.
"It feels like I'm just at the starting line," the 24-year-old Suyama said after taking the first step on his unprecedented challenge.