TOKYO, Jan 20: Sumo wrestler Asashoryu, the Mongolian at the top of Japan's traditional sport, won his 20th career title on Saturday, one day before the new year tournament's closing day.

Asashoryu struggled against Tochiazuma but finally forced the rival of 155kilograms (340 pounds) out of the ring, adding one more win to the win-loss record of 13-1 here in the 15-day New Year Grand sumo tournament.Asashoryu, 26, whose real name is Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj, is the fifth most successful wrestler in the history of sumo and needs two more career titles to become the fourth.

The strongest yokozuna grand champion in the history is Taiho who wrestled from 1956 to 1971 with the record 32 career tiles.

After protecting his single loss, Asashoryu – meaning blue dragon – smiled and raised the hands to respond to the applauding audience.—AFP